A lively and amusing collection of letters on western living written by Kong Ho, a Chinese gentleman. These addressed to his homeland, refer to the Westerners in London as barbarians and many of the aids to life in our society give Kong Ho endless food for thought. These are things such as the motor car and the piano; unknown in China at this time. Excerpt: ESTIMABLE BARBARIAN,—Your opportune suggestion that I should permit the letters, wherein I have described with undeviating fidelity the customs and manner of behaving of your accomplished race, to be set forth in the form of printed leaves for all to behold, is doubtless gracefully-intentioned, and this person will raise no barrier of dissent against it. In this he is inspired by the benevolent hope that his immature compositions may to one extent become a model and a by-word to those who in turn visit his own land of Fragrant Purity; for with exacting care he has set down no detail that has not come under his direct observation (although it is not to be denied that here or there he may, perchance, have misunderstood an involved allusion or failed to grasp the inner significance of an act), so that Impartiality necessarily sways his brush, and Truth lurks within his inkpot. In an entirely contrary manner some, who of recent years have gratified us with their magnanimous presence, have returned to their own countries not only with the internal fittings of many of our palaces (which, being for the most part of a replaceable nature, need be only trivially referred to, the incident, indeed, being generally regarded as a most cordial and pressing variety of foreign politeness), but also—in the lack of highly-spiced actuality—with subtly-imagined and truly objectionable instances. These calumnies they have not hesitated to commit to the form of printed books, which, falling into the hands of the ignorant and undiscriminating, may even suggest to their ill-balanced minds a doubt whether we of the Celestial Empire really are the wisest, bravest, purest, and most enlightened people in existence. As a parting, it only remains to be said that, in order to maintain unimpaired the quaint-sounding brevity and archaic construction of your prepossessing language, I have engraved most of the remarks upon the receptive tablets of my mind as they were uttered. To one who can repeat the Five Classics without stumbling this is a contemptible achievement. Let it be an imposed obligation, therefore, that you retain these portions unchanged as a test and a proof to all who may read. Of my own deficient words, I can only in truest courtesy maintain that any alteration must of necessity make them less offensively commonplace than at present they are. The Sign and immutable Thumb-mark of, Kong Ho By a sure hand to the House of one Ernest Bramah. - - - - Ernest Bramah Smith (1868-1942) was an English author of considerable repute in his day. We now know that Bramah, whose real name was Smith, was a man of erudition and prescience with a unique style of writing that has never been copied. Among his most famous works are: Four Max Carrados Detective Stories (1914), Kai Lung's Golden Hours (1922), The Mirror of Kong Ho (1905) and The Wallet of Kai Lung (1900). In total Bramah published 21 books and numerous short stories and features. His humorous works were ranked with Jerome K Jerome, and W.W. Jacobs; his detective stories with Conan Doyle; his politico-science fiction with H.G. Wells and his supernatural stories with Algernon Blackwood. George Orwell acknowledged that Bramah's book What Might Have Been influenced his Nineteen Eighty-Four. He created the characters Kai Lung and Max Carrados. Bramah was a recluse who refused to allow his public even the slightest glimpse of his private life - secrecy perhaps only matched by E.W. Hornung, the creator of Raffles, and today, J.D. Salinger. Bramah also wrote political science fiction. What might Have Been, published in 1907 and republished as The Secret of the League in 1909), is an anti-socialist dystopia reflecting Bramah's conservative political views. It was acknowledged by George Orwell as a source for Nineteen Eighty-Four. Orwell credited it with giving a considerably accurate prediction of the rise of Fascism. At a time when the English Channel had yet to be crossed by an aeroplane, Bramah foresaw aerial express trains travelling at 10,000 feet, a nationwide wireless-telegraphy network, a proto-fax machine and a cypher typewriter similar to the German Enigma machine.[citation needed] In 1914, Bramah created Max Carrados, a blind detective. Given the outlandish idea that a blind man could be a detective, in the introduction to the second Carrados book The Eyes of Max Carrados Bramah compared his hero's achievements to those of real life blind people such as Nicholas Saunderson, Lucasian Professor of Mathematics at Cambridge, Blind Jack of Knaresborough the road builder, John Fielding the Bow Street Magistrate of whom it was said he could identify 3,000 thieves by their voices, and Helen Keller.
