Maggs Bros.

Said to be the best guide to old Peking, this fascinating work provides a wealth of information about the capital’s historical sites. Profusely illustrated with drawings and guide maps, it covers the legation quarters, palaces, temples, tombs, gardens, suburbs, the theaters, amusements, hot springs &c. At that time the wall around Peking was still intact and distinctions between the ‘Tartar’ and ‘Chinese City’ still in evidence. A section on restaurants and other entertainment entitled “Wine, Women & Song” commences with the following words: “The Chinese are hedonists par excellence. This accounts for their good temper an their habit of always looking on the bright side of things…”. Rare in dustjacket.