Seven Maids of Far Cathay: Being English Notes From a Chinese Class Book

A collection of unedited English exercise notes produced by seven Chinese students at an Anglo-Chinese college, each assigned a role (Biographer, Artist, Correspondent, Diarist, Essayist, Folklorist, Genius). Rendered in playful, sometimes fractured English, the pieces combine classroom anecdotes, personal sketches, folklore retellings, and short essays that reveal the students' efforts with language, their fondness for teachers, and moments of campus life. Arranged alphabetically and paired with simple illustrations, the notes preserve spontaneous voices and cultural misunderstandings while offering varied, intimate glimpses of character and community.