19G REVIEWS OF RECENT BOOKS 



Inspector General of Customs by the Statistical Department of 

 the Inspectorate General. Printed by the Commercial Press, 

 Limited, Shanghai. Price : $4.00 

 This volume is a welcome addition to the books of reference which 

 should find a place on the shelves of all those who aspire to a com- 

 prehension of Chinese mentality — those who know the language and 

 those who do not. As Mr. Williams, in his preface, truly remarks 

 "Figurative description has been reduced to a fine art by the Chinese," 

 and further "The language is exceptionally rich in metaphor, which 

 is most commonly expressed in terms of four characters — and it is 

 by analysis of the metaphor that I have attempted to illustrate the 

 formation of Chinese ideas in ancient times, their evolution, and their 

 adaptation to modern use. I have accordingly divided a number of 

 typical metaphors, for purposes of examination, into classes repre- 

 senting the common objects of Chinese life, and I recommend their 

 careful study and comparison, as a means towards the attainment 

 of a more accurate appreciation of the spirit of the language, and 

 the mode of thought of the people — a decided advantage in official, 

 business, or friendly intercourse." 



There can be no two opinions as to the value of such com- 

 prehension and Mr. Williams has certainly placed a valuable key in 

 the hands of the student. The arrangement, in Dictionary form, is 

 excellent and every possible assistance is given by means of various 

 indices as; a Classified Table of Subjects, a Chinese Bibliography 

 and "table showing the ratio in which the metaphors occur in the 

 various branches of literature, followed by a detailed list of the books 

 concerned, supported by references to the metaphors quoted" ; a 

 Chinese Index ; and an English Index. 



More valuable still for the purposes of metaphorical analysis, is 

 the system of cross references adopted by Mr. Williams. It is possible 

 by aid of this to follow the evolution of an idea, and to realize the 

 logical sequence of Chinese thought, the manner in which natural 

 objects continually lend themselves to the expression of man's emotions 

 and affairs, vide "Cotton 1" cross reference to "Glue 2" and many 

 other examples. 



It is more difficult to understand what purpose is served by the 

 mere entry of a phrase, with no translation, note, or explanation, 

 under different headings. This adds greatly to the bulk of the book, 

 is irritating to the reader, and, as the Manual only pretends to submit 

 a "typical selection of metaphors," seems superfluous. For instance 

 under "shadow" there are ten entries, in five of these the phrase and 

 transliteration only are given and for explanation the reader is 

 referred to other headings as "Sand 2, Pole 1, Wind 19, Footprint 3, 



