The Book of Ser Marco Polo : vol.2 / Page 285 (Color Image)

0285	The Book of Ser Marco Polo : vol.2

CHAP. LXXXIT. THE CITY AND HAVEN OF ZAYTON 235

Manzi, for ither is g imported the most astonishing

quantity of goods and of precious stones and pearls,

and from this they are distributed all over Manzi.2 And

I assure you that for one shipload of pepper that goes to

Alexandria or elsewhere, destined for Christendom, there

come a hundred such, aye and more too, to this haven

of Zayton ; for it is one of the two greatest havens in

the world for commerce.'

The Great Kaan derives a very large revenue from

the duties paid in this city and haven ; for you must

know that on all the merchandize imported, including

precious stones and pearls, he levies a duty of ten per

cent., or in other words takes tithe of everything. Then

again the ship's charge for freight on small wares is 30

per cent., on pepper 44 per cent., and on lignaloes,

sandalwood, and other bulky goods 40 per cent., so

that between freight and the Kaan's duties the merchant

has to pay a good half the value of his investment

[though on the other half he makes such a profit that

he is always glad to come back with a new supply of

merchandize]. But you may well believe from what I

have said that the Kaan bath a vast revenue from this

city.

There is a great abundance here of all provision for

every necessity of man's life. [It is a charming country,

and the people are very quiet, and fond of an easy life.

Many come hither from Upper India to have their bodies

painted with the needle in the way we have elsewhere

described, there being many adepts at this craft in the

city.]

Let me tell you also that in this province there is a

town called TYUNi U, where they make vessels of

porcelain of all sizes, the finest that can be imagined.

They make it nowhere but in that city, and thence it is

exported all over the world. Here it is abundant and

` Y R

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