42
Viceroy of the Two Kwang would not con- sider it out of the way to take his own course in such a matter, though he might still perfunctorily obey the orders from Peking with regard to it.
China A question of war between and any foreign nation thus stands upon Я very different footing to the
same question with respect to Japan, where the people are
thoroughly united and are also in the highest degree patriotic. In the latter case, for good cause, it is possible to move the nation as a whole and to
THE HONGKON WEEKLY PRESS AND
ST. GEORGE'S BALL.
A BRILLIANT EVENT,
ensure the
[January 22, 1905. "Cymru am Bath" (Wales for Ever) and at the foot of other two shields showing the Welsh dragon were inscribed "Y Ddraig Cochaddyry Those who had doubis tast there was not Gychwyn." As in St. George's Hall, the walls sufficient national soutment in the breasts of were festooned and draped, a most interesting Englishmen in the olony t
feature being the Union Jacx shadowed by ban success of a St. George's Ball must have sailantern, a graceful allusion to the alliance found their misgivings disapp ar on Jan. 19 as
btw.en Britain and Japan. The theatre, they utered the City Hall, and they would
which was utilise as a supper rom, had also not be there long ere they wonlu realise bee skilfully and artistically treated. The how erroneous were their early impressions. stage equipment was employed to produce akery pretty sylvan scen, in which was laid Thongh they has not the clannishness of
the horse-shoe table, at which sit the Pre- the Scot they have never failed to rally at the call St. George and Merrio England." silent and the following ladies and gentle. and while that battle-cry is no longer uttered
me at supper:-H. . the Governor and its effects are obtained tidey by appealing in
Ly Piggott, Sir Francis Piggott and Lady a different manner to the patrio i-m of Euglish-Cl. Kent and Mrs. Williams, Sir H Berkeley fel, Commodore Williams, and Mrs. Hatton, men and Englishwomen. Certainly a greater measure of success could hardly have been obtained than that which rewarded the effort of the committee of the St. George's Ball last night. A large attendance of ladies and geutio-
employ its full strength to repel any aggres sion or any undue threat upon its rights and independence. Of these we have had ample proof in the recent war, and, as is usual in such cases, people have been dis posed to deduce conclusious fren the fact, which in reality it will not in any way justify. The speculations as to the danger men, numbering about 800 or 90%, handsomely Grant, The Hon. Mr. H. E. Pollock, K.C., and to European nations should China follow decorated rooms, a good floor and exquisite Mrs. Kent, Sir C. P. Chater, C.M.G., and Lady
music, all went to make one of the most
ad Mrs. Chatham, The Hon. Mr. W, Chatham and Ms. Clark, The Hon. Mr. Francis Clark and Mrs. Dic son, The Hon. Mr. R. Shewan and Mrs. Huibert Col. C. H. Darling and Mrs. Stewart, The Hou. Mr. G. Stewart and Mrs.
Berkeley. The frout of the gallery was heightened with spears and a railing of red rope, ags adorned the pillars, and shields were ag in front. Altogether a more charming picture has seldom been seen here.
Before 9 o'clock the guests had begun to arrive and at that hour the Band of the West Kents struck up the music for the opening dance, Laucers. The official set was composed of the Governor and Lady Piggott, Sir Francis Piggott and Lady Noel, Commodore Williams and Mrs. Hatto, Sir H. Berkeley, and Mrs. Willisms, Hon. Mr. W. Chatham and Mrs. Wise, Hon. Dr. Francis Clark and Lady Berkeley, Hon Mr. Gershom Stewart and Mrs. Chatham, Hon. Mr. H. E. Pollock and Mrs. Stewart. The programme of 22 dances was then proceeded with in a manner which showed the company were really enjoying the pleasures of the evening.
in the wake of Japan, and become so enjoyablo assemblies and one of the most brilli strengthened as to rank as a Power worthy ant ball-room scenes of the season, and no one of consideration in a warlike point of view, wo shared the peasures of the evening could are thus based upon a comparison of nations restrain the hope that the event might become essentially different in their constitution, an annual one. In this way the sons of the in their political character and, above all, inister kingdoms would be given an opportunity their national instincts. Before ever Chin of vicing with each other in the dispensing of hospitality and promoting entertainment which could become sufficiently strengthened to
would be much appreciated during the time make her anything like a formidable anta usually given over to such social intercourse. gonist, she would require to undergo an Arrived at the entran to the hall, one's internal change such as would make it attention was caught by the St. George's cross unlikely that she would without grave which ran up the stairway, the cross being hesitation think of entering upon any such formed with red cloth on white ground. This courge. Before she could be physically in very effective design, which originated from a position to entertain such an enterprise Major Pritchard, very appropriately led up to the large illuminated figure of St. George China would have to make great internal killing the dragon. Resting a moment on the reforms; and, in fact, to place her adminis. landing and looking dowawards in order to take tration, as the Japanese did, very much in the scheme of dcoration, one noticed the upon foreign lines. Without such a re- pillars round which entwined bands of red cloth. form she could never beļa strong centralised the balustrade enveloped in floral adornments, Power, and until she is in such a position and then at the top two beautifn! rose trees which were brou ht by Mr. G. A. Caldw.11 (if she is destined ever to attain to it)
from Foochow. To all who observed them they itsura de hopeless for her to endeavour
were indeed "a thing of beauty. It was a to compete seriously in a struggle with most appropriate addition to the decorations, any foreign Power.. The apprehensions, and the beautiful red and
white flowers, therefore, that the example of Japan will expressive of artistic workmanship, looked have a dangerous effect upon China and still more effective by their environm nt of tend to induce a new aggressiveness are palms and pot plants. Peping out from well founded as regard: the modern students amongst the greenery on the landing were wo and proletariat, but needless so long as the khaki-coloured Maxim guns. aul abore them were two banners with St George's cross +8. older heads retain control. The signs of the Flanking the figure of St. George and the times, however, give rise to speculations as
dragon were Royal štandards, and intertwiu-d to how long the hotheads can be restrained. flags carried the eye to te top of the stairs to The new Anglo-Japanese Treaty promises the shield bearing the red dragon of Wales, this more and more to justify itself, and will standing out conspicuously from the mass of probably yet be a source of profound bunting which covered the walls. Flowers of brilliant hue were placed on the balustrade and thankfulness in more than one quarter.
