Chapter I: Preface: To the First Edition

My only apology for launching this unvarnished narrative upon the world is, that, after my return to England, I wrote for the amusement, and at the request of my friends, a short account of my shipwreck and subsequent imprisonment in the Celestial Empire; and considering that my sufferings and adventures would, at this time, create an interest with the public at large, they have strongly urged me to publish this narrative. This I have ventured to do, hoping that the faults may be overlooked, and all indulgence shown to a young merchant sailor.

_London, Nov. 16, 1841._

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I.

Leave Shields--Madras--Hired by government--Arrive at Chusan--Junks--Sickness--Number of Crew--Yeang-tze-keang--Boat breaks adrift--Wreck--Mr. Noble and child drowned--Mrs. Noble--Lieut. Douglas--Vessel rights--Jolly-boat returns--Chinese--Leave the wreck. _Page_ 1-16 CHAPTER II.

Get ashore--Village--Appearance of country--Made prisoners--Syrang-- Bound--Chinese gentleman--Old women--Meet some of the crew--Kindness of one Chinese--Put into irons--Insults--Interrogated by mandarin--Death of marines 17-32

CHAPTER III.

Temple--Cages--Women--Dinner--Hot water--Taken down a river--City--Guns--Hall of Ancestors--Twizell and the missing party--English prisoner--Corporal of marines--Jail--Other Lascars--Watch 33-49

CHAPTER IV.

Captain Anstruther--Kindness to marines--Mandarin's questions--Chinese music--Jolly-boat party arrive--Privations-- Medical treatment--Removed--Sedans--Town--Joshouse--Apartment-- Guard-room 50-66

CHAPTER V.

Physician--Visitors--Day's employment--Taken before the mandarin--Letters and clothing from Chusan--Chinese clothes--Irons taken off--Return home--Salamanders--Amusements 67-81

CHAPTER VI.

Language--Marine dies--Canton interpreter--Lieut. Douglas--Secret letters--Soap--Money--Christmas--Court-martial-- Fires--Chinese dinner--Ladies' apartments 82-98

CHAPTER VII.

Jos ceremonies--Chinese New Year's day--New Testament--Epsom salts--Grief of our jailer--Kites--Procession--Leave Ningpo--Chinhae--Huge idols--Chinese camp--Mandarin's message 99-109

CHAPTER VIII.

Sampan--Description of junk--Preserved eggs--Reception from the English--H. M. S. Blonde--Mrs. Noble--Leave Chusan--Narrow escape--H. M. S. Samarang--Leave Macao--Arrive at Spithead 110-126

NARRATIVE.