8th Now.
Ir is impossible to exaggerate the loss to Shanghai by the melancholy and uutimely death at half-past ten yesterday morning of Mr, John Macgregor, at the age of fifty-two. It is not too much to say that there was no man in Shanghai, and has been no man for a long time, more thoroughly valuable to it. Of his loss to the great firm of whose Shanghai branch he was the head, it is not for us to speak, though it was a great thing for Shanghai that that firm had him as their representative here. John Mac-; gregor was a leading man by nature as well as by position, and it was universally felt that he was in his proper place when he was at the head of any movement, any concern, any society. His loss is and will be universally felt and for a long time. Not only was he a first-rate Chairman of the Municipal Council, but his intelligence, his business aptitude, his power of grasping the important points of a subject, his knowledge of human nature, made him an invaluable leader and_reforce in graver matters, as his geniality, his wide sympathy, and his straightforwardness made him welcome everywhere in our social life. In his cool judgment, his power of rapid decision, and his pertinacity when he was sure of his ground, he was a typical Scotsman, but there was no narrowness or illiberality in his character. Ifhe was fond of power, it was the fondness that accompanies the consciousness of capability to lead, and his natural masterfulness was softened by his affability and courtesy to all. It will be many years before he will be replaced, and before the void his death leaves in arter in the firm, avd Manager in Shanghai, He returned from home last year, apparently in perfect health, earned as much by his personal qualities as by his commercial standing. It is hardly a fortnight since he was taken ill, and only a few days since his illness was known to be serious. On Monday grave fears were entertained of his condition, but it was hoped, but vainly, that his fine constitution would pull him through, He is to be buried at half past three this afternoon, and there will no doubt he a general suspension of business, for there can be hardly anyone who will not wish to join in paying the last respects to so popular and indeed indispensable a fellow-citizen and friend.
We have spoken of Mr. Macgregor's services as Chairman of the Municipal Council; but they were equally valuable in the Chamber of Commerce, and it must not be forgotten that to him virtually is due the strong position taken by the Shanghai branch of the China Association. But there was hardly anything in the life of Shanghai in which he did not take an interest, and before very long assume a leading ik sition. He was seen everywhere, he new and had a pleasant word' for everyone, and while he was essentially a strong man, with a vigorous personality and opinions of his own, he can hardly have made an enemy. Death has dealt hardly with Shanghai in removing John Macgregor,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.