RASHKB Journal 皇家亞洲學會香港分會學刊 | RAS-1968 https://digitalrepository.lib.hku.hk/catalog/66833948d 62 H. A. RYDINGS for them being devoted to publishing the quarterly catalogues." We may doubt whether these proposals, which were not attempted, would have worked in practice without some form of compulsion such as operates in the case of copyright deposit libraries; but it is interesting to find this suggestion of a centralised cataloguing agency at this early date, even if with different motives and to serve different purposes from those of the present day organizations of this kind. By the end of 1867, as already noted, there had been a further decline in the membership of the Victoria Library, so that it was inevitable that some changes in its organization should be made. To decide what form these should take, a special general meeting of the subscribers was called for 4.00 p.m. on 18th December. The China Mail noted that this had unfortunately been timed to start one hour before a rowing match between English and Scottish "fours" organized by the Victoria Regatta Club, and feared that the attendance at the library meeting might suffer accordingly. However, in the event over a dozen of the 43 members turned up. The report of the meeting is contained in the China Mail of December 18th (the Mail was an evening paper even then). The Treasurer, Mr. Mitchell, stated that the income from subscriptions had fallen to about $1,000, whereas expenses were over $1,300 a year. He went on to inform subscribers of an offer from the Club Lusitano to provide a room in the new Club at a rent of $15 a month, no extras for light or coal, and free access to the Library for members when the Club premises were open. This seemed a most liberal offer, but was apparently made in the hope of encouraging members of the Library to join the Club also. If this offer, the best which had been made, were not accepted, Mr. Mitchell said he would recommend that the Library should be handed over to the proposed new City Hall. He concluded by proposing acceptance of the offer of the Club Lusitano for one year in the first instance. After some discussion the proposal was accepted unanimously. The China Mail in a leading article on the following day applauded this decision, and paid tribute to Messrs. Mitchell, White, Smith and Crawford, who had formed the nucleus of working members whose efforts had kept the Victoria Library going. The Mail took the opportunity to repeat the suggestion it had ================================================================================ RASHKB Journal 皇家亞洲學會香港分會學刊 | RAS-1968 https://digitalrepository.lib.hku.hk/catalog/66833948d NOTES ON HONG KONG LIBRARIES 63 made in the previous May, that the Morrison Library should be amalgamated with the other. Two years later, Hong Kong's first City Hall was nearing completion, and the subject of libraries was once again in the news. An unknown writer, quoted by 'Colonial' in 1933, wrote on May 5th, 1869: "The library room which will be entirely completed in a few days will before long contain a collection of books properly assorted and catalogued which, if not very extensive, will at least be the best collection in South China. It may be confidently hoped that its resources will be increased by private gift... The Morrison Library which forms the nucleus of the collection is... in a state which necessitates the outlay of nearly a thousand dollars... The former Asiatic Society's Library has also [been promised to the] librarian without... prospect of receiving with it any funds towards its restoration". From a much later source we learn more about the City Hall, which it is worth noting was a private enterprise, not an official one, although Government provided the building site and a grant in aid at its foundation. “In 1871 the library consisted of 8,000 volumes, 3,000 of which were unconditionally presented by the trustees of the Victoria Library." This confirms the statement made by 'Colonial' and quoted earlier in this article, and vindicates the China Mail in its campaign to bring together the Victoria and Morrison Libraries. The arrangement with the Club Lusitano for the housing of the Victoria Library therefore lasted at most only four years, from 1867 to 1871. This same source also quotes the terms of the gift under which the Morrison Education Society presented its books "as a free gift for the use of the public, on condition that in consideration of this gift and of the great services of Dr. Morrison to both European and Chinese, the books be kept distinct from all other collections in the City Hall, and designated 'the Morrison Library' in perpetuation of the great missionary's memory." Although there is little call in the present day for use of the Morrison Library by the public, the conditions imposed on the gift in 1869 to the City Hall are still observed, and the Morrison Library, housed since 1914 in the University of Hong Kong Library, is kept as a separate entity named in memory of its founder. Since the story of this collection has been covered in detail elsewhere, no more will be said here about the Morrison Library. ================================================================================ RASHKB Journal 