Du Halde's important work on China gave encyclopedic coverage of all aspects of Chinese civilization: the emperors and the government, the military and police institutions, the nobility, agriculture and handicrafts, the “genius,” “glory”, and appearance of Chinese religion, ethics and ceremonies,science and medicine, money and commerce, the language and writing system, the production of porcelain and silkworm breeding. The book was very quickly added to all academic libraries and has translated into most European languages.

1st edition was published in 1735. Brunet II, 870. Graesse, II, 443.

Provenance: With the book plate of Carl Juel (1706–1767), Valdemar's Castle, Tåsinge.