RASHKB Journal 皇家亞洲學會香港分會學刊 | RAS-1964
https://digitalrepository.lib.hku.hk/catalog/qz20zx09r
JOURNAL OF OCCURRANCES AT CANTON

37

NOTES ON HUNTER'S JOURNAL

J. L. CRANMER-BYNG and Sir LINDSAY T. RIDE

1 Snow. Peter Wanten Snow, Consul for the United States in Canton. He surrendered the opium in American possession as demanded by Commissioner Lin, and was ready to promise that Americans would cease importing opium, but refused to have anything to do with the bond as the penalties were too severe. (See also note 43, bond.) (L.T.R.)

2 Mr. Forbes. Joined the American firm of Russell & Co. in Canton in October 1838, became a partner 1 January 1839 and eventually was made chief of the house. Robert Bennett Forbes (1804-1889), first arrived in China in 1817. After some years back in the States he returned to China in October 1838 and was admitted a partner of Russell & Co., China on 1 January 1839. He retired in 1844 but had an interest in the firm till 1857. (L.T.R.)

3 Mr. Green. John C. Green of Trenton, New Jersey, first went to China as an agent of N.L. & G. Griswold. In 1834 he was admitted a partner of Russell & Co., China, and retired to New York on 31st December 1839. At the time of the disturbances he was Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce at Canton. He died in 1875. (L.T.R.)

4 Mr. Delano. Warren Delano, Jr. of Fairhaven, Mass., came to China 1834 to join the house of Russell, Sturgis & Co., of Canton and Manila. He was a partner of Russell & Co., China for two terms, 1 January 1840 to 31 December 1846, and January 1861 to 31 December 1866. He was a great-uncle of ex-President F. D. Roosevelt. (L.T.R.)

5 Mr. King.

This is most likely to be Edward King of Newport, R.I., who was taken into the firm of Russell & Co., as a clerk on his arrival at Canton in 1834 in the Silas Richards. On 1 July 1834 he became a partner and retired in 1842 to Newport where he died in 1876.

There was a Charles W. King of Olyphant & Co. in Canton at the time, but as this firm had nothing to do whatsoever with opium, he may not have been confined to the Factory. (L.T.R.)

6 Mr. Low. Abiel Abbott Low (1811-1893) was born in Salem, Massachusetts, and became a leading figure in both the New York and China shipping world. He first worked as a clerk in shipping firms in Salem and in New York and then went to China in 1833 as a clerk in Russell & Co. of which house his uncle, Wm. Henry Low, had been head for some years. He was made a partner in 1837, retired to New York where he founded the firm of A.A. Low & Brothers, famous for its clipper fleet. In 1863 he was President of the New York Chamber of Commerce. (L.T.R.)

7 Spooner. Daniel Nicholson Spooner of Plymouth, Mass. was at this time a clerk in Russell & Co., Canton. He became a partner in January 1843 and retired to Boston on 31 December 1845. He returned to China again as a partner in January 1852, finally retiring in 1857. (L.T.R.)

8 Gilman. Joseph Taylor Gilman of Exeter, New Hampshire, joined Russell & Co., Canton as a Clerk about the same time as Spooner. His dates of partnership and retirement were the same, too, as Spooner's. (L.T.R.)

9 Mouqua. Also spelt Mowqua in pidgin English. His official name as Hong merchant was Lu Ch'i-kuang Lu Wen-wei✰✰ The suffix "qua" signifies "an official". (J.L.C.-B.) and his family name was (kuan in mandarin)
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RASHKB Journal 皇家亞洲學會香港分會學刊 | RAS-1984
https://digitalrepository.lib.hku.hk/catalog/5h73wh572
Trustee British Episcopal Church 1852-1853,199

TALBOT, G.W. 1864-1865

In 1874 he was a partner in Olyphant & Co., Hong Kong. Member of the NCBRAS 1864.201

200

221

Active in amateur dramatics and in March 1864 he participated in performances of the Shanghai Volunteer Theatrical.

TATE, Joseph Priestley 1861-1862

Authorized to sign for Jas. Bowman & Co. April 23, 1858,203 later partner in Blain, Tate & Co.204

Member Committee Shanghai Literary and Scientific Society 1858,205 member NCBRAS till 1873,206 member Recreation Fund Committee 1866.207

Member Committee I.

THORBURN, William 1855-1856

Lived in Shanghai from 1847;208 partner in Hargreaves & Co. till May 17, 1856,209 in Blenkin, Rawson & Co. from August 4, 1856,210 later (1863, 1864) partner in Jarvie, Thorburn & Co.211 Member Committee IV.

Possibly Thorburn Road was named after him.

