The text of a lecture by Jan van der Vinne (1793-1870), the vice-president of the Bataviaasch Genootschap voor Kunsten en Wetenschappen at Batavia, on the Chinese Empire. It is, in fact the first lecture held at the beginning of a new period of the Genootschap after long years of decay. The President at the moment was the well-known enlightened government official W.P. baron Van Hoëvel (1812-1879).
In his lecture Van der Vinne gives a charming and certainly for the time unbiassed overview of the history, the geographical situation, customs and traditions, and population, not concealing his admiration for Chinas old culture.
Binding very slightly worn, corners a little bumped, but otherwise in very good condition. Groot, Van Batavia naar Weltevreden. Het Bat. Genootsch. Van K. & Wetensch., 1778-1867. (2009), pp. 299-302.