(CHINA) WILLIAM CHARLES MILNE
(1815-1863) English missionary to China, son of William Milne, translated the Old and New Testament into Chinese, and acted as a Chinese tutor for the British legation at Peking. Interesting A.D.S., 4pp. 8vo., Macao, Dec. 17, 1840, "Remarks" on and translation of a letter from a Chinese provincial governor to the Emperor (not present). Milne offers a translation of the brief letter, which asks after the Emperor's well-being, and a glossary of the Chinese characters used therein, and then goes on to explain its significance in exhaustive detail, in part: "It is a rule in the provinces, that the minor officers send in their cards of inquiry or congratulation to the Governor of the province ... twice every month ... And it is also a rule in this Empire that the Governor & Lieutenant Governor of each province present their cards to the Emperor, thrice every month ... As will be at once seen, the inquiries here made are by Lin, the famous ex-governor of Canton ... The reply of the emperor is couched in words particularly sacred to Himself. The use of the first character is confined to His Imperial Majesty..." He goes on to further explain the significance of the color of the paper on which the messages are written, and the cases in which they are delivered. Milne signs at the conclusion in black ink. Mounting remnants on the left edge, original folds, else very good.