"They are a very gluttonous people, and they eat and drink without measure, and they are always intoxicated."

"The people of Abyssinia are Christians, but they are very ignorant and superstitious."

"The Great Khan has such a quantity of treasure that no one who has not seen it can believe it."

"The people are idolaters and have a language of their own. They live by trade and industry. They have plenty of silk."

"The people of China are very cleanly in their persons, and they eat with chopsticks."