Letter Published as Received 來信照登

來信照登

To the esteemed editor of the Chinese Australian Herald as well as to whom it may concern,

Every time I read the articles in this newspaper, I am filled with admiration for your unwavering frankness and steadfast adherence to moral rectitude. You always remain impartial and are genuinely the Bao Zheng in our times, and your fairness in commenting on current affairs is comparable to that of the renowned historiographer Dong Hu 董狐.

In addition, I learned that all six provinces in Australia have enacted stringent policies prohibiting us from communicating with each other. In response, we reported to our emperor through a telegram, hoping to exert every effort to address this desperate situation. Therefore, it was truly a mercy for us as Chinese migrants when Britain lifted this prohibition. I also have to earnestly thank you all for the efforts and enthusiasm you have tirelessly invested in turning the tide. I did not mean to sound overly flattering, and my visceral words were perhaps simply rooted in the genuine emotions delivered by your articles that I empathised with. Hence, I know that I would simply expose myself to ridicule with my superficial scholarship and slight talent, yet I still ardently hope to express a token of my heartfelt appreciation and gratitude in these few humble words.

Likewise, I would like to donate ten shillings to the Chinese Australian Herald, and the money has now been entrusted to a friend of mine in my city, Mr Zhaocong Zhang, who will purchase and send the money order for me from a post office. Please check the money order and the amount. Moreover, I also desperately wish you could kindly inform me of your receipt of the donation so that I can no longer worry about this matter. Please allow me to implore everyone who has read my letter, to clearly see my sincerity with these few simple words of mine.

Written on February 29, at Peace and Harmony, Port Darwin.

I, Fan Zhenglu with Dun as my style name, hereby would now like to humbly transcribe a poem presented to the Chinese Australian Herald by Traveller to the South in this section.

The beginning of the Chinese Australian Herald was tough,

But together, our patriotic merchants generously donated to its foundation.

The Chinese scholars caring for their nations are as numerous as the crucian carp in rivers.

Who, among them, has shed tears with deep emotion like those at Xinting in the past?

Secluded Hermit adapted the rhymes of the previous poem (heyun 和韻):

Enduring, weeping, our patriots are suffering as times grow tough.

Wouldn’t our men have wasted their time if they kept reading newspapers for this duration?

The Europeans returned the peaceful times back to Asians,

And we should never let the precious time go past.

A Passing and Passionate Traveller adopted the same characters as rhymes from the previous poem (yuanyun 原韻):

Compared with expressing pain with ink, promoting our cause with ardour is tough;

Complaining about our domestic affairs would waste more of our time in this duration.

Who will be the Rousseau in our times?

And who will eliminate all misrule, as Rousseau sought to do, similar to the abandonment of other problematic political systems in the past?

Another contribution from Traveller to the South:

No one expected that through such intensive effort, this arduous task would not be finished,

But behold! All beings are still obeying our sage emperor (dangyang 當陽).

Toiling and labouring, the people still constantly complain during these impoverished years;

When will those cups of spirit be able to soothe the hard feelings of our desperate patriots?

Smart Times adapted the rhymes of the previous poem:

For rejuvenating our country, this will be the only goal that must be finished.

Be loyal; endeavour to strengthen our country, as we all willingly obey our sage emperor.

The times have always produced their heroes throughout the ages;

The heroes will always become immortal, as they are honourable patriots.

A Passing and Passionate Traveller adopted the same characters as rhymes from the previous poem:

The task of removing the ingrained problems and crushing the treacherous forces has not been finished;

Countless people now support the elimination of all those treacherous in the imperial court for our emperor.

The people were enlightened with a new turning point;

The image of slaves for the Chinese nation has been swept away, thanks to the efforts of our patriots.

Lisan adapted the rhymes of the previous poem:

With endless chaos in our country, the writing of songs bewailing its misfortune has never been finished.

Gathering together in Australia, we, the Chinese migrants, are forced to comply with society to protect our race and emperor.

With nearly half of the people becoming victims of natural calamities, our concerns have never faded away,

As the white people are targeting and attempting to eliminate us, including our valuable patriots.

Humbly transcribed by Seclusion in the Hill of Dragon.