16.) But
another authority seems to identify the lira a oro with the lira
dei grossi. (See Zanetti, Nuova Racc. delle Monete &c. d'Italia,
1775. I. 308)
[22] We give a photographic reduction of the original document. This, and
the other two Polo Wills already quoted, had come into the possession
of the Noble Filippo Balbi, and were by him presented in our own time
to the St. Mark's Library. They are all on parchment, in writing of
that age, and have been officially examined and declared to be
originals. They were first published by Cicogna, Iscrizioni
Veneziane, III. 489-493. We give Marco's in the original language,
line for line with the facsimile, in Appendix C.
There is no signature, as may be seen, except those of the Witnesses
and the Notary. The sole presence of a Notary was held to make a deed
valid, and from about the middle of the 13th century in Italy it is
common to find no actual signature (even of witnesses) except that of
the Notary. The peculiar flourish before the Notary's name is what is
called the Tabellionato, a fanciful distinctive monogram which each
Notary adopted. Marco's Will is unfortunately written in a very cramp
hand with many contractions. The other two Wills (of Marco the Elder
and Maffeo) are in beautiful and clear Gothic penmanship.
[23] We have noticed formerly (pp. 14-15, note) the recent discovery
of a document bearing what was supposed to be the autograph signature
of our Traveller. The document in question is the Minute of a
Resolution of the Great Council, attested by the signatures of three
members, of whom the last is MARCUS PAULLO. But the date alone, 11th
March, 1324, is sufficient to raise the gravest doubts as to this
signature being that of our Marco. And further examination, as I learn
from a friend at Venice, has shown that the same name occurs in
connection with analogous entries on several subsequent occasions up
to the middle of the century. I presume that this Marco Polo is the
same that is noticed in our Appendix B, II. as a voter in the
elections of the Doges Marino Faliero and Giovanni Gradenigo. I have
not been able to ascertain his relation to either branch of the Polo
family; but I suspect that he belonged to that of S. Geremia, of which
there was certainly a Marco about the middle of the century.
[24] "Under the angiporta (of S. Lorenzo) [see plate] is buried that
Marco Polo surnamed Milione, who wrote the Travels in the New World,
and who was the first before Christopher Columbus to discover new
countries. No faith was put in him because of the extravagant things
that he recounted; but in the days of our Fathers Columbus augmented
belief in him, by discovering that part of the world which eminent men
had heretofore judged to be uninhabited." (Venezia ... Descritta,
etc., f. 23 v.) Marco Barbaro attests the same inscription in his
Genealogies (copy in Museo Civico at Venice).
[25] Cicogna, II. 385.
[26] Lazari, xxxi.
[27] In the first edition I noticed briefly a statement that had reached
me from China that, in the Temple at Canton vulgarly called "of the
500 gods," there is a foreign figure which from the name attached had
been supposed to represent Marco Polo! From what I have heard from Mr.
Wylie, a very competent authority, this is nonsense. The temple
contains 500 figures of Arhans or Buddhist saints, and one of these
attracts attention from having a hat like a sailor's straw hat. Mr.
Wylie had not remarked the name. [A model of this figure was exhibited
at Venice at the international Geographical Congress, in 1881. I give
a reproduction of this figure and of the Temple of 500 Genii (Fa Lum
Sze) at Canton, from drawings by Felix Regamey made after photographs
sent to me by my late friend, M. Camille Imbault Huart, French Consul
at Canton. - H. C.]
[28] These documents are noted in Appendix C, Nos. 9-12, 14, 17, 18.
[29] I can find no Ranuzzo Dolfino among the Venetian genealogies, but
several Reniers. And I suspect Ranuzzo may be a form of the latter
name.
[30] Cappellari (see p. 77, footnote) under Bragadino.
[31] Ibid. and Gallicciolli, II. 146.
[32] The lire of the fine are not specified; but probably ai grossi,
which would be = 37l. 10s.; not, we hope, dei grossi!
[33] Yet, if the family were so wealthy as tradition represents, it is
strange that Marco's brother Maffeo, after receiving a share of his
father's property, should have possessed barely 10,000 lire,
probably equivalent to 5000 ducats at most. (See p. 65, supra.)
[34] An Agnes Loredano, Abbess of S. Maria delle Vergini, died in 1397.
(Cicogna, V. 91 and 629.) The interval of 61 years makes it somewhat
improbable that it should be the same.
[35] In the Museo Civico (No. 2271 of the Cicogna collection) there is a
commission addressed by the Doge Michiel Steno in 1408, "Nobili Viro
Marcho Paulo," nominating him Podesta of Arostica (a Castello of the
Vicentino). This is probably the same Marco.
[36] The descent runs: (1) Azzo = Maria Polo; (2) Febo, Captain at Padua;
(3) Zaccaria, Senator; (4) Domenico, Procurator of St. Mark's; (5)
Marc' Antonio, Doge (Cappellari, Campidoglio Veneto, MS. St.
Mark's Lib.).
Marc' Antonio nolebat ducari and after election desired to renounce.
His friends persuaded him to retain office, but he lived scarcely a
year after. (Cicogna, IV. 566.) [See p. 8.]
[37] In Appendix B will be found tabulated all the facts that seem to be
positively ascertained as to the Polo genealogies.
In the Venetian archives occurs a procuration executed by the Doge in
favour of the Nobilis Vir SER MARCO PAULO that he may present
himself before the king of Sicily; under date, Venice 9th November,
1342.