In "The Mirror of Kong Ho," Ernest Bramah crafts a vivid portrayal of London's Edwardian era, skillfully blending cultural satire with wit and charm. The collection's tales provide a window into the world of Kong Ho, a wise and perceptive Chinese philosopher who navigates the complexities of British society. Throughout the stories which that Kong Ho's interactions with the British people lead to humorous misunderstandings and cultural clashes, and moments of profound insight. Bramah uses the character of Kong Ho as a lens to explore the intricacies of cross-cultural communication, shedding light on the humorous and sometimes poignant aspects of human behavior. Ernest Bramah's storytelling is marked by a blend of gentle satire and other one astute observations, creating an endearing and memorable protagonist in Kong Ho. As readers accompany Kong Ho on his London adventures and they are treated to a delightful exploration of cultural diversity and the universal themes of human nature. "The Mirror of Kong Ho" remains a beloved classic for its timeless humor, clever social commentary, and engaging narratives. Bramah's ability to entertain and provoke thought makes this collection a valuable addition to the literary world, leaving a lasting impression on readers of all generations.
Ernest Bramahhumorous works were ranked with Jerome K. Jerome and W. W. Jacobs, his detective stories with Conan Doyle, his politico-science fiction with H. G. Wells and his supernatural stories with Algernon Blackwood. George Orwell acknowledged that Bramah's book, What Might Have Been, influenced his Nineteen Eighty-Four. Bramah created the characters Kai Lung and Max Carrados. This selection chosen by the critic August Nemocontains the following stories: - The Secret of Headlam Height - The Mystery of the Vanished Petition Crown - The Holloway Flat Tragedy - The Curious Circumstances Of The Two Left Shoes - The Ingenious Mind Of Mr. Rigby Lacksome - The Crime At The House In Culver Street - The Strange Case Of Cyril Bycourt
This early work by Ernest Bramah was originally published in 1914 and we are now republishing it with a brand new introduction. 'The Game Played in the Dark' is one of the classic Max Carrados detective mysteries. Ernest Bramah Smith was born was near Manchester in 1868. He was a poor student, and dropped out of the Manchester Grammar School when sixteen years old to go into the farming business. Bramah found commercial and critical success with his first novel, The Wallet of Kai Lung, but it was his later stories of detective Max Carrados that assured him lasting fame.
This early work by Ernest Bramah was originally published in 1914 and we are now republishing it with a brand new introduction. 'The Tilling Shaw Mystery' is one of the classic Max Carrados detective mysteries. Ernest Bramah Smith was born was near Manchester in 1868. He was a poor student, and dropped out of the Manchester Grammar School when sixteen years old to go into the farming business. Bramah found commercial and critical success with his first novel, The Wallet of Kai Lung, but it was his later stories of detective Max Carrados that assured him lasting fame.
This early work by Ernest Bramah was originally published in 1907 and we are now republishing it with a brand new introduction. 'The Secret of the League' is a dystopian novel that tells the story of a government overthrown by the upper-classes. Ernest Bramah Smith was born was near Manchester in 1868. He was a poor student, and dropped out of the Manchester Grammar School when sixteen years old to go into the farming business. Bramah found commercial and critical success with his first novel, The Wallet of Kai Lung, but it was his later stories of detective Max Carrados that assured him lasting fame.
This early work by Ernest Bramah was originally published in 1927 and we are now republishing it with a brand new introduction. 'Max Carrados Mysteries' is a collection of Bramah's classic detective tales containing 'The Secret of Headlam Height', 'The Mystery of The Vanished Petition Crown' and many other stories. Ernest Bramah Smith was born was near Manchester in 1868. He was a poor student, and dropped out of the Manchester Grammar School when sixteen years old to go into the farming business. Bramah found commercial and critical success with his first novel, The Wallet of Kai Lung, but it was his later stories of detective Max Carrados that assured him lasting fame.
