Life and sport in China / Second Edition

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

26412

Title

Life and sport in China / Second Edition

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

Oliver G. Ready offers an insider's look at Anglo-Chinese life in the early 20th century, blending observations on social customs, commerce, and leisure with frank commentary on missionary work and the shifting economic landscape of the Far East.

Summary up to 500 words

In the second edition of *Life and Sport in China*, Oliver G. Ready offers a comprehensive sociological sketch of European existence within the vast Chinese Empire. Drawing on twelve years of residence, Ready describes the unique reality of treaty ports, where foreigners inhabit segregated concessions governed by their own consuls and exempt from Chinese jurisdiction. These settlements function as detached portions of the British Empire, featuring wide roads, drainage systems, and native police forces, yet they exist in a state of perpetual tension with the surrounding population. Ready details the daily mechanics of this expatriate life, highlighting the credit-based 'chit' system used in clubs and churches, which often traps residents in debt due to the ease of signing notes. He navigates the bewildering monetary landscape, explaining the collapse of silver value against copper cash, which has drastically increased the cost of living and eroded the purchasing power of foreign salaries. This economic shift marks the end of the 'Eldorado' era, where easy commercial fortunes were once made by Englishmen; now, shrewd Chinese merchants and increased competition have replaced those opportunities with a challenging economic reality. The narrative explores the 'lighter side' of life through various forms of recreation. Ready describes sailing on the Yangtze, house-boat picnics, and shooting expeditions, noting the dangers of piracy and the intense heat that often renders social gatherings unbearable. He also recounts dramatic maritime incidents, such as a steamer narrowly avoiding a collision with a massive timber raft. A significant portion of the work is dedicated to a critical yet nuanced examination of missionaries. While Ready defends their humanitarian efforts in healing the sick and teaching the blind, he critiques their interference in local legal disputes and expresses concern for the safety of female missionaries in unsanitary environments. He questions the efficacy of converting China, suggesting that persecution may stifle growth and that Islam might gain ground. Ultimately, Ready argues that while military occupation may be possible, China is unconquerable in spirit. He posits that the nation possesses an unconquerable resilience that subdues foreign influence through sheer volume and endurance, warning that unless restrained, China will eventually overflow into adjacent lands, conquering them through cheap labor and unremitting toil. The book serves as both a travelogue and a sobering reflection on the limits of Western influence in the Far East.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Categories

• Social Life
• Sports