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 An Acknowledgment

THE author desires to express his indebtedness to the many friends who P have so kindly helped in gathering material, or who have otherwise assisted in the preparation of this volume. Special thanks are due Juliet Bredon, whose wonderful work on Peking first aroused an interest in, and a love for, the great historic monuments of the capital. Her kindly sympathy and valued suggestions in the make-up and plan of the present volume are greatly appreciated The author is also indebted to Princess Der Ling for her enthusiastic encouragement in the production of this album, and for her sympathetic coöperation in the preparation and the revision of the captions. The many years spent with the Empress Dowager in the Forbidden City gives her an advantage as an authority on Peking which very few enjoy, and makes her suggestions and criticism of untold value. Thanks are due Mrs. C. C. Crister for her kindly interest in the work, and for her valuable criticism of the text. Her long experience as editor and literary critic has made her assistance in the preparation of the manuscript of the utmost value; and also to Dr. Fong F. Sec, of the Commercial Press, who first conceived the idea, and encouraged the author to attempt the present production, and who has given the work its name. Special credit is accorded the Commercial Press artists, Mr. C. Bockisch, Mr. F. Loebl, and Mr. F. Heinicke, who for more than a year have worked untiringly to produce a piece of art worthy of the city whose glory this volume seeks to portrag; and to Mr. A C. Liang, artist, whose excellent work in tinting the bromides for the color plates has added much to its beauty and interest As a final word of appeciation, it is only fair to mention the fact that j. Herry White, twin brother of the author, has assisted him on all the numerous photographic expedi tions, and his enthusiastic cooperation and untiring ejorts have done much to make this volume a success. The beautiful study in full colors of the striking Porcelain Pailou of Confucian Temple fame was taken by him last spring by special request, to be used in the pages of this album.