XXV.—CONCERNING THE TWELVE BARONS WHO ARE SET OVER ALL THE AFFAIRS OF THE GREAT KAAN 430 NOTE.—_The Ministers of the Mongol Dynasty. The term |Sing|._ XXVI.—HOW THE KAAN’S POSTS AND RUNNERS ARE SPED THROUGH MANY LANDS AND PROVINCES 433 NOTES.—1. _Textual._ 2. _The word |Yam|._ 3. _Government Hostelries._ 4. _Digression from Ramusio._ 5. _Posts Extraordinary._ 6. _Discipline of the Posts._ 7. _Antiquity of Posts in China, etc._ XXVII.—HOW THE EMPEROR BESTOWS HELP ON HIS PEOPLE, WHEN THEY ARE AFFLICTED WITH DEARTH OR MURRAIN 439 NOTE.—_Kúblái’s remissions, and justice._ XXVIII.—HOW THE GREAT KAAN CAUSES TREES TO BE PLANTED BY THE HIGHWAYS 440 NOTE.—_Kúblái’s Avenues._ XXIX.—CONCERNING THE RICE-WINE DRUNK BY THE PEOPLE OF CATHAY 441 NOTE.—_Rice-wine._ XXX.—CONCERNING THE BLACK STONES THAT ARE DUG IN CATHAY, AND ARE BURNT FOR FUEL 442 NOTE.—_Distribution and Consumption of Coal in China._ XXXI.—HOW THE GREAT KAAN CAUSES STORES OF CORN TO BE MADE, TO HELP HIS PEOPLE WITHAL IN TIME OF DEARTH 443 NOTE.—_The Chinese Public Granaries._ XXXII.—OF THE CHARITY OF THE EMPEROR TO THE POOR 444 NOTE.—_Buddhist influence, and Chinese Charities._ XXXIII.—[CONCERNING THE ASTROLOGERS IN THE CITY OF CAMBALUC] 446 NOTES.—1. _The word |Tacuin|.—_The Chinese Almanacs. The Observatory._ 2. _The Chinese and Mongol Cycle._ XXXIV.—[CONCERNING THE RELIGION OF THE CATHAYANS; THEIR VIEWS AS TO THE SOUL; AND THEIR CUSTOMS] 456 NOTES.—1. _Textual._ 2. _Do._ 3. _Exceptions to the general charge of Irreligion brought against the Chinese._ 4. _Politeness._ 5. _Filial Piety._ 6. _Pocket Spitoons._ EXPLANATORY LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS TO VOLUME I. INSERTED PLATES AND MAPS. _To face page_ _Title_ PORTRAIT of Sir HENRY YULE. From the Painting by Mr. T. B. Wirgman, in the Royal Engineers’ Mess House at Chatham. iv. Illuminated Title, with Medallion representing the POLOS ARRIVING AT VENICE after 26 years’ absence, and being refused admittance to the Family Mansion; as related by Ramusio, p. _4_ of Introductory Essay. Drawn by Signor QUINTO CENNI, No. 7 Via Solferino, Milan; from a Design by the Editor. _1._ DOORWAY of the HOUSE of MARCO POLO in the Corte Sabbionera at Venice (see p. _27_). Woodcut from a drawing by Signor L. ROSSO, Venice. _26._ _Corte del Milione_, Venice. _28._ _Malibran Theatre_, Venice.