“My head, I think, resembles chaos, I would somebody would put it in order!”

You will be thankful that no one put Harriet Low’s head in order before she penned this wonderful journal between 1829 and 1834. Far from her New England American home and her adored elder sister, she kept up a meticulous record of her thoughts, feelings, and activities for five years in China.

She’s at no loss for company abroad, but at only 20 years old when she left home, she despairs that she may end up a spinster.

“We have been anticipating the time when we shall be ancient spinsters, having become almost disgusted with the genus homo, and almost determined to live a life of celibacy. I shall yet espouse some poor unfortunate man, just to be the torment of somebody’s life!”