Richard Wilhelm (1873-1930)

George H. Danton, "Richard Wilhelm: Sinolog", Book Abroad: An International Quarterly of Comment on Foreign Books, vol. 4, no. 2 (April, 1930), pp. 124-6.

George Palmer Putnam's missed fortune with Japan

George Palmer Putnam, George Palmer Putnam: A Memoir, together with a record of the earlier years of the publishing house founded by him (New York: G. P. Putnam's Sons, 1912).

Chapter XX

In 1867, there came to my father a business opportunity such as he had not frequently been favoured with, and which gave fair promise of very large and continued returns. It really seemed as if in this second stage of his business career, he was going to make a fortune. The fortune this time was lost, or rather failed to be made, through no error of judgment of his own, but from complications entirely outside of the control of the American publisher. (p. 414)

As these pupils returned to Tokio, they were instructed to bring with them specimens of the textbooks that they had been utilising in their higher-grade work, and also selections from those that were in use for the high schools and common schools. A careful examination was made as to the difficulties with which capable Japanese students had had to contend in mastering the languages and in coming to an understanding of the textbooks of these different countries. Some experiments were also made in the work of producing Japanese versions of German, French, English, and Dutch text-books. It was finally decided that it would be easier for the educational work required to utilise for text-book purposes a foreign language than to attempt to secure Japanese versions of books containing a long series of foreign terms for which there were no accurate Japanese equivalents. It was further decided, after a very careful comparison of the different national series of text-books, and also of the experiences of the students, that the English language was better suited for the requirements than the French, German, or Dutch. The Dutch language was, by the way, the first European tongue with which the Japanese had become acquainted. The final comparison was made between English and American text-books, and in this the preference was given to the books produced in the United States. The Minister of Public Education, Ono Tomogoro, with one or more interpreters and a staff of (p. 415) assistants, decided, in 1867, himself to make a journey to the United States for the purpose of selecting a series of American text-books for the Japanese schools, and at the same time of familiarising himself with American educational methods. He brought letters of introduction from the Tycoon's Minister of State to the President (Johnson) and to Mr. Seward, who was then Secretary of State. He also naturally took counsel with the Japanese Ambassador in Washington, Arinori Mori [森有礼], who was a scholarly and wide-minded statesman. Ambassador Mori had become known to my father through Mr. Seward, and had had occasion to ask some little service of my father in connection with the printing of a memorial or monograph which Mori had prepared on the subject of national religious toleration. In this monograph, the Japanese scholar took the highest possible ground in behalf of freedom of religious belief, and contended that the only responsibility that rested upon the national Government was to secure and to protect all groups of its citizens in the exercise of such freedom. ...

... My father's personal relations with the Japanese Minister and his old-time friendship with Mr. Seward, Secretary of State, caused him to be recommended to Ono Tomogoro [小野友五郎] as the best man to advise him in the matter of the formation of a text-book system and in the selection of the books themselves. The Minister called at our office in Broadway with his letters, an aid, and an interpreter. (p. 417) My father had received from Washington notice of his coming and was, therefore, to some extent prepared for the commission. The errand was explained, and the interpreter was instructed to make clear to the American publisher that the matter was one of considerable importance. The Minister wanted to take back with him, or to have sent by the following steamer, what he called a series of samples of the text-books, after the scheme or suggestions submitted had received his approval. He then wanted to execute a contract with the House recommended to him (in this case G. P. Putnam & Son) for the purchase from quarter to quarter or from half-year to half-year of such supplies of books as would be required for the high schools and the common schools of a nation of thirty millions of people. I remember particularly one remark made by the Minister which, while uttered in perfectly good faith, proved, unfortunately, not to be well founded. ... (p. 418)

My father gave, in company with myself and one or two other assistants, a fortnight's time to working up the scheme required for the text-books. As soon as some knowledge leaked out among the educational publishers of the nature of the business of our Japanese visitor, we were naturally enough beset with offers of lines of schoolbooks, and with very liberal suggestions concerning the commissions that would be paid to our House on the sales of any American books of which we might secure the introduction. It is probable (in accordance with the very frequent routine of trade) that the size of the commissions offered was in inverse proportion to the actual value of the books or to their relative value for the particular requirements. In any case, my father's selections were arrived at entirely irrespective of the relative margin of profit to the Putnams on one book or another. He gave pains simply to the preparation of a scheme which should present for Japanese schoolboys the most practical and most effective system of common-school education in the several branches indicated in the Minister's instructions. The tentative contracts for the books selected were made with the most responsible educational book publishers in the country. The scheme was submitted to Ono Tomogoro, and was promptly approved, and sample lots of the (p. 419) books were ordered, amounting in value to about $20,000. These first lots were promptly packed and started for Japan a few days after the departure of the Minister. The books were never seen by either the Minister or his assistants, but on the presentation of the invoices we received drafts on London for the full amount of our account.

The beginning of business with a "permanent customer" of this importance certainly seemed in every way promising. If the commissioner's calculations could be depended upon, our annual orders were going to amount to a million dollars or more, amounts which would in the course of a few years have left for the Putnam firm a substantial fortune. In the course of a few weeks' time, a representative of the firm started for Japan, by way of San Francisco, to receive the first series of orders, and to put into train in Yokohama and in Tokio the necessary machinery under which future orders would be cared for. He reached Yokohama a few weeks after the outbreak of the rebellion against the Government of the Tycoon, a rebellion which was instigated and carried on in the name of the defenders of the Mikado. The latter was, as is, of course, made clear in Japanese history, the titular head of the Government ; but for a term of a century or more (I am not taking time at this moment to look up the precise dates), the Mikado had been relegated to seclusion, and his responsibilities were apparently restricted to the headship of the ecclesiastical organisation. ... (p. 420)

Among the changes which were put into force were certain measures relating to the school system and providing for the organisation of a central educational institution or university, the chief direction of which was for many years in the hands of foreign instructors, largely American. The plan, however, for utilising American text-books, or any text-books in foreign languages, was, for the most part, given up. The use of a foreign language for educational purposes was restricted to works in higher technical science and in a few other divisions of instruction. With a rapidity that, considering the obstacles, was certainly noteworthy, a great series of common-school text-books in the Japanese language was produced and put into use in the schools. In some way or other, the original difficulty of the lack of equivalent terms was overcome.

Our representative learned, on landing in Yokohama, (p. 420) that all foreigners had already been expelled from Tokio. Trusting, however, to his introductions (he had with him letters of commendation left for the purpose by Ono Tomogoro and other letters from Mori and from Secretary Seward), he took the risk of making his way (in the face of rather peremptory prohibitions) to the capital and remained there for some weeks. He found in the Tokio custom-house the cases containing our books, just as they had been shipped. The cases had not been opened, and, in fact, the officials who were responsible for receiving them had already fled or were out of office. As far as our relations with the Japanese Government were concerned, we should apparently have been quite safe if we had rilled the cases with bricks instead of books. He was informed that two or three of the higher officials who were named in his letters had already committed hara-kiri, and were, therefore, not available for his purposes. After waiting a week or two in the capital, he was compelled to return to Yokohama. There he delayed for some little time in the hope that the rebellion would prove to be but a temporary outbreak. When it became certain that the Tycoon's Government was overthrown and that the civil war was likely to persist not only for months but for years, there was nothing for him to do but to return to San Francisco and to New York. ...

After the return of our representative to New York, one of the Daimios, or provincial princes, initiated correspondence concerning certain supplies of books required for his own principality. This Daimio was an adherent of the party of the Tycoon. His principality covered (p. 422) some islands and a portion of the mainland in the south, and after the Tycoon's main armies had been defeated, the Daimio kept up some contest (the Mikado's party naturally called it rebellion) on his own account for about three years. ... In the end, some terms were arrived at under which, without actually being overcome, the southern Daimio accepted the new order of things and disarmed his forces. During this time of independent action, he remained a customer of our House in New York. Our name had possibly been given to him by Mori, but a member of his own local government had, I think, been on the staff of Tomogoro.

The orders to us during these two or three years covered chiefly supplies of American text-books, but not exclusively of those that had been specified in the original selections. Jn addition to these common-school supplies, the orders called for a number of books for higher-grade classes, and I suppose that the Daimio must have instituted in his own capital something in the shape of collegiate work. I remember among other works supplies of Watts on the Mind, Paley's Moral Philosophy, etc.

The Daimio employed during his campaigns the services of a number of Americans and other foreigners having knowledge of army organisation and military practice. Under the suggestions of these advisers, he included in his orders for books works on artillery practice, infantry and cavalry drill, bridge-building, etc. Finally, in connection, I believe, with illness among his troops, and under some counsel that was evidently not that of a regular practitioner, he found occasion for supplies of patent medicines, the orders for which were jumbled in with the lists of moral philosophy and infantry tactics. I remember, after the (p. 423) arrival of one Japanese order, my father giving me a note to John F. Henry, who was the head of one of the large patent medicine houses in the city. ... 

When our Daimio's rebellion had been overcome, his business correspondence with our House came to an end. I imagine that his school system must have been assimilated with that of the Empire as a whole. Since that date, increasing numbers of American works in higher education have found their way into Japan, but the heads of colleges or of educational departments and the Japanese dealers have found it to their advantage to place these orders directly with the American publishers. The commonschool books are, as explained, now written in the Japanese language and are manufactured in Japan.

For a series of years after the establishment of the Government of the Mikado, the printer-publishers of Japan carried on a satisfactory business in reprinting American and European books that had been found suited for the requirements of the Japanese schools, and the larger portion of the text-books and works of reference so appropriated originated in the United States. The shrewd Japanese left to the American publishers the initiative and the expense of securing the introduction of the books, a work that involved, of necessity, considerable expense in sending skilled educational travellers to Japan and in the distribution of specimen copies. When the books were generally accepted and a current demand for them had been established, the Japanese printers were ready, (p. 424) partly through the use of photographic processes, to produce reprints at a price perhaps one third, or not to exceed one half, of that which it was necessary to charge for the American editions. The risk of appropriation of Japanese literature either in Europe or in the United States was, of course, inconsiderable, and Japan had, therefore, good business grounds for remaining outside of copyright conventions. The desire, however, to be fully accepted into the comity of nations caused the Japanese Government to secure membership in the Convention of Berne in 1899; while, in 1906, it took the further step of arranging for a copyright treaty with the United States. The Japanese publishers were, therefore, called upon, for the sake of the dignity of the nation, to sacrifice a business that had been for them decidedly advantageous. (p. 425)

A New Yorker in Japan in 1868

Three letters were by John Bishop Putnam (1849-1915), son of the American publisher George Palmer Putnam (1814-1872), in Japan to his family: "Family Letters from Japan," Putnam's Magazine 1(May1868): 631-35; "A New Yorker in Japan," Putnam's Magazine 1 (June 1868): 758-62; and "A Visit to Yedo," Putnam's Magazine 2 (July 1868): 103-6.

"A New Yorker in Japan," Putnam's Magazine 1 (June 1868): 758-62.

YOKOHAMA, February 1 , 1868.

Most of the houses in Yokohama are of a single story , and are built of a light framework of wood, covered with small square slate, neatly joined by ridges of white mortar ; the roofs are covered with tile, also cemented by mortar ; thus giving to the town a sort of checkered appearance that from a distance is very neat. Since the fire of 1866 , which swept away a large portion of the foreign settlement, quite a number of houses have been erected of a light-green stone, almost equal to marble in texture - dear-bought experience teaching merchants that flames lick up tile-buildings as if they were tinder.

Besides these there are a number of godwons built of mud, which are said to stand any amount of fire without injury; indeed, the Japanese merchants consign their valuables to a mud godown, feeling as much confidence in it as we should in a Herring safe.

The native town, although containing but few fine buildings, is by far the most interesting place to a stranger, Entering "Cuio-street," the Broadway of the town, I was first struck by the extreme neatness and cleanliness of every thing. Each street is swept scrupulously clean daily, and there is scarcely a city in the world whose corporation could not learn a lesson from the towns and villages of Japan on this point. On each side of this street, and extending for half a mile, are the wonderful "Curio stores." The first of these, appearing to have full confidence in the pockets of its American customers, has a sign over the entrance on which, in large letters, we read, "The 4th of July Store." On the opposite aide of the street is the great bronze establishment, containing some splendid samples of Japaneae art. Although their instruments for this work are of the rudest description, they succeed in turning out some beautiful articles; indeed, their large bronze vases are wonderful. Standing about five feet high, they are covered with the most intricate and delicate work of vines and leaves, birds and snakes. Next door we found some beautiful tortoise-shell ware, card-baskets made from which are exceedingly rich; here also was a large assortment of ivory goods, from which every variety of article is manufactured. 

Small ivory cabinets made from a solid block of tusk, without a joint of any description; charms, studs, and sleeve-buttons; balls of ivory on which the most exquisite miniature landscapes are cut; and boxes and goblets beautifully unlaid with minute, life-like representations of flies and bright-colored insects. Besides these articles, there is the much-famed lacquer ware, which has greatly deteriorated in quality the last few years, owing partly to the increased demand, but principally to the fact that all but the initiated can be humbugged with the inferior article. There are but one or two men in the town who keep really fine specimens of lacquer ware, and these can only be bought at what appeared to me an alarming figure. Indeed, those who "go shopping" with the idea that, because they are in Japan, they can make unlimited purchases without lightening their purse, will find themselves grievously disappointed. I found that, if we paid the prices asked by some of the dealers, we should soon discover that Yokohama is the dearest place in the world to buy Japanese articles. The only way to deal witht he fellows to advantage, is to take plenty of time for the operation, and to have no conscientious scruples about "Jewing."

On entering one of the stores, we are saluted by the proprietors, who are almost invariably found seated on the floor in the squatting posture of Eastern nations, with a profound bow, and "oh hayo" (good-morning), to whch we reply with all politeness. Taking up a small ivory cabinet, I asked, "How muchee?" "One hundred fifty ichiboos" (fifty dollars). The cabinet is immdiately dropped as if it had been hot, and we starte to leave the shop, when the proprietor calls our attention to the fact that it is "numb' one" (the best), and asks us to "makee talkee how muchee give." "Seventy-five ichiboos." He considers this an excellent joke, and says, "Make talkee true pricee." A gentleman who is with me now offers one hundred ichiboos, and on his refusing to accept this, we leave the establishment; but before we have gone far we are recalled, and our terms accepted. This is the modus operandi for the majority of purchases, but there are one or two stores in the (p. 758) town, containing some of the finest specimens, on which, with no amount of bargaining, can one obtain the alightest reduction. They persistently call your attention to the placard over the door, which informs all whom it may concern that this is a "One-Price Store;" and, indeed, they are no independent about disposing of their goods, that a person feels as though he were treated with peculiar consideration in being allowed to make any pruchases whatever.

At the end of Curio-street is the large and aristocratic bookstore of Yokohama, in which all the choice literature of the day can br found. Here are military books and naval books, illustrated works on London and Paris, and beautiful maps of the island and cities of Japan, which are said to be very accurate. [hoito: what is the possible name of the bookstore???] While the stores of Curio-street are almost entirely devoted to goods of Japanese manufacture for export, those of its next-door neighbor, "Beuten Doree," are filled with imported aritcles of every description for home use. Tools, hardware, lamps, drygoods, crockery, looking-glasses, photographic apparatus and materials, are some of the numerous articles sold in these variety stores. Strange though it may seems, the Japs have made considerable progress in photography, and really manage to turn out some very fair pictures.

On this street are a number of the celebrated bath-houses, where men and women and children, old and young, rich and poor, meet on the common ground of cleanliness, and the bright and contented faces of the Japs as they come from these establishments make one fully believe that "cleanliness is next to godliness."

I was so fortunate as to be in Yokohama during the Japanese New-Year holidays, which begin the latter part of January and continue about ten days, during which time scarcely any business is transacted, as every one, from the lowest coolie to the highest official, considers that he has no more important duty on hand than that of enjoying himself, and accordingly goes to work with a will to accomplish this. A row of bamboo canes, fifteen or twenty feet high, is put up before each door, while from the side of the house a fringe of neatly-braid rice-straw is suspended, in the centre of which is a shield made of a boiled lobster surrounded with oranges and rice-straw as an offering to the god of "chow-chow." Then the calling commences. The gentry, dressed to kill, and preceded by a servant bearing presents and cards, appear to pay their respects at each house.

It is a curious sight to witness the meeting of two of these gay cavaliers. With hands on their knees, they bow almost to the ground, and in this position all the compliments of the season pass between them. They then raise their heads, but, appearing to be alarminged lest they have not shown each other sufficient respect, they "bob" once more, and this is often kept up for a minute or two; the same operation being repeated on parting.

The green decorations, the bright straw-work, and the gala costumes of the people, all combine to give to the town a gay appearance; but what struck me particularly was the perfect good humor and happiness of every body. Singing, masquerading, and drinking "saki" until the faces of the men become the color of a beet, one sees no quarreling, fighting, or disturbance of any kind. All seem equally bent on enjoying themselves, and, to judge from the result, not without success. The 26th of January, their New-Year, capped the climax of excitement, as on this day the grand parade and review of the Fire Department came off.

In everytown there are a number of organized fire companies, Yokohama having twelve or fifteen, each provided with the following instruments: first, a small wooden engine about two feet square, which is carried on the shoulders of two of the company; a circular paper-charm about two feet in diameter, gaudily colored, and fastened at the top of a long pole; and a bamboo ladder. Besides which, each member is provided with a pole with an iron hook fastened at the end of it, for tearing down the buildings surrounding the fire. On the bells striking the alarm, the different companies start on a full run for the scene of action, keeping up at the same time such a yelling and screaming as would put to the blush even the old Fire Department of New York. Arriving at the fire, the charm-bearer, entirely enveloped in an inflammable coat, takes up his position on one of the neighboring buildings, and, keeping his charm in constant motion, has full confidence that the flames will expire before such a terrible instrument.

Believing that "prevention is better than cure," the firemen do not attempt to throw water on the burning building, but, instead, keep up a steady stream on their leader, to "keep him cool," while a few of their number attack the nearest building with their pikes; but before they have got it half down, they are driven off, the fire usually following (p. 759) them entirely through the town in this way. Indeed, a fire seldom breaks out in any of their towns, but what it leaves it in ashes in a few hours. The inspection of the companies concluded with the following performance: each company, in passing before the Governor's house, who as standing on the balcony surrounded by his officials, halted, and having rested one end of their ladder on the ground, they clustered around it, and a dozen of them thrusting their pikes into it about eight feet from the ground, they braced themselves, and in this way held it firmly. One of their number, dressed in tight-clothes, now mounted to the top, and, at the height of twenty-five feet, went through some of the most surprising evolutions imaginable - standing on his head, turning himself inside out, and making a sudden jump from the ladder it seemed as if nothing could save him from a fearful fall, and then being jerked back with tremendous force by a cord which he had fastened to his leg. Each member went through these various manoeuvres with slight variations, the performance being kept up all the afternoon. 

On the morning January 27th, I was awakened by a tremendous yelling and shouting, 

...

[to be continued]

V. A. Renouf

Vincent Adams Renouf (1876-1910) 任勞

"In 1901, he traveled to Shanghai, China, to serve as Fourth Assistant B in the Chinese Imperial Maritime Customs service. In April 1903, he was detached from the service and accepted a professorship offered by the Imperial Peiyang University in Tientsin (now Tianjin University). While teaching history and political economy at the university, he wrote the book Outline of General History for Eastern Students that was published by Macmillan and Co. in 1908. Soon after beginning to research the population question in China, he was struck by typhus and died ten days later on May 4, 1910."

Correspondence (1901-1910) relating to Renouf's position as professor of history and political economy at Imperial Peiyang University (Kuo li pei yang ta hsüeh) and publication of his book, Outlines of General History (1909); affidavits (1887-1895) regarding his primary and secondary education; drafts (circa 1901-1910) of miscellaneous articles on Chinese and Japanese history and culture; lecture notes, student essays, and class record used while teaching in China (circa 1901-1910); notes, largely on natural sciences, taken as student at Johns Hopkins University (Baltimore, Md.) (1895-1899); essays written while attending Johns Hopkins University (1896); notes and typescripts on world history, together with ms. and typewritten drafts and page proofs (circa 1901-1907) of his book; and other material.

source: Inventory to the Vincent Adams Renouf Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Rutgers University Libraries.

