Moges Alfred is famous for his travel to Japan, so he accompanied in 1858, the diplomatic mission of Baron Gros in this relatively forgotten empire of the West. The previous year he traveled to China and left a few pages on his way to Hong Kong.
Memories of an embassy in China and Japan "is the name of the book that the Marquis de Moges relates his journey of two years in the Far East. Published in 1860, this relationship is a journey relatively dry with few long descriptions. The Marquis is more fun to talk about the mundane and, thereby, to show his support for the regime of Napoleon III, which is a strong supporter. It also retains more passages that relate to Japan, because its mission, led by Baron Gros, led to the signing of the first Treaty of Friendship and Commerce between France and Japan.
China is nevertheless an important aspect of the mission and the resulting book ... and Hong Kong is a must. The Marquis de Moges arrived off the coast of the young British colony in October 1857 aboard the frigate "the Bold". The first stop on the embassy site in Macau to meet Minister of France Bourboulon, but signs of the decline of the Portuguese colony and time changes, most of the tour continues in Hong Kong.
The traveler attaches great importance to the protocol, the first impressions of the landscape are unimportant, however, he noted that immediately Baron Gros welcomed "the nineteen-gun by Admiral Seymour and a British frigate, a corvette and a corvette Dutch American. " It follows a long conference with Lord Elgin, his English counterpart, then a warm welcome and attentive Bowring of the governor. Again, the cannon friendlies are counted and the presence of the garrison at attention on the road to the residence of the governor are as much detail as the Marquis enjoys. Banquets and receptions follow each other: the social events are well underway.
During the five days of calls that follow, the diplomat started to crack a few comments. "We travel in all directions this wonderful array of English power in the Far East." After a brief history, the marquis confesses: "Fifteen years have sufficed for the colonizing genius of Great Britain to make this wonder and to make this place, unknown until then the busiest port in these seas." What is surprising more the observer, is the ubiquity of Chinese and Hindu personnel in connection with the lack of escort or protection of the British, while those nations are at war against England and the head of the governor is putting rates. We learn, however, that the East India Company finances part of the arsenal and the ships present in Hong Kong, where ...
Embassy attending a theatrical performance of "sing-song." "The show starts at eight o'clock in the morning and lasts until eight o'clock at night, without ever the stage remains empty for a moment. All kinds of heroes, geniuses, gods will take place, and thus engaged in fighting the most fabulous. Nothing beats the pantomime of Chinese actors and luxury costumes, all sparkling with gold and silk. "The music and tone are confusing, and once the surprise and curiosity past," the poor man lost in the European demand through locations and fled. "
A visit is made to the Fathers of the Foreign Missions and the Sisters of St. Paul de Chartres. Marquis stresses are 4000 Catholics in Hong Kong and explains the ministry of missionaries sent across from the colony, with this amusing conclusion: "the poor, lost in the interior Asia, are in communication once a year with Europe and the civilized world. What a horrible kidnapping! "After visiting the college of missions on the mountain, Alfred Moges down to the" happy valley ", he learns that the name comes from three cemeteries all around. The racetrack is already serviced every day "as in English parks.
Other more serious matters at the same time animate the embassy. Baron Gros preparing an offensive against the "haughty viceroy of the two Kwangs" in Canton. This operation is conceived in consultation with the English who also want battle with their neighbor. The tricks are many and Hong Kong appears to be a platform for diplomacy in the Far East: the Marquis accurately scans the other embassies. He is suspicious of the Count Poutiatine, the Russian envoy, veteran of the Crimean War and is now protecting Russian interests in China. Reed is sent by the United States and has a warmer look, because its task is confined to the observation. It poses no threat to French interests.
At the end of his stay, Alfred Moges draws the necessary conclusions, "Hong Kong is future trade and movement, the city of Macao is quiet and the past. The time is past when the intrepid Portuguese sailors were the rulers of the seas. "
China is nevertheless an important aspect of the mission and the resulting book ... and Hong Kong is a must. The Marquis de Moges arrived off the coast of the young British colony in October 1857 aboard the frigate "the Bold". The first stop on the embassy site in Macau to meet Minister of France Bourboulon, but signs of the decline of the Portuguese colony and time changes, most of the tour continues in Hong Kong. The traveler attaches great importance to the protocol, the first impressions of the landscape are unimportant, however, he noted that immediately Baron Gros welcomed "the nineteen-gun by Admiral Seymour and a British frigate, a corvette and a corvette Dutch American. " It follows a long conference with Lord Elgin, his English counterpart, then a warm welcome and attentive Bowring of the governor. Again, the cannon friendlies are counted and the presence of the garrison at attention on the road to the residence of the governor are as much detail as the Marquis enjoys. Banquets and receptions follow each other: the social events are well underway.
During the five days of calls that follow, the diplomat started to crack a few comments. "We travel in all directions this wonderful array of English power in the Far East." After a brief history, the marquis confesses: "Fifteen years have sufficed for the colonizing genius of Great Britain to make this wonder and to make this place, unknown until then the busiest port in these seas." What is surprising more the observer, is the ubiquity of Chinese and Hindu personnel in connection with the lack of escort or protection of the British, while those nations are at war against England and the head of the governor is putting rates. We learn, however, that the East India Company finances part of the arsenal and the ships present in Hong Kong, where ...
Embassy attending a theatrical performance of "sing-song." "The show starts at eight o'clock in the morning and lasts until eight o'clock at night, without ever the stage remains empty for a moment. All kinds of heroes, geniuses, gods will take place, and thus engaged in fighting the most fabulous. Nothing beats the pantomime of Chinese actors and luxury costumes, all sparkling with gold and silk. "The music and tone are confusing, and once the surprise and curiosity past," the poor man lost in the European demand through locations and fled. "
A visit is made to the Fathers of the Foreign Missions and the Sisters of St. Paul de Chartres. Marquis stresses are 4000 Catholics in Hong Kong and explains the ministry of missionaries sent across from the colony, with this amusing conclusion: "the poor, lost in the interior Asia, are in communication once a year with Europe and the civilized world. What a horrible kidnapping! "After visiting the college of missions on the mountain, Alfred Moges down to the" happy valley ", he learns that the name comes from three cemeteries all around. The racetrack is already serviced every day "as in English parks.
Other more serious matters at the same time animate the embassy. Baron Gros preparing an offensive against the "haughty viceroy of the two Kwangs" in Canton. This operation is conceived in consultation with the English who also want battle with their neighbor. The tricks are many and Hong Kong appears to be a platform for diplomacy in the Far East: the Marquis accurately scans the other embassies. He is suspicious of the Count Poutiatine, the Russian envoy, veteran of the Crimean War and is now protecting Russian interests in China. Reed is sent by the United States and has a warmer look, because its task is confined to the observation. It poses no threat to French interests.
At the end of his stay, Alfred Moges draws the necessary conclusions, "Hong Kong is future trade and movement, the city of Macao is quiet and the past. The time is past when the intrepid Portuguese sailors were the rulers of the seas. "
FD.
Sources and photo credits: Alfred Moges, Memories of an embassy in China and Japan in 1857 and 1858, Paris, Hachette, 1860.
Azémar Thanks to Yves and his inexhaustible library of old books on Asia, 89 Hollywood Road - Hong Kong.
Azémar Thanks to Yves and his inexhaustible library of old books on Asia, 89 Hollywood Road - Hong Kong.
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