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was disputed, prove, although they were
anyone
one who had,
not wanted to convince
much to do with him that he was not
qualified for the post he occupied.
I do not mention this anything by way of disparagement, but it must be referred
to
as clashing with Mr. Rogan's habits,
his mode of life were not likely to elevate
him
to the peak of Interpreter in the Eyes of Chinese
Suitors.
With a salary of £400 a year he
could not, even
in other respects he had
if been capable of doing, emerge from the social conditions of his birth and bringing up, or from others which he had created for himself in later life.
It is only due to Mr. Rogan's integrity
that
notwithstanding
his
surroundings,
I never heard his integrity questioned.
When his health began to fail and he became unfit to perform his duties in court, Mr. Ball was appointed by His Excellency to be Assistant Interpreter.
Mr. Ball is the son of a man now deceased who was well known for his literary attainments.
He speaks the Cantonese dialect, as is generally admitted, better than
any
other
European in Hongkong, or in the South of
China.
The witnesses who speak that dialect understand him perfectly and he renders their evidence into excellent English so that the full meaning of what they intend to say is conveyed to the mind of the Judge. A gentleman by birth, habits, and
education