THORNE, John 1858-1859

Came to China as agent of Wells Fargo & Co.;212 later he acted as a broker.

From its foundation in October 1867 till December 1871 he was editor of "The Shanghai News-Letter for California and the Atlantic States".213

Member Committee Society for the Relief of Distressed Foreigners of All Nationalities, 1865;214 member Committee NCBRAS 1865.215

TURNER, Henry 1862-1863

Manager Agra and United Service Bank 1862.216
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RASHKB Journal 皇家亞洲學會香港分會學刊 | RAS-1986
https://digitalrepository.lib.hku.hk/catalog/jq08c7063
224

CARL SMITH

Secretary of the On Tai Insurance Company. He remained at this post until his retirement in 1898.

During these years he was involved in many other business ventures and in community affairs. He was an enterprising entrepreneur and financier, as well as a prominent public personality.

The organisation of the On Tai Insurance Co was one step in the latter part of the 19th century of the intrusion of Chinese into areas of commerce and finance formerly monopolised by foreign merchants.

With the introduction of steam vessels into the China trade, more and more Chinese firms began to ship by them rather than by junks. Insurance as practised in Western trade was not a feature of traditional Chinese business methods. The more progressive Chinese merchants, however, realised its value. They began to patronise the established marine and fire insurance companies.

These insurance companies were profitable ventures and paid substantial dividends to shareholders. The Chinese, however, found it difficult to acquire shares. They were shut out. The excuse was given that the companies could not determine the financial standing of prospective Chinese shareholders because of the secrecy and complicated arrangement of their firms.

In 1871 a group of Chinese merchants in Hongkong secured the services of the American firm of Olyphant and Co to assist them in organising the Chinese Insurance Company and in providing foreign management for it. At its organisation the board consisted of five foreign merchants and two Chinese.

The press recognised its formation as a revolutionary move in the balance between Chinese and foreign business in China. "The step will mark an important era in the history of commercial affairs in China; as there can be very little doubt that the plan will be followed in other matters besides insurance. It is already well known that the Chinese merchants are large supporters of some of the most important companies, and their adoption of the plan of organising companies consisting avowedly chiefly of Chinese
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RASHKB Journal 皇家亞洲學會香港分會學刊 | RAS-1989
https://digitalrepository.lib.hku.hk/catalog/8336pm92h
215

Programme:

C.M. Von WEBER: "Der Freischütz", overture; by Messrs Essex and Ewing, piano. Sir Henry BISHOP: "Foresters sound the cheerful horn“ (glee). Heinrich PROCH (1809-1878): "Within the grove's deep shadow", a song by Mr. J.P. Tate, W.A. MOZART: String quartet No 7 by Messrs Tate and Howell (violin). Ewing (viola) and Essex (cello). William HORSLEY (1774-1858); "By Celia's Arbour" (glee), F. MENDELSSOHN-BARTHOLDY: "Andante, presto and allegro vivace" (from?) by Messrs Essex and Howell. Ibidem: “Andante and finale" (from?), by Messrs Essex and Howell, Sir Henry BISHOP: "Sleep gentle lady" (glee), William Vincent WALLACE (1813-1865); **The Bellringer", a song by Mr. Essex, F. von FLOTOW: “Allessandro Stradella", fantasia, by Messrs Essex and Howell, William HORSLEY: "See the chariot at hand", song, L. van BEETHOVEN: "Egmont", overture, played on two pianos by Messrs Essex and Ewing.

Th: Theatre Royal (G)

R: This was the first occasion on which the names of the amateur musicians who entertained the public were mentioned. Some can be traced in the **Shanghai Almanac for 1862”. others belonged to the military forces. Thus the names have come to us of the following gentlemen: H. Cope and E.C. Essex (both of Geo. Barnett & Co). D.A.C.G. Ewing. F.R. Gantwell (Silk broker), A.A. Hayes Jr (of Olyphant & Co), Howell, Inglis, J.M. Nixon (of Blain, Tate & Co). J. Priestley Tate (of Blain, Tate & Co; Municipal Council member 1861-1862) and J. Wheatly (of Reiss & Co). In general the Herald was very satisfied: "It was pleasing to see the gentlemen who volunteered to throw aside for the nonce the cares of business and entertain con amore their less gifted fellow residents with a charming chamber concert. Everything was conducted in a quiet gentlemanly manner so that we imagined ourselves in a drawing room more than a theatre. There was no attempt at grandeur of display or extraordinary performance on special instruments which characterize too much the quasi-musical taste of the day where the composition of the author is sacrificed frequently to the execution of the performer and the audience is led to think more of the latter than the former". These were rather stringent remarks for someone living in an area where very few opportunities arose to compare musical qualities of instrumentalists. Yet the argument of faithfulness to the author's or composer's intentions crops up from time to time and that was obviously regarded as important by the Herald. Unfortunately the acoustics of the theatre were not of the very best so that "Mr. TATE's delicate tenor voice (in the song by Proch) could not fill the house sufficiently for all to hear the diminuendo passages of his beautiful voice". (NCH 18.4.1863). The Lancashire Relief Fund had been established in order to help those in Britain who had become a victim of the stoppage of cotton imports from the Southern states of America (due to the Civil War), with the result that numerous labourers in the mills were laid off.