one could not but admire the picturesque effects ouse was secretary of the Invitation Commit- which the introduction of electricity in this tee, and the Decoration Committee was com- direction produced. By this time one noted a posed of Capt. B-llson, Mr. F. B. L. Bowley, Mr. change in the usual arrangements. Three G. A. Caldwell, Mr. A. Denison Mr. S..T. Duna, rooms were devoted to dancing, and after Mr. C. Fittock, Major Pritchard, Mr. A. Tur- passing through the reception room, thener, Mr. W. H. Wickham. and Mr. E. C. Wilks,
INTERNATIONAL BALL AT
HONGKONG,
IN HONOUR OF PRINCE ARTHUR.
་
It was undoubtedly, a happy thought which walls of which were enhanced by a shield suggested an international ball as part of the fes-bearing St. George and the dragon (a tivities which will mark the presence of H.R.H. very fine piece of work by Mr. L. G. Prince Arthur of Connaught in Hongkong next month. The date has been fixed, Monday, February 12th, and the arrangements are being carried out by a sub-committee appointed by the Reception Committee, of which Sir Francis Piggott is president and Mr. W. Armstrong secretary. The cosmopolitan nature of the ball will be appreciated when it is understood that the Farious local Consuls are co-operating, and there can be little doubt that the gathering will be a
success.
In a book on Chinese emigration Gottwaldt states that while there are 274,548 Chinese in Hongkong, there are 272,829 in “All America," or 1,719 less Chinese than are in Hongkong. If all of the 270,000 were resident in the United States, which they are not, that number would be less than 4 per cent. of Chinese living abroad, the total number of which is 7,642,650. representing less than 2 per cent. of the total Chinese population.
Bird) and others bearing harps, one entered St. George's Hall. Brilliant is the only description which fittingly applied to the scene. St. George's cross s met the eye erory. where. The walls were draped with bunting which showed the same character in red and white, while the roof, treated with red and white Japanese lanterns, about 60 (the work of Messrs. Wilks and Jack, assisted by Mr. Wick- ham), bore the sam
telling device. The scheme was very simple but very effective. Another pretty feature was the Tudor roses whic || glowed above the bunting. Moving into the next hall which was christened St. David's Room, the spectator found himself gazing on many em- blems of the Principality. Most conspicuous were the representations of the leek at either end. At the t p was the crest of the Prince of Wales with the motto "Ich Dien," opposite being a white goat reminiscent of mountain scenery On the walls were shields bearing the Nation's Arms. At the foot of two were the words
Four
About 11 o'clock the dancing was interruptel by a picturesque feature. This was the pro- cession of beefeater, which certainly gave a | peculiarly English aspect to the event.
men of the West Kent Regiment dressed in yeomau costume and headed by two trumpeters, marched in bearing a boar's heat, appropriate This was music being played by the band. much appreciated and evoked varied expressions of pleasure.
1
Supper followed, H.E. th Governor presid- ing, as stated, and the band of the Balnchis discoursing selections from behind the scenes. There were four toasts, introduced by calls on the rumpet. They were: The King, St. George, St. David and is Excellency.
Needless to say, the arrangements were of the most adequate description. The hon. secretary, Mr. C. H. Beavis, on whom f 11 the burden of the work, discharged his duties in a most capable manner. Mr. P. P. J. Wude-
The officials and general committee were:- Patron, H. E. Sir Matthew Nathan, K.C.M.G.; President, Sir Francis Piggott; Vice Presi- dent. Sir Henry 3. Berkeley: General Com mittee-Mr. R. Atkinson, Lt. Col. A. E. Aitken, Mr. A. Babington, Mr. F. J. Badeley, Mr. J. Barton. Sir Henry S. Berkeley_(Chairman), Mr. F. B. L. Bowley, Mr. G. H. Butterworth, Mr. G. A. Caldwell. Major Chichester, The Hon. Dr. F. Clark Mr. J. Daniel, Mr. W. Danby, Col. C. H. Darling. R.E., Mr. W. H. T. Davis, Mr. V. H. Deacon, Mr. F. B. Deacon, Mr. A. Denison, Mr. H. W. Dermer, Mr. 8. T. Daon, Mr. C. Fiftook, Lt.-Col. Fitton. D. O., Mr. A. G. M. Fletcher, Mr. H. J. G-dgo, Mr. C H. Grace, Dr. G. M. Harston, Mr. S. Hancock, Mr. E. A. Hankey, Mr. F. H. Hazeland, Mr. E. A. Hewett, Mr. A. C.. Holborow, Mr. A. Shelton Hooper, Mr. Jones Hughes, Mr. J. A. Jupp, Mr. L. S. Lewis, Mr. H. W. Looker, Mr. C. W. May, Mr. G. H. Medhurst, Mr. E. W. Mitchell, Mr. G. . Moxon, The Hon. Mr. H. E. Pollock, K.C.. Major Phillips, Mr. W. H. Potis, Lt." 'ol. C. H Price, D.S.O., Major C. G. Pritchard