萃文書坊

新文化能夠在香港滋長，書店是主要的功臣。

在過去一段長時期中，荷李活道曾經被稱為香港的文區：因為那一帶都是報館、印刷所、學校、書店最集中的地方。尤其多的是書店。但那些書店幾乎全是出售中英文（頁4）課本和文房用品的，至也只是兼售一些通俗小說，或是木魚之類的東西。因此書店雖然不少，對方文化的宣揚却不能發揮什麼大作用。

在那種文化窒息的狀態下，在四十年前的香港書店之中，最先透出一點新的氣息的，是一家「萃文書坊」。

這家「萃文書坊」開設在荷李活道的首段地區；規模不大，只是一間普通的舖位。我所以特別提起它，是因為這家書店除了基本上發售學校課本和文房用品以外，同時兼售新文化書籍和屬於思想性的雜誌刊物，成為香港最先也是唯一向本地讀者介紹新文化的書店。

有趣的是，這家有新文化氣息的書店，它的面目却半點沒有新的色彩。從它的名號不叫「書店」而稱「書坊」這一點，可以想像到它的古老程度。它的門面儀表和內部的陳設，都是在它的同行中最不講究的一家。

不過它却有著不尋常之處。主持這家書店的是兩父子；因為店子小，根本用不上夥計。老闆（父親）是個年老的基督教徒。他平日總是穿著過時的洋服，襯衣外面照例加一件背心，結著陳舊的領帶，配合了斑白的頭髮和上唇一撮不加修飾的鬍子，上去就像一個落泊紳士的模樣。這老人家有著飽歷風霜的一種憤世嫉俗的態度和孤僻的性情。（頁5）他對當時中國政治上爭權奪利的「時局」極表不滿，碰上熟悉的顧客買書而又有所感觸時，常常會咕嚕幾句牢騷話。聽說這老闆原來是「同盟會」老同志，（他的書店裏掛有一幅孫中山像）早年參加過革命工作，可能還當過「民國官」。後來大概對現實感到「幻滅」，因而退出那個「圈子」做生意。而他選擇了開書店這個行業，也未必沒有消極中的積極意義。

也許因為這老闆的本質和一般書商有所不同，所以連他的書店也帶有革命性。他大膽地經售著各種新文化運動所產生的書籍雜誌。你要買到當時最流行的新文學組織（如創造社、太陽社，拓荒社之類）的出版物，只有到「萃文書坊」去；就是一切具有濃厚思想性而其他書店不肯代售的刊物，它也在半公開地銷售；只要熟悉的顧客悄悄的問一聲什麼刊物第幾期到了沒有，老闆就會親自從一個地方拿出來。還有難得的一點是，那時候新文化書籍和思想性刊物的，在他可說是獨市生意，可是他並不以奇貨自居，價錢仍舊照當時的「大洋」仲算港幣，甚至那些半公開出售的東西，也不額外取償。

「萃文書坊」後來由老闆的兒子主持。到了戰爭結束後，書店關門了。

如困香港的書店對於香港早期新文化發生過推動作用的話，「萃文書坊」是值得記憶的一家。（頁6）

一九六六年七月

侶倫：〈香港新文化滋長期瑣憶：萃文書坊〉，載氏著：《向水屋筆語》（香港：三聯書店，1985，頁4-6。

Colonial Hong Kong Historial Writing: "Colonial"'s "Old Hongkong" newspaper column in mid 1930s

Column "Old Hongkong" by "Colonial" from 1933 to 1935. Over 500 articles on old Hong Kong history in nearly two years, precisely 22 months. I call "Colonial" the lone historian of Hong Kong. 

Alternative title: Alone but not lonely: the "Old Hongkong" newspaper column by "Colonial" in mid 1930s.

first: 17 June 1933: 13.

last: 13 Apr 1935: 10. LOOKING BACK NINETY YEARS

P.S. an "Old Hong Kong" column was launched in Sunday Morning Post in 2001.

1. 17 June 1933: 13. key point: the origin and purpose of the column, everyday interests of the population, the truth of history, role of newspaper, to preserve the history of its community, establishment of Historical Club of Hongkong, interesting history of City Hall and Beaconsfield Arcade

The demolition of the City Hall and Beaconsfield Arcade, and the plans for a new Government House and new Hongkong and Shanghai Bank headquarters, have promoted a renewed interest in Hongkong history. This is all to the good, and it will be a pity if advantage is not taken of the reminiscences now being swapped to improve the record of the Colony's story. There is, of course, an official record. This, however, is cold, and far from complete, since it does not take note of the everyday interests of the population. Moreover, official records have been known to exclude the truth, if the truth is embarrassing, with the result that historians who depend entirely upon them are often misled.

*   *   *

To preserve the history of its community is the duty of the newspaper, a duty which nowadays is somewhat neglected in the hectic scramble to get hold of and publish only what is sensational. The newspapers, moreover, did not begin with the beginning of the Colony, though some of them go a good way back. In a community like this, also, the size of a newspaper and the size of capacity of its staff must be governed by circumstances; and the newspapers have not had the time or opportunity to set down all that has happened. There is need in the Colony of a Historical Association. It has been suggested that one be formed in connection with the University. The fact that Eitel is being brought up to date has encouraged the hope that something would be done to assist the editor of the new volume; but hitherto there is no sign off co-operative enthusiasm. The reason to any proposal to form a useful body is always the same - a shying from the idea lest it give someone inconvenience or burden him with another job of honorary work.

*   *   *

I have therefore come to the conclusion that the best way to get something done is just to go ahead and do it, and it seems to me that a Historical Club could be formed on the lines of the Radio Listeners' Club - a club without any organisation at all, but consisting of members who please themselves how they cooperate, and are not called upon to attend any meetings, elect any officers or pay any subscriptions. I have asked the Editor's permission to use the S. C. M. Post a yarner's corner. I move therefore that a Historical Club of Hongkong be formed, to meet every day in this column, to be open to all who desire to write, and that I be President, Secretary, Treasurer and Committee. I second the motion and it is carried. The Club is formed, and I hope to have a large number of energetic members ready to answer all questions put.

