CANTON, OLD (1) Continuation.
1
I might supplement the history of this picture, it is one which was refused by the Emperor Keen Lung some years ago (1816). Hunter's "Fan Kwae" (already quoted) had this interesting note on the earlier fate of the painting:
The Factory (at Canton) entertained with unbounded hospitality and in a princely style. Their dining-room was of vast dimensions, opening upon the terrace overlooking the river. On the left was a library, amply stocked, the librarian of which was Dr. Pierson; on the right a billiard room. At one extremity of the dining-room was a life-size portrait of George IV in royal robes with crown and sceptre, the same that had been taken by the Embassy of Lord Amherst to Peking, offered to and refused by the Emperor Keen-Lung, and brought to Canton overland. Opposite to it hung a smaller full-length portrait of Lord Amherst.
105
The Amherst embassy to China (bearing the portrait with it) stopped at Hongkong for a few days, in 1816 while on the way north. The ships anchored in what is now Aberdeen harbour, on the south side of the island and members of the mission who landed were probably the first Britons (if not the first Europeans) to set foot on this island, little thinking that twenty-five years later it would become a Crown Colony.
CANTON, OLD (2).
Apparently the old chroniclers were not as accurate as they might have been, for Hunter appears to have made a serious slip in his reference to the incident of the picture of King George IV, quoted yesterday (9-8-33). I am indebted to Mr. W. H. E. Thomas for the following correction:
"It is hardly correct to say that the picture was refused by the Emperor. The Amherst Mission arrived in Peking on 29th August 1816, and left again the same day owing to difficulties over the K'o T'ou ceremony. The Ambassador was urged to present himself at once in his dusty condition to the Emperor, but refused until his baggage and presents arrived the next day. The picture was, therefore, never presented to the Emperor.
Secondly, the Emperor was not Keen Lung (1736-1796) but Chia Ching (1796-1821).
CANTON, OLD ( 1 ) Continuation.
1
I might supplement the history of this picture, it is one which was refused by the Emperor Keen Lung some years ago (1816). Hunter's" Fan Kwae " ( already quoted had this interesting note on the earlier fate of the painting:
The Factory (at Canton ) entertained with un- bounded hospitality and in a princely style. Their dining- room was of vast dimensions, opening upon the terrace overlooking the river. On the left was a library, amply stocked, the librarian of which was Dr. Pierson on the right a billiard room, At one extremity of theɗining- room was a life-size portrait of George IV in royal robes with crown and sceptre, the same that had been taken by the Embassy of Lord Amherst to Peking, offered to and refused by the Emperor Keen-Lung, and brought to Canton overland. Opposite to it hung a samller full- length portrait of Lord Amhers."
105
The Amherst embassy to China (bearing the por- trait with it stopped at Hongkong for a few days, in 1816 while on the way norht. The ships anchored in what is now Aberdeen harbour, on the south side of the island and members of the mission who landed were probably the first Britons (if not the first Europeans to set foot on this island, little thinking that twenty five years later it would become a Crown Colony.
CANTON, OLD ( 2 ).
Apparently the old chroniclers were not as accu- rate as they might have been for Hunter appears to have made a serious slip in his reference to the incident of the picture of King George IV, quoted yesterday (9-8- 33). I am indebted to Mr. W. H. E. Thomas for the following correction :-
"It is hardly correct to say that the picture was refused by the Emperor. The Amherst Mission arrived in Peking on 29th August 1816, and left again the same day owing to difficulties over the K'o T'ou ceremony. The Ambassador W as urged to present himself at once in his dusty condition to the Emperor, but refused until his baggage and presents arrived the next day. The pic- ture was, therefore, never presented to the Emperor.
Secondly the Emperor was not Keen Lung ( 1736- 1796 ) but Chia Ching (1796-1821 ).
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