Court Life in China: The Capital Its Officials and People

Court Life in China: The Capital Its Officials and People by Isaac Taylor Headland offers a detailed and insightful look into the life at the imperial court of China focusing specifically on the capital city of Beijing. Headland an American missionary and scholar who spent many years in China describes the structure of the imperial government the roles of various officials and the customs of the Chinese court. He provides an in-depth portrayal of the lives of the people in Beijing from the emperor and his court to the common citizens.The book covers a wide range of topics including the inner workings of the court the duties and status of officials the etiquette observed in the royal palace and the social dynamics of the capital city. Through his firsthand experiences Headland offers a unique perspective on the political cultural and social practices of late Qing Dynasty China. Court Life in China is an invaluable resource for understanding the intricacies of Chinese court society its bureaucratic structure and the daily life of its people during a time of great political and social change.