To the Editor of the "Nowtu-Cauwa Daley News"
Sin;—Having read the laudatory puffs and advertisements of iMington's "Hongs and Homes" "Complete Directory of Shanghai for 1928,"—it occurred to me to devote 2 litle spare time to checking it up.
"Hongs and Homes," is obviously put out as a challenge to that widely used institution, "The North-China Desk Hong List" otherwise known the "Hong List", which is entitled to consideration by virtue of its fine tradition of devotion to the interests and convenience public. The "Hong List' all, a household word throughout the world wherever two oF three English-reading persons from China are gathered together.
Remembering this, there certain amount of conside to the old reliable and w "Hong List" even from business competitors, and when somebody comes along with a thin plagiarisra of its title, and has the nerve to advertise his contraption as "The Best Yet," he can have no reason for complaint if anyone accepts the challenge implied, and procegls to test these boastful words by comparisons, and by actual, works.
Now "Hongs and Homes!
Best Yot"-is "being touted shouted about for its cheapness. Its price is $5. Before its birth' we were invited to send $4 to Mr. Milling ton, in exchange for which he would supply ts with a copy when the happy event, took place, Things are not, always what they seem; all is not gold that glitters; in adopting the "Hong" part of the name of the "Hong List," which costs $9 and contains most complete information about Shanghai and Outports—Mr. Millington would not be averse, I presume, if, Homes" for $9, the the impression that 4 similar amount ind. useful informa tion compared with old "Red Riding Hood" and actually saving $4 in the But at this point T must drop a large brick into the proceedings. by announcing the horrid truth that those who turn to "Hongs and Homes" for directorial pabulum will have to provide themselves with $15, while those who stick to Olt Lady Red Riding Mood have only to provide the ial §9. For here is what Mr, foreword says ""Hongs attempt to. gi riy information ubout outports but I thies"to the Directory of Ching which" may be purehaged for $10 330 Nanking Road..."
Thus, all will observe, when oe acquires what 1 call a "Yellow Peril" for $5, it is only the nucleus of one's library, so to speak, and if one desires to turn up some information about an Outport to find where some friend is roosting, about something that needs boosting—well, one hus to find another $10 and hastily despatch it to Mr, Millington to acquire his other volume of information for one's reference library.
On the other hand, Old Lady Red Riding Hood contains the whole works within her covers for the tone price of $9. (I beg to excuse myself for dropping this brick, but 1¢ Best Yet' do not clarify this point with that carefulness one maybe sufficiently optimistical to expect).
Hongs and Homes" has a yellow cover on which one counts It advertisements. It contains about 950 pages which are littered with so many advertisements of one form and another that I gave up counting them at five hundred, There are hundreds more thai that for its index there are seven pages of close print cental ing the names of 298 advert veritable epitaph to the enthu and suasion of Mr. Millington, One section of its pages is bespattered with butter advertisements, another is deodorized with dis pectant lavatory fixtures, The call of a blessed butcher's shop at the top of a page is answered by the hoot of a bicycle horn at the bottom.
The seating plans of theatres have necessarily to-be printed in such small type as to necessitate the purchase of a magnifying glass, unless the neighbours next door possess one and will trust one with it-for half an hour.
Let us see—surely it will be but gallant if we commence our re-Searches in the 'Ladies' Section." Suppose we wonder how many fai -|feminines of the great family of Smith have been tus classified by Mr. Millington? Two, precisely two. One married, the other spinster. On page 66 of "The Best Yet." it is recorded there are two ladies of the name of Smith in all Shanghai. (And both popped under of a butcher's shop, too!)
Diligent search reveals, however, that the "Also-Rans" in the Feminine Smith Social Stakes of Shanghai tumper some 8 or 9 on page 43 of the "Homes (Who's Who)" partment. If not exactly catching the judge's eye in the "Ladies' Section," they will rejoice to find their names appearing under the legend "For Fastidious Tastes.
Touching the Jones's? Mr, Mil lington doesn't seem acquainted, with so many ladies of the Jones fa-for he only displays one fair feminine of that ilk in his "Ladies?
Section,".but he puts her under the legend "For People of Discrimination."
Then the Browns. Now I know a delightful Mrs. Brown, likewise a charming Brown, Spinster, both perfect Indies who never drop their itches nor use bad language, neither do they bite their nails, Alas, not a vestige of Brown in the 'Ladies' Section," both mine being listed in the "Homes" department under a tiresome tyre ad, "Most Miles per Tas Then I searched for the address of some friends, a married couple, the husband a very well known man red to his wife; the wife og in Avenue Haig, and the wife's in Route de Sieyes.' Ong refuses to accept this indication as being any evidence, however, that the—companionate marriage has reached the Far East.
1 thought it would be test the schools in Mr, Mill Directory, and on page 333 it gives "Public "with indication w: where it is, of three mis:
Boone fond School, and immediately below thi Schoo!" no fewer than 33 "Kungping Road assist ses belonging to it apparently. Surely that iv "The Best Yet"?
Then come the following schools with no inkling as to where they. ture-—Thomas Hanbury School for Boys, Thomas Hanbury School for Girls, and four schools for Chinese, Hardly a "Complete Directory of Shanghgi" which doesn't direct and give the addresses of schools? Further painstaking search revealed, that some of the schools with the butter, beauty parlour, corset, and compradore shop advertisements on paxes to 55 of the "Ladies' Section.
One finds that the Public Shoot for Chinese, Ellis Kadoorie School for Chinese, Nie! lie School for Chinese, and the Polytechnic Public School for Chinese, are not considered worthy of being included amongst the butter and the corsets und other schools already: mentioned: "Hunt the "Thimble" is an old old-fashioned game compared for information "Best Yet"
In the Alphabetical List of Firms, 8 molest though worthy Cabaret personnel ta appears in large heavy type, whilst the names of the B.A.T. and the B.C.C.. the largest foreign organizations in China, appear in small light. print. Well known administrations like the Eastern Extension and Great Northern Telegraph Companies appear in small light print, whilst little shops down East Broadway and North Szechuen Road appear in heavy black letters.
OF Clubs—one notes the Club Plaza of 113 Bubbling Well Road in heavy large black letters, and then follow all the minor. clubs, Shanghai, the American, the Country, the Cercle Sportif, and so on, in light type.
There are 344 pages of the alphabetical list of firms, not purely devoted to clearly and conveniently setting forth the names of firms and personnels ax we are accustomed to seeing them in the "Hong List," but intermingled with a hotchpotch of advertisements, and the actual names of firms in lettering and printing of the most diverse shades, shapes, sorts and sizes, I
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.