皇家亞洲學會香港分會學刊 | RAS-1982 https://digitalrepository.lib.hku.hk/catalog/mk61z420p 224 CARL T. SMITH With children performing there was no question of respectability. It was announced some weeks after the first performance that "several ladies having expressed regret at not witnessing the late performance of the Portuguese children, Mr. Souza, with the consent of the parents, and at the request of the Committee, has consented to repeat the performance at an early date". In 1866 the Portuguese community built a club house at Shelley and Elgin Streets. Attached to it was a small theatre. It was used not only by Portuguese amateurs but, before the opening of the Theatre Royal in the City Hall in 1869, it was the venue for the productions of the Amateur Dramatic Club. The Theatre portion of Club Lusitano was demolished in 1873, The Germans built a club house on Wyndham Street in 1872. It contained a small auditorium. German amateur groups used it for plays and operettas. More appreciated by the non-German speaking community were the concerts and the appearance of Liedertafel singing groups. THE A.D.C—BORN IN A MATSHED An Amateur Theatrical Society was formed in 1860. Its membership was made up of both civilians and military officers. For the 1860-61 season they erected a new matshed. It was said that in its internal arrangements there was "no lack of comfort, indeed elegance has received its share of attention". It included a continental innovation the prompter's box was placed in the centre in front of the curtain "according to the French custom”. The Committee of the Society came under attack for alleged misuse of funds. At the second performance of the 1861 season it was deemed necessary to make a public statement refuting accusations which had appeared in the local press. The Committee had been charged "with spending the profits in cold fowl and sherry behind the scenes." Two professional ladies of the stage also figured in the accusations. The newspaper account of the public explanation concluded with the sentiment that "Hong Kong thanks the Amateurs and has fullest confidence in the ================================================================================ RASHKB Journal 皇家亞洲學會香港分會學刊 | RAS-1982 https://digitalrepository.lib.hku.hk/catalog/mk61z420p 226 CARL T. SMITH see what should be done toward erecting a permanent theatre". The year following, 1862, plans for a Theatre and Assembly Room were on view at the Hong Kong Club. They were estimated to cost $34,000, but a newspaper reporter was more realistic. In his opinion "a glance shows it would cost $60,000 at least". Something as ambitious as this had to wait some years. It was finally realized with the opening of the City Hall in 1869. In the meantime, mat sheds, a large room in St. Andrew's School and the Club Lusitano were used. A public meeting in 1864 resolved that the Amateur Theatrical Matshed should be kept and a committee appointed to see to its preservation. One happy feature was the debt-free state of the theatre following a successful season. During the 60s there were notices of the Queen's Theatre on Queen's Road East. It was probably the adapted godown mentioned in the columns of Jarrett in his series "Old Hongkong" in the South China Morning Post. A Theatre Royal was on military ground, used not only for performances by the Garrison but also by visiting professional dramatic companies. In 1865 it was announced it was to be pulled down "for much needed barrack improvements". After its demolition, the Garrison amateurs used the Murray Barracks Canteen. The general public expressed its appreciation to the military for permitting the theatre to occupy their ground. It had, however, been a hot, stuffy place, poorly ventilated. TYPES OF DRAMA All the early productions of the amateurs were described variously as farce, burlesque, comic drama, facetious tragedy, vaudeville comedy or burlesque extravaganza. Perhaps the first play of a mere serious tone was given in 1875, when "Plot and Passion" by Thomas Taylor and J. Lang was presented. It was noted, however, that a drawback to such a play was its love scenes, as these were difficult when played by males only companies. The reviewer thought that while it ! ! ================================================================================ RASHKB Journal 皇家亞洲學會香港分會學刊 | RAS-1982 https://digitalrepository.lib.hku.hk/catalog/mk61z420p 243 12 Feb. 1863 week. 30 Apr. 1863 second amateur performance of season last amateurs gave fourth performance on Wed. subscription: 1863/64 ― 17 Dec. 1863 1864/65 ― 1865/66 ― first performance "Follies of a Night" vaudeville comedy (J. R. Planche, 1842) "A Kiss in the Dark" given also in 1853. 6 Feb. 1864 on 4th third subscription performance and on 6th third public appearance. 31 Mar. 1864- fourth and last performance of season: "Tailor of Tamworth" (also known as "State Secrets", T. Wilks, 1836) given also in 1861. "Alladin, the Wonderful Scamp" burlesque (T. C. Bryon, 1861) 16 June 1864 ___ public meeting resolved the Amateur Theatrical matshed should be kept up. 13 Oct. 1864 meeting of those interested in Amateur Theatricals agreed to continue them in next season in usual way. 2 Jan. 1865 a visiting professional group, the Lewis Company, gave first subscription night to the subscribers of the Amateurs 9 Nov. 1865 check given to movement for organizing a new Amateur Theatrical Corp by non-attendance at public meeting. To be hoped they shall not collapse in consequence. 