He was received with great favor, and dismissed confirmed in all his privileges.
In the year 1346, one of the most desolating plagues recorded in history, commenced its ravages in China, and swept over all Asia and nearly all Europe.

The disease is recorded in the ancient annals under the name of Black Death.

Thirteen millions of the population were, in the course of a few months, swept into the grave.

Entire cities were depopulated, and the dead by thousands lay unburied.

The pestilence swept with terrible fury the encampments of the Tartars, and weakened that despotic power beyond all recovery.