[NOBLE, Charles Frederick]. A Voyage to the East Indies in 1747 and 1748. Containing An Account of the Islands of St. Helena and Java. Of the City of Batavia. Of the Government and political Conduct of the Dutch. Of the Empire of China, with a particular Description of Canton; and of the religious Ceremonies, Manners and Customs of the Inhabitants. Interspersed with many useful and curious Observations and Anecdotes. London, Printed for T. Beckett and P. A. Dehondt; and T. Durham, 1762.
8vo. Modern calf, raised bands to spine, ruled in gilt, directly lettered in gilt; pp. xv, 341, [2]; with 11 copper-engraved plates, one folding; boards with light marks; retaining the original inscribed front fly-leaf which has been tipped-in; light even discolouration to paper-stock; slight offsetting from plates, light spotting here and there; one pen inscription to text; a very good copy in a modern binding.
First edition, reissued in 1765 with the author's name to title page. The contemporary pen inscription to fly-leaf reads: 'this is said to be one of the best modern authors of China'. The anonymous author was, according to te editor 'a real traveller, and officer in the service of the East India Company, who seems to have been an accurate observer, and who chiefly describes what he has seen' (p. iv). 'His account of Canton and its environs is more copious and exact than any hitherto published. During his six months residence there, in which time he had little else to do than gratify his curiosity. He was diligent and indefatigable in his inquiries. He was greatly assisted by cultivating an intimacy with a Chinese merchant, a man endowed with a degree of knowledge and sagacity greatly beyond what is commonly possessed by people of that class (Preface).
ESTC T145010; Cordier, Sinica, 2100.
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