戴斯名不见经传,有关生平的资料极少,笔者苦寻其肖像至今未果。对于这一恰似其参加的共济会一样神秘的人物,20世纪70年代报刊称之为既时尚又豪迈的社交分子。不过,尽管可能是业余的,笔者在此则更愿意称之为画家。戴斯在狮城仅仅5年,时间之短暂恰似掠过狮城上空的雁,却以画作与文字为后人留下了宝贵的记录。雁过留声,虽经百年之久,其声仍在狮城上空悠然回荡。
参考文献
[1] Irene Lim (2003), Sketches in The Straits.
[2] The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser: 16 June & 7 July 1842, 12 October & 28 December 1843, 30 May 1844, 24 September 1846, 1 & 8 October 1846.
[3] The Straits Times: 26 November 1845, 3 June 1969, 15 & 20 May 1876.
[4] New Nation: 3 & 10 March 1972, 26 December 1974.
[5] Singapore Daily Times, 29 April 1879.
(作者为晚晴园华文义务导览员)
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