the foundation of a long illness, rendering it impossible for me to continue my walking, and as a consequence I resided in the interior of China during a period of convalescence of several months duration, at the end of which I continued my cross-country tramp.  Subsequently I returned into Yuen-nan from Burma, lived again in Tong-ch’uan-fu and Chao-t’ong-fu, and traveled in the wilds of the surrounding country.  Whilst traveling I lived on Chinese food, and in the Miao country, where rice could not be got, subsisted for many days on maize only.

My sole object in going to China was a personal desire to see China from the inside.  My trip was undertaken for no other purpose.  I carried no instruments (with the exception of an aneroid), and did not even make a single survey of the untrodden country through which I occasionally passed.  So far as I know, I am the only traveler, apart from members of the missionary community, who has ever resided far away in the interior of the Celestial Empire for so long a time.

Most of the manuscript for this book was written as I went along>—­a good deal of it actually by the roadside in rural China.  When my journey was completed, the following news paragraph in the North China Daily News (of Shanghai) was brought to my notice:—­

“All the Legations (at Peking) have received anonymous letters from alleged revolutionaries in Shanghai, containing the warning that an extensive anti-dynastic uprising is imminent.  If they do not assist the Manchus, foreigners will not be harmed; otherwise, they will be destroyed in a general massacre.

     “The missives were delivered mysteriously, bearing obliterated
     postmarks.

     “In view of the recent similar warnings received by the Consuls,
     uneasiness has been created.”

The above appeared in the journal quoted on June 3rd, 1910.  The reader, in perusing my previously written remarks on the spirit of reform and how far it has penetrated into the innermost corners of the empire, should bear this paragraph in mind, for there is more Boxerism and unrest in China than we know of.  My account of the Hankow riots of January, 1911, through which I myself went, will, with my experience of rebellions in Yuen-nan, justify my assertion.

I should like to thank all those missionaries who entertained me as I proceeded through China, especially Mr. John Graham and Mr. C.A.  Fleischmann, of the China Inland Mission, who transacted a good deal of business for me and took all trouble uncomplainingly.  I am also indebted to Dr. Clark, of Tali-fu, and to the Revs.  H. Parsons and S. Pollard, for several photographs illustrating that section of this book dealing with the tribes of Yuen-nan.

I wish to express my acknowledgments to several well-known writers on far Eastern topics, notably to Dr. G.E.  Morrison, of Peking, the Rev. Sidney L. Hulick, M.A., D.D., and Mr. H.B.  Morse, whose works are quoted.  Much information was also gleaned from other sources.