This early work by Ernest Bramah was originally published in 1914 and we are now republishing it with a brand new introduction. 'The Clever Mrs Straithwaite' is one of the classic Max Carrados detective mysteries. Ernest Bramah Smith was born was near Manchester in 1868. He was a poor student, and dropped out of the Manchester Grammar School when sixteen years old to go into the farming business. Bramah found commercial and critical success with his first novel, The Wallet of Kai Lung, but it was his later stories of detective Max Carrados that assured him lasting fame.
This early work by Ernest Bramah was originally published in the early 20th century and we are now republishing it with a brand new introduction. 'The Mystery of the Poisoned Dish of Mushrooms' is a classic case of poison and skulduggery for blind super sleuth Max Carrados. Ernest Bramah Smith was born was near Manchester in 1868. He was a poor student, and dropped out of the Manchester Grammar School when sixteen years old to go into the farming business. Bramah found commercial and critical success with his first novel, The Wallet of Kai Lung, but it was his later stories of detective Max Carrados that assured him lasting fame.
This early work by Ernest Bramah was originally published in 1927 and we are now republishing it with a brand new introduction. 'The Curious Circumstances of the Two Left Shoes' is a classic case for blind super sleuth Max Carrados. Ernest Bramah Smith was born was near Manchester in 1868. He was a poor student, and dropped out of the Manchester Grammar School when sixteen years old to go into the farming business. Bramah found commercial and critical success with his first novel, The Wallet of Kai Lung, but it was his later stories of detective Max Carrados that assured him lasting fame.
Ernest Bramahhumorous works were ranked with Jerome K. Jerome and W. W. Jacobs, his detective stories with Conan Doyle, his politico-science fiction with H. G. Wells and his supernatural stories with Algernon Blackwood. George Orwell acknowledged that Bramah's book, What Might Have Been, influenced his Nineteen Eighty-Four. Bramah created the characters Kai Lung and Max Carrados. This selection chosen by the critic August Nemocontains the following stories: - The Secret of Headlam Height - The Mystery of the Vanished Petition Crown - The Holloway Flat Tragedy - The Curious Circumstances Of The Two Left Shoes - The Ingenious Mind Of Mr. Rigby Lacksome - The Crime At The House In Culver Street - The Strange Case Of Cyril Bycourt
Welcome to the Essential Novelists book series, were we present to you the best works of remarkable authors. For this book, the literary critic August Nemo has chosen the two most important and meaningful novels of Ernest Bramah which are The Secret of the League and Kai Lung's Golden Hours. Ernest Bramah humorous works were ranked with Jerome K. Jerome and W. W. Jacobs, his detective stories with Conan Doyle, his politico-science fiction with H. G. Wells and his supernatural stories with Algernon Blackwood. George Orwell acknowledged that Bramah's book, What Might Have Been, influenced his Nineteen Eighty-Four. Bramah created the characters Kai Lung and Max Carrados. Novels selected for this book: - The Secret of the League. - Kai Lung's Golden Hours. This is one of many books in the series Essential Novelists. If you liked this book, look for the other titles in the series, we are sure you will like some of the authors.
This early work by Ernest Bramah was originally published in 1914 and we are now republishing it with a brand new introduction. 'The Coin of Dionysius' is a mystery short story of a coin and a blind man. Ernest Bramah Smith was born was near Manchester in 1868. He was a poor student, and dropped out of the Manchester Grammar School when sixteen years old to go into the farming business. Bramah found commercial and critical success with his first novel, The Wallet of Kai Lung, but it was his later stories of detective Max Carrados that assured him lasting fame.
This early work by Ernest Bramah was originally published in 1914 and we are now republishing it with a brand new introduction. 'The Last Exploit of Harry the Actor' is a mystery of an unexplainable bank robbery. Ernest Bramah Smith was born was near Manchester in 1868. He was a poor student, and dropped out of the Manchester Grammar School when sixteen years old to go into the farming business. Bramah found commercial and critical success with his first novel, The Wallet of Kai Lung, but it was his later stories of detective Max Carrados that assured him lasting fame.
