OCCASIONAL NOTES. 44] 
The Folk-Lore of China is not only a study of great in- 
terest in itself, but the mass of materials it contains will, after 
careful collection and discrimination, be of great scientific 
value for purposes of comparative Folk-Lore. No attempt has 
ever been made to deal with this subject as a whole. What 
littie has been written has, with a few notable exceptions, 
been generally of a local character. What is now proposed’ 
is to endeavour to obtain, as faras possible, collections of the lore 
peculiar to the different parts of China, and its dependencies. 
Each collection, while in itself highly instructive, will be chiefly 
important as forming a link in the chain of facts from which a 
general account of the Folk-Lore of China may be deduced. 
If willing helpers can be found to assist in the work of collec- 
tion, the success of the scheme is ensured. Failure can only 
result from want of co-operation and support. It is, therefore, 
earnestly hoped that all will be ready to give their aid either 
by collecting and contributing themselves or by inducing 
others to do so. 
As a first step towards obtaining a collection of Chinese 
Folk-Lore as complete as possible, and with a view to unifor- 
mity of action, I enclose, herewith in English and Chinese an 
arrangement of the subjects of Folk-Lore under four main 
divisions, sub-divided into minor groups. This arrangement has 
been borrowed from the publications of the Folk-Lore Society 
as appearing to be the one best adapted to China, though no 
doubt modifications and additions will suggest themselves to 
individual collectors. It is hoped, however, that it will serve 
as a useful guide and form a basis on which may be built a 
substantial structure of facts and generalisations. 
The Chinese version is intended for circulation among the 
Chinese who, experience shows, evince a great interest in the 
subject when once they comprehend its aims and objects. 
Under the minor groups, examples have been given in order 
to facilitate inquiry. 
My excuse for addressing you and asking your assistance 
is that, as you are interested in, as well as well acquainted 
with, the customs and manners of the Chinese, it seemed not 
unlikely that you would be willing to co-operate in the fur- 
