It is not quite clear where the first "Herald" was published, but certainly within a very short while from the first issue the publishing house was at 24 Nanking Road. Some years later the offices were removed to 10 Hankow Road and in 1887 to Kiukiang Road, on the site where Burkill's godown subsequently was erected. In 1901 another move was made to 17 The Bund, undoubtedly at one time a handsome, commodious and substantial building. However, the staff increased so rapidly that there scarcely was room to accommodate them all, whilst the feverish rushing about necessitated by the reporting of interesting news items on the day of their happening, rather. than six weeks later, as in 1850, was proving somewhat damaging to the ancient fabric. So in 1921 the paper moved back to the old site in Kiukiang Road, whilst The Bund building was torn down and the big modern building erected. Since 1850 there have been 13 Editors. Mr. R. W. Little occupied the editorial chair for the second longest period, following Mr. Maclellan in 1889 and carrying on until his death in 1906. Mr. O. M. Green occupies the place of honour in respect of length of service, having been in the chair for 19 years.
There have been very few changes in the proprietorship. As stated, the paper was founded by Mr. H. Shearman, who must have been a most interesting personality, with somewhat of romance about him and evidently as much a man of business as of letters, for not only was he able to persuade people to pay $15-per annum for his little paper, but occasionally also he filled the role of auctioneer and he advertised himself as agent for the sale of "Pulvermacher's Patent. Portable Hydro-Electric Chain for Personal Use." Mr. Lanning wrote of him "A native of Prince Edward Island, his up-bringing doubtless explains his occasional trans-Atlantic turns of expression. He evidently took a serious view of his self-appointed task, and, if a profusion of punctuation could insure that end, was plainly determined that his remarks should be well-weighed. 'We do not,' he says, disguise from ourselves the vast importance of the object, which we have in view, nor do we under-estimate the requirements, which are needed to command the success we hope to realize. In saying this much, pur earnest aim shall be, to be true to ourselves, and to the best interests of this port; by which, we mean, a conscientious, careful, and fearless review of men, and things...... Not the least difficult part of our task will be to dissipate erroneous impressions, due to the wild exaggerations of a Gutzlaff—the ill-digested statements, and crudities of a Montgomery Martin—the amusing twaddle of a Fortune—and the malignant inventions of a Sirr—et hoc genus one.' This and similar effusions roused the ire of 'Young Shanghai' who, in No. 4, is permitted to administer this public rebuke:—'Forgive me, Mr. Editor, for suggesting that impartial temperate, and reliable writing would be much more likely to secure the useful ends you, have in view than a continuation of articles in the style of those which you have hitherto adopted.' Whether this home thrust took effect or not cannot be decided at this date, but it is noticeable how much of the paper was soon after filled by contributions from outsiders. There must have been an immensity of interest taken in the little weekly. The very best men of the day supported it and contributions from Drs, Medhurst, Bridgman and Macgowan were frequent. Others came from the Rev. W. A. P. Martin, universally known as Dr: Martin, Emeritus Professor and Head of the Peking University, from Dr. Bowring then Consul at Canton, but afterwards British Plenipotentiary, of whom it has been said that he was "Master of Two Hundred Languages!" Dr. Bowring's contributions were usually poetic. There were many other writers, and'if we may judge from their correspondence and the books they imported for the Shanghai library, they must have attained a higher level of literary excellence than is usually to be found in mercantile communities." Mr. Shearman died in 1856 and was succeeded as Editor by Mr. Spencer Compton, but whether Mr. Compton also was proprietor of the paper is not certain. However, some time before 1863 the proprietorship passed to Mr. Edwin Pickwoad, who had come to China from Australia. He served for several years as Secretary to the Municipal Council, from which office he retired in 1863 and was succeeded by Mr. R. F. Gould. Mr. Pickwoad sailed for England in 1866, but on August 31, only six days after landing, he died at Southampton. He left a large family, amongst whom his interest in the paper was divided. Mr. Balfour had an interest for a time, but Mr. Henry Morriss subsequently secured a considerable holding and "also married Miss Una Pickwoad, so that he became the chief proprietor and the Morriss family since have retained the proprietorship, the directorate at present consisting of Mr. H. E. Morriss, chairman, Mr. Gordon Morriss, and Mr. R. W. Davis, Secretary and manager, the two Mr. Morrisses having served as directors for over twenty-five years.
Shanghai In Infancy The "North these two will not want an introduction. To the younger, it nee only be said that thei have been few grea!
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.