PREFACE. This Hand-book is necessarily limited in scope, and is not intended for the solution of vexed questions, nor in any way to supersede the more elaborate treatises on Chinese ceramics, The Garland Collection now on exhibition embraces various types important and noteworthy for their colored decoration and their component paste including, naturally, not only the beautiful, but the grotesque and curious as well. Though no attempt has been made to arrange the collection chronologically, the examples fairly cover the history of Chinese ceramic art for the periods which are held in regard to-day. The Chinese attained their prezminence in this art centuries ago, a prezminence not surpassed by any modern advance. The colors of their ancient pieces possess greater vividness and depth their forms, an originality and elegance of their own . The work which affords native testimony respecting the history of Chinese porcelain, and the places at which it has been manufactured, is the...