Houseboat Days in China Kindle Edition

J.O.P. Bland, the Times of London correspondent in Shanghai 100 years ago, published this delightful series of musings on the meaning of life and nature of the Chinaman from the perspective of the absolute confidence of the Anglo-Saxon in the days before the Great War. He promises a "record of Idleness", of duck and snipe and leisurely cruises through the backwaters of the Chinese countryside. The book delivers that plus colorful insight into the East-meets-West riddle of the Chinese Empire's last days.* "To the student of Chinese characteristics, Mr. Bland's volume will be simply an essential addition to their library." - New York Times "A vivid fascinating and enchanting account of a bygone China." - Paul French ...* summary from Tales of Old China website This wonderful book, full of the peace and confident Anglo-Saxon arrogance of the pre-Great War world, was published in 1906. It takes as its starting point the houseboats on which wealthy Shanghailanders spent their weekends, cruising the canals and waterways that criss-crossed the countryside around the city. But it is in fact about much more than that. It is a window into the thoughts and interests of an English gentleman in Shanghai back when the world, for such a person, offered few uncertainities.** 1 - The Boat and its Pidgin 2 - The Lowdah and His Crew 3 - The Menage afloat 4 - Of Dogs 5 - The Nearer Hunting-Grounds 6 - The Quarry 7 - The Lord of the Soil 8 - The Ethics of Houseboat Travel 9 - Of the Eternal Feminine 10 - Of Ducks, Rain, and other Matters 11- Missionaries, Mandarins, and Morals 12 - On the Hypnotic Influence of the P'utzu 13 - Preparations for a Grand Sortie 14 - To the Chientang River 15 - Discipline on Board the Ark 16 - Of Riverside Memories 17 - Of Smuggling and some Aspects of the Art of Government 18 - Of Spring Snipe and the coming of the Railway 19 - Of Geese and a Dead City 20 - Of Books and Poetry and Babus 21 - On coming Home ...** summary from Tales of Old Shanghai at earnshaw.com Read more