A Woman In China

Nonfiction, Religion & Spirituality, New Age, History, Fiction & Literature
Cover of the book A Woman In China by Mary Gaunt, Library of Alexandria
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Mary Gaunt ISBN: 9781465614940
Publisher: Library of Alexandria Publication: March 8, 2015
Imprint: Language: English
Author: Mary Gaunt
ISBN: 9781465614940
Publisher: Library of Alexandria
Publication: March 8, 2015
Imprint:
Language: English
When I was a little girl and was taken to see my grandmother, she set out for my amusement, to be looked at but not touched by little fingers, various curios brought home by my grandfather from China in the old days when he was a sailor in the Honourable East India Company’s service; beautifully carved ivory chessmen, a model of a Chinese lady’s foot about three inches long, dainty mother-of-pearl counters made in the likeness of all manner of strange beasts, lacquer boxes and ivory balls; models of palankeens in ivory, and fans that seemed to me, brought up in the somewhat rough-and-ready surroundings of a new country, dreams of loveliness. The impression was made, I felt the fascination of China, the fascination of a thing far beyond me. Like the pretty things, so out of my reach it seemed that I did not even add it to the list of places I intended to visit when I grew up, for even then my great desire was to travel all over the world; I was born with the wander fever in my blood, but unfortunately with small means of satisfying it. As I grew older I used to read every travel book I could get hold of, and later on when I began to live by my pen I got into the habit of gauging my chances of seeing a country by the number of books written about it. China, judged by this standard, fell naturally into the place assigned to it by my grandmother’s curios; for from the days of Marco Polo men have gone up and down the land, painfully, sorrowfully, gladly, triumphantly, and at least half of them seem to have put pen to paper to describe what they have seen. Was it likely there would be anything left for me to write about?
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
When I was a little girl and was taken to see my grandmother, she set out for my amusement, to be looked at but not touched by little fingers, various curios brought home by my grandfather from China in the old days when he was a sailor in the Honourable East India Company’s service; beautifully carved ivory chessmen, a model of a Chinese lady’s foot about three inches long, dainty mother-of-pearl counters made in the likeness of all manner of strange beasts, lacquer boxes and ivory balls; models of palankeens in ivory, and fans that seemed to me, brought up in the somewhat rough-and-ready surroundings of a new country, dreams of loveliness. The impression was made, I felt the fascination of China, the fascination of a thing far beyond me. Like the pretty things, so out of my reach it seemed that I did not even add it to the list of places I intended to visit when I grew up, for even then my great desire was to travel all over the world; I was born with the wander fever in my blood, but unfortunately with small means of satisfying it. As I grew older I used to read every travel book I could get hold of, and later on when I began to live by my pen I got into the habit of gauging my chances of seeing a country by the number of books written about it. China, judged by this standard, fell naturally into the place assigned to it by my grandmother’s curios; for from the days of Marco Polo men have gone up and down the land, painfully, sorrowfully, gladly, triumphantly, and at least half of them seem to have put pen to paper to describe what they have seen. Was it likely there would be anything left for me to write about?

More books from Library of Alexandria

Cover of the book Werwolves by Mary Gaunt
Cover of the book Hurricane Hurry by Mary Gaunt
Cover of the book William Nelson: A Memoir by Mary Gaunt
Cover of the book The Boy Travellers in the Far East: Adventures of Two Youths in a Journey to Siam and Java by Mary Gaunt
Cover of the book A Soldier's Daughter and Other Stories by Mary Gaunt
Cover of the book The Ashiel Mystery: A Detective Story by Mary Gaunt
Cover of the book The Complete Sayings of Jesus by Mary Gaunt
Cover of the book Marguerite by Mary Gaunt
Cover of the book Honorine by Mary Gaunt
Cover of the book A Popular Account of the Manners and Customs of India by Mary Gaunt
Cover of the book A History of the Philippines by Mary Gaunt
Cover of the book Prince Zilah (Complete) by Mary Gaunt
Cover of the book How John Norton the Trapper Kept His Christmas by Mary Gaunt
Cover of the book The African Trader: The Adventures of Harry Bayford by Mary Gaunt
Cover of the book The Doctrines of Predestination, Reprobation, and Election by Mary Gaunt
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy