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SULAYMAN al-Tajir (9th century) and ABU ZAYD HASAN ibn Yazid Sirafi (10th century). Anciennes relations des Indes et de la Chine de deux voyageurs mahometans, qui y allerent dans le neuviéme siecle; traduites d'arabe: avec des remarques sur les principaux endroits de ces relations. Translated by Eusèbe Renaudot, (1646-1720). Paris: Jean-Baptiste Coignardm 1718.
8° (186 x 121 mm). Modern calf.
FIRST EDITION. French translation of Silsilat al-tawarikh (The chain of chronicles). The first part written by Sulayman or from his accounts; the second part a supplement by Abu Zayd Hasan. Translated and edited by Renaudot. “Cordier quotes contemporary opinion to the effect that they were published at least partly as a counter to alleged Jesuit exaggerations about or falsifications of Chinese matters” (Lust).
“Ces relations sont de la plus haute importance pour la connaissance de l'Inde et de la Chine au moyen-age” (NBG).
“‘Doubts have been expressed of the authenticity of these travels; but M. de Guignes has discovered the original Arabic MS. in the Imperial Library. They contain many absurdities, but much of what relates to China was confirmed by Marco Polo, and by more modern travellers.' 'Besides the extensive remarks elucidating the 'Ancient Accounts' the following essays are included: An Inquiry into the Time when Mohammedans first entered China; An Inquiry concerning the Jews discovered in China; A dissertation on the Chinese Learning” (Cox, quoting Pinkerton, and Heffer).
Most of the volume contains the extensive annotations and commentary of the eminent French scholar Eusebius Renaudot: “An apologetical writer and Orientalist, b. at Paris, 22 July, 1648; d. there, 1 Sept., 1720. He was educated by the Jesuits, and joined the Oratorians in 1666, but owing partly to ill-health, forthwith left them and never received more than minor orders. His extraordinary native talent and love of study enabled him to become an able liturgical writer, one of the greatest Orientalists of his time, and a trustworthy political advisor. One of the prominent men of the reign of Louis XIV, he enjoyed the friendship of numerous literary and political celebrities, among others Bossuet, whom he supported in the controversies with Richard Simon, Fénelon and the Jesuits” (Nicholas Weber. “Eusebius Renaudot.” The Catholic Encyclopedia. Vol. 12. New York, 1911. 16 Oct. 2009).
“Ce livre célèbre, dont plusiers passages ne dépareraient pas la collection des Contes arabes, a, de tout temps, exité l'indignation des missionaires de la Chine, parmi lesquels plusieurs se sont attachés à en relever les inexactitudes; mais la réfutation du P. Prémare est la plus complète et la plus solide” (Quérard).
Boucher de la Richarderie I, 32; Cordier Sinica III, 1923-25; Cox I, p. 335; Lust 298; Quérard VII, p. 526; NBG, vol. 41, col. 997-998 (Renaudot, Eusèbe).
8° (186 x 121 mm). Modern calf.
FIRST EDITION. French translation of Silsilat al-tawarikh (The chain of chronicles). The first part written by Sulayman or from his accounts; the second part a supplement by Abu Zayd Hasan. Translated and edited by Renaudot. “Cordier quotes contemporary opinion to the effect that they were published at least partly as a counter to alleged Jesuit exaggerations about or falsifications of Chinese matters” (Lust).
“Ces relations sont de la plus haute importance pour la connaissance de l'Inde et de la Chine au moyen-age” (NBG).
“‘Doubts have been expressed of the authenticity of these travels; but M. de Guignes has discovered the original Arabic MS. in the Imperial Library. They contain many absurdities, but much of what relates to China was confirmed by Marco Polo, and by more modern travellers.' 'Besides the extensive remarks elucidating the 'Ancient Accounts' the following essays are included: An Inquiry into the Time when Mohammedans first entered China; An Inquiry concerning the Jews discovered in China; A dissertation on the Chinese Learning” (Cox, quoting Pinkerton, and Heffer).
Most of the volume contains the extensive annotations and commentary of the eminent French scholar Eusebius Renaudot: “An apologetical writer and Orientalist, b. at Paris, 22 July, 1648; d. there, 1 Sept., 1720. He was educated by the Jesuits, and joined the Oratorians in 1666, but owing partly to ill-health, forthwith left them and never received more than minor orders. His extraordinary native talent and love of study enabled him to become an able liturgical writer, one of the greatest Orientalists of his time, and a trustworthy political advisor. One of the prominent men of the reign of Louis XIV, he enjoyed the friendship of numerous literary and political celebrities, among others Bossuet, whom he supported in the controversies with Richard Simon, Fénelon and the Jesuits” (Nicholas Weber. “Eusebius Renaudot.” The Catholic Encyclopedia. Vol. 12. New York, 1911. 16 Oct. 2009).
“Ce livre célèbre, dont plusiers passages ne dépareraient pas la collection des Contes arabes, a, de tout temps, exité l'indignation des missionaires de la Chine, parmi lesquels plusieurs se sont attachés à en relever les inexactitudes; mais la réfutation du P. Prémare est la plus complète et la plus solide” (Quérard).
Boucher de la Richarderie I, 32; Cordier Sinica III, 1923-25; Cox I, p. 335; Lust 298; Quérard VII, p. 526; NBG, vol. 41, col. 997-998 (Renaudot, Eusèbe).