Expressing the hope that in the future the 'Royal Asiatic Society would play an' even greater part in the study of Oriental culture Mr. J.P. Brenan, British Consul General, laid the foundation stone of the new Royal Asiatic building in Museum Road on' October 20.
'The ceremony was held at noon and an. interested crowd, many originally drawn by the gay scarlet Danting that transformed the super structure, gathered long fore. the' appointed hour. The Invited guests. included" the Mayor Greater Shanghai, General Chang Shanghai Stunelpal Counely Bre General E,"B. -Mocnaghten;, the ang ipal Council, chairman of the Frezch Municipal Council, Mr. E, Kooshlin, French Consul-Geneval, "and Chinese coune cillors of the society: Dr. Hu Shih, Dr, C. L. Hsta.and Dr. Wa Lien- teh, As chairman of the building subcommittee and on behalf of the architects, "Messrs. "Palmer and Turner, Colonel Of. H. Logan pre-gented fe, Brenan with a aliver rowel The Royal Asiatic Society is recognized as a unique factor in the cultural life of the community, play ing a definite role sines its found 1857. The object of the society to study Oriental, and especially Chinese history, att and civilization, and to make possible a common moot ing ground for intellectuals of the East and West.
"You have been invited to-day to honour with your presence a cor many which should be of considerable interest to cultural and educa nal citoles in Shanghai. And that the laying of the foundation stone the new building for the North Ching Branch of the Royal Asiatic "The local branch was founded in Tu 1858 it was afflia.ed to the Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain (founded in London in 1823). 1868 the British Government provide the present site at an annual tal and the first hall was completed in 1871. Subsequently the Governent conveyed the property to the Society im perpetuity.
"For many years the old build dilapidated and finally in this year, ing had proved inadequate and largely owing to the active "pro paganda of Mr. Sowerby and generous, donations by the 'Shang= hai Municipal Council and Dr. Wu Lien-teh, supplemented by other setfte, it' wag found possible to. proceed with the replacement of "the Hall by another worthy of the Society and of Shanghai, "Further subscriptions are need~ ed to fulfil the Society's plans, but is hoped that the Hall can be opened again in the summer of 1932.
"For over seventy years the Society hax been the. principal contre of study of Oriental eultire among the foreign community in Central China, and it is hoped that. with the ce-operation of Chinese it may serve the same objects even greater degree in fature,"
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.