REVIEWS OF RECENT BOOKS 195 



present day conditions in China is of the most meagre description. 

 He thinks vaguely of China as a far off country that produces tea and 

 silk and pagodas, a land where devastating floods and famines alternate 

 with civil wars, brigandage on a large scale and the holding of mis- 

 sionaries to ransom. 



To such as these and to all who are interested in this great and 

 unknown country the volume under review can be strongly recom- 

 mended as a concise and authoritative work of reference on all matters 

 on which they may require information, more especially if their interest 

 in China is of a business nature. Here they will find, conveniently 

 arranged, a digest of Chinese history, an outline of the Chinese 

 system of government, detailed information regarding the conditions 

 under which citizens of the United States reside and carry on their 

 business in China : notes on the Chinese postal system, railway, 

 shipping, currency and banking, an account of China's natural resources 

 and industries, her foreign trade and much valuable advice to those 

 who contemplate starting business in China. Nothing seems to have 

 been forgotten by the painstaking author and his contributors, whose 

 survey of China ranges from the Boxer Rebellion to the boy scout 

 movement, from Chambers of Commerce to chickens, and from Voca- 

 tional Education to vaccination. The volume is primarily intended for 

 the use of Americans but in accordance with the sound policy of the 

 American Department of Commerce of publishing information of 

 general interest concerning foreign countries, it may be consulted 

 with equal interest and profit by all English-speaking people. In this 

 connection, attention may be drawn to one small omission, doubtless 

 inadvertent on the part of the author. On page 405 when discussing 

 the desirability of providing business men with facilities for the study 

 of Chinese no mention is made of the excellent language school 

 maintained by the British Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai, whose 

 classes are open to Americans as well as British. 



The handbook contains a good map, some interesting illustrations 

 and detailed index which makes reference to its contents a simple 

 matter. It may be purchased for the ridiculously small sum of forty- 

 gold cents. H. H. F. 



A Manual of Chinese Metaphor. Being a selection of typical Chinese 

 Metaphors, with explanatory Notes and Indices. By C. A. S. 

 Williams, Acting Assistant Chinese Secretary of the Inspectorate 

 General of Customs and Professor in Customs Practise, Samples, 

 and Treaties at the Customs College, Peking ; Member of the 

 Royal Asiatic Society N.C.B. Published by Order of the 



