怀柔远人：马嘎尔尼使华的中英礼仪冲突

by James L. Hevia, 何伟亚, 邓常春 (Translator)

《怀柔远人》的主题是清代礼宾与1793年马嘎尔尼英国使团，书中分别考察了清朝与英国对遣使事件的叙述，以便强调双方不同的实际操作模式与观念框架。在批判性地评介了其他有关清代外交关系的观点之后，第2章提供了一个对清帝国及其统治状况的全景式的考察，第5章也谈到这个问题，并特别关注宾礼。第3章讨论18世纪大英帝国国内文化背景，展示在知识贵族中普遍流行的“外交、贸易及对中国的了解”。第4章重新检讨马嘎尔尼勋爵对觐见过程前前后后的叙述。第6章和第7章透过清朝的礼仪和统治观念来审视清朝有关这次觐见的记载。第8章把双方的叙述列在一起，合而观之。第9章，在对这次清英相遇做出一些总结之后，回顾了中西关系史中对马嘎尔尼使团的研讨。

Genres: China, History

309 pages, Paperback

First published July 25, 1995

Reviews

[Jeremy Hurdis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hevia bridges histories on Britain and China and effects both discourses as a result. From this book, we may begin to understand thoroughly how the 'national character' of Britain and other European nations were being defined by contact with non-European powers. Focusing on early diplomatic attempts by King George III to trade with the Qianlong Emperor, Hevia addresses really well the long list of assumptions that informed both sides of the initial contact. Operating based on appearances, and different sets of codes and practices, the negotiation between Britain and China were at the same time definitions and redefinitions of their traditions and customs.

This book is worth reading for anyone interested in early imperialism and the awkward phase of constructing national identities.

[Kit · Rating 5 out of 5]

Through a reexamination of both Qing and Macartney's records of the Macartney Embassy of 1793 as historical documents, Hevia brings to life the different worldviews that shaped the different perceptions of the embassy, as well as how Maccarney's records would go on to be used to inform both the British public's perception of China and British policy choices into the Opium Wars. In compliment to the academic contents of this book, Hevia's writing style is easy to follow and inserts some personality which makes for an enjoyable reading experience. Ultimately, his concluding thesis for how to approach history is something that will likely inform my further studies of history in all areas of the world. I would highly recommend this book in its whole for those interested in the study of British imperialism or Chinese history, and I would recommend the final section, "From Events to History," for everyone who seeks to understand why history looks the way that it does.

[Amelie Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

By comparing cultural differences between the two sides in specific aspects such as rituals, gifts, and official documents, Hevia emphasizes the flexibility rather than cultural closure of Qing “guest
ritual” diplomacy.

[Eskil · Rating 2 out of 5]

God bok i at jeg forstår det den vil si (tror jeg). Bare ikke ekstremt interessant. Kanskje den hadde vært mer interessant hvis den ble skrevet nå, tjuefem år senere?

[Tsai Wei-chieh · Rating 3 out of 5]

建議對照中文譯本讀。

[Oscar · Rating 3 out of 5]

的确一般般，从第三章开始看就可以了。还是费正清的解释比较站得住脚。乾隆帝可以通晓四海的信息，但他必然这么做，这不是个人性格的封闭或者孤立主义的传统，是这个体系必然的根本不需要多少tradeoff所作出的“正确的”选择。

[Shelby · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[๖ۣۜSαᴙαh ๖ۣۜMᴄĄłłiƨʈeʀ · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm not sure if it's because I'm already quite familiar with the subject or if it was because only a portion of it pertained to my research topic, but I found the book to be tedious at times. It dragged on in certain chapters and although I found various points useful, all in all, I would have preferred a better rhetoric and less repetitiveness. That being said, it will be useful for my thesis and I would give this book a 2.7 if GoodReads would let me.

[Parker · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating chapter of history that Hevia pulls back the veil on by providing perspective on the Chinese point of view in their engagements with the Macartney Embassy and the British Empire. The event itself is almost mystical, and perhaps holds lessons for the present day.