14th March.
Tuz almost sudden and entirely unexpected death of Mr. Robert Ernest Wainewright, the actual if not the nominal leader of the Shanghai bar, which took place at seven o'clock last evening, is a public calamity. But it is too soon after his lamented death to think of the loss the community has sustained in the death of the able lawyer; to half the community or more there is only room this morning for sorrow at the loss of one of the best and kindest friends in Shanghai. A Londoner, and a lawyer almost by birth, the late Mr. Wainewright was educated at the North London School, where he had Mr. Joseph Chamberlain for a schoolmate, and at University College, London, subsequently joining the firm of solicitors of which his father was a member. He came out to Shanghai some twenty years ugo to join Mr. William Harwood, and his great abilities, his geniality, and his perfect knowledge of the world rapidly put him in the front rank. But great as his endowments were as a lawyer. it was his unfailing wit, and "his equally unfailing kindness' of heart, that will keep his memory always reen in the hearts of all who knew him in Shanghai. There was a magnetism in him which attracted to it every one who was in trouble, whether that trouble was deserved or undeserved, and he never spared himself if he could assist, and he always could in some way, those who went to him. Hospitable he was, too, and generous to a fault, and the quickness of his perception and of his wit was marvellous. He saw a point instantly, and he lad the faculty of making others see it almost as quickly, which made his assistance at any gathering, public or private, invaluable. He was only taken seriously ill, becoming rapidly unconscious, early on Saturday morning, and he never recovered full consciousness, passing away quite quietly yesterday evening, Faults of course he had, for he was human, but if the names of those who love and do good to their fellow men lead all the rest, Mr. Wainewright's will stand very high. To write of him adequately so soon after his so unexpected death is impossible, but those of our readers who know him will fill up this outline: for themselves; and for those who did not know him we cannot do more than thus hint at the loveableness of the personality that passed away last evening.
His funeral will take place to-day at half-past four from the New Cemetery, and. if all those to whom Mr. Wainewright has at some time in his career done some kindness could be present, the new cemetery itself would hardly hold the crowd.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.