Prints

The earliest picture of Hong Kong.

A charming view of the Waterfall Bay, Hong Kong Island, where the Alceste anchored and obtained water. The frontispiece of Clark Abel's book on Lord Amherst's Embassy, and the author writes: "Looking from the deck of the Alceste early on the following morning, I found that we were in a sound [probably in what is now Aberdeen harbour] formed by some small islands, by which it was land-locked in every direction, and of which Hong - kong is the principal. As seen from the ship, this island was chiefly remarkable for its high conical mountains, rising in the centre, and for a beautiful cascade, which rolled over a fine blue rock into the sea. I took advantage of the first watering boat to visit the shore, and made one of these mountains and the waterfall the principal objects of my visit".

John M'Leod, in his 'Narrative of a Voyage in H. M. late ship Alceste,' writes:-" The ships passed on to an anchorage among the Hong Kong islands; where the Anjeri [Java] water, not being deemed good, was changed for that which fell from the rocks, and was certainly uncontaminated by any vegetable matter, for few places present a more barren aspect than these islands."

T. Fielding (1793-1837) Sculp.; of whom Mr. Abel writes: "In conclusion, I must not forget to point out the fidelity with which the engraver, Mr. Fielding, has executed his department of the work, or to acknowledge the interest he took in the progress of it, and his anxiety that the accuracy of his pencil should correspond with the nicety of my own wishes in subjects not so frequently under the eye of an artist". London. Printed for Longman's 1818.

William Havell (1782 - 1857) was one of the earliest professional English artists to visit China. He was appointed as draughtsman to Lord Amherst's embassy to China 1816 to 1817. He would have drawn this view in 1816

P5664.  Chater VIII.2

Framed, optimum museum acrylic