29.4.1863 (Wedn)

Performances by the amateurs of the Royal Artillery.

No titles of plays were recorded.

Th: Theatre Royal (G)

R: In consequence of the "great success" a "Second Fashionable Night” would be given on May 4th (NCH 2.5.1863).

4.5.1863 (Thur)

As on 29.4.1863.

1.8.1863 (Sat)

The last of a series of performances by Mr. Smythe's company. Soloists: Miss Amelia Bailey (singing) and Martin Simonsen (violin) Th. N.N. (H)

Page 240

Page 241
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RASHKB Journal 皇家亞洲學會香港分會學刊 | RAS-1989
https://digitalrepository.lib.hku.hk/catalog/8336pm92h
223

harmonium by D.H. ENGEL

17. "Eupeidee" (German student song and chorus) Th: Olympic Theatre (H)

R: An advertisement only was published in the Herald of 29.10.1864. From it we learn that tickets could be obtained at the premises of Hiram Fogg & Co (ship chandlers, general store and auctioneers; one of the oldest foreign firms in Shanghai, located at the southern end of the Bund); Hall & Holtz (see 29.6.1864); A.A. Hayes Jr (Olyphant & Co, Nanking Road, ex Park Lane); and Herbert Cope (Geo Barnet & Co, Kiangsi Road (ex Church Street) and Hankow Road (ex Custom House Road)). It also becomes clear that there were at that moment at least two theatres in the Settlement: the Lyceum and the Olympic. The programme is interesting for the number of composers which have now been forgotten (Silcher, Kücken, Becker, Werner, etc.) and the piano arrangements of well-known opera arias.

12.11-18.11.1864

W. BROUGH: “Conrad and Medora” (1856)

T: Burlesque pantomime (1 act)

J.B. BUCKSTONE: “Married Life" (1834)

T: Comedy (3 acts)

J.W. MARSTON: "A Hard Struggle" (1858)

T: Domestic drama (1 act)

W. SHAKESPEARE: “King John”, prison scene (Act IV, scene III)

Furthermore:

“Cinderella”, possibly by H.J. BYRON (1860) or T. TAYLOR (1845).

"Wonder"; no contemporary pieces are listed in HED; only: Mrs. S. CENTLIVRE: “The Wonder. A woman keeps a secret” (1714) and H. CAREY: "A Wonder or an honest Yorkshireman" (1735).

C: Lewis A.D.C.

Th: N.N. (E)

R: The Lewis company continued to draw large houses and ventured even to put a Shakespeare scene on the programme, from King John. It proved to be "the hit of the week". In it starred Miss Julia EDouin and Mr. Henry BIRCH: "The acting was perfect. Miss Julia EDouin doing the fullest justice to the character of Prince Arthur and indeed taking the house by storm!" (NCH 19.11.1864).

19.11.1864 Sat

H.J. BYRON: “Aladdin or the Wonderful Scamp” (1861)

T: Burlesque extravaganza (1 act)

C: Lewis A.D.C.

TH: N.N. (U)

N: Benefit of Miss Tilly Earl who played the role of Aladdin

R: NCH 26.11.1864

23.11.1864 (Wedn)

R.B. SHERIDAN: "The Rivals" (1775)

T: Comedy (5 acts)

C: Lewis A.D.C.

TH: N.N. (P)

N: Benefit of Mrs. Gill who played the role of Mrs. Malaprop.

R: NCH 26.11.1864

26.11.1864 (Sat)

H.J. BYRON: "Aladdin or the Wonderful Scamp” (1861)

T: Burlesque extravaganza (1 act)
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RASHKB Journal 皇家亞洲學會香港分會學刊 | RAS-1990
https://digitalrepository.lib.hku.hk/catalog/d79206299
23

2

China: The Land and the People (New York, William Sloane Associates. 1948), pp. 152-153.

3

A most useful survey is given in chapter 4, Autonomous Hong Kong, 1972-1982, of Ian Scott's Political Change and the Crisis of Legitimacy in Hong Kong (London, Hurst and Company, 1989).

