His survey was on the whole not unfavourable to the efforts of the Chinese Government of those times to suppress opium, and, his reports appear to show that he saw considerably less opium growing than he would, if he travelled in those same parts to-day, From September 1017 to May 1919, he was travelling in the wild districts of the Sino-Tibetan borderland. "In the course of these alter travels he was instrumental in bringing about an. armistice between the Chinese and Tibetans who had been waging war on each other for many years, "For his services in connection with this work he was given the CLE.
The literary fruits of his journeys have been given to the world in two books that he wrote entitled "Travels of a Consular OMicer in North-West China" and "Travels of a Consular Ameer in Eastern Tibet"
In June 1910 he became Assistant Chinese Secretary, a post which he held till August 1922, when he took over charge of the Chinese Secretariat from' Mr. (now Sir) Sidney Barton, This post, afterwards raised to Chi nese Cousselior, he has held till now, 4 period of thirteen years and probably a record. During this time he served under four different ministers: the late Sir Beilly Alston, Sir Ronald Macleay, Sir Miles Lampson ana Sir Alexander Cadogan.
His period of service as chief adviser' on Chinese affairs to H. Legation (now Embassy) covered some very critical events, as also some very strained relations which, in view of subsequent happenings, oth countries may now very wel regret, These were: the hold-up of Express at Lincheng 10 student riots at Shanghai, the ' Wanhsien Incident, the" ats ack on Shameen in 1925; the anti British boycott from 1025" to 1928; the surrender of Hankow in January 4927; and. the Nanking outrages in March of the same year. in Peiping he has kept a racing stable, with considerable success, training' and riding the ponies himself, until two years ago, when he met with a serious riding accident. Many are the trophies he has carried off at the spring and autumn meetings at the Paomachang Race Course and at the cross-country hunts in. winter, He is also a brilliant polo player, one of the best Peiping has ever had, and regularly for 20 years has played for the interport team in the annual match between Peiping and Tientsin, His departure will leave a great blank in racing and polo circles, Lady Telchman's Popular Position No sketch of Sir Eric's life in Peiping would be complete without mention of his wife, the "Lady Tai" of the Embassy, as she is popularly Known, Lady Teichman has earned for herself a special place in Peiping as the friend of all, particularly of the children who will miss her famous Christmas and Easter parties. She will be long remembered for her many kindnesses and her unvarying Interest in every form of social activity, As fitting close to his long sojourn in China, Sir Erle plans to go home across Asia, by motor car vid Chinese Turkestan to Kashgar, and from there to India, As. one of the longest residents in Peiping Sir Eric has certainly. been fortunate in the period of his sojourn here, By far the greater portion of has been during the palmy days of the old. Capital, and he is Jeaving It ata time when Twilight of Peiping", calls it, has already set
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.