MANDEVILLE, JEHAN DE, SIR

JOHN M., pseudonym of writer of amazing book of travel, now generally attributed to Jehan de Bourgogne, or Jehan & la Barbe, a XIV.-cent. Liége physician, who, if not the author, certainly a isted largely in compiling the book. It has been suggested that de Bourgogne wrote the book in conjunction with a certain John Mangevilayn, who with a Johan de Burgoyne are mentioned as having taken part in the revolt against the Despensers, 1321. The book is a truly astounding collection of travelers’ tales, culled from various sources and eclipsing even Hero dot us in fantastic extravagance. ‘Mand through Asia Minor to India, and finally acro the continent to China, where he took service with the emperor and only returned, 1357, because of ill-health; he served under the Sultan of Egypt and made the acquaintance of Prester John. Between fragments of historic narrative come fabulous accounts regarding monsters, cannibals, and men of wondrous shapes.