Directory_and_Chronicle_1868 — Page 8

PREFACE.

CONSIDERABLE exertions have been made to bring out the present, or Sixth Annual edition of the Chronicle & Directory as soon after the commencement of the year as possible, and the publisher has the satisfaction of placing it in the hands of Subscribers at a much earlier date than that at which it has usually been produced. This result has been accomplished in spite of the fact that the sweeping changes of the last twelve months have greatly enhanced the difficulty of correcting the various lists of Foreign Residents and Mercantile Firms. In revising these lists the work of eliminating former residents, who have left China, has been even more troublesome than that of adding the names of new arrivals. The lists extend over a smaller number of pages than they covered last year, but it must not be supposed that they are less accurate on that account. On the contrary, they reach a far closer approxima- tion to perfect accuracy than they have ever attained before.

In addition to the usual lists it will be observed that one more, the utility of which is obvious, has been compiled this year. This is a list of over Five Hundred Chinese Hongs in Hongkong, all doing business with Foreigners. These Hongs have been classified in accordance with their various specialités, and the leading native Houses, engaged in each kind of Trade, are thus presented at one view.

In compliance with a wish expressed by a considerable number of Subscribers, the publisher has brought out the Directory this year in two separate forms. The Directory proper is published by itself at $3; and the complete Volume, including all the valuable records which have been accumulated during the last six years, besides the additional tables and information relating to the current year, at $5. Although the reception which has been accorded to the publication in its complete form shows that the value of the "Chronicle" has been appreciated, there are no doubt many persons desirous of possessing a copy of the "Directory," who are yet unwilling to pay the full price of the entire Volume. To meet their requirements the new arrangement has been adopted.

The publication of the Directory has been delayed a day or two in order that the new mail Time Tables might be inserted. These tables, which have but just been received in Hongkong, show the arrangements which have been made under the new contract with the P. and O. S. N. Co.

The firm establishment of the work in public favor renders it unnecessary to reiterate the claims which it may now fairly make to the support of foreign Mer- cantile communities in China and Japan.

The Daily Press Office,

Hongkong, January 13th, 1868.

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