46
A MIDDLEMAN FOR ALL SEASONS: SNAPSHOTS OF THE SIGNIFICANCE OF MOK MAN CHEUNG AND HIS ENGLISH MADE EASY ANTHONY SWEETING
Introduction
On 20th August, 1904, the Editor of the South China Morning Post drew attention to the special features of a book published locally in Hong Kong, particularly to "its usefulness". On the same date, the Registrar General of Hong Kong, A.W. Brewin, wrote: "I have been all through the book and it seems to me that it should be very useful." The second, and final, sentence of Brewin's note offers the clue to the nature of the publication, the objectives of its author, and the precise usefulness of the book, especially when it is remembered that the chief responsibility of a Registrar General of the time was to be "Protector of the Chinese". The sentence reads: “I have tested it on Chinese and I find they get the pronunciation very accurately.”
The book was English Made Easy. It appeared in the book shops of Hong Kong in 1904, with the distribution rights accorded to the well-established European bookshop/publishing company of Messrs. Kelly and Walsh, Hong Kong, and also to Kam Fook of 102, Hollywood Road. The actual publisher of English Made Easy was described in the text as "Kwong Hop Yuen, 46, Bonham Strand East, Hong Kong, China”. The author's signature, in English, appears in the book, underneath his photograph. His name was Mok Man Cheung. Modern commentators, with only a perfunctory interest in history but a relish for literary allusions, may attribute a role to him which combines some of the characteristics of Uriah Heep, Pollyanna, and Uncle Tom. The historical reality was even more complex and more interesting. Mok Man Cheung
Anthony Sweeting is a Senior Lecturer in the University of Hong Kong's Faculty of Education. His major professional preoccupation is with the teaching of History. He is also involved in research into the history of education in Hong Kong.
46
A MIDDLEMAN FOR ALL SEASONS:
SNAPSHOTS OF THE SIGNIFICANCE OF MOK MAN CHEUNG AND HIS
ENGLISH MADE EASY
ANTHONY SWEETING
Introduction
On 20th August, 1904, the Editor of the South China Morning Post drew attention to the special features of a book published locally in Hong Kong, particularly to "its usefulness". On the same date, the Registrar General of Hong Kong, A.W. Brewin, wrote: "I have been all through the book and it seems to me that it should be very useful." The second, and final, sentence of Brewin's note offers the clue to the nature of the publication, the objectives of its author, and the precise usefulness of the book, especially when it is remembered that the chief responsibility of a Registrar General of the time was to be "Protector of the Chinese". The sentence reads: “I have tested it on Chinese and I find they get the pronunciation very accurately.”
The book was English Made Easy. It appeared in the book shops of Hong Kong in 1904, with the distribution rights accorded to the well-established European bookshop/publishing company of Messrs. Kelly and Walsh, Hong Kong, and also to Kam Fook of 102, Hollywood Road. The actual publisher of English Made Easy was described in the text as "Kwong Hop Yuen, 46, Bonham Strand East, Hong Kong, China”. The author's signature, in Eng- lish, appears in the book, underneath his photograph. His name was Mok Man Cheung. Modern commentators, with only a per- functory interest in history but a relish for literary allusions, may attribute a role to him which combines some of the characteristics of Uriah Heep, Pollyanna, and Uncle Tom. The historical reality was even more complex and more interesting. Mok Man Cheung
Anthony Sweeting is a Senior Lecturer in the University of Hong Kong's Faculty of Education. His major professional preoccupation is with the teaching of History. He is also involved in research into the history of education in Hong Kong.
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