August 1, 189 5.1
"aimless rhetoric, and to distract the atten- "tion of his hearers from the real point at "issue by eloquent digressions and skilled appeals to religious prejudice." Truly THOMAS kept his claws and his beak in
#1
readiness.
6.
HUXLEY was a devoted student of the Bible
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
thorisation secured
was
75
Government would do, but nevertheless an impression prevails that, notwithstanding occasional official utterances to the con-
trary, the Government would not prove sympathetic to new enterprises and that the demands of the Public Works
PUBLIC COMPANIES AND THEIR DIVIDENDS.
population of Hongkong in 1871 160,402, in 1891 221,441, and it is at present 124,198, id 1876 139,144, in 1881 estimated at close on 250,000. While the population of Shanghai bas more than trebled itself during the last twenty-five HUXLEY constantly opposed the wishes of his friends to bend his literary ability itself. But the most extraordinary increase unduly onerous.
years that of Hongkong has barely doubled Department and the Treasury might prove to the writing of
Shanghai is governed by. Boule great master. piece. He was content with the minor rôle occurred during the last five years, amount-who know what the Settlement requires and in the case of Shanghai is that which has representatives of the European community of being the expositor and popularizer of science and scientific education and ing as it does to no less than 43 per cent. whose interest it is to promote its prosperity. especially of being the skirmisher in This rapid growth is due principally to the Hongkong on the other hand is governed the battle over evolution. He was the un-and is suggestive of what may be expected let it be said, but men who are not in development of manufacturing industries, by officials, conscientions and able officials tiring opponent of that ecclesiastical spirit in the future, now, that the difficulties with touch with trade and its requirements. "of clericalism which in England as every.
the where else is the deadly enemy of science." respect to importation of foreign Sometimes one may hear a preference ex- His attitude to clericalism was unfortunately machinery have been removed and au- pressed for the Hongkong system, with its confounded with his attitude to Christianity, establishment of foreign enterprises. The who have a personal liking for that sort of for the unrestricted red tape and its gold luce, but those and had a deep reverence for the noble probability of Shanghai becoming a second thing seem to give the preference to Shang- ethics both of the old and new testaments. in point of population the Settlement alreadying a factory. Precisely how much weight Manchester has often been spoken of, and hai when it comes to a question of establish- He was less appreciative of the Pauline theology and spirit. He knew that the new And while Shanghai is thus forging ahead government may have in determining the begins to run Cottonopolis rather closely. the question of the different forms of truths of science have ever been opposed by Hongkong lags in the rear with no im- preference it would be impossible to say theologians, that when in power the latter mediate prospect of any such improvement but that the form of government does have tried to suppress known facts, to per-
an influence on the industria I secute their searchers, and to deny them as its northern neighbour is enjoying. As the exercise when ascertained, Calling new truth un emporium for Southern China the position of development of a community cannot be belief they banned it as sin and racked the not phenomenal increase of its population were allowed to manage its own affairs the this colony is assured and a steady though gainsaid. If the Hongkong community discoverers 28 sinners; they elevated credulity into virtue, degraded scepticism may be looked for as a consequence of the effect could not fail to be beneficial. into vice, and then as the custodian of public it not rival Shanghai as an industrial centre? growth of its commerce. But why should morals acted accordingly. The scientists on the other hand deemed credulity an intellec- Shanghai certainly has an advantage in be- tual vice, and held scepticism to be a scien- ing in close communication with the cotton tific virtue. Maintaining that the search growing districts, and as the commercial
The results of the half-year's working of and discovery of truth cannot but be pleas- metropolis of Central and Northern China it the Hongkong and Shanghai Bank, the ing to the God of truth they denied that an should first fake root there.
