By Thunberg. 1794, 4 vols.
8vo. - This work relates principally to Japan; and it may justly be
remarked, that few parts of the world have met with sucn admirable
describers as Japan has done, in Koempfer and Thunberg. Certainly the
natural history of no part, so rich in this respect, has been so fully and
scientifically investigated. A French translation of this work was
published in Paris in 1796, in 2 vols. 4to. enriched by the notes of
Langles and La Marck.
760. Golownin's Narrative of his Captivity in Japan, 1811-13. 2 vols.
8vo. - Japan is a country so little accessible, that every work on it is
acceptable. This work does not add very much to what Koempfer and Thunberg
have told, but perhaps quite as much as the author, under his
circumstances, could collect or observe. The same remarks apply to his
Recollections of Japan. 1 vol. 8vo.
The history of the missions in the East Indies, Japan, and China, which
were published in the Italian, Spanish, German, and French languages,
towards the end of the sixteenth, and the beginning of the seventeenth
century, is interspersed with some curious and valuable information
regarding these countries; the titles and character of the principal of
these may be found in the Bibliotheque, vol. 5. p. 264, 272, &c.
761. Voyage to China and the East Indies, by Rel. Osbeck; with a Voyage to
Surat, by Torreens; and an Account of the Chinese Husbandry, by Ekelberg.
Translated from the German by J.R. Forster. To which is added a Fauna et
Flora Sinensis. 1777, 2 vols. 8vo. - Travels, embracing scientific natural
history, by competent persons, are so rare and valuable, that the titles of
such should not be omitted: the nature of this work is sufficiently
indicated by the title, and its merit by its having been translated by
Forster.
762. Sonnerat, Voyage aux Indes Orientals et a la Chine, 1774. 1781. Paris,
1806. 4 vols. 8vo. - This work is particularly full and minute on the
theography of the Hindoos: besides the East Indies and China, it embraces
Pegu, the Cape of Good Hope, Ceylon, Malacca, &c. A translation of part of
it into English was printed at Calcutta.
763. Nouvelles Memoires sur l'Etat present de la Chine. Par Le Comte.
Paris, 1701, 3 vols. 12mo - The best account of China previous to Duhalde's
work, though in many particulars extremely partial to the Chinese.
764. Memoires concernant l'Histoire, les Sciences, et les Arts des Chinois.
Par les Missionaires de Pekin. Paris, 1775, &c. 15 vols. 4to. - In this
voluminous work is contained a wonderful deal of information on China; the
continuation of the work was put a stop to by the French Revolution: it is
by far the best the Jesuits have produced on China; and if there are
materials for perfecting it, they ought to be given to the public.
765. Description Geographique, Historique, Chronologique, Politique, et
Physique de la Chine et de Tartarie Chinoise. Par Duhalde. Le Hague, 1736,
4 vols. 4to. - Of this work there is an English translation. Duhalde has
drawn his materials from a variety of sources, especially from the printed
and manuscript accounts of the missionaries; but he has failed to exercise
a sound judgment, and a scrupulous examination into the truth of many facts
and opinions which he has admitted into his work.
But though the public are certainly much indebted to the missionaries
for the information they have given respecting this singular country,
yet there are obvious circumstances which rendered their accounts
suspicious in some points, and defective in others, so that the
publication of the accounts of the Dutch and British Embassies added
much to our stock of accurate knowledge regarding China. The following
is the title of the French translation of part of the Dutch Embassy:
766. Voyage de la Campagne des Indes Orientales vers l'Empire de la Chine,
1794-5. Tire du Journal de Van Braam. Philadelphe. 1797, 4to. - There is
also an English translation.
767. Sir George Staunton's Account of the Embassy of the Earl of Macartney
to China. 2 vols. 4to. 1797.
768. John Barrow's Travels to China. 4to. 1804.
These works, especially the latter, together with Lord Macartney's own
journal in the second volume of his life, contain a deal of information,
considering the jealousy of the Chinese; some additions, corrections,
and different views of the same circumstances, as well as a further
insight into the manners of the Chinese, as indicated by their conduct,
will be found in the two following works which relate to the Embassy of
Lord Amherst. The first is by the naturalist to the Embassy.
769. Abel's Narrative of a Journey in the Interior of China. 1816-17. 4to.
770. Ellis's Journal of the Proceedings of the late Embassy to China. 4to.
771. Relation du Naufrage sur la Cote de l'Isle de Quaelpeart, avec la
Description de Coree. Paris, 1670, 12mo. - This work, translated from the
Dutch, besides the interest which personal adventures in a foreign country,
and under unusual circumstances, always inspires, gives much information
regarding the manners of the inhabitants, and the ceremonies, &c. of the
court of Corea, - a part of Asia very little known.
772. Captain Hall's Voyage of Discovery to the West Coast of Corea, and the
Great Loo-choo Island. 4to. - A work not less valuable for its maritime
geography and science, than for the pleasing interest which it excites on
behalf of the natives of Loo-choo, and the favourable impression it leaves
of Captain Hall, his officers and seamen.
TARTARY, &C.
773. Noord-Oost Tartarie. Par Nic. Witsen. Amsterd. 1705, 2 vols.
folio. - Forster, an excellent and seldom too favourable a judge, speaks
highly of this work.
774. Nomadische Streifereisen unter den Kalmuken. Von B. Borgman.
