The House that Jack Built (a Modern Version): a Remarkable Temperance Story of Shanghai

Ridgway, Charles

Published by Fukuin Printing Co. Ltd, Yokohama, 1917

About this Item

12mo; v, 129pp. Frontis photograph of the author 'and his amanuensis.' Maroon cloth spine over maroon cloth; gilt lettering on spine. Spine professionally replaced; minor wear to extremities; light foxing to endpapers; else a near fine copy of the scarce first edition. This book details Ridgway's experiences as a temperance advocate and member of the International Order of Good Templars in 19th-century Shanghai. The title refers to a sober sailors' rest he established in 1879, called "The House That Jack Built," which provided a safe, alcohol-free environment for foreign sailors, particularly from the American, British, and French navies. The establishment offered amenities like an English-language library and tea nights, while also serving as a subtle platform for Christian conversion efforts. Ridgway s narrative reflects his shock at the rampant drunkenness, prostitution, and crime he encountered upon arriving in Shanghai in 1875, a city he described as a "pesthouse" despite its role as a hub for Christian missionaries. His book recounts personal observations, including his bystander perspective during the Sino-French War of 1884 and interactions with naval officers, such as those from the Yangtze Patrol. Ridgway s work is an historical account rooted in his mission to promote sobriety and moral reform. (Grok).

Seller Inventory # 22655

Bibliographic Details

• Title: The House that Jack Built (a Modern Version): a Remarkable Temperance Story of Shanghai
• Publisher: Fukuin Printing Co. Ltd, Yokohama
• Publication Date: 1917
• Edition: First Edition.
• Seller catalogs:
  • World History