Contents: Vol. I. The Literature of Persia, Part I: 1. The Shah Namesh. 2. The Rubaiyat. 3. The Divan.

Vol. II. The Literature of Persia, Part II and The Literature of Japan: I. The Gulistan: Introduction. 1. Of the customs of kings. 2. Of the Morals of dervishes. 3. On the preciousness of contentment. 4. On the benefit of being silent. 5. On love and youth. 6. Of imbecility and old age. 7. Of the impressions of education. 8. Of the duties of society. II. Genji Monogatari: Introduction. 1. The chamber of Kiri. 2. The Broom-like tree. 3. Beautiful Cicada. 4. Evening glory. 5. Young violet. 6. Saffron flower. 7. Maple Fete. 8. Flower-Feast. 9. Hollyhock. 10. Divine tree. 11. Villa of falling flowers. 12. Exile at Suma. 13. Exile at Akashi. 14. The Beacon. 15. Overgrown Mugwort. 16. Barrier house. 17. Competitive show of pictures. III. Classical poetry of Japan: 1. Introduction. 2. Ballads. 3. Love songs. 4. Elegies. 5. Miscellaneous poems. 6. Short stanza. IV. The drama of Japan: 1. Nakmitsu. 2. Abstraction.

Vol. III. The Literature of India: Preface. 1. The book of good counsels. 2. Nala and Damayanti. 3. Selections from the Ramayana. 4. Sakoontala. 5. Poems by Toru Dutt.

Vol. IV. The Literature of China and The Literature of Arabia: 1. The analects of Confucius. 2. The sayings of Mencius. 3. The Shi-King. 4. The travels of Fa-Hien. 5. The sorrows of Han. 6. The romance of Antar. 7. Arabian poetry. 8. Arabian nights.