VOLUME I. TABLE OF CONTENTS

Preface — Introduction — Explanation of terms

Agricultural and domestic matters

Betrothal and marriage : Manner of Betrothal — Customs observed between Betrothal and the Day of Marriage — Ceremonies observed on the Day of Marriage — Customs observed subsequent to the Wedding-day — Miscellaneous Practices and Sentiments relating to Betrothal and Marriage.

Married Life and Children : Superstitious Customs observed by Married Women, or relating to them — Singular or Superstitious Customs relating to Children the first year of their lives — Singular or Superstitious Customs relating to Children after they are one Year old.

Superstitious treatment of disease : Miscellaneous Superstitions to cure the Sick — They implore the Aid of certain Divinities in curing Small-pox and Measles — They employ novel Methods for curing and preventing Cholera and other epidemic Diseases — They engage in Idol Processions as a Token of Gratitude, for the Recovery of their Parents from Sickness, or to promote their Longevity.

Death, Mourning, and Burial : Singular or Superstitious Customs relating to Mourning and the unburied Dead — Meritorious Ceremonies performed for the Benefit of the Dead — Singular or Superstitious Customs relating to Burial — Miscellaneous Practices and Opinions relating to the Dead.

Ancestral Tablet and ancestral Halls : The ancestral Tablet used in private Houses — Worship of Ancestors in ancestral Halls — Visit to an ancestral Hall.

Priests of the three religions : Priests of Buddhism — Priests of Tauism, or the Sect of Rationalism — Priests of Confucianism, or the Sect of the Learned.

Popular Gods and Goddesses

Mandarins and their Subordinates : Legal Modes of Torture and of Punishment  — Illegal Modes of Torture and of Punishment — Common but unlawful Practices 

The State religion : Enumeration of some of the Objects worshiped by Mandarins — Worship of Confucius, illustrating the State Religion — Manner of national Mourning for the Death of Hien Fung, also illustrating the State Religion.

Competitive literary examinations : Primary Schools and Government Colleges — Examination of Undergraduates before the District Magistrate and the Prefect — Examination of Undergraduates before the Literary Chancellor for the First Degree — Examination of Graduates of the first Degree before the Imperial Commissioners for the second Degree — Rejoicing, Festivities, and Honors in View of successful Competition — Just and legal Measures used to prevent Deception — Unjust and unlawful Expedients used by Examiners — Unjust and unlawful Expedients to succeed used by Competitors — Military competitive Examinations.

Chinese anecdotes : Precocious Youth — Indigent Students — Filial and Dutiful Children.