Chapter 27 The Birth, Childhood and Coming of Age of Hong Kong

The Birth, Childhood and Coming of Age of Hong Kong Sayer's "Hong Kong's Birth, Childhood, and Coming of Age" (GR Sayer: "Hong Kong, Birth, adolescence and coming of age), first published in 1937, Oxford University Printed by the Ministry of Publication.It was reprinted after the Second World War, but in the past few years on the shelves of the West Bookstore, it has been The book is rarely seen again. Sha Ya was a civil affairs official who once served in the Hong Kong government. His book about the early history of Hong Kong The main part of the narration is written by collecting other people's writing materials and comparing them with textual research.because

In this way, although it was published in 1937, it was written more clearly than the history of Hong Kong written by his predecessors such as Eitel and others. More material, but written more lightly, and therefore more interesting to read. His narration is until 1862, that is, when Governor Robinson was in office, Beater's that year. The period covered in this section is even shorter.Because according to the title of his book, in 1862 Hong Kong became the United Kingdom. In his twentieth year as a colony of the United States, he has reached what his title calls the "adulthood" stage.Sha Ya's works

It is not pedantic, so this "The Birth, Childhood and Adulthood of Hong Kong" is relatively easy to read.like People who are interested in the early history of Hong Kong think Eitel's "Europe in China" is too ancient At the same time, it is not easy to read that book. I think it is better to try to find a copy of Saya to read it. will not be disappointed.However, it should be noted that his pen sometimes writes too romantically, and it should be regarded as historical history. According to history, there are some places where we should take a reserved attitude. Sha Ya's book has a total of thirteen chapters, which can be divided into three parts.Chapters 1 to 3 are introductions

In the first part, it discusses some issues of geography, history and language involved in his book.such as Hong Kong Before this small island became a British colony, there were those foreign navigators in their records. The record mentioned this small island and the relationship between "Hong Kong" and "HONG KONG". The name of the island in two Chinese characters still has English first.Is English translated from Chinese, or Chinese translated from English. Also, what is the meaning of the word "Hong Kong".Sha Ya all cited extensively in his introduction to discuss it.although

Although his conclusions are not supported by the evidence available today, they are fascinating to read, which is why It is the success of his history of Hong Kong. From the fourth chapter to the eighth chapter, it is the part of what he calls the "birth" of this colony.ninth From the first chapter to the last chapter, the term of office of each governor is regarded as a chapter.described in the last chapter It was during the tenure of Robinson, the fifth governor of Hong Kong. His term was from 1859 to 1861. At this time, it has been twenty years since Hong Kong officially became a British colony in 1841, and it has arrived in his book.

This is the stage of "adulthood" as the name says, so this writing on the early history of Hong Kong will stop here. In addition to the thirteen chapters of the main text, this book also has several illustrations and maps, as well as eleven appendices. These eleven appendices are all of a reference nature, and sometimes it seems more desirable than the main text. For example, Appendix 1 is Elliot’s announcement on February 2, 1841, announcing that he was appointed by the imperial envoy of the Qing Dynasty, Qi Hong Kong Island was acquired by hand, Appendix 2 was announced in the Hong Kong First Gazette on May 15, 1841

figures from the first census.These are the most primitive materials of the "birth period" of this colony. "Hong Kong Prelude" "Prelude to Hong Kong" by A. Coates, 19 Published in 1966.The author, Austin Gao Zhi, once worked in the Hong Kong government and served as a special law in the Limin Mansion in the New Territories. He is a judge of the court, and has served in Malaya, Sarawak and other places. He can be said to be a typical British colonial judge. After retiring and returning to Britain, he published a memoir: "Foreign Masters". This "Prelude to Hong Kong".As the title suggests, what is written is not the history of Hong Kong itself, but

is the development of those historical events that led to the birth of this British colony, the main one is naturally the nineteenth The British opium trade with the Qing Dynasty in the 19th century, and the conflict caused by China's strict enforcement of anti-smoking policies, There is also the important role played by Macau and Macau Portuguese in these events at the time.The book is divided into ten The four chapters, from the first chapter to the eleventh chapter, are about the British merchants wanting to open the door of trade in China, The opium trade has repeatedly conflicted, and eventually led to a formal war between the two countries.From Chapter Twelve,

Hong Kong has officially appeared on this stage of history. The characteristics of this book are just as the author himself said, when he described the early days of trade between Britain and the Qing Dynasty, The important position of Macao in this aspect is particularly valued, and it is also written in great detail.Macau Portuguese The Portuguese's assessment of Britain's early trade assistance with the Qing Dynasty is mixed.Because British businessmen are the most At the beginning, it was through the relationship of Macau that they could enter Guangzhou for business. At the same time, Macau also became an early British

Temporary foothold for merchants.However, when Lin Zexu vigorously enforced his anti-smoking laws, the Portuguese The Portuguese did not dare to shelter the British businessman, and even Elliot frankly suggested to the Portuguese that if Lin Zexu took his anger The Portuguese in Macau, who could use force to assist the Portuguese in defending Macau, was also politely declined by the Portuguese in Macau. Only then did Elliot helplessly order the British merchants, women and children to retreat from Macau and sail to Hong Kong The sea came to take shelter.This is his unforgettable resentment towards Macau, but he never expected that it would make him gain Hong Kong because of it.

Hong Kong Island. This book is about the original stories of several important figures on the stage of Hong Kong's early history, such as Elliott and Jardine. The campers Jardine and Huddichen, the old Chinese master Morrison, and the British painter Chinnery living in Macau, etc., There are some individual interesting narratives.This can be said to be another feature of this book. As for the three chapters on the early situation of Hong Kong, due to the limited space, the descriptions are naturally not very detailed. do.However, he was impressed by the difficulties Yilu Xiang Qishan encountered after he acquired Hong Kong Island. Complaints from foreign businessmen, while being condemned by Prime Minister Palmerston, he had to quietly resign and return home. To please the miserable situation, but using some historical documents at that time, the writing is very detailed.In fact, Elliot himself He didn't like Hong Kong at the time, but because he couldn't intervene in Macau, he even wanted to seek asylum from the Portuguese in Macau. Hu is not available, and Zhoushan and Lantau Island are too big to swallow, so I reluctantly ask Qishan for incense. Hong Kong.