*   *   *

I do not propose to deal with periods chronologically nor in any order. Whatever material is available will be discussed as it offers. Unquestionably, however, the first topic should be the City Hall, since it is the removal of this and the sale of the site that are making so many other contemporary developments possible. This history of the building has recently been given and I need not repeat it all. For reference purposes however, it may be summarised.

*   *   *

The City Hall was completed on June 28, 1869, almost exactly 64 years ago, and was opened on November 2 that year by H. R. H. Prince Alfred, Duke of Edinburgh. The idea of building a city hall originated in 1861, and a meeting was held at the Hongkong CLub to consider the project. A provisional committee was formed to forward the project in 1863, a report was issued by the people concerned in 1864, and a public meeting was held in August, 1866, when the tender for the construction of the building was accepted. The foundation stone was laid on February 23, 1867.

*   *   *

In this connexion the interesting question arises, what is to be done with the old foundation stone? Is it to be dug up and preserved or merely buried under the foundations of the new Hongkong Bank? An enquiry at the P. W. O. recently elicited a reply that the authorities have not decided on this question: indeed, they do not know whether the old foundation stone is likely to be disturbed at all, and if it is, the matter of its disposal will have to be left over until then.

*   *   *

It might be pointed out that the land for the site was a free grant by the Government, made in 1864.

The Theatre Royal portion of the building was "christened" as far back as November 3, 1869, when the first performance was held therein, by the Amateur Dramatic Corps (as the A.D.C. was then known), and the members of the German Club Concordia.

References to the Library and Museum (then a mere nucleus) are made in the report of a meeting held in 1870.

*   *   *

In 1890, at the time of the Praya Reclamation scheme, the committee of the City Hall considered that the shareholders were entitled to benefit by the scheme as regarded that portion of the reclamation abutting on their site. The Government contested this, and the committee obtained legal advice. Despite their efforts to get some form of recognition of their supposed rights, however, the committee came up against definite official opposition, and the matter was "allowed to stand over". There is no record of further efforts to obtain compensation.

This controversy was referred to at a meeting of shareholders and subscribers to the City Hall held on March 26, 1919, when the idea was put forward that the building should be replaced by a new one in the form of a War Memorial. The scheme, however, fell through.

The building has not been without its legends, and the best known one is that the unicorn on the coat of arms on the facade used at one time to make nocturnal excursions abroad. The chain around it is supposed to keep it in check. Can you tell a better one?

*   *   *

Beaconsfield Arcade, opposite the City Hall, is already practically no more. Its history is a specially interesting one. In October, 1878, the Hon. Mr. E. R. Belilios, a member of the Legislative Council, placed a sum of £1,000 in the hands of the local Government for the erection of a statue to Lord Beaconsfield (that was the period of statue-erecting) of whom Mr. Belilios was an ardent admirer. The Government communicated with Lord Beaconsfield, who, modestly enough, deprecated the idea; so the money was eventually used to establish the Medical Society Fund, which was subsequently changed into the Belilios Scholarship Fund. The donor of the money, however, was determined that Lord Beaconsfield's name should be commemorated in Hongkong, and he therefore named the row of houses opposite the City Hall (which were his property) Beaconsfield Arcade. They were used as shops, offices, and residential flats for a number of years. The Government purchased the property about eleven years ago; and when demolition has been completed will either sell the land to private interests or else build thereon. Does anyone know anything else of interest attached to this old Arcade?

The Politics of Football and Cold War: Hong Kong Happy Valley football team on tour in China in 1965

Recently I read 呂大樂's 足球政治與冷戰的微妙關係 from his 那似曾相識的七十年代. A great paper. Not only did he cite heavily from the two key archival materials in the Shanghai Municipal Archives about two HK football team's visits to China in 1965 and 1972, but also 華僑日報's reports on the controversy of the secret and known visits esclating to the politics of football amid the Cold War. 

Without a few HK football history books in hand, I am not sure whether scholars have dug the South China Morning Post. The following are some interesting reports from it.

South China Morning Post, 22 July 1965, p. 2.

Hongkong palyers on tour in China

H.K.F.A. uncertain how to handle delicate situation

By a staff correspondent

A group of Hongkong soccer players - the majority of them members of last season's champion club, Happy Valley - are in China, presumably to play football.

The entire, however, is completely shroude in mystery so much so that even the left-wing press, normally quite voluble on a subject such as this, are pleading ignorance of the details of the visit.

...

It is equally apparent that someone had already thought about his problem, hence the fact that Chinese soccer circles are claiming this is not a Happy Valley team, but simply an assortment of players on a vacation in China.

Mr Lai Chung-yin, the Happy Valley team manager, for instance claims he knows nothing about the tour at all. The team, he says, is definitely not Happy Valley.

...

It is equally apparent that the Hongkong Football Association are in a quandary over the entire situation. Mr Norman Fraser said last night: "I don't know any details about this trip. We'll have to examine the situation at a later date. I have no comment to make at this time."

...

