Meigui jingyi 玫瑰經義 / Li, Laurentio (Laurent) [Li Di] 李杕 [courtesy name Wenyu] 問漁, 1840-1911

上下兩卷.

"Reprint" (chongyin 重印).

Lead movable-type print (huoban 活版). Illustrated.

Author's preface dated 1886 (Guangxu 12).

Joachim Kurz, "The Works of Li Wenyu (1840-1911)," Wakumon 11 (2006), 153 (item 21) writes "date of first edition unknown." Kurz classifies our copy as 2nd ed. There was a 3rd ed. in 1920.

The library copy has annotations on the inside wrapper written on red slip: "Gao Pu, baptismal name Paul, from Ningyi" 寧邑洗名保祿高譜. This is followed by a series of Suzhou numerals (Suzhou ma 蘇州碼), which we have been unable to decipher. The inside wrapper also has the title in ms., followed by more Suzhou numerals and, in different ink, "For use by Paul" (Baolu yong 保祿用).

This is a devotional and theological work that explains the significance, structure, and spiritual value of the Rosary in the Catholic tradition. Written in classical Chinese, the book serves as both a catechetical guide and a meditation manual, integrating traditional Catholic teachings with Chinese literary and philosophical expression. The first part explores the origins of the Rosary, the meanings of key prayers like the Our Father and Hail Mary, and offers moral stories about the Rosary’s spiritual power—such as miracles, protection from disaster, and moral reform. The second part is a 31-day meditation plan, guiding the faithful through the Joyful, Sorrowful, and Glorious Mysteries of Christ’s life. The work reflects early efforts to localize Christian theology in China, making it accessible to Chinese converts by blending Western religious content with Chinese cultural forms.

Acquired through purchase in 2025.

Tongshi jilan 通史輯覽 = Memento historiae generalis / Yiguo Dibenfu siduo yuanzhu 意國翟彬甫司鐸原著 ; Nanhui Li Wenyu siduo chongyi 南匯李問漁司鐸重譯. 

T.P. verso in Latin: Memento Historiae generalis / Auctore P. Candido Vanara, S.J. ; translatore P.  Laurentio Li, S.J.

At head of title: Huixue keben 匯學課本.
For middle school students.

Title: Memento historiae generalis.
Title: Huixue keben Tongshi jilan 匯學課本通史輯覽.
“Nanjing zhujiao Yao chongzhun 南京主教姚重准.”

Local access dig.pdf. [Memento historiae generalis.pdf]

Zhongyan 忠言 / Xubaizhai zhuren 虛白齋主人 (Li Di 李杕)

There is no date of publication, but the text is dated 光緒十八年冬. Although 光緒十八年 generally corresponds to 1892, in this case the book has to be dated to 1892-1893, since 冬 corresponded to the 10th-12th months, parts of which fell in 1893. 

The text is signed Xubaizhai zhuren 虛白齋主人. Yao Peng 姚鵬, Bainian liuze: cong Tushanwan dao Zhuxianghui 百年流澤：從土山灣到諸巷會, vol. 2, p. 1087 lists the book and identifies Xubaizhai zhuren with Li Di 李杕 (courtesy name Wenyu 問漁, 1840-1911). Yao lists a second author: Sevère Bizeul (1848-1912, apparently variously known as Sang Bishou 桑必壽 and Sang Shude 桑樹德, as indicated on the 5th ed. of the book from 1936, for which see OCLC 302056805 [the variant Sang Xinshou 桑心壽, seen in Directory of the Jesuits in China from 1842-1955 耶穌會士在華名錄 1842-1955, p. 19, ought to be a mistake]).

Our book was printed using led movable type. It carries the seal 徐匯中學 and old library stickers indicating that it once belonged to 耶穌會神學院圖書舘.