In the present volume the author first gives a Life of Lao-tse (alias Lao-kirin, Lao-tan, Li-cul ete.) according to Chinese sources. This life is somewhat legendary; as everyone knows, the followers of Taoism did not fail to pad the historic facts with many marvellous and incredible tales, Some of these authors put the birth of Lao-tse in 1316 B.C. others in 1201, still others in 786. The most probable opinion is that he lived in the years 570-490 B.C. and so was a contemporary of Confucius (551-479), whom he is said really to have met in the year 518 (see Vol. XW p.21), This Curious life is illustrated with many interesting chromos.
Next the author gives us some particulars about the Taoist doctrine: cosmogony, various genii and their hierarchy, immortality and the means of obtaining it, such as medicinal "gymnastic breathing," sham-phototherapy, ete.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.