中国传统契约在形式及结构上的相似性是一脉相承的。这种相似性表现在不同的类型上,不同的地域上,也表现在不同时代上。~①一位19世纪的西方观察家这样写道:“地契虽没有法定的格式,但并未因各地不同的格式发生纠纷,因为说明契约内容的专用名词到处是一致的。谁要是熟悉了一个地区的一般格式,他就会易于理解并于必要时遵守其他地区的特殊风俗习惯。”~②这位观察家对传统契约 The similarities and differences in form and structure of traditional Chinese contracts come from the same strain. This similarity is manifested in different types, in different geographical areas, but also in different times. A Western observer of the 19th century wrote: “Although there is no statutory form of a title deed, disputes have not taken place in different formats because the terms used to describe the contents of a contract are the same everywhere. The general format of the area, he would easily understand and, if necessary, observe the special customs of other regions. ”"