Kai Lung is brought before the court of the Mandarin Shan Tien after his confidential agent Ming-shu accuses him of treason. In an attempt to delay his judgment and ultimately his execution, Kai Lung retells his uncanny tales to the Mandarin and is successful in postponing his sentencing again and again until he is eventually set free, gaining the admiration and hand of the maiden Hwa-Mei in the process. As with other Kai Lung novels, 'Kai Lung's Golden Hours' is a rich, aphoristic tale wonderfully constructed by Ernest Brammah Smith. Sure to appeal to any discerning reader, this text constitutes veritable must-read for fans of Smith's work. Ernest Bramah (1868 - 1942) was an English author whose notable works include: 'Kai Lung Unrolls His Mat' (1928) and 'The Secret of the League' (1907). Originally published in 1922, we are proud to republish this antique novel now complete with a new prefatory biography of the author.
This early work by Ernest Bramah was originally published in 1911 and we are now republishing it with a brand new introduction. 'The Moon of Much Gladness Related by Kai Lung' is one of Bramah's works in the Kai Lung series. Ernest Bramah Smith was born was near Manchester in 1868. He was a poor student, and dropped out of the Manchester Grammar School when sixteen years old to go into the farming business. Bramah found commercial and critical success with his first novel, The Wallet of Kai Lung, but it was his later stories of detective Max Carrados that assured him lasting fame.
This early work by Ernest Bramah was originally published in 1914 and we are now republishing it with a brand new introduction. 'The Comedy at Fountain Cottage' is a classic Max Carrados mysteries of buried treasure. Ernest Bramah Smith was born was near Manchester in 1868. He was a poor student, and dropped out of the Manchester Grammar School when sixteen years old to go into the farming business. Bramah found commercial and critical success with his first novel, The Wallet of Kai Lung, but it was his later stories of detective Max Carrados that assured him lasting fame.
This early work by Ernest Bramah was originally published in 1914 and we are now republishing it with a brand new introduction. 'The Game Played in the Dark' is one of the classic Max Carrados detective mysteries. Ernest Bramah Smith was born was near Manchester in 1868. He was a poor student, and dropped out of the Manchester Grammar School when sixteen years old to go into the farming business. Bramah found commercial and critical success with his first novel, The Wallet of Kai Lung, but it was his later stories of detective Max Carrados that assured him lasting fame.
This early work by Ernest Bramah was originally published in 1914 and we are now republishing it with a brand new introduction. 'The Clever Mrs Straithwaite' is one of the classic Max Carrados detective mysteries. Ernest Bramah Smith was born was near Manchester in 1868. He was a poor student, and dropped out of the Manchester Grammar School when sixteen years old to go into the farming business. Bramah found commercial and critical success with his first novel, The Wallet of Kai Lung, but it was his later stories of detective Max Carrados that assured him lasting fame.
This early work by Ernest Bramah was originally published in 1927 and we are now republishing it with a brand new introduction. 'The Mystery of The Vanished Petition Crown' is a case of an auction scam for super sleuth Max Carrados to solve. Ernest Bramah Smith was born was near Manchester in 1868. He was a poor student, and dropped out of the Manchester Grammar School when sixteen years old to go into the farming business. Bramah found commercial and critical success with his first novel, The Wallet of Kai Lung, but it was his later stories of detective Max Carrados that assured him lasting fame.
This early work by Ernest Bramah was originally published in 1914 and we are now republishing it with a brand new introduction. 'The Tragedy at Brookbend Cottage' is a Max Carrados mystery of a man's plot to murder his wife. Ernest Bramah Smith was born was near Manchester in 1868. He was a poor student, and dropped out of the Manchester Grammar School when sixteen years old to go into the farming business. Bramah found commercial and critical success with his first novel, The Wallet of Kai Lung, but it was his later stories of detective Max Carrados that assured him lasting fame.