Complicating the situation even further is the fact that four key players of the Taiwan National team are understood to be on tour. They include Lau Tim, Wong Man-wai, Kwok Moon-wah and Lo Kwok-tai. From the Hongkong team are Ma Fook-pui, Liu Kam-ming, and Lee Kwok-keungg. Guest players include Lo Tak-kuen and Lok Tak-hing.

The group is understood to be managed by Mr Ngan Tung-chung. Their coach is Chu Wing-keung, one of Hongkong's most respected soccer officials.

Chinese press reports indicate the team - and it is still not known under what name they will be playing - have matches schedule in Canton, Shanghai and Peking. they return to Hongkong on August 5.

Three players currently training with Hongkong's Merdeka Tournament team, are understood to have declined the invitation to make the tour. They include Chan Hung-ping, Mok Siu-lam and Chan Ping-kong.

The Hongkong Football Association, as usual, find themselves in an embarrassing position. Obviously They cannot ignore the matter completely. They must however answer two basic questions:

(a) Have these players ontravened the rules of the HKFA and that of FIFA?

(b) If so, what action should be taken?

We await developments of this intriguing situation, with keen interest.

---   ---   ---

more news reports

South China Morning Post, 23 July 1965, p. 2. Sports View: Some Red Faces In High Places

South China Morning Post, 24 July 1965, p. 2. H.K.F.A. SEEKING F.I.F.A.'s ADVICE

South China Morning Post, 24 July 1965, p. 2. Deadlock In Relegation Dispute

South China Morning Post, 30 July 1965, p. 2. H.K.F.A. MUST ACT, WARNS F.I.F.A.

South China Morning Post, 30 July 1965, p. 2. Three Of H.K.'s Players 'Axed'

South China Morning Post, 10 Aug 1965, p. 3. H.K. PLAYERS ADMIT PLAYING IN CHINA: No Attempt Made To Avoid Identification

South China Morning Post, 26 Aug 1965, p. 2. Happy Valley Lodge Official Appeal: BOARD'S RIGHT TO HEAR CASE ALSO CHALLENGED

... to be continued

E. H. Parker's works

gone with the days when I immersed myself with the British diplomat-turned-scholar E. H. Parker’s works on China published by some key publishers of the time.

Tsang Fook Piano II

Following my previous post on Tsang Fook Piano's early history from Allister Macmillan's Seaports of the Far East: historical and descriptive, commercial and industrial, facts, figures, & resources (1923) and its advertisement on South China Morning Post in 1915, the following passage is from Wah Kiu Yat Po 華僑日報 on 5 January 1955 (p. 5).

曾福琴行簡史

全港各界人士尤其愛好音樂者莫不知有今日參加工展之「曾福琴行」之名。該琴行史畧，諒必為一般人所樂知者。誠以在港製造鋼琴，祇該行一家，目由我華人創辨而能飲譽遠東垂肆十年，實亟應向海內外同胞介紹，藉以提倡華資工業，亦以誌前人創業之精神也。茲由該行概述史畧如後：

遠在一九零伍年曾福先生受職於港英商鋼琴公司名Robinson Piano Company。該公司專為人修理鋼琴，及調音，先生既以聰明勤敏得經理稱許，復從該公司之調音師學得調音之技術，經理因是屢將其薪給提陞，先......［公共圖書館電子版邊緣部份全黑，不能閱讀］，遂自費放洋，先後在德、法、英、美等國各著名鋼琴廠實地研究。至一九一伍年三月在美國密西根之著名鋼琴調音學院Niles Bryant School of Piano Tuning考取文憑後，即是年回港自行創辨「曾福琴行」於灣仔，經營鋼琴，所有零件俱由曾福先生自行設計。初期本行之工場尚屬雛型，惟以先生之經驗與毅力，製出之鋼琴竟能媲美歐美貨品。蓋先生有鑒於遠東之特殊天，乃運用其在歐美研習所得之科學化經驗，將鋼琴之全部木材及大小零件悉加以防潮、防銹及防霉之保護，務求合熱帶氣候之特殊環境而後已。故菲律賓及南洋各地，圴紛紛來單訂購。本行初時每月出產僅數十架，其後信譽日隆，產量大增，至本年（一九伍肆年）已先後製成輸出近六千具矣。

猶憶曾先生創業之始，因其琴行店址位於「摩利臣」山（Morrison Hill）之麓，乃以該山之名名其鋼琴，蓋取其「與山同壽」之意。執意不久，香港政府為改良城市計，竟將「摩利臣」山陵續夷平，有向先生調侃曰：「君之鋼琴，原欲與該山同壽，今該山已矣，君之鋼琴豈非與之同為命運耶？」先生答之曰：「君之見該山雖平，而我之鋼琴仍屹然耶？固知我之鋼琴不祇壽比南山而實壽高于山也。」亦本港工業界中軼事也。果也，今者摩利臣山幾已夷為平地，而摩利臣（Morrison）牌鋼琴不獨巍無尚存，而且規模遠舉，將益進而無疆也。

