PREFACE. FOURTEEN years have elapsed since the publication of the third and concluding volume of this History. In that period the subject of the Chinese Empire and people has become of greater interest and more direct moment, not only to the English reader, but to the world. It is gratifying to feel that the anticipations expressed on this head in the earlier work have been realized within so brief a period, while the more compact and convenient form in which the present revised edition makes its appearance will perhaps bring this full record of a most ancient and stillexisting Empire within the reach of all who are concerned in the Far East. April 27, 1898. DEMETRIUS C. BOULGER. |