August 29, 1895,|
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.'
181
are tempted to ask in which science the mis sustenance we may whilst making it outwardly sionaries are educating the people. Surely not in beautiful by sticking on to it little ornamental
AN OLD VIOLIN. all the sciences, and if not in all who has decided novelties here and there ? which one is the most appropriate for any parti- it the bright lamp of our best knowledge and Shall we hold up to
BY O. P. B. onlar distriot ? It will hardly be maintained trust that the dumb cold stone will be permeated fine genuine Cremona present itself in Hong-
Not often does an opportunity of soquiring that it would be advisable to teach all the in- by its rays ? Shall we rest content with chip-kong. The great deman! for these grand old habitants of one village astronomy because the ping off small bits now and again in retaliation violins, so apparent within recent years, would evangelist assigned to that place happened to have for the crushing of our feet caused by its ocoa- lead one to expect that the few of these precious a knowledge of that science. Moreover, the sional slow oscillations, which chippings are of instruments now remaining would readily fetch questions naturally arise, what preparation se declioate a nature as to affect in no way what- the highest prices, and the odds would be have the missionaries had to place them in the position of being able to educate the less its centre and remote sides? Or shall we offer in the open market out here of an instrn- ever the surrounding portions of the mass, much against Hongkong residents being given the people in one or more sciences; what reason with superior force once for all shatter the mass ment of such rare worth. We were, however, is there for believing that missionaries are so into fragments, freeing the road for ever from so afforded such an opportunity on Saturday. far above the average of men that they are able great an obstruction, and use the portions to perform effectually a double task beyond the to the best advantage of all who travel on power of most of their fellow creatures; and it? If we comprehend aright the true nature what course of action is adopted in answer to enquiries from their Chinese students when which China is one, we shall see that the last is of social aggregates of the first order," of cases arise in which the facts taught under the only real and permanent solution of the the head of science are at variance with question here discussed. Were China young and and opposed to the facts taught under the incivilized, the case might be different; but we head of duty or faith? It is quite new to constantly forget that she is old and uncivilized, us that missionaries were scientific lecturers in and that alters the case completely. Being too disguise and had silently taken up this para-stiff to move of itself, too hard to be rapidly molli-immortal Paganini the proceedings in the doxical position. If what we are told is true,fied, too massive to "have the decency to die out," then the position itself, is its own sufficient
-answer.
as
would have
of the tamest affairs of the kind ever seen. As it was, the sale on Saturday last was one Hardly half-a-dozen purchasers turned up, and the bidding for this precious gem of the art industry of violin making was confined to two gentlemen only. Starting the first bid at $120 the competition was steadily maintained until the maximum of $200 was reached. first, second, third and last time the bid was For the called out, and no higher being offered the buying on behalf of Captain Cruickshank. A flue Thammer was knocked down to Mr. Maclshose, specimen of a latter day Guanerius with bow and ease was given away for just £20 !
ceedingly elegant, and in weight and finish is The bow, one of Hill's best make, is ex- just what one would consider the very model of perfection.
of a Cremona-the heirloom possibly of many a For the last week or two a very good specimen generation for the last hundred and fifty years. Had such a chance been thrown in the way of was advertised for sale by public auction, any other community than that of Hong. kong the greatest enthusiasm been aroused, not among admirers of the lovers of the beautiful. By the disciples of the Cremonese school alone, but among all true
auction room would have been watched with as other smaller aggregates of similar structure the keenest interest, and the enthusiasm fired by have done, there is no alternative but to deal admiration of a piece of " maple and sycamore There is also in this case the restriction put with the society in the manner here indicated. on the work by those in authority, almost with- Apart from and underlying all that has herevation, would have been difficult to check.
150 years old, in a wonderful condition of preser. out exception antagonistic to it. And there is, been said with regard to our proper attitude too, the element of speed to be taken into towards this immense rigid aggregate, there is account. Believing as we do that European another and very significant reason why the nations are progressing morally as well as physi- conclusion reached must be regarded as the true cally and intellectually, it can be considered no solution of the problem. Startling though the very grand achievement for the Chinese to have statement may be, the position to be now de- risen by our aid to the level of Christian morality fended is that the civilization of the Chinese is by the time that all the rest of the world in itself not the object to be simed at. Though has reached a still higher level. We have no unable to keep up with civilization at the wish to disparage the good that Christianity rate at which it now travels, the Chinese is doing and has done (though we believe that are well able to maintain nations would get on much better if they left lovel. The structure of the society, in faot, their present each other's religion alone); but if we have risen makes that the easiest thing for them to do. to Christianity from a morality which admitted Though it may not improve in quality it may of murdering your neighbour and abducting his well improve in quantity. Unless cut down the wife, and considered it rather a fine thing to do, weed will spread, but any amount of spreading why not from Christianity to something still will only leave it a weed still. It will never higher? We do not deny that as we have become a tulip or a rose. It is much more likely progressed from the foot messenger to the to smother these growths of higher quality and telephone so we shall certainly in time scatter in their place its own inferior seed. In cloth, appears to be a good copy of the European The case, of polished teak, lined with heavy rise from the telephone to something far beyond.
