but, as the aim has been to illustrate the spoken language, as few as possible of such duplicates have been given.
Numerary Adjuncts:—N. A. stands for "Numerary Adjunct," or "Classifier." These, where they occur, are usually placed at the end of the list of examples. Such as cannot be translated are indexed under "Numerary Adjunct." Those that are translated are indexed as ordinary words; e. g., "bundle," "handful," etc.
Proverbs:—Many common proverbs will be found scattered throughout the book. The subjects of these have been indexed under the head "Proverbs."
Words without Characters:—Most of the words without characters are very common and useful words. Some of these might have been classed under certain characters, but, as there is a measure of uncertainty about their identity, the compiler has not presumed to allocate them.
Omissions:—Omissions are often significant and should be noted; e. g., 上4 has two tones for purposes of poetry, but only one in speaking; also 去4 and others.
Errata:—Unavoidable absence from China has made it impossible for the writer to do full justice to the work while passing through the press, and, but for the assistance of friends in Shanghai, its appearance would have been considerably delayed.
For the same reason it is to be regretted that some errors have passed into print. Students should carefully note the corrections given under "Errata" at the end of the book.
The writer is indebted to Mr. Vale, C. I. Mission, Chʻen-tu, who kindly revised the greater part of the manuscript, and to many other friends for help and encouragement.
If all who use the book derive from it a tithe of the profit and pleasure which the writer has obtained from the compilation of it, he will be doubly rewarded.
His earnest prayer is, that it may, above all, prove a help to fellow-workers in their efforts to reach the Chinese with the "good news of God concerning His Son."
Shanghai, November, 1900.
