CHAPTER XXVIII.

HOW THE GREAT KAAN CAUSES TREES TO BE PLANTED BY THE

HIGHWAYS.

The Emperor moreover hath taken order that all the highways travelled

by his messengers and the people generally should be planted with rows

of great trees a few paces apart; and thus these trees are visible

a long way off, and no one can miss the way by day or night. Even

the roads through uninhabited tracts are thus planted, and it is the

greatest possible solace to travellers. And this is done on all the

ways, where it can be of service. [The Great Kaan plants these trees

all the more readily, because his astrologers and diviners tell him

that he who plants trees lives long.{1}

But where the ground is so sandy and desert that trees will not grow,

he causes other landmarks, pillars or stones, to be set up to show the

way.]

NOTE 1.—In this Kúblái imitated the great King Asoka, or

Priyadarsi, who in his graven edicts (_circa_ B.C. 250) on the Delhi

Pillar, says: “Along the high roads I have caused fig-trees to be

planted, that they may be for shade to animals and men. I have

also planted mango-trees; and at every half-coss I have caused

wells to be constructed, and resting-places for the night. And how

many hostels have been erected by me at various places for the

entertainment of man and beast.” (_J. A. S. B._ IV. 604.) There are

still remains of the fine avenues of Kúblái and his successors in

various parts of Northern China. (See _Williamson_, i. 74.)