Image from the Biodiversity Heritage Library.
Contributed by Smithsonian Institution Archives.
| www.biodiversitylibrary.org
Transcription
"pointed out represented Mar
Polo & this are wondered
by an European hot writer
at one time these figures were
said to be of gold but they
were stolen in revolution
& from them are replaced by
gilt figures. One of those I
Buddhas had was carved with
many children playing on
his shoulders & back &
this one is a favorite worky
for children whose first
during them, having their
arms & let them touch
the Buddha. The children
met with on the street
were gay talkative friendly
brats who held out their
hands & smiled day or
shouted out some pleasant
words without any trace of
insult in the words.