| CHAPTER I. |
| PAGE |
| General Divisions and Features of the Empire, | 1-48 |
| Unusual interest involved in the study of China, 1; The name China probably a corruption of Tsin, 2; Other Asiatic names for the country, 3; Ancient and modern native designations, 5; Dimensions of the Empire, 6; Its three Grand Divisions: The Eighteen Provinces, Manchuria, and Colonies, 7; China Proper, its names and limits, 8; Four large mountain chains, 10; The Tien shan, ibid.; The Kwănlun, 11; The Hing-an and Himalaya systems, 13; Pumpelly’s “Sinian System” of mountains, 14; The Desert of Gobi and Sha-moh, 15; Its character and various names, 17; Rivers of China: The Yellow River, 18; The Yangtsz’ River, 20; The Chu or Pearl River, 22; Lakes of China, 23; Boundaries of China Proper, 25; Character of its coast, 26; The Great Plain, 27; The Great Wall of China, its course, 29; Its construction and aspect, 30; The Grand Canal, 31; Its history and present condition, 36; Minor canals, 37; Public roads, De Guignes’ description, ibid.; General aspects of a landscape, 40; Physical characteristics of the Chinese, 41; The women, 42; Aborigines: Miaotsz’, Lolos, Li-mus, and others, 43; Manchus and Mongols, 44; Attainments and limits of Chinese civilization, 46. |
| CHAPTER II. |
| Geographical Description of the Eastern Provinces, | 49-141 |
| Limited knowledge of foreign countries, 49; Topographies of China numerous and minute, 50; Climate of the Eighteen Provinces, 50; Of Peking and the Great Plain, 51; Of the southern coast towns, 53; Contrast in rain-fall between Chinese and American coasts, 55; Tyfoons, 56; Topographical divisions into Fu, Ting, Chau, and Hien, 58; Position and boundary of Chihlí Province, 60; Table of the Eighteen Provinces, their subdivisions and government, 61; Situation, size, and history of Peking, 62; Its walls and divisions, 64; The prohibited city (Tsz’ Kin Ching) and imperial residence, 67; The imperial city (Hwang Ching) and its public buildings, 70; The so-called “Tartar City,” 72; The Temples of Heaven and of Agriculture, 76; Environs of Peking, 79; Tientsin and the Pei ho, 85; Dolon-nor or Lama-miao, 87; Water-courses and productions of the province, 88; The Province of Shantung, 89; Tai shan, the ‘Great Mount,’ 90; Cities, productions, and people of Shantung, 92; Shansí, its natural features and resources, 94; Taiyuen, the capital, 96; Roads and mountain passes of Shansí, 97; Position and aspect of Honan Province, ibid.; Kaifung, its capital, 99; Kiangsu Province, ibid.; Its fertility and abundant water-ways, 100; Nanking, or Kiangning, the capital, 101; Porcelain Tower of Nanking, 102; Suchau, “the Paris of China,” 103; Chinkiang and Golden Island, 105; Shanghai, 106; The Province of Nganhwui, 109; Nganking, Wuhu, and Hwuichau, 110; Kiangsí Province, 111; Nanchang, its capital, and the River Kan, 112; Porcelain works at Kingteh in Jauchau, 113; Chehkiang Province, its rivers, 114; Hangchau, the capital, 115; Ningpo, 120; Chinhai and the Chusan Archipelago, 123; Chapu, Canfu, and the “Gates of China,” 127; Fuhkien Province, ibid.; The River Min, 128; Fuhchau, 130; Amoy and its environs, 134; Chinchew (Tsiuenchau), the ancient Zayton, 136; Position, inhabitants, and productions of Formosa, 137; The Pescadore Islands, 141. |
| CHAPTER III. |
| Geographical Description of the Western Provinces, | 142-184 |
| The Province of Hupeh, 142; The three towns, Wuchang, Hanyang, and Hankow, 143; Scenery on the Yangtsz’ kiang, 145; Hunan Province, its rivers and capital city, 146; Shensí Province, 148; The city of Sí-ngan, 150; Topography and climate of Kansuh Province, 152; Sz’chuen Province and its four streams, 154; Chingtu fu and the Min Valley, 156; The Province of Kwangtung, 158; Position of Canton, or Kwangchau, 160; Its population, walls, general appearance, 161; Its streets and two pagodas, 163; Temple of Longevity and Honam Joss-house, 164; Other shrines and the Examination Hall, 166; The foreign factories, or ‘Thirteen Hongs,’ 167; Sights in the suburbs of Canton, 169; Whampoa and Macao, 170; The colony of Hongkong, 171; Places of interest in Kwangtung, 173; The Island of Hainan, 175; Kwangsí Province, 176; Kweichau Province, 178; The Miaotsz’, 179; The Province of Yunnan, 180; Its topography and native tribes, 183; Its mineral wealth, 184. |
| CHAPTER IV. |
| Geographical Description of Manchuria, Mongolia, Ílí, and Tibet, | 185-257 |
