TRANSLATOR's PREFACE.
IN undertaking the work which is now ſubmitted to the eye of the Public, the Tranſlator was not unconſcious of the difficulties and diſadvantages he would have to contend with in ſo novel an attempt. He was however encouraged to proceed by the perſuaſion that the work was in itſelf amply deſerving of the labour which it might be neceſſary to beſtow upon it; that the intrinſic value, the unqueſtionable authenticity of the materials, and the general importance and curioſity of the ſubject, would fully compenſate thoſe particular defects and imperfections which, in an undertaking of this nature, were foreſeen to be unavoidable, and, upon the whole, make amends for the too conciſe and almoſt obſcure brevity of the text, in ſome places, its tedious and uninſtructive prolixity in others, and its general unſuitableneſs for tranſlation into an Engliſh idiom. Under all circumſtances he flattered himſelf, that a faithful verſion of the Fundamental Laws of the Penal Code of China might, with the addition of ſome ſupplementary matter, not only prove intereſting as far as regards its immediate ſubject, but likewiſe afford a more compendious and ſatiſfactory illuſtration, than any other Chineſe work that could have been ſelected, of the peculiar ſyſtem and conſtitution of the Government, the principles of its internal policy, its connection with the national habits and character, and its influence upon the general ſtate and condition of the people in that country.
