REVIEWS OF RECENT BOOKS 



that, in future compilations— and we sincerely hope 

 that the Literary Dept* A.W.C. will continue to publish the result 

 f Hi studies the editors will insist on a uniform system of trans- 

 literation at any rate within the confines of one article. Chinese 

 names are admittedly difficult, no system of transliteration is perfect, 

 but the one adopted should be adhered to, thus avoiding an immensity 

 ,,t confusion. May we also beg that the proof-reading be more 

 carefully attended to, there are some quite unforgivable mistakes 

 as the printing of "Kouling" for the name of our deeply regretted 

 local Sinologue, on p. 44. 



The publication, of which a few copies may still be available, 

 in enriched by excellent illustrations from the collections of Mr. and 

 .Mrs. Bulow-Eavens and Mr. Strehlneek. It forms- a delightful hand- 

 book and should prove stimulating to all interested in China and its 

 past. It proves, moreover, that even busy women — and men — may, 

 if they so choose help to build up the store of knowledge regarding 



this marvellous country in which we sojourn. 



F. A. 



Chinese Shadows. By Juliet Bredon. 



In "Chinese Shadows" Miss Bredon has given us glimpses of Chinese 

 life on its intensely human side. She has drawn, from her extensive 

 knowledge of the people, shadow pictures which give the Occidental 

 new ideas ; ideas that bring the Chinese into the company of "folks," 

 with the passions, the joys and aspirations, the sorrows and disappoint- 

 ments common to all members of the human family. 



The poems are of great variey and uneven merit. The "Child 

 Songs" with which the book opens are interesting and appealing. The 

 "Peasant's Prayer" is distinctly Chinese in tone and some of the 

 •'Temple Sketches" bring vividly to mind those ancient enclosures, 

 oner the centres of the spiritual life of a great people, but now falling 

 rapidly into decay. He who has seen the Altar of Heaven and been 

 impressed by its simply granduer will agree that Miss Bredon has 

 caught the true spirit of the place and the people. 



The best wine has been reserved for the last, however, and the 

 reader revels in "The Story Teller," "The Letter Writer," "The 

 Blind Singer," "The Statue," and above all "The Sweeper of 

 Shadows." 



One could wish that the author had seen fit to provide a preface 

 short introduction. It would be easier to form a just estimate of 



