The folk-lore of China : and its affinities with that of the Aryan and Semitic races

Originally published as a series of articles in the China Review, the work stands as one of the earliest systematic attempts by a Western scholar to catalog Chinese popular traditions, myths, and superstitions, comparing them directly to Western and Near Eastern folklore. The book is structured into highly organized thematic chapters that trace the invisible spiritual rules governing daily life in late Qing-generation China. Dennys meticulously logs the popular superstitions surrounding major life events. This includes birth charts and baby-protecting talismans, complex marriage customs (like threshold rites and candle omens), and funeral traditions (such as placing white cocks on coffins or navigating feng-shui rules for burials). A substantial portion explores the cultural terror and fascination with the unseen. Dennys documents local encounters with ghosts, legendary dragons, wandering spirits, and protective charms meant to ward off demons. Nature Lore & Omens: The book catalogs weather lore, lucky and unlucky days, proverbs, and how ordinary peasants read the stars, animals, and changing seasons to predict their fortunes. True to its subtitle, the book operates on a "Victorian comparative model," attempting to find common historic roots or psychological patterns by matching Chinese fables and myths with corresponding Indo-European ("Aryan") and Semitic folk tales.