British Library 19th Century Historical Collections iPad App.

App Description:
This application provides access to titles from the British Library’s 19th century book collection. It includes classic novels, works of philosophy, history and science. Browse, search and read these historic books on a platform that enhances the reading experience. These digital book images have been captured in colour to preserve the look of the original book. Marbled papers, embossed covers, engraved illustrations maps, and beautifully coloured plates are intact and help create a unique reading environment.

Features:
• Search the collection
• Browse titles by subject
• Read commentary on selected titles
• View images of original maps
• See author inscriptions and margin notes
• Create favorite title lists
• Download books for offline reading

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UK VERSION

REST OF WORLD VERSION

Below are highlighted titles from the 19th Century Collection with multi-media commentary --

8481571730
The Tourist’s Guide to Hong Kong, with short trips to the Mainland of China. R.C. Hurley (Hong Kong, 1897) By 1897 Hong Kong had been a European Colony for 55 years. This book was written to provide “as much information as possible necessary to the well being and enjoyment of the tourist.” The author calls Hong Kong a “wonderful specimen of Anglo Saxon pluck and energy” having, as he says, “germinated [a colony] on the soiless [sic] surface of a barren rock.” The book offers maps, photographs, a Historical sketch (1625-1896), twelve recommended itineraries on the island, eight short itineraries for the mainland, as well as information and advertisements for everything from how to locate a surgeon-dentist, to tram and steamship schedules and fares, to where to purchase stamps, nautical books, and curios. The author includes a helpful basic vocabulary with all the usual phrases, plus such oddities as “What is that to you?” and “He did it on purpose.”  In addition to the island’s great natural beauty, the author hails it as a place where “representatives of many races” enjoy “that perfect freedom, that true liberty, which for centuries has been the birthright of those, regardless of colour or creed, who elect to reside under the protection of the Union Jack.” For comparison, a modern travel guide to Hong Kong may be found at Wikitravel. History of Asia .

The Tourist’s Guide to Hong Kong, with short trips to the Mainland of China.

R.C. Hurley (Hong Kong, 1897)

By 1897 Hong Kong had been a European Colony for 55 years. This book was written to provide “as much information as possible necessary to the well being and enjoyment of the tourist.” The author calls Hong Kong a “wonderful specimen of Anglo Saxon pluck and energy” having, as he says, “germinated [a colony] on the soiless [sic] surface of a barren rock.” The book offers maps, photographs, a Historical sketch (1625-1896), twelve recommended itineraries on the island, eight short itineraries for the mainland, as well as information and advertisements for everything from how to locate a surgeon-dentist, to tram and steamship schedules and fares, to where to purchase stamps, nautical books, and curios. The author includes a helpful basic vocabulary with all the usual phrases, plus such oddities as “What is that to you?” and “He did it on purpose.”  In addition to the island’s great natural beauty, the author hails it as a place where “representatives of many races” enjoy “that perfect freedom, that true liberty, which for centuries has been the birthright of those, regardless of colour or creed, who elect to reside under the protection of the Union Jack.” For comparison, a modern travel guide to Hong Kong may be found at Wikitravel.

History of Asia

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