304 " A BRIEF SURVEY OF HUMAN HISTORY

and soldiers, less for its successes against external
foes (the Tartars) than for its scholars. Yet the legacy
of culture that they left served to enhance the value of
China's permanent contributions to civilisation. Summing
up the Sung services to culture Soothill has observed :

" These have left behind a legacy of literature that will
be treasured for all time. The names of historians, philo-
sophers, commentators, essayists, poets are writ high on tihe
scroll of their country. Though books were first printed
immediately before the foundation of this dynasty, it was
during its existence, and notably south of the Yangtze, that
the great writers existed and their books were published,
Education was fostered and academies for students encou-
raged. The growing artistic taste still further stimulated
the skill of workers in gold, silver, and the metals, in wood,
textiles, and other materials. The manufacture of porcelain
underwent a notable development. Pictorial art rea-
ched its zenith as also did the art of writing,
engraving, and printing Chinese characters. The constant
demands of war produced improved weapons and armour;
the baliista for throwing stones was introduced, and fire-
arms and cannons came into use in the twelfth century;
ship-building for river and seafaring purposes also received
an impetus, consequent chiefly on the requirements of na-
val warfare and transport."

It was Marco Polo, a thirteenth century Venetian tra-
veller (1260—95), who first roused European interest in
China and the East generally. He travelled in China,
stayed at the court of Kublai Khan, visited Sumatra, South
India, and several other countries besides. Though he cir-
culated some fantastic stories about the Orient, particularly
the countries he had not personally seen, he also conveyed
much useful information to the Europeans, which had far-