Juan Gonzalez de Mendoza (circa 1540-1617) was the author of the first Western history of China to publish Chinese characters. Published by him in 1586, "Historia de las cosas mas notables, ritos y costumbres del gran reyno de la China" is an account of observations several Spanish travelers in China. An English translation by Robert Parke appeared in 1588 and was reprinted by the Hakluyt Society in two volumes, edited by Sir George T. Staunton, Bart. (London, 1853-54).This is the first of those two volumes. Mendoza was born at Toledo. He joined the army but after some years resigned to enter...