Page:To the Court of the Emperor of China - vol I.djvu/13

Rh the curiosity of the most acute and inquisitive spectator is satiated, a multitude of things still remain to be examined, which excite his surprise anew.

Finally, as if it were M. Van-Braam's destiny to signalize his abode in China by the most striking circumstances, he has brought over with him several Chinese, who seem to be come purposely to attest the truth of what he has related concerning their country, or has represented in his collection of drawings: a collection which he exposed for several months at Philadelphia to the view of all amateurs of the sciences. It was even impossible to avoid fancying ourselves in China, while surrounded at once by living Chinese, and by representations of their manners, their usages, their monuments, and their arts.

Such are M. Van Braam's claims upon the goodwill of his readers, and, I had almost said, upon their gratitude.

As to the Editor's labours, they have been executed with the greatest care; and he at least deserves the praise of fidelity, since there is not a single line that has not been submitted to the examination of the Author, who is sufficiently master of the French to be an excellent judge of every thing written in that language.

Persuaded that a few explanatory notes would add to the interest of the work, the Author and Editor have placed