Brief Description:
This 1838 two-volume work brought a wealth of information on Chinese geography, history, culture and government to a Western readership.

Table of Contents:
Volume 1: Advertisement; 1. Introductory remarks; 2. General observations on the geography of the Chinese empire; 3. General view of China proper; 4. Natural productions; 5. Topography of China proper; 6. Topography of Mantchouria; 7. Topography of Mongolia; 8. Government of Ele; 9. Tiber; 10. General view of the Chinese; 11. Chinese history; 12. Language and literature; 13. Manners, customs, and institutions. Volume 2: 14. Chinese industry: arts and sciences; 15. Religion; 16. General remarks on the Chinese government; 17. The emperor and his court; 18. Nobility; 19. The tribunals and courts of the capital; 20. Board of offices; 21. Board of revenue; 22. Board of rites; 23. Military board; 24. Board of punishment; 25. Board of public works; 26. Provincial government; 27. Colonial government: office of foreign affairs.

Marc Notes:
The Prussian-born Protestant missionary Karl Friedrich August Gutzlaff (1803-51) sought to spread Christianity in the Far East. A gifted linguist, he learned several Chinese dialects and distributed translated literature. This 1838 work brought a wealth of information on Chinese geography, history, culture and government to a Western readership.