The Commentary of Father Monserrate 1.2

1.2

At the time when we were setting out for the court of Zelaldinus Equebar, King of the Mongols, the saintly Roderic Vincentius, Superior of the Society in the province of India, being unwilling to break this excellent rule, laid upon me the charge of recording everything that happened both on the journey and during our residence with the King. It was my duty, in accordance with the discipline under which I live, and with the rules of the Society, to obey this behest with the greatest exactitude. I therefore set myself, for full two and a half years, to write down every evening all the events of the past day. In this daily task of conscientious record-keeping, I embraced every new experience or fact which the day's journey or events had brought before my notice — for example the rivers, cities and countries which we saw : the customs, temples and religious usages of their inhabitants : and, after we arrived at the King's court, the devotion which he showed (though indeed it was but a pretence) towards the religion of Christ. I recorded also his kindness towards Rudolf, to whom had been given charge of that most weighty business, and towards his companions, (though indeed that kindness was but counterfeit, and assumed for selfish reasons).