The reader is invited to the perusal of an original work on the inner life of the most ancient and populous, but least understood and appreciated of nations. In it an attempt is made to describe many of their singular customs and opinions relating to almost all subjects of interest, and also to give their own explanation of the origin or the rationale of some of them. If an undue coloring or prominence has been given to any custom, or a false statement has been made in regard to any subject, no one will regret it more sincerely than the author."

Justus Doolittle (simplified Chinese: ¿¿¿, traditional Chinese: ¿¿¿, Pinyin: Lú G¿ngmíng, Foochow Romanized: Lù G¿ng-mìng, June 23, 1824, Rutland, New York - June 15, 1880, Clinton, New York) was an American Board missionary to China.