WhhentheauthorfirstundertooktowritethisbriefhistoryoftheInternationalSettlementofShanghai，hefailedtorealizethedifficultyofthetask.Messrs.GeorgeLanningandSamuelCoulinggatheredalargeamountofmaterialconcerningtheearlydays，butnoonecontinuedwhattheybegan，andthereforeagooddealofspadeworkbecamenecessary.$$Manybookshavebeenconsulted，alistofwhichispublishedattheendofthevolume，andthecolumnsoftheNorth-ChinaHeraMhaveprovedinvaluable.