4

My government service was mostly spent in departments and in direct contact with the population.

5

Lin Yutang, My Country and My People (New York, Halcyon House, 1938), pp. 203-206.

6

My The Hong Kong Region 1850-1911: Institutions and Leadership in Town and Countryside (Hamden, Connecticut, Archon Books, 1977) and The Rural Communities of Hong Kong: Studies and Themes (Hong Kong, Oxford University Press, 1983) are directed at this theme. See especially the Introduction to the former, at pp. 11-13. See also David Faure, "The Hong Kong History Project”, Journal of the Hong Kong Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society, Vol. 27 (1987), p. 261.

7

Personal letter from Walter Schofield (1888-1968) dated 27 July 1962.

8

Austin Coates, Summary Memoranda on the Southern District of the New Territories, Spring 1955 (Unpublished). He was District Officer between May 1953 and July 1955.

9

Everard Cotes, Signs and Portents in the Far East (London, Methuen & Co., n.d. but 1907), pp. 110-111,

10

Rev. R.H. Graves, D.D., Forty Years in China, or China in Transition (Baltimore, R.H. Woodward Company, 1895), pp. 18-19,

11

Reginald F. Johnston, Confucianism and Modern China (London, Victor Gollancz Ltd., 1934), p. 66, citing Mencius, Book 1, Part 2, Chapter viii.

12

13

Stuart Schram, Mao Tse-tung (Harmondsworth, Penguin Books, 1967), p. 21.

14

Herbert Giles gives numerous examples in the chapter "Democratic China" at pp. 75-106 of his China and the Chinese (New York, The Columbia University Press, 1912). Many others are cited by Kung-Chuan Hsiao, Rural China, Imperial Control in the Nineteenth Century (Seattle, University of Washington Press, 1960), pp. 433-440.

15

I am uncertain whether this record was engraved on a stone which has since been lost, or whether it only ever existed on paper. Either way, the original is now lost, and I cannot now recall who was kind enough to give me a copy.

16

My early lectures came from male and female indigenous New Territories villagers living in remote places at a time when modernization had not yet set in; it was seemingly part of the tradition.

17

In Leonard A. Lyall, China (London, Ernest Benn. 1944). p. 99.

18

E.R. Hughes, The Invasion of China by the Western World (London, Adam and Charles Black, 1937), p. 157.

19

Arthur H. Smith, China in Convulsion (Edinburgh, Oliphant, Anderson and Ferrier. 1901), Vol. 1, p. 6. Striving to convey to his readers and listeners the power of these teachings, he explained that ... the tenets of Confucianism, as a whole and in detail, [are] intellectually and psychologically appropriated by the Chinese as on a par with a law of nature.

20

Yang Kang, Daughter, An Autobiographical Novel, (Beijing, Phoenix Books: Foreign Languages Press, 1988) pp. 225-226, and see also pp. 67-74, 80-83 of this fascinating book.
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RASHKB Journal 皇家亞洲學會香港分會學刊 | RAS-2000
https://digitalrepository.lib.hku.hk/catalog/nk328168n
17

⚫ M. Greenberg (see bibliography).

X

0

10

It was mentioned in the Egyptian Papyrus of Ebers, c.2000 BC, and by the Greek Theophrastus, 3rd century BC.

M. Booth: Opium: A History, London 1996, p.104.

An inferior quality opium was grown in Zhejiang Province. Chinese government made efforts to suppress it (1831).

H.B.Morse: Trade and Administration of the Chinese Empire, New York, 1908, p.341.

'Imperialism' is used to describe the system whereby one nation acquires political and economic control over another less technologically developed nation. "Colonialism" is more difficult to define. Originally the term applied to a settlement of the subjects of a country in lands beyond its boundaries who remain subject to or connected with the parent state. However, in recent times the two terms have been used synonymously,

Greenberg, M., British Trade and the Opening of China 1800-42.

13 American firms Olyphant & Co, and Nathan Dunn & Co.; their strict Quaker moral principles prevented them from trading in opium.

14 Another, highly improbable, anecdote relates that Macartney asked the Emperor to enter into an alliance with Britain against the French, to which The Emperor allegedly replied that he was not concerned with the "barbarians' petty squabbles" outside his domain.

S

15 Secretary to the Court of Directors of the East India Company.

16 S. Bard: Traders of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 1993, p.30.

17 Anon.: China: Pictorial, Descriptive, and Historical, London 1853, p.231.

18 Reproduced by courtesy of Charlotte Horstmann & Gerald Godfrey Ltd., Hong Kong.

19 The belief probably had its origin in the prevalent practice in Europe of a 'seasonal
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