PREFACE
In presenting this book to the public, a few words concerning the author's previous efforts in the same direction may not be inappropriate. In 1868 he published a small English and Chinese Lexicon, containing about eight thousand words,—with an added list embracing the names of the most familiar articles, and the common terms of daily life; to which were appended some fa- miliar conversational phrases. The unexpectedly large circulation of that book was most gratifying, as showing the public need and appreciation of such a work.
A revised edition of that work, enlarged by the addition o four thousand words, was published in 1875. The appended lists. were also enlarged, many miscellaneous words and expressions in common use being added. Some forms of letters for commercial correspondence were inserted in that edition, as was also a Chinese chronological table. The sale of that book seemed to indicate that it was more serviceable to Chinese students of English than any thing before published.
With these proofs of the demand for books of this class, and with the gratifying testimony that the previous editions had met a popular want, it seemed best to the author to undertake another work of similar character but on a much larger scale, and more complete.
A superior opportunity for this was afforded him by his appointment in 1875, as a member of the Chinese Educational Commission established at Hartford, Connecticut, in the United States. The author resided there for eight years where he had access to the best aids to the study of the language, and enjoyed the highest facilities for the execution of such a work.
He has accordingly prepared this book which is much fuller than the previous ones.
