The Land of the Blue Gown

In the Land of the Blue Gown, first published in 1908, is a thorough and descriptive non-fiction work by Mrs Archibald Little. Born in 1845, she became best known for her travel writing and for her campaign against the Chinese custom of foot-binding. Mrs Little travelled widely both alone and with her husband, Archibald (1838–1909), and eventually settled in the Sichuan province of China. She admired many aspects of Chinese culture, but made it her life's work to become a vigorous leader of the anti-foot-binding movement. This book paints a marvellously descriptive account of her travels to Beijing and remoter parts, and describes her views on the culture, scenery, customs, religion, and much more. The book is extensively illustrated throughout, and also includes a chapter on her 'anti-foot-binding tour'. Other books by Mrs Little and her husband are also reissued in this series.