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IN the following pages all attempts at originality are entirely disclaimed. The empire of China is a subject so vast in its dimensions that to treat it deservedly would occupy a score of volumes such as the one I now present to the reader. My only object has been to collect all the latest and most reliable information within reach, and to place such matters as seemed especially worthy of notice in an interesting form for the general reader. The student will find numberless volumes bearing at length on all the subjects that are only lightly touched on here. I have to tender my thanks to all the living authorities from whom I have derived information, as also to Messrs. Garnett and Granville of the British Museum, both of whom have always manifested the greatest kindness in supplying me with material.

The chapters on Corea are entirely from another pen, and written independently of the preceding portion of the volume.