This early work by Ernest Bramah was originally published in 1927 and we are now republishing it with a brand new introduction. 'The Secret of Headlam Height' is a classic case of espionage for super sleuth Max Carrados. Ernest Bramah Smith was born was near Manchester in 1868. He was a poor student, and dropped out of the Manchester Grammar School when sixteen years old to go into the farming business. Bramah found commercial and critical success with his first novel, The Wallet of Kai Lung, but it was his later stories of detective Max Carrados that assured him lasting fame.
This early work by Ernest Bramah was originally published in the early 20th century and we are now republishing it with a brand new introduction. 'The Mystery of the Poisoned Dish of Mushrooms' is a classic case of poison and skulduggery for blind super sleuth Max Carrados. Ernest Bramah Smith was born was near Manchester in 1868. He was a poor student, and dropped out of the Manchester Grammar School when sixteen years old to go into the farming business. Bramah found commercial and critical success with his first novel, The Wallet of Kai Lung, but it was his later stories of detective Max Carrados that assured him lasting fame.
This early work by Ernest Bramah was originally published in the early 20th century and we are now republishing it with a brand new introduction. 'The Ghost at Massingham Mansions' is a classic mystery for blind super sleuth Max Carrados. Ernest Bramah Smith was born was near Manchester in 1868. He was a poor student, and dropped out of the Manchester Grammar School when sixteen years old to go into the farming business. Bramah found commercial and critical success with his first novel, The Wallet of Kai Lung, but it was his later stories of detective Max Carrados that assured him lasting fame.
This early work by Ernest Bramah was originally published in 1927 and we are now republishing it with a brand new introduction. 'The Curious Circumstances of the Two Left Shoes' is a classic case for blind super sleuth Max Carrados. Ernest Bramah Smith was born was near Manchester in 1868. He was a poor student, and dropped out of the Manchester Grammar School when sixteen years old to go into the farming business. Bramah found commercial and critical success with his first novel, The Wallet of Kai Lung, but it was his later stories of detective Max Carrados that assured him lasting fame.
This early work by Ernest Bramah was originally published in 1914 and we are now republishing it with a brand new introduction. 'The Coin of Dionysius' is a mystery short story of a coin and a blind man. Ernest Bramah Smith was born was near Manchester in 1868. He was a poor student, and dropped out of the Manchester Grammar School when sixteen years old to go into the farming business. Bramah found commercial and critical success with his first novel, The Wallet of Kai Lung, but it was his later stories of detective Max Carrados that assured him lasting fame.
This early work by Ernest Bramah was originally published in 1927 and we are now republishing it with a brand new introduction. 'The Strange Case of Cyril Bycourt' is a classic case for blind super sleuth Max Carrados. Ernest Bramah Smith was born was near Manchester in 1868. He was a poor student, and dropped out of the Manchester Grammar School when sixteen years old to go into the farming business. Bramah found commercial and critical success with his first novel, The Wallet of Kai Lung, but it was his later stories of detective Max Carrados that assured him lasting fame.
This early work by Ernest Bramah was originally published in 1927 and we are now republishing it with a brand new introduction. 'The Secret of Headlam Height' is a classic case of espionage for super sleuth Max Carrados. Ernest Bramah Smith was born was near Manchester in 1868. He was a poor student, and dropped out of the Manchester Grammar School when sixteen years old to go into the farming business. Bramah found commercial and critical success with his first novel, The Wallet of Kai Lung, but it was his later stories of detective Max Carrados that assured him lasting fame.
This early work by Ernest Bramah was originally published in the early 20th century and we are now republishing it with a brand new introduction. 'The Ingenious Mr. Spinola' is the case of a card playing scam for blind super sleuth Max Carrados. Ernest Bramah Smith was born was near Manchester in 1868. He was a poor student, and dropped out of the Manchester Grammar School when sixteen years old to go into the farming business. Bramah found commercial and critical success with his first novel, The Wallet of Kai Lung, but it was his later stories of detective Max Carrados that assured him lasting fame.
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