Old Hong Kong-3 — Page 165

Old Hong Kong 昔日香港 All AI Reviewed

(Contd.)

still under the somewhat ambiguous translation of a humble advertisement"! By 1865 this stereotyped form is more evident, the Chinese edition becoming entirely a vehicle for proclamations.

This separate issue ceased in 1878, so that the idea lasted exactly sixteen years. In January, 1879, the Government Gazette again appeared bilingually, and no separation of the co-official organ into two sections has again been attempted.

Before closing this sketch of the Chinese edition, we might revert to the matter of translation difficulties. In the 1865 and 1866 editions, there were some particularly "choice" efforts. For example, an authority gives the following as the literal rendering of the title "Inspector of Nuisances," as it appeared in a translation, in December 1866, in the Chinese portion of the Gazette: "The special Deputy of cockroaches on circuit in this Colony"!

Apart from the probably apposite reference to the duties of a sanitary inspector of the time, the effect on the native mind cannot have been very dignified.

But the crowning effort was probably the translation of the Governor's references to Britons, and foreigners generally, as "the barbarians," and "all the barbarians of Europe." No doubt the vernacular rendering required that continuation of traditional reference; and it was certainly better than "foreign devils": but in a Government Gazette, above the signature of the British Governor, it seems somewhat incongruous.

THE EARLY NEWSPAPERS

Much of the history of a place is recorded in its newspapers—the daily reports of happenings, ordinary seeming at the time, and the mention of names, can prove of the greatest value to a future historian. This series of "Old Hong Kong" articles, in fact, is intended to gather and preserve material which otherwise would remain unrecorded or forgotten. Some of the Colony's most interesting annals are thus to be found in its early printed news sheets: unfortunately, much of this material has perished with time, and occasional copies of worm-eaten chronicles are all we have to-day to give us clues to the past. Were it not for a few books published between 1840 and 1860, and odds and ends of Government or state papers, the greater part of Hong Kong's intimate early history would be lost.

It is intended here to give a summary of the beginnings of the Colony's newspaper press, a subject in itself of historical importance. For the present, only actual news sheets, and not magazines or similar periodicals, will be dealt with.

Considering how closely Canton is associated with the founding of Hong Kong—the earliest British merchants and Chinese settlers came from there—one must take the Canton Register as representative of the earliest efforts out here to produce an English-language public journal. I have already referred to this old news sheet (see 9-8-33), quoting W. C. Hunter, who states in "The Fan Kwae at Canton": "The first foreign newspaper published at Canton was in 1827; it was called the 'Canton Register' and was printed on a small handpress lent for the purpose by Mr. Alexander Matheson, of the then house of Magniac & Co. The size was but little more than that of a large sheet of foolscap. The Editor, who himself was the first compositor, was a young American named Wood of Philadelphia, and son of the celebrated tragedian."

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(Contd.) still under the somewhat ambiguous translation of a humble advertisement"! By 1865 this stereotyped form is more evident, the Chinese edition becoming entirely a vehicle for proclamations. This separate issue ceased in 1878, so that the idea lasted exactly sixteen years. In January, 1879, the Government Gazette again appeared bilingually, and no separation of the co-official organ into two sections has again been attempted. Before closing this sketch of the Chinese edition, we might revert to the matter of translation difficulties. In the 1865 and 1866 editions, there were some particularly "choice" efforts. For example, an authority gives the following as the literal rendering of the title "Inspector of Nuisances," as it appeared in a translation, in December 1866, in the Chinese portion of the Gazette: "The special Deputy of cockroaches on circuit in this Colony"! Apart from the probably apposite reference to the duties of a sanitary inspector of the time, the effect on the native mind cannot have been very dignified. But the crowning effort was probably the translation of the Governor's references to Britons, and foreigners generally, as "the barbarians," and "all the barbarians of Europe." No doubt the vernacular rendering required that continuation of traditional reference; and it was certainly better than "foreign devils": but in a Government Gazette, above the signature of the British Governor, it seems somewhat incongruous. THE EARLY NEWSPAPERS Much of the history of a place is recorded in its newspapers—the daily reports of happenings, ordinary seeming at the time, and the mention of names, can prove of the greatest value to a future historian. This series of "Old Hong Kong" articles, in fact, is intended to gather and preserve material which otherwise would remain unrecorded or forgotten. Some of the Colony's most interesting annals are thus to be found in its early printed news sheets: unfortunately, much of this material has perished with time, and occasional copies of worm-eaten chronicles are all we have to-day to give us clues to the past. Were it not for a few books published between 1840 and 1860, and odds and ends of Government or state papers, the greater part of Hong Kong's intimate early history would be lost. It is intended here to give a summary of the beginnings of the Colony's newspaper press, a subject in itself of historical importance. For the present, only actual news sheets, and not magazines or similar periodicals, will be dealt with. Considering how closely Canton is associated with the founding of Hong Kong—the earliest British merchants and Chinese settlers came from there—one must take the Canton Register as representative of the earliest efforts out here to produce an English-language public journal. I have already referred to this old news sheet (see 9-8-33), quoting W. C. Hunter, who states in "The Fan Kwae at Canton": "The first foreign newspaper published at Canton was in 1827; it was called the 'Canton Register' and was printed on a small handpress lent for the purpose by Mr. Alexander Matheson, of the then house of Magniac & Co. The size was but little more than that of a large sheet of foolscap. The Editor, who himself was the first compositor, was a young American named Wood of Philadelphia, and son of the celebrated tragedian." Page 165 Page 166

Baseline (Original)

