Third edition. 12mo, 132 pages. Soft card covers. Originally published in 1903 under the pseudonym William Rivers, this is a series of seven sketches about Westerners living in China including ‘A Tai-Pan of the ‘Fifties’ and ‘Mr Lawford’s Housekeeper’.

Paul Henry King (1854-1938) served in the Chinese Maritime Customs Service from 1874 until his retirement in 1921. He was part of a British family with strong ties to China , his father having fought with General Charles Gordon during the Taiping Rebellion; his wife, the novelist Veronica King, was born in China , the daughter of Missionaries and two of their children also worked for the consular and customs service in China . King's lengthy service allowed him a significant and deep understanding of the workings of Chinese government and society at a senior level and he maintained a strong and respectful relationship with the Chinese statesman Li Hongzhang.

The book is in Very Good Minus condition, spine browned, some occasional spotting within. Previous owner’s name and date to the ffep. Rare, COPAC lists one copy of the first edition at the British Library and none of this issue.