this simile we see the great danger of not manufacture made by Chinese workmen, What warrant have we for outting down believing that in the moral world alone things weed in
or restrioting the Chirese As has been observed, the violin itself is in time. If in a position to com- very good condition, though slight cracks may must come to a standstill ? If we are honest we mand and 800 that must confess that we have no warrant.
our commands are be seen in the table. Should carried out we can take such measures as will at all from senility, but a close examination The back has not suffered it be maintained that the code is perfect though secure the end desired, and free future genera- would reveal the fact that it had been, at one we have not yet succeeded in acting up to it, we tions from the danger of a competition with time or another, entrusted to a careful and con- reply that it would seem to be our first duty to thousands of millions of men of a low type, whose scientious repairer. On the whole, considering see to our own salvation before beginning to vast numbers and cheap ideal of life will be more apply the method to others and urging them to effective weapons than guns and bayonets It with which the violin has been preserved against the trying climate of Hongkong, by the care do what we cannot do ourselves. There is may be difficult to agree on so important a besides nothing to justify, but much to discredit, matter, but it will be well to do so before it is country—the late possessor has shown his trne the destructive elements--so numerous in this the belief that the Chinese can reach the level too late. The question is one of life and death-appreciation of the instrument's worth. By we have now attained any quicker than we have of the supremacy of the bad and extinction of him maybe it was prized no less than the done-which is not good enough under the con- the good. Why should it not be settled now? Duiffoprugoar (Hill's) of unknown antiquity. ditions presented in the problem. The position is Turn the facts this way or that way they do but untenable. We must progress from higher point to the same truth and the same danger. of interest to musical readers.
A word or two about the violin itself may be things to higher, physically, intellectually, andTo avert so vast a calamity is surely worth an
I therefore morally, or else be trampled under foot by those effort. We have been at much pains in times as they appeared to me.
venture to briefly note its chief characteristics who do; and it is extremely unlikely that in this gone by to make sure the survival of the best size and bears the ticket-
It is rather small in imperfect world we should have already attained civilization; what cause have we for presuming perfection in that most difficult of all depart that the hour has come to stay our hand ? If
"Peter Guanerius fecit. ments the moral world.
Cremone Anno 17" we are satisfied that the Chinese race threatens Now, I am inclined to think it the work of the the future happiness of the world, then our duty younger Peter Guanerius, son of Joseph (not is plain. The sooner the operation is performed the great Joseph del Jesu), and grandson of the less painful will it be. For China the ling. Andreas Guanerius, the first who made this name, ch'ih process is not only the most appropriate great. Peter flourished just about the middle of one, but it is the only effectual one, and the only the eighteenth century, working first at the satisfactory solution of this question. Having town of Cremona (1725-1740) and for the next begun this process and carried it on for some twenty years at Venice. His work is after the time there is no reason why we should not carry model of the first Guanerins. Whatever may be it to the end. Nearly all the limbs being now said by some connoisseurs of the inferiority of severed, it is alike our highest wisdom and our greatest mercy to delay as little as possible the greater masters, its want of perfection and
this maker's production, as compared with the final stab into the heart.
lack of beanty in its completeness, the tone of this particular instrument is full of charm to me Taking up the violin 28 it lay in its Among the reforms recommended to the case Throne by the high authorities, says the N. C. chords on it.
in the auction room I played a few Daily News, are the doing away with the expense were strong and sweet. Each note was ex- The first and second strings of the Director-Generalships of the Grand Canal quisitely clear. The third and fourth strings, and the Yellow River; the substitution of rail- however, were weak and tubby, particularly the ways for the Imperial post couriers; and the latter. On these failings alone it would not be complete transformation of the territorial seden- safe for one to disparage the merits of this tary armies into disciplined battalions after the masterpiece, for it appeared to feel the estrange- German system. Also to qualify for the licen- ment of a new bridge, which not infrequently, tiate and chujén degrees a knowledge of maths- accounts for the incomplete harmonious render- matics, international law, and foreign historying of the notes as a whole. It has been found will be essential in future literary examinations, that an old seasoned and well fitted bridge is
Did no other reasons exist, these would be enough of themselves to show that neither in this proposition any more than in the one first desit with is the true solution of the matter to be found, If in the navigation of a ship the cap. tain is constantly hampered by others of higher authority and ignorant of navigation, and his suggestions opposed or ignored; if he is allowed only to take charge of one portion of the conduct of the ship and that under the orders of his ignorant superiors, each anxious for his own and caring nothing for the general good, whilst the rest is managed independently and on radically different lines, it is very probable that the ship will shortly become a total wreck. Only by placing the whole vessel in competent hands with full power to work it to the best ends, can any satisfactory progress be made.
If in the straight and narrow road leading to Peace and Liberty there lies an immense boulder, incapable of moving itself and to large to be rolled out of the way, what method shall be adopted for its removal? Shall we speak to it in pleasing words? Will angry threats which remain ever only threats avail aught? Shall we ait down underneath it and draw from it what
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