PREFACE.
With much solicitude this Chrestomathy is now presented to the friends and patrons of Chinese literature in general, and in particular to the members of the “Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge in China,” under whose auspices it was commenced.
Reference to the table of contents, with a glance at the body of the work, will afford an idea of what is comprised in the volume.
The books and native assistants employed in preparing the work—and always availed of as much as possible—need not be here specified; it would, however, be unjust to pass without grateful acknowledgment—the aid afforded by Mr. J.R. Morrison in reading and revising large portions of the manuscript—by Mr. Robert Thom in preparing the fifth and sixth sections on commercial affairs—and by Mr. S. Wells Williams in preparing the chapters on Natural History, with some other minor portions, and the whole of the Index. By the kind assistance of these gentlemen the value of the work has been very much enhanced.
For the errors which the critical reader cannot fail to observe, some explanation is due. A few words have different meanings, which must be indicated by different orthography, or tones, or both; all these are to be carefully distinguished from those words that have no such diversity of usage. Many of the errors in the orthography of Chinese words, and in their tones and aspirates, are attributable to the withdrawal of native assistants engaged to aid in compiling the work. This withdrawal was occasioned by the shutting up of foreigners in Canton, and the disturbed state of political affairs which ensued. The inconveniences, hindrances, and losses arising from this source have been many. The want of a well-established standard (there being no translation of any dictionary printed in this dialect) has been an additional cause of embarrassment.
The information respecting China and its productions, the people and their customs, the government and its laws, &c., &c., contained in the volume, will render it of value to the general scholar, while it will form a convenient manual in particular for the student of the language.
If the Chrestomathy, by serving these purposes, shall aid in bringing about a better state of relations belweef forigners and the Chinese, and in facilitating a more friendly intercourse, desirable and useful alike to all, the object of its publication will be fully gained.
E. C. B.
Macao, June 10th, 1841.
