They Live By Commerce And Manufactures, And Are No Soldiers.[NOTE 3]

NOTE 1.

- [The Buddhist Government of Khotan was destroyed by Boghra Khan (about 980-990); it was temporarily restored by the Buddhist Kutchluk Khan, chief of the Naimans, who came from the banks of the Ili, destroyed the Mahomedan dynasty of Boghra Khan (1209), but was in his turn subjugated by Chinghiz Khan.

The only Christian monument discovered in Khotan is a bronze cross brought back by Grenard (III. pp. 134-135); see also Deveria, Notes d'Epigraphie Mongole, p. 80. - H. C.]

NOTE 2. - "Aourent Mahommet". Though this is Marco's usual formula to define Mahomedans, we can scarcely suppose that he meant it literally. But in other cases it was very literally interpreted. Thus in Baudouin de Sebourc, the Dame de Pontieu, a passionate lady who renounces her faith before Saladin, says: -

"'Et je renoie Dieu, et le pooir qu'il a; Et Marie, sa Mere, qu'on dist qui le porta; Mahom voel aourer, aportez-le-moi cha!' * * * * Li Soudans commanda Qu'on aportast Mahom; et celle l'aoura." (I. p. 72.)

The same romance brings in the story of the Stone of Samarkand, adapted from ch. xxxiv., and accounts for its sanctity in Saracen eyes because it had long formed a pedestal for Mahound!

And this notion gave rise to the use of Mawmet for an idol in general; whilst from the Mahommerie or place of Islamite worship the name of mummery came to be applied to idolatrous or unmeaning rituals; both very unjust etymologies.

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