39.
and cheap, dealt a blow to the work of the artist and engraver, so that the fine reproductions of the Forties are now all that is left of permanent and artistic worth for the historian to admire.
By the courtesy of Mr. G.S. Hugh-Jones, who some time ago came into possession of a rare work on China, I am able to reproduce two of the illustrations contained therein. The work is in four parts, bound in two volumes, and contains a large number of excellent steel engravings, relating to all parts of China then known to foreigners, four of them being views of Hongkong. The work is entitled "China, its scenery, architecture, social habits, &c.", and the title page informs us that it is "Drawn, from original and authentic sketches, by Thomas Allom, Esq., with historial and descriptive notices by the Rev.G.N. Wright, M.A."
For the present I am unable to trace the identity of either gentleman. They must have left the Far East for good shortly after Hongkong was founded.
The work is one of the earliest on the Colony in existence, having been produced, presumably, during 1841-2, as it was published in London in 1843. The pictures and accompanying text must have been of great informative use to the British public at the time, though the references to the Colony are to-day of little value owing to their being extracts from other descriptions extant, such as Johnston's contribution to the Geographical Journal already quoted in these articles (see 9-2-34). However, the information is accurate and well written, and the illustrations beautifully reproduced.
Incidentally, Mr. Wright gives one of the earliest references to the origin of the name Hongkong: he quotes Johnston's derivation from the village of Little Hongkong, but adds the older derivation from the "fragrant streams" of the island.
As stated, I have selected two of the pictures of Hongkong for reproduction. One, showing the harbour as it was in 1842, is given to-day. It is merely entitled "Harbour of Hongkong", but the interest lies in identifying the place where the artist made his sketch. From a careful scrutiny of the hills and general configuration (seen clearly in the original engraving) it is believed that Mr. Allom made his drawing from the shore at Laichikok, and the foreground of the picture therefore shows part of the promontory there, where the oil tanks are now situated. Stonecutters Island is seen opposite.
It is intended to reproduce the other drawing, a view of an old fort, in another issue.
A picture of Hongkong harbour and Stonecutters Island, apparently from the vicinity of Laichikok, was given on Saturday (see 24-2-34), taken from an old work by Allom and Wright, which was published in London in 1843. It was presumed that Allom had sketched the view while in Hongkong, and I mentioned that this artist had not been traced among the former residents of the Colony. However, it appears that he had merely re-drawn sketches made by others, which will explain the inability to "place" him. As quoted in the last article, the title page states the engravings were "drawn, from original and authentic sketches, by Thomas Allom," but the significance of this wording escaped my attention.
39.
and cheap, dealt a blow to the work of the artist and engraver, so that the fine reproductions of the Forties are now all that is left of permanent and artistic worth for the historian to admire.
•
By the courtesy of Mr. G.5. Hugh-Jones, who some time ago came into possession of a rare work on China, 1 am able to reproduce two of the illustrations contained therein. The work is in four parts, bound in two volumes, and contains a large number of excellent steel engravings, re- lating to all parts of China then known to foreigners, four of them being views of Hongkong. The work is entitled "China, its scenery, architecture, social habits, c.", and the title page informs us that it is "Drawn, from original and authentic sketches, by Thomas Allon, Esq., with historial and descriptive notices by the Rev.G.N. Wright, M.A."
For the present I am unable to trace the identity of either gentleman. They must have left the Far East for good shortly after Hongkong was founded.
The work is one of the earliest on the Colony in existence, having been produced, presumably, during 1841-2, as it was published in London in 1843. The pictures and accompanying text must have been of,great informative use to the British public at the time," though the references to the Colony are to-day of little value owing to their being extracts from other descriptions extant, such as Johnston's contribution to the Geographical Journal already quoted in these articles (see 9-2-34). However, the information is accurate and well written, and the illustrations beautifully reproduced.
Incidentally, Mr. Wright gives one of the earliest references to the origin of the name Hongkong: he quotes Johnston's derivation from the village of Little Hongkong, but adds the ölder derivation from the "fragrant streans" of the island
}
As stated, I have selected two of the pictures of Hongkong for reproduction. One, showing the harbour as it was in 1842, is given to-day. It is merely entitled "Harbour of Hongkong", but the interest lies in identifying the place where the artist made his sketch. From a careful scutiny of the hills and general configuration (seen clearly in the original engraving) it is believed that Mr. Allon made his drawing from the shore at Laichikok, and the foreground of the picture therefore shows part of the promontory there, where the oil tanks are now situated. Stonecutters Island is seen opposite.
It is intended to reproduce the other drawing, a view
of an old fort, in another issue.
A picture of Hongkong harbour and Stonecutters Island, apparently from the vicinity of Laichikok, was given on Saturday (see 24-2-34), taken fron an old work by Allom and Wright, which was published in London in 1843. It was presumed that Allom had sketched the view while in Hongkong, and I mentioned that this artist had not been traced among the former residents of the Colony. However, it appears. that he had merely re-drawm sketches made by others, which will explain the inability to "place" hin. As quoted in the last article, the title page states the engravings wore "drawn", from original and authentic sketches, by Thoms Allon," but the significance of this wording escaped my attention.
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