SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA IN PEKING, Sir Robert Hart -- director

Sir Robert Hart did not have an opportunity to “buy” a modern navy for the Chinese government. He did, however, buy and direct a full scale symphony orchestra for the city of Peking.

A letter to his factotum in London went something like this:

“I have decided to establish a symphony orchestra to improve the cultural and social life of Peking. Please purchase and ship to me all of the instruments needed for a symphony orchestra. Purchase the finest instruments available in London or on the continent. Also, please employ a qualified instructor in wind instruments and also one for percussion. I will train the string players myself and direct the orchestra.”

Hart’s virtually daily letters to London are published in two very large volumes. They document seemingly every event in his daily life and service in intricate detail. There is an almost daily reckoning of his urinary problems, symptoms, attempted treatments etc. continuing through his time in China. Despite this, Hart was able to retire to England for about 10 years and live to the age of 76

The Boxer Rebellion of 1900 was sore disappointment for Sir. Hart. It was both a rejection of the policies of the Quing government to protect foreign interests throughout China (although they compromised this position at the height of the Revolutionary successes) and of Western-China rapprochement in many areas of China. He, and most of the foreign community in Peking, survived the siege of Peking by the Boxers. The relief of Peking by an International military force consisting of English, Japanese, French, American and others is well documented in news and film.