| Foreign and Chinese notions of the land of Tartary, 185; Table of the Colonies, their subdivisions and governments, 186; Extent of Manchuria, 187; Its mountain ranges, 188; The Amur and its affluents, the Ingoda, Argun, Usuri, and Songari, 189; Natural resources of Manchuria, 191; The Province of Shingking, ibid.; Its capital, Mukden, and other towns, 192; Climate of Manchuria, 195; The Province of Kirin, 196; The Province of Tsi-tsi-har, 198; Administration of government in Manchuria, 199; Extent of Mongolia, 200; Its climate and divisions, 201; Inner Mongolia, 202; Outer Mongolia, 204; Urga, its capital, ibid.; Civilization and trade of the Mongols, 206; Kiakhta and Maimai chin, 207; The Province of Cobdo, 208; The Province of Koko-nor, or Tsing hai, 209; Its topography and productions, 211; Towns between Great Wall and Ílí, 213; Position and topography of Ílí, 215; Tien-shan Peh Lu, or Northern Circuit, 218; Kuldja, its capital, 219; Tien-shan Nan Lu, or Southern Circuit, 221; The Tarim Basin, ibid.; Cities of the Southern Circuit, 224; Kashgar, town and government, 227; Yarkand, 229; The District of Khoten, 230; Administration of government in Ílí, 231; History and conquest of the country, 233; Tibet, its boundaries and names, 237; Topography of the province, 239; Its climate and productions, 241; The yak and wild animals, ibid.; Divisions: Anterior and Ulterior Tibet, 244; H’lassa, the capital city, 245; Manning’s visit to the Dalai-lama, 246; Shigatsé, capital of Ulterior Tibet, 247; Om mani padmí hum, 249; Manners and customs in Tibet, 251; Language, 252; History, 254; Government, 255. |
| CHAPTER V. |
| Population and Statistics, | 258-295 |
| Interest and difficulties of this subject, 258; Ma Twan-lin’s study of the censuses, 260; Tables of various censuses, 263; These estimates considered in detail, 265; Four of these are reliable, 269; Evidence in their favor, 270; Comparative population-density of Europe and China, 272; Proportion of arable and unproductive land, 274; Sources and kinds of food in China, 276; Tendencies toward increase of population, 277; Obstacles to emigration, 278; Government care of the people, 280; Density of population near Canton, ibid.; Mode of taking the census under Kublai khan, 281; Present method, 282; Reasons for admitting the Chinese census, 285; Two objections to its acceptance, 286; Unsatisfactory statistics of revenue in China, 289; Revenue of Kwangtung Province, 290; Estimates of Medhurst, De Guignes, and others, 291; Principal items of expenditure, 292; Pay of military and civil officers, 293; The land tax, 294. |
| CHAPTER VI. |
| Natural History of China, | 296-379 |
| Foreign scientists and explorers in China, 296; Interesting geological features, 297; Loess formation of Northern China, ibid.; Its wonderful usefulness and fertility, 300; Baron Richthofen’s theory as to its origin, 303; Minerals of China Proper: Coal, 304; Building stones, salts, jade, etc., 307; The precious metals and their production, 310; Animals of the Empire, 313; Monkeys, 314; Various carnivorous animals, 317; Cattle, sheep, deer, etc., 320; Horses, pigs, camels, etc., 323; Smaller animals and rodents, 326; Cetacea in Chinese waters, 329; Birds of prey, 331; Passerinæ, song-birds, pies, etc., 332; Pigeons and grouse, 335; Varieties of pheasants, 336; Peacocks and ducks, 338; An aviary in Canton, 340; Four fabulous animals: The kí-lin, 342; The fung-hwang, or phœnix, 343; The lung, or dragon, and kwei, or tortoise, 344; Alligators and serpents, 345; Ichthyology of China, 347; Gold-fish and methods of rearing them, 348; Shell-fish of the Southern coast, 350; Insects: Silk-worms and beetles, 352; Wax-worm: Native notions of insects, 353; Students of botany in China, 355; Flora of Hongkong, coniferæ, grasses, 356; The bamboo, 358; Varieties of palms, lilies, tubers, etc., 360; Forest and timber growth, 362; Rhubarb, the Chinese ‘date’ and ‘olive,’ 364; Fruit-trees, 366; Flowering and ornamental plants, 367; The Pun tsao, or Chinese herbal, 370; Its medicine and botany, 371; Its zoölogy, 374; Its observations on the horse, 375; State of the natural sciences in China, 377. |
| CHAPTER VII. |
| Laws of China, and Plan of its Government, | 380-447 |
