24_a_. I believe that of late years some doubts have been thrown on the tradition of the site indicated as that of the Casa Polo, though I am not aware of the grounds of such doubts. But a document recently discovered at Venice by Comm. Barozzi, one of a series relating to the testamentary estate of Marco Polo, goes far to confirm the tradition. This is the copy of a technical definition of two pieces of house property adjoining the property of Marco Polo and his brother Stephen, which were sold to Marco Polo by his wife Donata[7] in June 1321. Though the definition is not decisive, from the rarity of topographical references and absence of points of the compass, the description of Donata’s tenements as standing on the Rio (presumably that of S. Giovanni Grisostomo) on one side, opening by certain porticoes and stairs on the other to the Court and common alley leading to the Church of S. Giovanni Grisostomo, and abutting in two places on the CA’ POLO, the property of her husband and Stefano, will apply perfectly to a building occupying the western portion of the area on which now stands the Theatre, and perhaps forming the western side of a Court of which Casa Polo formed the other three sides.[8] [Illustration: Entrance to the Corte del Milione, Venice.] We know nothing more of Polo till we find him appearing a year or two later in rapid succession as the Captain of a Venetian Galley, as a prisoner of war, and as an author. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- [1] Marco Barbaro’s story related at p. _25_ speaks of the Ca’ Million as _built_ by the travellers. From a list of parchments existing in the archives of the _Casa di Ricovero_, or Great Poor House, at Venice, Comm. Berchet obtained the following indication:— “_No. 94. Marco Galetti invests_ Marco Polo _S. of_ Nicolo _with the ownership of his possessions_ (beni) _in_ S. Giovanni Grisostomo; _10 September, 1319; drawn up by the Notary Nicolo, priest of S. Canciano._” This document would perhaps have thrown light on the matter, but unfortunately recent search by several parties has failed to trace it. [The document has been discovered since: see vol. ii., _Calendar_, No. 6.—H. C.] [2] ——“Sua casa che era posta nel confin di S. Giovanni Chrisostomo, _che hor fà l’anno s’abbrugiò totalmente_, con gran danno di molti.” (_Doglioní, Hist. Venetiana_, Ven. 1598, pp. 161–162.) “1596. 7 _Nov. Senato_ (Arsenal ... ix c. 159 t). “Essendo conveniente usar qualche ricognizione a quelli della maestranza dell’Arsenal nostro, che prontamente sono concorsi all’ incendio occorso ultimamente a S. Zuane Grizostomo nelli stabeli detti di CA’ MILION dove per la relazion fatta nell collegio nostro dalli patroni di esso Arsenal hanno nell’estinguere il foco prestato ogni buon servitio....”—(Comm. by Cav. Cecchetti through Comm. Berchet.)