"Series of character sketches reflecting village life in mid 19th century Central China and describing some events in the Taiping Rebellion. Tales, legends, fragments and observations on the Chinese gathered over a nine year period." Publishers navy buckram bevelled boards. Gilt titles and gilt vignette to spine. Prize bookplate on inside. xv, 477 pages. Colour frontispiece plate. Title vignette. The colour plate is "Charm Issued by the Taoist Pope", facing page 225. Full-page drawings. Photo-lithogtaphs. In-text illustrations. A lovely copy. Shipped and insured [courier liability] by recorded delivery with UPS.