| Theory of the Chinese Government patriarchal, 380; The principles of surveillance and mutual responsibility, 383; The Penal Code of China, 384; Preface by the Emperor Shunchí, 385; Its General, Civil, and Fiscal Divisions, 386; Ritual, Military, and Criminal Laws, 389; The Code compares favorably with other Asiatic Laws, 391; Defects in the Chinese Code, 392; General survey of the Chinese Government, 393; 1, The Emperor, his position and titles, ibid.; Proclamation of Hungwu, first Manchu Emperor, 395; Peculiarities in the names of Emperors, 397; The Kwoh hao, or National, and Miao hao, or Ancestral Names, 398; Style of an Imperial Inaugural Proclamation, 399; Programme of Coronation Ceremonies, 401; Dignity and Sacredness of the Emperor’s Person, 402; Control of the Right of Succession, 403; The Imperial Clan and Titular Nobles, 405; 2, The Court, its internal arrangements, 407; The Imperial Harem, 408; Position of the Empress-dowager, 409; Guard and Escort of the Palace, 410; 3, Classes of society in China, 411; Eight privileged classes, 413; The nine honorary “Buttons,” or Ranks, 414; 4, The central administration, 415; The Nui Koh, or Cabinet, 416; The Kiun-kí Chu, or General Council, 418; The King Pao, or Peking Gazette, 420; The Six Boards (a), of Civil Office—Lí Pu, 421; (b), of Revenue—Hu Pu, 422; (c), of Rites—Lí Pu, 423; (d), of War—Ping Pu, 424; (e), of Punishments—Hing Pu, 426; (f), of Works—Kung Pu, 427; The Colonial Office, 428; The Censorate, 430; Frankness and honesty of certain censors, 431; Courts of Transmission and Judicature, 433; The Hanlin Yuen, or Imperial Academy, 434; Minor courts and colleges of the capital, 435; 5, Provincial Governments, 437; Governors-general (tsungtuh) and Governors (futai), 438; Subordinate provincial authorities, 441; Literary, Revenue, and Salt Departments, 443; Tabular Résumé of Provincial Magistrates, 444; Military and Naval control, 445; Special messengers, or commissioners, 446. |
| CHAPTER VIII. |
| Administration of the Laws, | 448-518 |
| 6, Execution of laws, checks upon ambitious officers, 448; Triennial Catalogue and its uses, 449; Character and position of Chinese officials, 451; The Red Book, or status of office-holders, 452; Types of Chinese high officers: Duke Ho, 452; Career of Commissioner Sung, 454; Public lives of Commissioners Lin and Kíying, 457; Popularity of upright officers, Governor Chu’s valedictory, 462; Official confessions and petitions for punishment, 464; Imperial responsibility for public disasters, 466; A prayer for rain of the Emperor Taukwang, 467; Imperial edicts, their publication and phraseology, 469; Contrast between the theory and practice of Chinese legislation, 473; Extortions practised by officials of all ranks, 474; Evils of an ill-paid police, 478; Fear and selfishness of the people, 480; Extent of clan systems among them, 482; Village elders and clan rivalries, 483; Dakoits and thieves throughout the country, 486; Popular associations—character of their manifestoes, 488; Secret societies, The Triad, or Water-Lily Sect, 493; A Memorial upon the Evils of Mal-Administration, 494; Efforts of the authorities against brigandage, 497; Difficulties in collecting the taxes, 498; Character of proceedings in the Law Courts, 500; Establishments of high magistrates, 503; Conduct of a criminal trial, 504; Torture employed to elicit confessions, 507; The five kinds of punishments, 508; Modes of executing criminals, 512; Public prisons, their miserable condition, 514; The influence of public opinion in checking oppression, 517. |
| CHAPTER IX. |
| Education and Literary Examinations, | 519-577 |
| Stimulus of literary pursuits in China, 520; Foundation of the present system of competition, 521; Precepts controlling early education, 522; Arrangements and curriculum of boys’ schools, 524; Six text-books employed: 1, The ‘Trimetrical Classic,’ 527; 2, The ‘Century of Surnames,’ and 3, ‘Thousand-Character Classic,’ 530; 4, The ‘Odes for Children,’ 533; 5, The Hiao King, or ‘Canons of Filial Duty,’ 536: 6, The Siao Hioh, or ‘Juvenile Instructor,’ 540; High schools and colleges, 542; Proportion of readers throughout China, 544; Private schools and higher education, 545; System of examinations for degrees and public offices, 546; Preliminary trials, 547; Examination for the First Degree, Siu-tsai; 549: For the Second Degree, Kü-jin, 550; Example of a competing essay, 554; Final honors conferred at Peking, 558; A like system applied to the military, 560; Workings and results of the system of examinations, 562; Its abuses and corruption, 566; Social distinction and influence enjoyed by graduates, 570; Female education in China, 572; Authors and school-books employed, 574. |
| CHAPTER X. |
| Structure of the Chinese Language, | 578-625 |
