The present volume is a venture in a new direction. English readers will search in vain for any work leading to an acquaintanceship, however slight, with the general literature of China. Dr Legge's colossal labours have in-deed placed the canonical books of Confucianism within easy reach of the curious; but the immense bulk of Chinese authorship is still virgin soil and remains to be efficiently explored. I have therefore ventured to offer an instalment of short extracts from the works of the most famous writers of all ages, upon which time has set an approving seal. These are chronologically arranged, and cover a period ex-tending from 550 BC to AD 1650―two thousand two hundred years. Short biographical and dynastic notices will be found scattered through the vol-ume in their proper places; also such brief foot-notes as seemed to me neces-sary to the occasion. "Untold treasures," says Professor G. von der Gabelentz, "lie hidden in the rich lodes of Chinese literature." Now without committing myself to exaggeration or misdirection as to the practical value of these treasures, I dare assert that the old pride, arrogance, and exclusiveness of the Chinese are readily intelligible to anyone who has faithfully examined the literature of China and hung over the burning words of her great writers. I do not flat-ter myself that all the extracts given will be of equal interest to all readers. I have not catered for any particular taste, but have striven to supply a small handbook of Chinese literature, as complete as circumstances would permit.
