Oriental Collection of W. T. Walters; 65 Mt. Vernon Place, Baltimore (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1884 edition. Excerpt: ... POTTERY AND PORCELAIN. Pere D'entrecolles. Pere d'Entrecolles, Missionary of the Society of Jesus, arrived in China in 1700, whence he wrote letters from Jao-tcheou, in the province of Feou-leam, and King-tetching, the imperial factory of porcelain. He writes under date of Sept. 1st, 1712, that while his curiosity would not have led him to study the subject of the production of porcelain, he feels that it may be of service to Europe, and therefore avails himself of his opportunities. He not only has converts among the merchants, but also among the workmen themselves, and collects all the information which they can give him, keeping them continually on the watch. "The town of King-te-tching," he writes, " is only three miles distant from, and a dependance of Feou-leam, which is a dependance of Jao-tcheou. A law exists in China that each city shall preserve in writing, the history of the province in which it lies. This history is to include the situation, extent, limits and nature of the country, together with the most remarkable places, manufactures, the manners and customs of the inhabitants, the persons who are distinguished in arms, in letters, or for great probity. Remarkable women even are recorded; for instance those who, through attachment lor their deceased husbands, remain widows. The Mandarin frequently revises this history, and adds or eliminates as he thinks proper. A strict record is kept of all merchandise exported or imported. The annals of Feou-leam record, that beginning with the Emperor Tang-ou-te, of the dynasty of the Tangs (A. D. 442), workmen in porcelain have furnished objects to the Emperors, and that one or two Mandarins were sent from the Court to overlook their work. A description is also given of the multitude...