| Influence of the Chinese language upon its literature, 578; Native accounts of the origin of their characters, 580; Growth and development of the language, 581; Characters arranged into six classes, 583; Development from hieroglyphics, 584; Phonetic and descriptive properties of a character, 587; Arrangement of the characters in lexicons, 589; Classification according to radicals, 591; Mass of characters in the language, 593; Six styles of written characters, 597; Their elementary strokes, 598; Ink, paper, and printing, 599; Manufacture and price of books, 601; Native and foreign movable types, 603; Phonetic character of the Chinese language, 605; Manner of distinguishing words of like sound, 609; The Shing, or tones of the language, 610; Number of sounds or words in Chinese, 611; The local dialects and patois, 612; Court or Mandarin dialect, 613; Other dialects and variations in pronunciation, 614; Grammar of the language, 617; Its defects and omissions, 621; Hints for its study, 623; Pigeon English, 624. |
| CHAPTER XI. |
| Classical Literature of the Chinese, | 626-673 |
| The Imperial Catalogue as an index to Chinese literature, 626; The Five Classics: I. The Yih King, or ‘Book of Changes,’ 627; II. The Shu King, or ‘Book of Records,’ 633; III. The Shí King, or ‘Book of Odes,’ 636; IV. The Lí Kí, or ‘Book of Rites,’ and other Rituals, 643; V. The Chun Tsiu, or ‘Spring and Autumn Record,’ 647; The Four Books: 1, The ‘Great Learning,’ 652; 2, The ‘Just Medium,’ 653; 3, The Lun Yu, or ‘Analects’ of Confucius, 656; Life of Confucius, 658; Character of the Confucian System of Ethics, 663; 4, The Works of Mencius, 666; His Life, and personal character of his Teachings, 667; Dictionary of the Emperor Kanghí, 672. |
| CHAPTER XII. |
| Polite Literature of the Chinese, | 674-723 |
| Character of Chinese Ornamental Literature, 674; Works on Chinese History, 675; Historical Novels, 677; The ‘Antiquarian Researches’ of Ma Twan-lin, 681; Philosophical Works: Chu Hí on the Primum Mobile, 683; Military, Legal, and Agricultural Writings, 686; The Shing Yu, or ‘Sacred Commands’ of Kanghí, 687; Works on Art, Science, and Encyclopædias, 692; Character and Examples of Chinese Fiction, 693; Poetry: The Story of Lí Tai-peh, 696; Modern Songs and Extempore Verses, 704; Dramatic Literature, burlettas, 714; ‘The Mender of Cracked Chinaware’—a Farce, 715; Deficiencies and limits of Chinese literature, 719; Collection of Chinese Proverbs, 720. |
| CHAPTER XIII. |
| Architecture, Dress, and Diet of the Chinese, | 724-781 |
| Notions entertained by foreigners upon Chinese customs, 724; Architecture of the Chinese, 726; Building materials and private houses, 728; Their public and ornamental structures, 730; Arrangement of country houses and gardens, 731; Chinese cities: shops and streets, 736; Temples, club-houses, and taverns, 739; Street scenes in Canton and Peking, 740; Pagodas, their origin and construction, 744; Modes of travelling, 747; Various kinds of boats, 749; Living on the water in China, 750; Chop-boats and junks, 752; Bridges, ornamental and practical, 754; Honorary Portals, or Pai-lau, 757; Construction of forts and batteries, 758; Permanence of fashion in Chinese dress, 759; Arrangement of hair, the Queue, 761; Imperial and official costumes, 763; Dress of Chinese women, 764; Compressed feet: origin and results of the fashion, 766; Toilet practices of men and women, 770; Food of the Chinese, mostly vegetable, 772; Kinds and preparation of their meats, 776; Method of hatching and rearing ducks’ eggs, 778; Enormous consumption of fish, 779; The art of cooking in China, 781. |
| CHAPTER XIV. |
| Social Life among the Chinese, | 782-836 |
| Features and professions in Chinese society, 782; Social relations between the sexes, 784; Customs of betrothment and marriage, 785; Laws regulating marriages, 792; General condition of females in China, 794; Personal names of the Chinese, 797; Familiar and ceremonial intercourse: The Kotow, 800; Forms and etiquette of visiting, 802; A Chinese banquet, 807; Temperance of the Chinese, 808; Festivals; Absence of a Sabbath in China, 809; Customs and ceremonies attending New-Year’s Day, 811; The dragon-boat festival and feast of lanterns, 816; Brilliance and popularity of processions in China, 819; Play-houses and theatrical shows, 820; Amusements and sports: Gambling, chess, 825; Contrarieties in Chinese and Western usage, 831; Strength and weakness of Chinese character, 833; Their mendacity and deceit, 834. |