Yuan Mei: Eighteenth Century Chinese Poet (China: History, Philosophy, Economics)

First published in 1956. Arthur Waley here presents an engrossing account of the works and life of Yuan Mei (1716-1797), the best-known poet of his time. Gaiety is the keynote of his works and the poet was a friend of the Manchu official with whom Commodore Anson had dramatic dealings at Canton in 1743. Yuan Mei gives an account (not previously translated) of Anson's interview with the Manchu authorities. The book contains many translations of Yuan Mei's verse and prose. Front Cover 1 Yuan Mei 4 Copyright Page 5 Contents 11 Preface 10 One: At Hangchow, 1716 to 1736 13 Two: At Peking, 1736 to 1743 21 Three: Prefect, 1743 to 1749 33 Four: At the Sui-yuan, and journey to the north-west, 1749–1752 51 Five: The Sui-pi and the Ghost Stories, 1752–1782 65 Six: Journeys, 1782–1786 143 Seven: Poetry Talks and the Cookery Book, 1787–1797 167 Appendices 207 I: Anson's dealings with the Chinese at Canton 207 II: After Yuan Mei's Death 212 III: The Macartney Mission and Yuan Mei's Works 214 IV: Rules Observed 215 Books 216 References 217 Index and Glossary 222 First published in 1956. Arthur Waley presents here an engrossing account of the works and life of Yuan Mei (1716-1797), the best-known poet of his time.