REVIEWS OF RECENT BOOKS 



The I-Li or Book of Etiquette and Ceremonial. Translated from 

 the Chinese with Introduction, Notes and Plans. By John 

 Steele, m.a., d.litt. (2 Vols. Probsthain & Co., London). 

 Probsthain's Oriental Series is a well conceived and tastefully 

 produced series of books. The cover, paper, printing and general 

 arrangement are excellent. The Publishers deserve every praise. 

 The issue of the I-Li in two volumes is an event in sinology. The 

 translation and text are interspersed with a considerable number of 

 woodcut illustrations which enhance the value of the work, and give 

 the English reader an insight into the paraphernalia of the Ceremonials 

 and indirectly into the elements of Chinese art as applied to clothes 

 and utensils that serve the purpose of the great etiquettes of life, such. 

 as are depicted in these volumes. It was necessary in view of the 

 limited circulation to charge 24s. for these volumes, and it is not 

 intended to imply that the price is at all too much, considering the 

 subject matter : but the question does suggest itself whether if they 

 had been marked at 15s. double the number of buyers would not be 

 found and, in this way a larger circulation be guaranteed — the author 

 and publishers would be equally ensured against loss. 



It is surmised that the I-Li has been read by very few people. 

 In the original Chinese, the edition in the possession of the reviewer 

 consists of 28 volumes containing about 1,008,000 characters. This is 

 a fairly liberal treatment in advice how to act and behave : or what to 

 do in life's various circumstances. Dr. Steele has reduced this mass 

 within the space of 2 volumes containing about 540 pp. with about 

 320 words to a page giving a total of 160,000 words. Even this re- 

 duction leaves quite a respectable amount for remembering how to 

 behave, and needs always be at hand for consulation. He has been 

 able to reduce it thus to smaller dimensions by eliminating most of 

 the commentary, retaining only the text. Dr. Steele might have re- 

 duced his pages still more if he had not been so liberal in the spaces 

 allotted to the text. Xot only are there clear headings for the chapters 

 and sections — but he also divides clauses, starting each with a fresh line 

 and indicating each by the use of an alphabetical letter. Whilst this 

 makes the matter admirably clear, yet it does seem as though such 



