在《中国札记》中，翟理斯用亲历者视角还原了19世纪后半叶中国的社会状况，比较客观地回应了当时西方世界对中国的妖魔化想象。
全书汇编了翟理斯关于中国基本情况介绍的文章，内容涉及女人的地位、礼节、文学、医学、法学等。

PREFACE
THE DEATH OF AN EMPEROR
THE POSITION OF WOMEN
ETIQUETTE
ETIQUETTE, NO.II
LITERATURE
EDUCATIONAL LITERATURE
DENTISTRY
MEDICAL SCIENCE
MEDICAL SCIENCE, NO.II
LOAN SOCIETIES
GUILDS
PAWNBROKERS
POSTAL SERVICE
SLANG
FORTUNE-TELLING
GAMES AND GAMBLING
JURISPRUDENCE
JURISPRUDENCE, NO.II
BUDDHIST PRIESTS
RESPECT FOR THE WRITTEN CHARACTER
SUPERSTITION
NATURAL PHENOMENA
CELEBRATION OF THE NEW YEAR
THE FEAST OF LANTERNS
OPIUM SMOKING
THIEVING
LYING
SUICIDE
TORTURE
FENG-SHUI
MONEY
A DINNER-PARTY
FEMALE CHILDREN
TRAVEL
PREDESTINATION
JOURNALISM
FUNERALS
INQUESTS
INQUESTS, NO.II
CHRISTIANITY
ANTI-CHRISTIAN LYRICS
CONCLUSION