Excerpt from Houseboat Days in China

Imprimis, however, a word to the enlightened reader, the Old resident (bless his querulous ways I), who, rightly enough, asks to be informed of your book's raison d'étre. A' record of Idle ness, my dear Sir, trivial things set down in garrulous mood and chie¿y for the delectation (if so it may be) of fellow-idlers. Herein you shall find little geography and even less science, except it be such as all may take, by favour of the gods, from pleasure trips into the lands of Thought and among the Hills of Vanity. A little chronicle, Madam, in memory of glad sunlit days, Of cheery companions, and the joy of living. NO great matter at best, and yet, to those who, smoking tolerant pipes, perceive -through the haze something of relative values, our boat and its affairs may, from a philosophic standpoint, be as worthy of attention as any of the world shaking matters that reverberate from the House by the River at Westminster.

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