Table Of Content

S-CI> M i 3 1 Digitized by the Internet Archive 2016 in https://archive.org/details/chinesechrestomaOObrid g[C/.L CHINESE CHKESTOMATHY THE IN \ CANTON D A L E C T I y By E C. B RI D G M A N WELLS WILLIAMS S. M DCCC XLI. 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 uSocietyfor the Diffusion ofUseful Knowledge in China/5 under whose auspices it was commenced. Reference to the table of contents, with a glance at the body ofthe work, will afford an idea ofwhat is comprised in the volume. — The books and native assistants employed in preparing the work and always availed ofas 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 ofthe ma—nuscript by Mr. Robert Thom in preparing the fifth andsixth 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 ofthese gentlemen the value of the work has been very much enhanced. For the errors which the critical reader cannot failto 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 orthographyof 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 ny 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 go- vernment and its laws, &c., &c., contained in the volume, will render it ofvalue to the general scholar, while it will form a convenient manual in particular for the student ofthe language. If the Chrestomathy, by serving these purposes, shall aid in bringing about a better state of relations between foreigners and the Chinese, and in facilitating a more friendly intercourse? desirable and useful alike to all, the object ofits publication will be fully gained. E. C. B, Macao June 10/A, 1841. ^