A Traveller in Strange Paths By Dr. Arthur Smith Ix Usnsown Caixa: A Record of Observations, Adventures and Experiences of 'a Pioneer of Civilization During a Prolonged Sojourn Amongst the Wild and Unknown Nosu Tribe of Western China. By 8, Pollard; Author of "In 'Tight Corners in' Chins," "The Story of the Miao," ete., ete. With many Illustrations and Three Maps.
Philadelphia, J. B, Lippincott Company; London, Seeley, Service ©o., Ld. Pp. 324.
In the earlier books on China in English, such as the illuminating and comprehensive works of Sir John Davis, and Dr, 8, Wells Williams "Middle Kingdom," there was little or nothing except gen-oralities about the Wild Tribes, Aborigines, Miao, ete., for the very good reason that next to nothing was certainly known.
Mr, George Tradescant Lay who came to China (for the second time) in 1836, very soon after that published an informing little book called: "The Chinese As They Are," probably with a view to negativing some of the preposterous notions then current about the Chinese. Among his chapters was one on the Miao tribes, from which it appeared that they were by no means so "wild" or "uncivilized" as had been supposed, albeit their language, customs, and mode of life were so different from and antagonistic to those of the Chinese, who despised and maligned them, with the characteristic "imperfect sympathy" of superior races, writing their name with the Chinese character for "dog."
Mr. Baber's discovery in his journey through West China (1878) that the Nosu had a written language of their own, and his specimens of their books were naturally looked upon as an important discovery. But according to Mr. Pollard in the years that have elapsed since that discovery not a great deal has been done to follow it up. "The literature of these hill people is still practically unexplored. It is possible that in the manuscript books there may be hidden some important facts which will cast light on early Chinese history."
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.