Page 320 - Merchants and Mandarins China Trade Era

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nevertheless each year elected an English resident as presi­

dent and the corrnnittee consistently retained a majority of
30
English members. The large number of English residents at

Canton, especially after 1834, most likely accounted for the

predominant position Englishmen occupied in this Society.

One year after the formation of the Society for the

Diffusion of Useful Knowledge, the Chinese Repository reported

favorably on the support of residents at Canton: "The feeling

of interest which the members of the foreign community in

China have manifested on behalf of the society, .augers

well." Editors of the Repositoa commented that they were
especially impressed by the foreign residents' willingness

to aid the Society because of the merchants' reputation, not

unjustly deserved, for caring only about making a fortune at

Canton. The success of this Society constituted "clear proof

that foreigners who come to this country have other objects in

view than mere selfish gains. 11 31 As this compliment to mercan­

tile benevolence appeared in the Repository, the residents had

another opportunity to manifest their spirit of altruism. In

1835 Bridgman suggested an organization to honor the memory of

Robert Morrison by sponsoring efforts to continue Morrison's

30
The Chines�Repository published reports of annual
meetings of the Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge.
These reports included members present at the meetings and lists
of officers but not full membership lists. III, 8 (December 1834),
380-81; IV, 8 (December 1835), 354, 361; V, 11 (March 1837), 507;
VI, 7 (November 1837), 340; VII, 8 (December 1838), 410.
31
ch· inese Reposi ory, IV, 8 (December 1835), 354.
. t