to some observations attributed to His Excellency the Duke of Somerset on the social condition of Shanghai, he draws a comparison between that place and Hong Kong to the disparagement of the latter.
As Mr Johnston's statistics were not, and could not have been brought to my notice till arrival here of the "London and China Express" of the 6th July last, in which paper they were first published, I fear they have done much mischief owing to the extended circulation of that Journal amongst persons interested in China.
The deductions of Mr. Johnston may easily be disproved, whilst many of his statements and figures are inexcusably erroneous, and represent this Colony in a light which it is far from meriting.
I have therefore been at some pains to cause a Memo to be prepared by the Superintendent of Police so as clearly to point out the mistakes of Mr Johnston.
I have published it in the Gazette of the Colony, and have also directed Copies to be sent to the Editor of the "London and China Express" as well as to the Editor of every Journal in China and Japan. The Memo is itself
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