On another day
THE Odd Volumes Society was an early attempt to create an intellectual oasis in Hong Kong's cultural desert.
The original president of the society was the great Dr James Cantlie who saved Dr Sun Yat-sen's life when he was kidnapped in London.
The first debate was on ''What does Hong Kong Want?'' It was a very lively affair. Dr Cantlie wanted a Medical College and Mr J.J. Francis QC demanded a democratic Legislative Council. Four years later, Dr Cantile got his medical college; but a century has passed and Hong Kong is still not a democracy.
The famous woman traveller Isabella Bird gave a lecture on ''Thibet'' (sic); Dr Eitel, Hong Kong's first historian, talked about ''The Philosophy of the Subconscious''; and E.F. Skertchly read a paper on the ''Customs, Legends and Superstitions of the Cagayan Sulus.'' The learned society had its critics. The Hong Kong Telegraph unkindly remarked that: ''Skertchly & Co's self glorified renaissance of learning has burst upon us with the dazzling splendor of a damp Joss stick.'' ''Every individual or society has the right to prove and proclaim himself, herself or itself a monument of egregious ignorance and total stupidity.
A year later, in a lecture given on April 17, 1896, the Governor of Hong Kong, Sir William Robinson, exercised that divine right. Sir William chose as his thesis ''Samples of Irish Wit and Humour'' and for the next two hours he bombarded his audience of distinguished academics, intellectuals, pedagogues and missionaries - with bad Irish Jokes.
''Now Paddy is always either cracking jokes or heads'' said Sir William. ''So much so that it has been asked 'What articles used at desert are most Irishmen like?' Why, nut crackers, of course.'' His Excellency concluded: ''Some of you may say 'Sir William, there is no end to your wit' to which I would reply 'Heaven forbid that I should be at my wits' end.' '' -ARTHUR HACKER
