104 CHRISTIANITY IN CHINA, ETC. one particular. Otho of Freisingen, Alberic of Trois Fontaines, William of Tripoli, Vincent de Beauvais, Jacques de Vitry, Marco Polo, Plan-Carpin, Rubruk, Jordan de Severac, Mandeville ; in short, all the tra- vellers and writers of the period, busied themselves about Prester John, and related the most marvellous things concerning him. Nothing, however, can equal what this strange personage says of himself ; or, at least, in a letter attributed to him, which was addressed to the Emperor of Constantinople.* Mosheimf, who copies it from Assemani J, regards it as apocryphal ; but many other critics, and among others, Marsden §, are disposed to admit its authenticity. Authentic or not, however, it is so curious, and so illustrative of the spirit of the time, that we shall not hesitate to translate it almost entire : — " John Priest, by the Power and the Virtue of God and our Lord Jesus Christ, Lord of Lords, to the Sovereign of Constantinople, may he enjoy health and prosperity by the grace of God. " It has been made known to our Majesty, that you esteem our excellence, and that there has been speech among you of our gran- deur. We have learned from our secretary that you, had the intention to send us some articles of luxury and curiosity. What we desire and wish to know is, whether you have, like us, the true faith — whether you believe in our Lord Jesus Christ ? We know that you are a man, and that your little people take you for a sove- reign, although you are but a mortal destined to corruption. If you have need of anything that would be agreeable to you, make it known to us by our secretary, and you shall obtain it from our munificence. If you like to come to* our dominions, you shall be appointed to be
- Probably the Emperor Alexis Comnenus, who died in 1118.
f Hist. Tart, in Appendix, p. 29. I Bibl. Orient, vol. iii. partii. chap. ix. p. 490. § Travels of Marco Polo, pp. 192, 193.
