Nicholas Bellfied Dennys.
London/Hongkong, Trübner/China Mail Office.
1876.
Softcover.
The Folk-Lore of China, and its affinities with that of the Aryan and Semitic races. First edition. Two full-page illustrations as well as Chinese characters interspersed in the text. 8vo. Original printed paper wrappers, spine missing, upper cover and 3 following pages each have 5 pin hole sized holes, back cover with short repaired tears and a little bit creased, margins brownish, otherwise clean and solid. [viii], [iv], 156, [vii](index)pp. 24.5 x 17 cm. London/Hongkong, Trübner/"China Mail" Office, 1876. £700 Nicholas Bellfield Dennys (1813-1900) joined the Admiralty in 1855 and was appointed student interpreter in Peking in 1863. He later became a journalist and editor of the "China Mail" and in 1877 he moved to Singapore where he worked as editor of the Journal of the Malayan Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society. The present book is a fascinating overview of Chinese folk-lore with a strong focus on superstitious practices and observations. It deals with personal fortunes (lucky and unlucky days, omens, dreams, charms, spells and amulets) the apparitions of ghosts, dragons and other fabulous animals as well as the interpretation of natural phenomena (heaven, moon, sun, stars, tides etc.) and their influence on humans. Throughout the text Dennys draws interesting parallels and comparisons with superstitions in the West. Rare.