 |
 |
 |
|
|
|
|||
|
|||||
      |
 TRAVELS IN CHINA
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
BARROW, JOHN. TRAVELS IN CHINA, Containing Descriptions, Observations, and Comparisons, Made and Collected in the Course of a Short Residence at the Imperial Palace of Yuen-Min-Yuen, and on a Subsequent Journey Through the Country from Pekin to Canton . . . . London: For T. Cadell and W. Davies, 1804. 4to. Contemporary mottled calf. [xii], 632 pages. Six hand-colored aquatints on four leaves (including frontispiece), one hand-colored stipple, three engraved plates (two double-page). Joints cracked but sound, spine varnished, occasional marginalia in pencil, slight offsetting and foxing of several plates. A very good copy, well-margined and without the cropping of plates that often results in loss of imprints.
FIRST EDITION of Barrow's "observations of the country and language" (DNB) of China during the English diplomatic mission at the end of the 18th century. In 1792, Lord Macartney (1737-1806) was selected to lead an embassy to Peking to address the "exactions and acts of injustice perpetrated by the Chinese on English subjects" (Id.), and to seek relaxation of the restrictions to which foreign trade in Canton was subject. The mission was "the most elaborate and expensive diplomatic initiative ever undertaken by a British government" (Keay, The Honourable Company). Sir George Beaumont recommended Barrow to Lord Macartney, and "he was made comptroller of the household in his suite" (DNB). Thus began Barrow's career in government, which spanned more than fifty years and was later crowned by a long tenure as Secretary of the Admiralty.
Although Macartney and his entourage were lavishly received and entertained, they were thwarted by "the Emperor's indifference to the requests of what he called 'the tribute bearing envoy from England'" (Keay), and the mission was a diplomatic failure. Nevertheless, "[t]he expedition provided the material for a number of interesting works on China, of which [Barrow's Travels in China] and Alexander's The Costume of China . . . are notable examples" (Abbey). Travels in China remains valuable for its extensive commentary, based on first-hand observations, of nearly every aspect of Chinese civilization under the late Ch'ing dynasty - including its imperial palaces and court, manners, customs, language, sciences, medicine, agriculture, government, laws, religions and history. Abbey Travel 531. Cox I, p. 346. Tooley 84. BT000062.
Provenance: Bookplate of William Danby (1752-1833), the English writer and high sheriff of Yorkshire who maintained a mansion in Swinton Park with "a handsome library" (DNB).
$2300
To contact us about this item, please go to our Orders & Inquiries Page.