Chapter I: Preface

The following compilation consists of a series of Articles contributed to the China Review, and now republished with a few additions and corrections. Of their many defects no one is more sensible than the author, who has moreover necessarily been debarred from access to numerous authorities which a residence at home would have placed within his reach. It is nevertheless hoped that this slight contribution to a better knowledge of Chinese popular beliefs, arranged as it is in a more compendious form than was hitherto accessible, will find some favour.

The author desires to express his obligations to the Rev. J. Chalmers, M.A., and to Mr. Christopher T. Gardner, of H.M. Consular Service, Canton, who very kindly placed valuable manuscript notes at his disposal. Most of his numerous obligations to previous publications are acknowledged in the foot-notes.

N. B. D.

Hongkong, November, 1876.

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