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for making my experience of Oxford a challenging and memorable scholastic journey. In addition, the advice provided by other mentors and advisers—Ann Waswo, David Washbrook, Judith Brown, and Rana Mitter, among others—also contributed much to helping me clarify my ideas throughout the period of study.
I am especially grateful to Professors Susan Naquin and Laura Newby for their careful reading of my work and for the advice and encouragement they have given me in putting this book into print.
Anita Koo, Lin Hsiao-ting, Lin Hsin-yi, Sachiko Horiguchi, Tang Siu-fu, Wang Hsien-chun, and other friends from the Oxford community and beyond read my drafts and critiqued my ideas in seminars, over meals, and on walks. They not only opened my eyes to a diversity of cultures and practices but also became a warm circle of friends in Oxford with whom I was able to share many pleasant evenings and weekends. For their encouragement and support I am grateful.
Much of the research undertaken in Oxford, China, and Singapore would not have been possible without the financial support provided by the Overseas Graduate Scholarship from the National Institute of Education in Singapore as well as by grants from the Universities’ China Committee in London, the Modern History Faculty of Oxford, the Asian Studies Centre at St. Antony’s College, and the Oriental Institute of Oxford. Without their generous support, my time spent in Oxford, Shanghai, and Hangzhou would have been much more difficult.
During my stay in China, Cao Shuji, Wu Renan, Chen Xuewen, Chai Weiliang, and other friends made time to take me around towns and villages that would have otherwise been almost inaccessible to me. Their warm hospitality and generosity touched my heart.
In addition, I would like to thank the very professional library staffs of the Oriental Reading Room at the Bodleian Library, of the Genealogy Reading Room at the Shanghai Municipal Library, of the Rare Books Reading Room at the Hangzhou Provincial Library, and of the library of Haining shi for all the assistance they rendered me throughout the time I spent on these premises. Special thanks go to Mr. Ernest Lee of the