[1] An alphabetical arrangement of all the tables scattered throughout the work may be found under this word in the Index. CONTENTS OF VOLUME I. CHAPTER I. PAGE GENERAL DIVISIONS AND FEATURES OF THE EMPIRE, 1-48 Unusual interest involved in the study of China, 1; The name _China_ probably a corruption of _Tsin_, 2; Other Asiatic names for the country, 3; Ancient and modern native designations, 5; Dimensions of the Empire, 6; Its three Grand Divisions: The _Eighteen Provinces_, _Manchuria_, and _Colonies_, 7; China Proper, its names and limits, 8; Four large mountain chains, 10; The Tien shan, _ibid._; The Kwănlun, 11; The Hing-an and Himalaya systems, 13; Pumpelly’s “Sinian System” of mountains, 14; The Desert of Gobi and Sha-moh, 15; Its character and various names, 17; Rivers of China: The Yellow River, 18; The Yangtsz’ River, 20; The Chu or Pearl River, 22; Lakes of China, 23; Boundaries of China Proper, 25; Character of its coast, 26; The Great Plain, 27; The Great Wall of China, its course, 29; Its construction and aspect, 30; The Grand Canal, 31; Its history and present condition, 36; Minor canals, 37; Public roads, De Guignes’ description, _ibid._; General aspects of a landscape, 40; Physical characteristics of the Chinese, 41; The women, 42; Aborigines: Miaotsz’, Lolos, Li-mus, and others, 43; Manchus and Mongols, 44; Attainments and limits of Chinese civilization, 46. CHAPTER II. GEOGRAPHICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE EASTERN PROVINCES, 49-141