'Ancient Statuette' Which was __~Given tonking George V "73 By Wo Arum 3
Worlds apart, in culture, creed and rice, " Queen Victoria and, the God-/dess'of Merey, Kwan Yin, have been inked?" together In. an'. amazing fashion, despite an. apparently unbridgable chasm of'700: years..."
This, has. been recalled by. the fuislversal interest" created. in, the forthcoming' Coronation,, and with the: arrival-in' London, ofthe: largest Selegation ever sent. by. China "to attend this: historic event,. 'The Unk, which forged a' closer, tie between two "great countries," wis' a unique presentation made' by' Dr. Wu Lien-teh, Director of the, National Quaran= {tine,-Service, to: the: beloved: soverelgng whose sori.iny this week' crown fed King.
Dr. Wu,"a "connoisseur. of rare objects d'art. hind, inthe course, of collecting, discovered en. iron. gute, of the Goddess of Merey dating' back several -hundreds of years... He. was immediately. struck. by able resemblance to Queen. Victoria, 'The,-more; he, studied it,. the more Chinese should belong: to her hho felt that this. fine specimen' of
grandson," the late King George V, and his. consort, Queen Mary.
An opportunity came in 1935 when. Dr, Wu travelled to Europe, England and America on an extended study and lecture tour. Through, the good, offices of Lord" Dawson of Physician to the King, Dr. Wu_ sent his gift to Their, Majesties, ""Their gracious icceptancé was. expressed, in a letter written by Lord Dawson, of (Penn at their request, It reads follows:
Gite Appreciatea have "submitted the'iron stattigle of the Goddess of Merey, Kwan Yin, to Their Majesties," King [George and Queen Mary, "The authorities of the' "British 'Museum refer this: Interesting figure to the thirteenth century and regard it. as. a worthy and. interesting representative of the art and crafts manship of that period, "The "King and. Queen were' most Interested in seeing 'a figure present ing/such a striking ikeness to Queen 'Victoria, and feel that it is an attractive thought' that, as if by some prevision the Goddess Mercy should have received an outward) form so. closely. resembling Queen Victorfi, notwithstanding that an. interval of nearly 700" years separated", the reign of the Queen from the forging of the statuette, 'Their Majesties appreciated highly the thought which prompted you to offer them this charming piece for their acceptance. 'They accept the gift and ask me to say how much they will' value it and that they intend "to _add.tt to the collection at Windsor Castle where they will have the pleasure of seeing it from time to time.
"Let me assure you that your gift has given great pleasure, not only account of its artistic merit and the interest and asgoclation surround~ ing tt, but also oh account of the kind thought which' prompted you to offer it"
'The placing by the authorities of the "British fusoum of this agurine as a product of the: thirteenth century supports Dr. Wu' early pellet that {f belongs to the' Sung period.
Acting with dramatic suddenness, the Japanese Colton Mill Owners! Association in China has decided. im~ mediately to raise the wages of 45,000 mills, The increase will, range up to 10 per cent,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.