其時本琴行自製之Morrison牌鋼琴已漸邀信賴，而代顧客修理及調音，復因服務效率特高，聲譽日隆，而營業亦隨之蒸蒸日上，先生並將其經驗所得，悉傳授諸其兩胞曾貴及曾方；而先生仍每事均親自力為，不辭勞苦。由是本琴行在曾氏三昆季通力合作下，繼續發展。至一九二九年，乃在英皇道自建工廠，同時將辦事處及門市部由灣仔遷至中環雪廠街，營業範疇已不囿於發售摩利臣裨鋼琴一項，舉世界名廠鋼琴及其他樂器，亦有代售，且有不少名廠委托本行為香港總代理者。旗以雪廠街之行址暫不敷用，乃於一九三五年當公主行落成之際，即遷入現址，擴充營業。當時社會人士已莫不知有曾福琴行，而外埠對Morrison牌鋼琴之信賴，有加無已，訂單之至，如雪片飛來，大有應接不暇之勢。豈料一九四一年冬太平洋事變猝起，香港各業蒙重大損失本行亦難逃此刦，幸得本行同人，不避艱辛，勉強維持。至一九四五年香港光復始重張旗鼓，復蒙社會人士與海外僑胞及各國廠商之信賴與愛護，在曾貴先生籌策下，本行業務得以重振。

現目本工廠方面已設有新型電鋸，電鑽、電刨及電磨光機等。所選木材，均為上乘堅緻之木，並經長時間之擱置焙乾，故對鋼琴各部之製造，異常精美，並特別宜於熱帶氣候之環境。此外復置有電動調音器，調音絕對準確。而各部門所雇用技工，均經嚴格訓練，並具豐富經驗，且有不少經曾福先生一手造就者。至公主行樓下辦事處及門市部，以地方寬敝，足以陳列不少鋼琴及其他各種樂器，以備顧客選購。近年來更兼售歐美名廠各種電器，如電唱機、收音機、電雪櫃、電爐、空氣調節機、電洗衣機等，而營業範圍實已形擴大矣。凡此固賴社會人仕賜顧之殷及本行同人合作之誠，亦曾福先生三昆季積善成德有以致之。尤盼各界仕女諸君，時予匡導，幸甚！

1926年日本人眼中的「支那の國民性」

近日因石峽尾窩仔山配水庫 (service resevoir) 而追查香港水務工程史，竟然在中央研究院臺灣史研究所的臺灣研究古籍資料庫中，找到臺灣總督府外事部編的《香港水道調查報告書》（1942），何等驚喜。

順藤摸瓜，發現更多，幾乎在寶庫中迷失，找到不少直接和間接關於香港的書籍（尤以一、二戰間居多），更多是關於中國的書籍。其中，有一本值得略略書寫和存目，以備記錄作教學和研究用。這是藤本實也的《南支那及台湾之產業》（發行：東京：大阪屋號書店，1926），當中一部份是「支那の國民性」，篇幅幾近五十頁。藤本列出中國人四十七種國民性，估計是同類外國人眼中的中國人的書籍所少見的。

---   ---   ---

外國人眼中的中國人，從來都是中外交流和關係史的焦點。

身處陌生的國度，外國人每日都需要與陌生的面孔打交道。有來者不善，也有來者引路。在地真實的接觸，比以訛傳訛踏實，也可以比口耳相傳凶險。於是，有關中國人ABC的介紹性，judgemental and always controversial書籍應運而生。

外國人以本國文字撰寫的關於中國人的書籍，在於「我者」與「他者」之別，以己度人，是以「我」看「他」。

十九世紀以還，中外交流和關係中上一連串不幸的歷史事件，都和「我者」與「他者」之別密不可分。

1889年，在中國居住了近二十年的美國傳教士Arthur H. Smith (1845-1932)在上海出版的North-China Daily News上撰寫"Chinese Characteristics"的文章。翌年結集出版，引來廣泛討論。

1894年，美國著名的Fleming H. Revell Company (由福音派傳教士成立，自我標榜publishers of evangelical literature) 獲得版權在北美出版（出版地有New York, Chicago, and Toronto）。同時，出版社在出版業期刊The Publishers' Weekly宣傳該書 "...to use the word of one, 'the best book on the Chinese people' ever issued." 

這本書應算是bestseller，不斷重印，在英語世界廣為流傳，堪稱入門中國ABC。後來，這本書也翻譯成中文和日文。中譯本引來中國知識界強烈反應。相關研究眾多，不贅。

further reference: Lydia H. Liu, "The Ghost of Arthur H. Smith in the Mirror of Cultural Translation," The Journal of American-East Asian Relations, 2013, Vol. 20, No. 4, THEME ISSUE: Asia Knowledge: Inside and Outside the Ivory Tower (2013), pp. 406-414.

---   ---   ---

藤本實也列出四十七種「支那の國民性」，見下：

1. 個人主義
2. 拜金主義
3. 神經遲鈍
4. 侮蔑心
5. 猜疑心
6. 迷信
7. 不信實
8. 言行不一致
9. 薄同情心
10. 事大主義
11. 保守主義
12. 泥古
13. 雷同と盲進
14. 享樂主義
15. 虛榮心
16. 面子
17.  饒舌
18.  壓制と束縛 
19. 差別階級
20. 誇大妄想
21. 權謀術數
22. 社交性
23. 發明と工風
24. 單調
25. 名聞慾
26. 摸倣性
27. 忍耐
28. 孝心
29. 勤勉
30. 節儉
31. 重禮
32. 獨立自衛
33. 愛鄉と愛國
34. 團結心
35. 好學心
36. 精力
37. 性慾生殖
38. 食道樂
39. 從順
40. 宿命觀 
41. 知足安分
42. 虛飾
43. 矛盾
44. 悠長
45. 不潔癖
46. 不規律
47. 殘忍性
48. 博奕