(CHINA) Osgood Dauphin W Letter and tract sent home by a New

Sale 2368 - Lot 53

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Estimate: $ 300 - $ 400

(CHINA.) Osgood, Dauphin W. Letter and tract sent home by a New Hampshire physician-missionary in China. Autograph Letter Signed to Sarah Holt of Munsonville, NH. 4 pages (8 x 5 inches) on one folding sheet; minimal wear. With envelope bearing Hong Kong postmark and partial Hong Kong stamp; and broadside tract in Chinese, 10 x 11 3/4 inches. Foochow [Fuzhou], China, November 1870

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Dauphin W. Osgood (1845-1880) of Nelson, NH was a well-known missionary and physician who served in Fuzhou from 1870 until his death. This letter discusses his journey to China, his difficulties in learning the language, and life in his new city--"if you walk you are in constant danger of having your head rapped by the passing sedan chairs." He also dispels a popular myth that his friends had apparently asked about: "The Chinese eat about the same number of rats a year as the Americans & not more." He concludes in a postscript, "I also send a Chinese tract with my name stamped on it in red ink." The tract is enclosed, along with a modern translation giving its title as "Discussion about the Soul."