Some doubt has been cast in later years on Bingham's statement, but this picture, sketched by a military officer at the time, confirms the story (at least in part) and thus forms a valuable addition to our knowledge of the old days. It shows that Howloon Point had been occupied by the British at the very outset; probably only until the safety and integrity of the new Colony of Hongkong had been assured, when the fort must have been dismantled.
Extracts have recently been published, relating to the Colony and to the China war of 1856-8, from the Illustrated London News of the period; also a drawing of members of the 59th Regiment (the present 2nd East Lancashires) as they appeared in Hongkong at that time.
It transpires that this London paper had very enterprisingly commissioned a special artist-correspondent to "cover" the China trouble, and he also took side trips to other parts of China and to Manila, sending back much material, including a number of sketches which the journal reproduced, in some cases covering whole pages.
Recently there came to hand some old copies of that paper which have sketches on such subjects as a Chinese barber at work, Chinese "chow," amahs with their European charges, coolies dressed in thatched raincoats, sampans in the harbour, opium being landed from ships, Indian troops cooking, interiors of matsheds and of a well-to-do Chinese house, and Chinese women and other types.
The artist was evidently a clever draughtsman, and we are able to rely, therefore, on his drawings of scenes.
I reproduce to-day a most interesting view of Murray Parade Ground as it appeared in 1857. It is merely entitled "The Parade at Hongkong," but there is an attached note of much interest. Let us first examine the picture in some detail.
The feature is, of course, St. John's Cathedral in the background, with what appears to be the old (Original) Post Office still showing to the right of it, on a site where the Volunteer parade ground is now. On the extreme right, where the French Mission buildings now stand, is seen part of what appears to be a matshed structure, with a flag at one corner. This is not definitely identified.
On the extreme left, as the attached note indicates, are seen the barracks of the 59th Regiment. These are exactly as they stand to-day by the side of Garden Road.
The band playing is that of the 59th, and the artist has cleverly included the groups of residents, with Chinese amahs and their young charges, who listened to the music and strolled about the military parade ground. It is a most illuminating view of Old Hongkong, and perhaps the artist-correspondent's note, which the paper publishes as well, can also be termed illuminating to a degree. It is worded as follows:
"On fine afternoons this is one of the finest scenes of the island. The lively strains of the band, the bright sky, the white dresses of
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Some doubt has been cast in later years on Bingham's statement, but this picture, sketched by a military officer at the time, confirms the story (at least in part) and thus forms a valuable aldition to our knowledge of the old days. It shows that howloon Point had been occupied by the British at the very outset; probably only until the safety and integrity of the new Colony of Hongkong had been assured, when the fort must have been dismantled
Extracts have recently been published, relating to the Colony and to the China "ar of 1856-8, from the illustrated London News of the period; also a drawing of members of the 59th. Regiment (the present 2nd. East Lancashires) as they appeared in Hongkong at that tine.
It transpires that this London paper had very enterprisingly commissioned a special artist-correspondent to "cover" 'the China trouble, and he also took side, trips to other parts of China and to Manila, sending back much tkterial, including a number of sketches which the journal reproduced, in some cases covering whole pages.
Rece
Recently there, came to hand some old copies of that paper which have sketches on such subjects as a Chinese barber at work, Chinese a "chow," anahs with their European charges, coolies dressed in thatched raincoats, sampans in the harbour, opium being landed from ships, Indian troops cooking, interiors of matsheds and of a well- \\to-do Chinese house, and Chinese women and other types.
The artist was evidently a clever draughtsman, and we are able to rely, therefore, on his drawings of scenes.
I reproduce to-day a most interesting view of Murray Parade Ground as it appeared in 1857. It is merely entitled "The Parade at Hongkong," but there is an attached note of much interest. Let us first examine the picture` in some detail.
The features is, of course, St. John's Cathedral in the background, with what appears to be the old (Original) Post Office still showing to the right of it, on a site where the Volunteer parade ground is now. On the extreme right, where the French fission buildings now stand, is seen part of what appears to be a natshed structure, with a flag at one corner. This is not definitely identified..
On the extrane left, as the attached note indicates, are seen the barracks of the 59th. Regiment. These are eX- actly as they stand to-day by the side of. Garden Road.
The band playing is that of the 59th., and the artist has cleverly included the groups of residents, with Chinese anahs and their young charges, who listened to the music and strolled about the military parade ground. It is a most illuminating vibish of Old Hongkong, and perhaps the artist-correspondents note, which the pape publishes as well, can also be termed illuminating to a degree. It is worded as follows:
"On fine afternoons this is one of the finest scenes of the island. The lively 'strains of the band, the bright sky, the white dresses of
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