Brenan. It is a just tribute to his all-round nature, for he was indeed totus, tores, ut que rotundus, that we shall miss him almost as much as a wan as an official. Gay, genial, unassuming, without any oppressive self-consciousness, Mr. Brenan could not help making friends wherever he went, and though these qualities are not much considered in the selection of a man for a responsible position, their possession is of great assistance to him when he is selected. Besides being a man of conspicuous ability, Mr, Brenan was a hard worker who did not thrust his labours on the public, but only let them enjoy the results. Devoted to the interests of his country, Mr. Brenan was eager that she should keep her well-earned position as leader in the Far East, and he was unavoidably discouraged from time to time when he saw his country's interests imperiled by apathy and ignorance in Downin Street. Readily accessible and always affable as he was, his fellow-countrymen never went to him in vain for advice or assistance: he was as resourceful and clear-headed as he was obliging. The long illness and death of his wife, a most amiable and charming lady, were a great blow to him: he seemed to have recovered his cheerfulness and energy when returned to Shanghai last year, but he was disheartened by what seemed him the un vurthy position which our cwbarrassmeuts in South Africa condemned us ti Peking. and be began to luck forward eagerly tu the time when he could retire on a pension. The time has come and he has now retired in the full possession of his health and mental and sical vigour. In Mr. Warren he will have a successor in whom Shanghai feels fully equal confidence: but none the less is his departure a positive loss to the British Consular Ser-and the British community in China.
Outside his regular Consular duties Mr. Brenan will be remembered for the work he did on the Opium Commission in Hongkong, which caused the removal of the Customs blockade, and was criticised at the time as a surrender to the Chinese. The apprehensions of those who opposed the convention made have not been realised, and the establishment of a branch of the Imperial Maritime Customs at Hongkong has not interfered, as it was predicted it would, with the prosperity of the Colony. On his appointment to Canton he did his best enforce from the Viceroy respect for transit pass certificates; and we must not forget his appointment. to report on British trade in China, Japan arid Corea, for which purpose he personally visited all the ports in the three countries, compiling as a result an eminently practical and clear-headed report. is moral courage was brilliantly exhibited in his protection of Kang Yé-wei, the whole responsibility for which he took upon himself, Sir Claude Macdonald knowing nothing of it until it was done.
From the statement of services in the " Foreign Office List" we learn that Mr. Brevan, who was born in France nearly fifty-four years ago, and is as much at home in Paris as in London, was appointed a student interpreter in China, after passing the usual competitive examination, in July 1866. He became a third assistant in 1868, and was acting interpreter at Canton from August 1871 to May 1872. He became a second-class assistant in 1872, acting interpreter ab Shanghai in 1873, and first-class assistant in 1874. He was acting interpreter at Hankow in 1875, and then for nearly three years acting assistant Chinese Secretary at Peking, He was acting Chinese Secretary from March 1878 to November 1880. Was Frmeled to be Consul at Wuhu in February 1880, and was acting Consul at Tientsin from July 1882 to April 1883. Was transferred to Chefoo in July 1883, and to Tientsin and Peking in December 1885, Was. British Representative on the Opium Mixed Commission at: Hongkong in 1886, was transferred to Canton in June 1893, and received a C.M.G.- ship when the birthday honours were conferred in 1 We have long ceased lo be surprised at anything the Foreign Office dues or omits to do, or we should {cel surprised that both Mr. Brenan and Mr. Warren were nob made K.C.ALG. when the New Year honours were conferred. It was after Mr. Brenan's commercial tour in the Far East that he was made acting Consul-Ceneral, and: then Consul-General at Shanghai, anda more acceptable appointment could not have been made."
The late dinner of the China Association was utilised as an. opportunity to say farewell to Mr. Brenan, and we cannot but admire the economy which the Committee of the Association displayed in thus lumping him in with Admiral Seymour. His speech at the dinner was a model of clearness, outspokenness and independence; it was the crowning one of a number of happy speeches that he has made here in the course of the public duties that he has always been ready to perform. He is stil!' a young man,.and has certainly not waited to outlive his usefulness before retiring, and he has
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.