Brewitt-Taylor (B-T) was unable to take the normal quinquennial one-year leave. Before Robert Hart returned to England, he made several changes at the top of the organization of the Customs. He also indicated that B-T would have to take a shortened leave since B-T had been promoted as a full commissioner in the office of the inspector general in Peking at the same time as he had been also
... [Show full abstract] appointed as the Co-Director of a Customs College. B-T had to prepare for the new college upon his early return to China. B-T's sons were still in London, and both attended University College School in London's Hampstead. His elder son Leonard met and made friends with Edward Ellis while in London. Edward came from a lively and prosperous family. This family served as an important source of learning to the Brewitt-Taylors. This chapter illustrates the influence of the Ellis family, as well as providing a specific account regarding the experiences of Leonard and Raymond Brewitt-Taylor.
