Let me now tell you something of the City and Country of _Cathay_, which I learned of a certain _Turkish_ Pilgrim, who use to travel over the World on account of Religion, and to worship God on high Mountains and desert Places. He had travelled over a great part of the East-Country, where he was acquainted with the _Portuguese_; but, having a desire to visit _Cathay_ also, he joined himself to some Merchants, who in great Numbers used to travel to this Country. ’Tis a Journey that not many will undertake, it being so dangerous, and the way thither so full of strange Nations, who use to plunder Travellers in their passage. When he left _Persia_ behind him, he came to _Samarchand_, to _Borchar_, and to _Taschan_, and other Towns inhabited by the Successors of _Tamerlane_. When he had passed by these Places there were large Desarts, and some Countries inhabited by wild, and others by a more civilized People; yet the Country was generally poor, so that they were forced to carry their Victuals along with them on a drove of Camels: This Company they call _Caravans_. After some Month’s Travel they came to the _Streights_, entring into _Cathay_, (for you must know, that a great part of that Country is _Mediterranean_, and encompassed by such huge Mountains and Rocks, that it is accessible but in a very few Passages, where their King hath his Guards and Garrisons). When the Merchants come thither, they are asked what they bring? Whence they came? and how many they are? When the Guard is informed of the Truth, they make a Smoak by day, or else kindle a Beacon by night, which gives warning to the next Beacon, and so from one to another, till they come to _Cathay_. This Advice cost them but some Hours, which otherwise would take up many Days, the way is so long. When News is brought to the King, he sends backward by the same way of Conveyance what his Pleasure is, whether they shall _all_ be admitted to enter, or only _some_, the rest being either excluded, or made to stay longer. When they are admitted, they are guarded all along to their several Inns or Lodging-places, where they may have all things for their Money, till they come to the King himself. Here every one brings forth his respective Ware, and offers it the King, whose Privilege it is, to buy what Ware he pleaseth in the first Place; and then they sell the rest to the best Chapman. This they must do within certain limits of Time, and then they must return; for the _Carthayans_ cannot endure that Strangers should live long amongst them, for fear they should infect their Country-Manners. Thus the Merchants are dismissed in a very friendly Manner, and return by the same Stages they went. This Traveller told me, that they were a very wise People, and lived in good Order and Government, having a distinct Religion of their own, differing from the _Christian_, _Jewish_ or _Mahometan_; but nearest to the _Jewish_, except their Ceremonies.