Memoirs of the Life and Labours of Robert Morrison, D.D. Compiled by His Widow with Critical Notices of his Chinese Works by Samuel Kidd.
London. Longman, Orme, Brown, Green, and Longmans. 1839. First Edition. Stock ID #223177 The Reverend Dr Robert Morrison was the pioneer of Protestant Missionary work in China. Arriving in China in 1807 he was met with much opposition and many difficulties. There was "opposition of Chinese to his residence, the prohibition to Chinese to teach the language to foreigners, the hostility of the Roman Catholic priests in Macao, and the strict regulations of the East India Company. However, in spite of all difficulties, he was able to print the entire Scriptures in Chinese in 1824....He completed a Chinese grammar in 1812, a dictionary of Chinese in 1814, and another of the Canton dialect. In 1816 he accompanied Lord Amherst's embassy to Peking as interpreter." Encyclopaedia Sinica. When referring to this item please quote stockid 223177.
Volume I only: Engraved frontispiece showing Morrison at his desk with two Chinese men at work beside him. Original blind stamped, brown cloth covered boards, lettered in gilt on the spine, yellow endpapers with the label of "T. Noyes/Bookseller/Bath" in the upper corner, some light foxing throughout, inner front gutter cracked but firm, cloth along joints lightly worn in places but a good copy of the first edition.
Price: $500.00 AU