This book, first published in 1961, is a translation of an anonymously-written Chinese work first written in 1913 and published in Shanghai in serial form with illustrations. It is an excellent example of the popular Chinese literature featuring romances between foreigners and the Chinese, and relates the story of Mr Feng, successful merchant, and David Winterlea, English diplomat, and the sisters Lotus and Peony.

Vols. for 1871-76, 1913-14 include an extra number, The Christmas bookseller, separately paged and not included in the consecutive numbering of the regular series.