10057.f.14

Imprint: Hongkong: Printed by Noronha and Sons, Government Printers. London: Smith, Elder and Co. 1869.

Quarto, half red calf binding, red cloth boards, measuring 305 x 234 mm, stamped in gilt on upper board, 'Visit to Hong Kong of His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh 1869; edges gilt; pp. iv, [2], 59, with 7 albumen prints on light card, mounted within lithographed rules and titled beneath each image. The letterpress of the work consists of an account of the festivities associated with the visit of Alfred, Duke of Edinburgh (at this time on an extensive tour as captain of H.M.S. 'Galatea'), to Hong Kong, between 31 October and 16 November 1869. The information was garnered from a variety of sources by William Beach, who, as he implies in his preface, appears to have been volunteered for the task by the Governor: 'A few days after the departure of the 'Galatea' from Hongkong, the Compiler, being at Government House, remarked on the universal feeling of satisfaction caused by the visit of His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh, and the reception which had been given him in this Colony; the Prince having expressed himself as much gratified, and every one having been charmed with the Prince. He [ie Beach], at the same time, referred to a rumour that was current, to the effect that it was intended to publish an official account of the leading events connected with the Royal visit; upon which His Excellency the Governor requested that he would undertake it, and offered to place at his disposal all the information that he possessed, and to give every assistance in his power. This request the Compiler, though unable to command much leisure, did not feel that he could, as a loyal Englishman, decline to accede to; and the brief Narrative which follows is the result...The Photographs are by Mr. J. Thomson, F.R.G.S., and will, it is believed, form one of the chief attractions of the work, the expense of which has of course been very considerably increased by their insertion. That of His Royal Highness will be recognized by all who saw him in Hongkong as an excellent likeness...' (Preface, pp. iii...iv).