History is recalled by the auction'
the salesroom of Messrs. Noel, Murray & Ca, of a bronze statuette of Pritchard Morgan, is not known by whom the bust was made but the story is that it was presented to the famous Emyess Dowager who, for reasons not given, declined to accept it. Since then, it has been kept in unknown places and, after these years, it has come to light again this time in an auction room.
In 1896, the late Li Hung-chang made an extended tour thoughout Europe and announced that China was about to be opened up to trade and commerce. Mr. Pritchard Morgan, armed with a letter from the late Sir Holliday Macartney, then Councillor to the Chinese Legation, pointing out his qualifications to assist in the development of this country, came to China. with Viceroy Li and, on the passage to New York, prepared a Memorial to the Chinese Throne for the creation of a mining administration, which Li Hung-chang approved and, on his retan acted upon. In accordance with the Viceroy's desire personal letters setting forth Mr. Pritchard Morgan's qualifications were writ. ten by Lord Curzon and Sir Joseph. Chamberlain, As the result of a cable from the Viceroy to come to China with his geologists and experts, Mr. Pritch-ord Morgan engaged three British subjects and an American and came to this country. He and his staff were] continuously consulting with Taotai a social code which is -essentially American in its conception. Now. that the cold weather is making 1s appearance it is to be hoped that the Nanking Theatre authorities will not be too ready to prove their ability to defeat the rigours of the climate. A reasonably low temperature is preferable to stuffiness. While in the critical tiaod it might be asked whether it is really. necessary to introduce the main film with half an hour or more of stupendous futility in the shape what it is understood is. described tick comedy." 'The atmosphere of intense suffering created-by the would-be fanny film' entitled "The Honour -System" was s0 overpowering that it should have brought even the. box office attendants to a condition of remorse. That is the worst of cinemas. In theatre, the anguish.-of the] audience can be immediately ap~ preciated, but the screen relentlessly Proceeds in the face of the most Unimaginable horrors. The Fox Movietone News was rood as usual and gave some -excellent pictures of the racing at Henley—E, "Asphalt"
'The Paris Theatre management fare evidently firmly convinced that the silent picture has still a future before it, and this belief is justified by the latest product of the Ufa, Films' "Asphalt." 'The story is melodramatic, covering as it does the theft of diamonds and a mux dex, and having a happy nding' [within reasonable. contemplation,. i not 25 at close quarters.as Helly: wood would prescribe. The German producers' technical excellence well illustrated in this. lin and is worth a visit Pun mining matters.
Viceroy -Li gave, Mr. Pritchard! Morgan a power of attorney authorizing him to proceed to England to. negotiate -with the British Government to guarantee the interest on a loan for £16,000,000 to pay the Japanese indemnity but the Chancellor of the Exchequer did not sce-his way to comply. Accordingly, he returned to China and a report was made on the mines of Shai tung.
Later, Mr. Pritchard Morgan ssu ceeded in obtaining_a concession for working mines in Szechuan. but it was opposed.by the then French. Minister, M. Pichon, on the ground that it was opposed to treaty rights and in violation of an agreement entered into, which provided that, in the event of England or France getting any privileges or advantages. in Szechuan or Yunnan, they should be equally shared by each Government. Lord Salisbury held that the contract was purely a-Chinese-mining administration with a British! subject as one of the admi and that it was not contrary to treaty rights or the agreement referred to.
The contract was, however, later cancelled by the Chinese Government in spite of protests and little was known of Mr. Pritchard Morgan's activities after then,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.