He was educated at the Royal Belfast Academical Institution, and afterwards at Queen's College, Belfast, where he qualified with 1sb Class Honours and was subsequently appointed Assistant Professor of Classics. A scholastic career, how-did not offer sufficient' scope ambitions, and directing his abilities to another sphere of work, on February 24, 1876, he passed a competitive examination and on March 10 of the same year was appointed Student Interpreter for the Far Eastern Service. At that time it was Sir John's wish to go to Japan, but a vacancy did not. offer and consequently rather against his inclination he left Plymouth for China together with Sir Frederick Bourne, Sir Alexander Hosie and Mr. H. F. Brady, the three other successful candi dates.
The voyage out here in_ those days was one of considerable adventure and duration, but at last the party arrived in Shanghai, reported at the British Consulate, and from thence made their way vid Tientsin to Peking, arriving at the British Legation on June 10, exactly three months after departure from England. 5
Tas Consuzar Routine.
The first years in Peking were ones of hard'study in learning the Chinese language, relieved by riding, of which Sir John was always very fond, and by various games in spare time. During the second year he was laid up for a long while om account of illness, typhoid fever being followed by smallpox. He, nevertheless, did not relinquish his studies and as a result of the second yearly examination came out second of the party of four. The quartette proved themselves very apt scholars of Chinese, and at the and of these two years spent in Peking were mentioned in a special despatch of commendation from the British Foreign Office.
From Peking Sir Johin's first appointment was to Newchwang and from thence to Shanghai where, however, he stayed but a short while owing to the climate proving unsuitable to him. He was consequently transferred to the Consulate in Canton. In May, 1882, he was appointed Arting Consul at Kiungchow and in 1886 he was at Amoy. He discharged the duties of Accountant to the Legation from May 7, 1886, until the same
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.