W. H. Medhurst/G. Baxter - China: its State and Prospects - 1838

A very RARE and beautiful and interesting book...."China, its state and prospects, with special reference to the spread of the Gospel"...The first printing of this fascinating exploration of China and its future developments, complete with illustrations including a hand coloured frontispiece.Illustrated with a hand-coloured frontispiece, vignette title page- lacking-, one folding map in very good condition, and five plates.'China: Its State and Prospects' is an interesting early nineteenth century work that delves into the history and state of China during that era, from the point of view of a missionary who was sent to China by the London Missionary Society in 1816.This work inspired many people to become missionaries, including Hudson Taylor, who spent fifty years in China and founded the China Inland Mission.William Henry Medhurst was an English Congregationalist missionary to China, one of the early translator of the Bible into the Chinese language.Illustrated by G. Baxter.
The first part of the book is a general introduction to China with particular emphasis on the possibilities for missionary activities. The second part describes his journey from Canton to Shandong peninsula (Wei-hai-wei) and back down to Canton via Shanghai. He emphasises his dislike of the Opium trade.
Book in good condition for age. Externally half leather with wear around edges and corners, shelfwear- see photos. Inside light stains but overall clean. A few plates with light ancient water sign on lower margin.
Scarce. Uncommon