Author: WILKINSON, James & Thomas PERCY. (Ed.).
Title: Chineesche geschiedenis, behelzende de gevallen van den heer Tieh-Chung-U en de jongvrouw Shuey-Ping-Sin. Nevens het kort begrip van een Chineesch tooneelspel, eenige Chineesche dichtstukjes, en eene verzameling van spreekwoorden der Chineezen. oorspronglyk in de Chineesche taale beschreeven. Daar uit in't Engelsch overgezet, en met breedvoerige aantekeningen, vervattende zeer veele byzonderheden wegens de zeden en gewoonten der Chineezen, verrykt. Nu in't Nederduitsch vertaald.
Description: Amsterdam, Erven van F. Houttuyn, 1767. Contemporary half calf (extremities of spine dam.). With title-page printed in red and black and 4 engraved plates by R. Nuys. XXV,(3),628,(12) pp. First Dutch edition of the Chinese novel of romance and adventure Haoqui zhuan, translated from the English edition Hau kiaou choaan, or the pleasing history. London 1761. 'According to the introduction, the translation dated 1719 was made by an English merchant, James Wilkinson in Canton. Percy revised the draft for grammer only, and read a good deal for the notes' (Lust p.260). It is the first important piece of Chinese imaginative literature to be published in Europe. Haoqiu zhuan gives an idea of the everyday life of China, which was neglected by the scholarly researches of the missionaries (Löwendahl 514). This work also contains an overview of a Chinese play, a treatise on Chinese poetry, translations of some Chinese poems, and a number of Chinese proverbs and sayings. - Scarce. Cordier, B.S., col. 1755; Lust 1107.

Keywords: Asia China Dutch travel