NEWSPAPERS (Contd.) still under the somewhat ambiguous translation of a humble advertisement"! By 1865 this stereotyped form is more evident the Chinese edition becoming entirely a vehicle for proclamations. This separate issue ceased in 1878, so that the idea lasted exactly sixteen years. In January, 1879, the Government Gazette again appeared bilingually, and no separation of the co official organ intwo sections has again been attempted. Before closing this sketch of the Chinese edition, we might revert to the matter of translation difficulties/ In the 1865 and 1866 editions there were some particularly "choice" efferts. For example an authority gives the following as the literal rendering of the title "Inspector of Nuisances, as it appeared in a translation, in December 1866, in the Chinese portion of the Gazette "The special Deputy of cockroaches on circuit in this Colony"! Spart from the probably apposite reference to the duties of a sanitary inspector of the .time, the effect on the native mind cannot have been very dignified. But the crowning effort was probably the translation of the Governor's references to Britons, and foreigners generally, as "the barbarians," and "all the barbarians of Europe." No doubt the vernacular rendering required that continuation of traditional reference; and it was certainly better than "foreign devils": but in a Government Gazette above the signature ernment Gazette, above thesignature of the British Governor, it seems somewhat incongruous. THE EARLY NEWSPAPERS 1 - Much of the history of a place is recorded in its newspapers the daily reports of happenings, ordinary seeming at the time, and the mention of names, can prove of the greatest value to a future historian. This series of "Old Hong Kong" articles in fact, is intended to gather and preserve material which otherwise would remain unrecorded or forgotten. Some of the Colony's most interesting annals are thus to be found in its early printed news sheets: unfortunately much of this mate ial has perished with time, and occasional copies of worm-caten chronicles are all we have to-day to give us clues to the past. were it not for a few books published between 1840 and 1860, and odds and ends of Government or state papers the greater part of Hong Kong's intimate early history would be lost. It is intended here to give a summary of the beginnings of the Colony's newspaper press, a subject in itself of historical importance. For the present only actual news sheets, and not magazines or similar pe iodicals, will be dealt with. * - Considering how closely Canton is associated with the founding of Hong Kong the earliest British merchants and Chinese settlers came from there - one must take the Canton Register as representative of the earliest efforts out here to produce an English-language public journal. I have already referred to this old new sheet (see 9-8-33) quoting W. C. Hunter, who states in "The Fan Kwae at Canton": "The first foreign newspaper published at Canton was in1827; it was called the "Canton Register" and was printed on a small hadnpress lent for the purpose by Mr. Alexander Matheson, of the then house of Magniac & Co. The size was but little more than that of a large sheet of foolscap. The Editor who himself was the first compositor, was a young American named Wood of Philadelphia, and son of the celebrated tragedian." 74 Page 165Page 166

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NEWSPAPERS

(Contd.)

still under the somewhat ambiguous translation of a humble advertisement"! By 1865 this stereotyped form is more evident the Chinese edition becoming entirely a vehicle for proclamations.

This separate issue ceased in 1878, so that the idea lasted exactly sixteen years. In January, 1879, the Government Gazette again appeared bilingually, and no separation of the co official organ intwo sections has again been attempted.

Before closing this sketch of the Chinese edition, we might revert to the matter of translation difficulties/ In the 1865 and 1866 editions there were some particularly "choice" efferts. For example an authority gives the following as the literal rendering of the title "Inspector of Nuisances, as it appeared in a translation, in December 1866, in the Chinese portion of the Gazette "The special Deputy of cockroaches on circuit in this Colony"!

Spart from the probably apposite reference to the duties of a sanitary inspector of the .time, the effect on the native mind cannot have been very dignified.

But the crowning effort was probably the translation of the Governor's references to Britons, and foreigners generally, as "the barbarians," and "all the barbarians of Europe." No doubt the vernacular rendering required that continuation of traditional reference; and it was certainly better than "foreign devils": but in a Government Gazette above the signature ernment Gazette, above thesignature of the British Governor, it seems somewhat incongruous.

THE EARLY NEWSPAPERS 1

Much of the history of a place is recorded in its newspapers the daily reports of happenings, ordinary seeming at the time, and the mention of names, can prove of the greatest value to a future historian. This series of "Old Hong Kong" articles in fact, is intended to gather and preserve material which otherwise would remain unrecorded or forgotten. Some of the Colony's most interesting annals are thus to be found in its early printed news sheets: unfortunately much of this mate ial has perished with time, and occasional copies of worm-caten chronicles are all we have to-day to give us clues to the past. were it not for a few books published between 1840 and 1860, and odds and ends of Government or state papers the greater part of Hong Kong's intimate early history would be lost.

It is intended here to give a summary of the beginnings of the Colony's newspaper press, a subject in itself of historical importance. For the present only actual news sheets, and not magazines or similar pe iodicals, will be dealt with.

Considering how closely Canton is associated with the founding of Hong Kong the earliest British merchants and Chinese settlers came from there - one must take the Canton Register as representative of the earliest efforts out here to produce an English-language public journal. I have already referred to this old new sheet (see 9-8-33) quoting W. C. Hunter, who states in "The Fan Kwae at Canton": "The first foreign newspaper published at Canton was in1827; it was called the "Canton Register" and was printed on a small hadnpress lent for the purpose by Mr. Alexander Matheson, of the then house of Magniac & Co. The size was but little more than that of a large sheet of foolscap. The Editor who himself was the first compositor, was a young American named Wood of Philadelphia, and son of the celebrated tragedian."

Old Hong Kong-3 — Page 165

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