Personal Reminiscences of Thirty Years' Residence in the Model Settlement

Charles M. Dyce

ISBN 10: 1331546001 / ISBN 13: 9781331546009

Published by Forgotten Books, 2018

About this Item

Print on Demand. This book transports you to the vibrant and bustling Shanghai of the 1870s, a city brimming with opportunity and ambition. The author, a young Englishman, recounts his experiences as a "Griffin," a newcomer to the foreign settlement. He vividly describes the colorful tapestry of nationalities that comprised the community ââ â the ubiquitous Scots, the assertive Americans, the reserved Germans, and the curious Eurasian Portuguese. Beyond the social scene, the author delves into the world of commerce, painting a fascinating portrait of the booming China trade and the risky ventures that characterized the era. He provides insights into the unique business practices of the time, the importance of personal connections, and the challenges of navigating a fast-paced, dynamic, and often unpredictable market. The book offers a rare glimpse into a pivotal moment in the history of Shanghai, revealing the anxieties, aspirations, and everyday lives of the foreigners who sought their fortunes in the East. The authorââ â ¢s detailed observations and candid reflections serve as a window into the culture, customs, and complexities of life in this rapidly evolving city, providing a valuable historical document for those seeking to understand the foundations of Shanghaiââ â ¢s modern-day success. This book is a reproduction of an important historical work, digitally reconstructed using state-of-the-art technology to preserve the original format. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in the book.

Seller Inventory # 9781331546009_0

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Personal Reminiscences of Thirty Years' Residence in the Model Settlement
• Publisher: Forgotten Books
• Publication Date: 2018
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1331546001
• ISBN 13: 9781331546009
• Binding: Paperback
• Condition: New
• Book Type: print-on-demand item
• Seller catalogs:
  • Sport

About this title

Synopsis

Personal reminiscences from Shanghai’s Model Settlement illuminate daily life in a bustling port town.

This memoir blends historical detail with personal growth as a young clerk navigates trade, culture, and ambition in the late 19th century.

Through the author’s eyes, you’ll glimpse the early days of a mercantile house, the learning curve of silk handling, and the social dynamics that shaped life in a cosmopolitan community. The narrative moves from London to Shanghai, tracing work, apprenticeships, and the practical realities of a foreign business world.

• Follow a novice clerk’s path from routine office life to learning silk and the wider trade.
• See how warehouse work trains eye for quality and how classifies silk shapes a career.
• Explore the development of pidgin English and cross-cultural communication in daily scenes.
• Experience life on a shooting boat, with detailed portraits of crew, tasks, and travel.

Ideal for readers curious about historical Shanghai, the global silk trade, and the everyday experiences of foreign residents in a Model Settlement.