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arts; we described them in a crude and superficial manner。 They
seized the hints we gave them; and though at first they could not
arrive at perfection; yet by making many essays they at last found
out and corrected all their errors; and conquered every
difficulty。 Before this they only wrote on parchment; on reeds; or
on the bark of trees; but now they have established the
manufacture of paper; and set up printing…presses; so that if they
had but a good number of Greek authors they would be quickly
supplied with many copies of them: at present; though they have no
more than those I have mentioned; yet by several impressions they
have multiplied them into many thousands 。
If any man was to go among them that had some extraordinary
talent; or that by much travelling had observed the customs of
many nations (which made us to be so well received); he would
receive a hearty welcome; for they are very desirous to know the
state of the whole world。 Very few go among them on the account of
traffic; for what can a man carry to them but iron or gold or
silver; which merchants desire rather to export than import to a
strange country: and as for their exportation; they think it
better to manage that themselves than to leave it to foreigners;
for by this means; as they understand the state of the neighboring
countries better; so they keep up the art of navigation; which
cannot be maintained but by much practice。