1866/67 3 Jan. 1867 first at new Club Lusitano Theatre performance of season of Amateur Dramatic Society: "Sent to the Tower" farce (J. M. Morton, 1850) "Alladin, or The Wonderful Scamp" burlesque extravaganza (T. C. Bryon, 1860) also given in 1864. ― 4 Feb. 1867 second subscription night of Hong Kong Amateur Theatricals: "The Area Belle" farce (Brough and Halliday, 1864) "Shylock, or the Merchant of Venice Preserved" burlesque (F. Talfourd, 1853) 1866/67 7 Mar. 1867 1867/68 Hong Kong Amateur Theatricals third subscription night: "Slasher and Crasher" (J. M. Morton, 1848) given also in 1853. "Raising the Wind" (J. Kennedy, 1803) 23 Mar. 1867 Hong Kong Amateur Theatricals fourth subscription performance. — 28 Sept. 1867 Hong Kong Amateur Theatrical Society propose giving five subscription performances this season. ================================================================================ RASHKB Journal 皇家亞洲學會香港分會學刊 | RAS-1982 https://digitalrepository.lib.hku.hk/catalog/mk61z420p 244 1870/71 P 1871/72 1872/73 1873/74 — 1874/75 — CARL T. SMITH 25 Nov. 1867 first performance of season at Club Lusitano Theatre: "All that Glitters is not Gold" comedy (J. M. Morton, 1851) "Cox and Box, married and settled" farce (F. C. Burnard and J. M. Morton, 1867) 19 Dec. 1867 Hong Kong Amateur Theatrical Society second performance: "Romeo and Juliet" burlesque "Little Toddlekins" farce (J. Mathews, 1852) 4 Nov. 1870 Amateur Dramatic Club first performance of season at Theatre Royal, City Hall. "Diamond Cut Diamond" farce (W. H. Murray, 1838) "Orpheus and Eurydice" burlesque (H. J. Bryon, 1863) 20 Apr. 1871 "I've Written to Brown" farce (T. J. Williams, 1859) burlesque by Francis Talfourd. 28 Apr. 1871 "Ici, en Parlais Francais" (T. J. Williams, 1859) "Shylock, or the Merchant of Venice Preserved" burlesque (F. Talfourd, 1853) also given in 1867. - 26 Jan. 1872 - "The Two Bonnycastles" farce (J. M. Morton, 1851) "Masanielle" burlesque (R. B. Brough, 1857) 21 Feb. 1872 - "The Rifle and how to use it" farce (J. V. Bridgeman, 1859) 11 Apr. 1872 "Castles in the Air" comedy (T. W. Robertson, 1854) Instead of "Castles", the production may have been "Caste" by T. W. Robertson (1867) 3 Jan. 1873 - "Locked In" farce (J. P. Wooler, 1870) "The Cricket on the Hearth" 13 Feb. 1873 "Kenilworth, or Ye Queen, Ye Earl and Ye Maiden", burlesque 13 Apr. 1873 "The Blighted Being" farce (T. Taylor, 1854) "Checkmate" comedy (Andrew Halliday, 1869) 30 Oct. 1873 1853) "Plot and Passion" (T. Taylor and J. Lang, 1853) 15 Nov. 1873 "The Spitalfield Hospital" farcical comedy "Not such a Fool as she Looks" (H. J. Bryon, 1868) 2 Mar. 1874 —— "A Romantic Idea" (J. R. Planche, 1849) "The Steeple Chase" (J. M. Morton, 1865) 5 Apr. 1875 - "Ticket of Leave Man" (T. Taylor, 1863) ================================================================================ RASHKB Journal 皇家亞洲學會香港分會學刊 | RAS-1994 https://digitalrepository.lib.hku.hk/catalog/zk522640g 10 It was not until 1931 that the Club was revived in rented premises on the fourth floor of No. 2 Connaught Road. The club's concert hall was a popular venue for musicals. A singing group, the Liedertafel, was organised in 1873. A pianist, Franz Jachimeck made an eastern tour in 1867. He gave a private recital at the German Club and a public one at the hall of Club Lusitano. The concert included three German songs rendered by an amateur group. In the same year a lighter programme of entertainment was offered to the public in the following advertisement, "Ein Cultur-Historisch und Social Humoristische Vertrag aber Californian mit einem Seitenblick nach Yokohama. Donnerstage abends 9 Uhr in dem kleinen Saale des Oriental Hotel vor Dr. B.B. Schwarzbach, gehalten werden. Billet a $2 sind bei den Herr Lane, Crawford and Co., Hochstetter, Gaup, Cremer". The English speaking community were not deprived of Dr. Schwarzbach's lecture of culture, history and humour, for he repeated it in English a few nights later. One of the highlights in the history of the old Club Germania was the visit of Prince Henry and Princess Irene of the Prussian royal family. Prince Henry was a grandson of Queen Victoria of England. Consequently the event was not confined to the German community. As a finale to the entertainment of the evening, a naval group from the British war ship "Powerful" presented three "real life Tableaux": Ready For Action, Battle Scene, and the Death of Nelson, all representative of British patriotism. Included was a patter song linking the guest of honour with his grandmother: One word before I end my song To welcome in far Hongkong The grandson of our Gracious Queen The Sailor Prince, of course, I mean; To welcome him, may he always be Found playing on the side of the Royal Navy. The warm feelings between Britain and Germany prevailing during the visit of His Royal Highness, were dissipated when war clouds increasingly piled up before August 1914. ================================================================================