THE GREENOCK ADVERTISER
Wed 28 Aug 1878

MR FARQUHARSON FINDLAY AND
THE JAPAN MAIL.

The Athaneum of Saturday had the following:- "Mr Charles Farquharson Findlay, the successful candidate out of more than 150 applicants for the co-editorship of the Japan Mail, has met with a severe rebuff just as he was about to sail, by the arrival of the news that the paper has been sold, owing to the illness of its proprietor, and that no reservation has been made in his (Mr Findlay's) favour. Mr Findlay gave up a good position as editor and manager of the Greenock Advertiser for the purpose of proceeding to Yokohama, and he was honoured with a farewell banquet and presentation at the hands of leading citizens in the town he has left. The fact of having been so handsomely treated on the eve of his departure, however, only renders the present disappointment more mortifying.”

There is little to add to this paragraph in the way of facts. It is, however, due to Mr FINDLAY to state that it was not until some time after the dinner and the presentation had taken place that he received telegraphic information of the sale of the Japan Mail, and of the consequent necessity for a change of plans. Mr FINDLAY has since communicated both with the Convener of the Dinner Committee and the Chairman of the Presentation Committee, explaining in detail the unfortunate circumstances of the case. He has also placed in the hands of the latter committee the various mementoes with which he was presented and which he has unanimously been requested to retain.

The fact is, of course, that the change in Mr FINDLAY'S future could make no difference in the respect and esteem with which he is regarded by his friends in Greenock, all of whom will join in sympathy with him in his present position, and all of whom have but one feeling in regard to the treatment he has received from those who negotiated with him his appointment to the Yokohama paper. It is clearly seen on which side the fault lies, and every good wish will go with Mr FINDLAY in his subsequent literary career.