is perhaps natural that the textile industry Hongkong and Whampoa Dock Co., Limited, idea could be true in theology and false in
Hongkong, and the Hongkong, Canton, and Macao philosophy or vice versa. Herein lay Hur- however, also has advantages of situation, Steamboat Co., Limited, have now been made. LET's chief difference with clericalism and and has a market close to its doors, yet known, though the formal report of the Dock the feeble kneed. He fought an incessant
the establishment of cotton manufac- Co. has not yet been issued. There is a feel- battle with those when he called " the Bashi tures is now liardly spoken of. Perhaps the ing of disappointment amongst shareholders "Bazouks of ignorance, and the Cossacks of deficiencies of internal communication may that increased dividends are not to be paid, but bave something to do with the matter. The a little examination will show the dissatis- city has been spoken of as answering to the fied parties, we think, that there is no good He took an active and beneficent part in mathematical definition of a straight line, ground for complaint. It is sometimes all sorts of social work. His poverty in amely, length without breadth. That is asked, why should the present generation creed never impaired his riches in good not a favourable configuration for a manu- of shareholders lay up surplus funds for works; like so many others in these times, facturing town, but the disadvantage might their successors? The reply is simple. The the fact that he refused assent to the thau-be overcome to a great extent by the laying business of a public company should be maturgy and dogma of the Church did not and west ends and afford ready access to all business of a private individual and in the of a tramway which would connect the east worked on the same principles as tho hinder him in practical following of the Great Exemplar. As a member of the first parts. When last that project was mooted interest of the bona fide investor, not in that London School Board, and of countless two objections were urged to it one, that of the speculator who may happen to be a share- Royal and Parliamentary Committees which Queen's Road was unsuitable, on account holler for the time being only. The perma concerned social weal and scientific welfare, of its narrowness, for a tramway and that nent prosperity of the company is what the he did splendid work. The present condi-
we must wait until the completion of the directors have to look to. In the case of the tion of the British salmon fishery is largely reclamation rendered available the broad Hongkong and Shanghai Bank the profits, due to his scientific prescience and robust street which is to take the place of the pre-including the amount brought forward, common sense. In Mr. WALLACE, Lord sent Praya; and, second, that a tramway amount to $1,763,802, and the directors KELVIN, and HERBERT SPENCER, HUXLEY might interfere with the earnings of the propose to pay a dividend of 58, per has left more than his compeers in intellec jinricksha coolies. The latter, though share, to carry $500,000 to credit of reserve tual force; but it is doubtful if in a whole gravely advanced by the head of the Govern- fund, and to carry forward to next half year generation fruitful in able men there was ment, may be dismissed as too absurd about $300,000. Some of the shareholders one with so unique an endowment as his for serious consideration, and as to the first think that instead of carrying this large sum Most certainly there was not one who objection, the new street will before long be forward a bonus of 5s. per share might be put out his talents to better purpose; and available. It would not be easy to trace paid. The directors, however, seem to think few who deserved so well of their fellow any direct connection between laying a
it prudent to wait for the completion of the tramway
and starting a factory, but, second half of the year before making any speaking generally, few things cold change in the return to shareholders, and in THE PROGRESS OF SHANGHAI AND be more conducive to the development doing so they are on the safe side. Every of manufacturing industry in the colony one naturally hopes that the dividend may than improving its communications by be increased, as in ordinary course it will be The recent census taken at Shanghai shows carrying a line of tramway from Cause if the profits maintain their recent high level, that the Model Settlement is progressing way Bay to Kennedytown. In searching for But it is wise not to be in too great a hurry. more rapidly than Hongkong. Its growth reasons why Hongkong should be left be is, indeed, almost as phenomenal as that of hind by Shanghai in
With reference to the Hongkong and some of the mushroom cities of America. dustrial progress the different forms of increased dividend
the rate of in- Whampoa Dock Co, the expectation of an The figures, for the native population, for government also suggests itself as possibly very sleuder grounds, notwithstanding the must have rested on the last six quinquennial periods are as having some influence. An impression follow:-1870, 75,047, 1876, 95,662; 1880,|prevails that
great prosperity enjoyed, for it has for years tho Hongkong Govern- 107,812; 1885, 125,665; 1890, 168,129; ment, with its
past been the declared policy of this red tape, is obstructive 1895, 240,995. These figures are exclusive to enterprise
company not to increase its returns We question whether any-to shareholders of the population of the French Concession, one who has seriously thought of start-its loans.
until it has paid off who number 55,188, which brings the total ing a new industry in Hongkong has been Chairman, the late Mr. HOPPIUS, after Only two years ago the then population up to over 300,000. The total deterred by considerations of what the reminding the shareholders
"sectarianism," and unfortunately he most often found these among the clergy.
own.
men.
HONGKONG.
*
that their
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