THE BEIJING CENTER

1998

SELECTED FROM THE ANTON LIBRARY

FOR CHINESE STUDIES

THE LADY IVY WU

COLLECTION

ON WESTERN MISSIONARIES

IN CHINA

books

THE LADY IVY WU

COLLECTION

ON WESTERN MISSIONARIES

IN CHINA

THE RITA LIU CARTOGRAPHICAL COLLECTION

BOOKLET PAGE 4

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF DONORS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF DONORS

fiis collection showcases works that have been collected and

preserved for the benefit of future generations, courtesy of

the generous donation from Lady Ivy Wu of Hong Kong.

Visitors are cordially invited to fie Beijing Center to explore

and engage with these works. We extend our sincere

gratitude to Lady Ivy Wu and fellow supporters of TBC.

fiank you.

PREFACE

The Lady Ivy Wu Collection has been curated to narrate a

compelling story—one that, like all captivating tales,

commences with courage. It is the courage to engage, to

wonder, and to celebrate the diversity among people from

around the world. This collection highlights cross-cultural

travelers and leaders who confronted numerous trials and

tribulations while acquainting themselves with individuals

from lands vastly different from their own. They made a

deliberate choice to share their acquired knowledge with their

own people, contributing to a body of understanding that very

few had ventured into before. Over the course of hundreds of

years, these storytellers accentuate unique perspectives,

immersing themselves in diverse cultures and communities

with each deliberate step. We hope that everyone who reads

this booklet finds inspiration in the courage displayed by these

authors, encouraging them to embark on a similar journey of

exploration and understanding.

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The Beijing Center

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INTRODUCTION OF

THE BEIJING CENTER

The Beijing Center (TBC) is a non-profit higher education institution and research

center with a profound commitment to fostering cross-cultural understanding

between Chinese and foreign communities. Established in 1998, TBC functions as a

bridge between China and the rest of the world, embodying its mission to facilitate

an East-West dialogue.

TBC’s dedication to bridging the gap between East and West is evident in its

comprehensive approach, utilizing education, research, and cultural exchange as

powerful means. Collaborating with over 50 institutions across 17 countries, TBC

follows the philosophy of Jesuit education and adopts the management model of

American higher education. The institution has welcomed over 10,000 students from

around the world for semester, summer, or year-long study programs. Furthermore,

TBC has hosted nearly 400 academic, research, and exploratory groups, engaging

participants in short-term study visit programs throughout the year and fostering

connections across diverse cultures. Additionally, TBC organizes academic

conferences, thematic seminars, and supports journalism and scholarship through

diverse programming. It serves as a dynamic space where ideas converge, promoting

intellectual exchange that transcends geographical borders.

TBC takes great pride in its founding by Fr. Ron Anton, a Jesuit priest with over 40

years of international education experience. The institution remains dedicated to

continuing his legacy of connecting the world and houses the mainland’s largest

English-language library focused on China, boasting an extensive collection of over

27,000 books. Since 2002, TBC has partnered with the University of International

Business and Economics, located on its campus, to further enhance and champion

cross-cultural communication. As an institution committed to East-West dialogue,

TBC remains at the forefront of promoting international collaboration.

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INTRODUCTION OF TBC

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CHINA MONUMENTIS QUA SACRIS QUA PROFANIS, NEC NON

VARIIS NATURAE ET ARTIS SPECTACULIS, ALIARUMQU RERUM

MEMORABILIUM ARGUMENTIS ILLUSTRATE.

AMSTELODAMI: JOANNEM JANSSONIUM

A WAESBERGE & ELIEZEUM WEYERSTRAET, 1667.

ATHANASIUS KIRCHER

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CHINA MONUMENTIS

fiis book meticulously traces the historical intersections between Europe,

missionaries, and China, providing valuable insights into the diverse Oriental peoples,

encompassing aspects such as Chinese literature, customs, and cultures. Compiled

from missionary accounts, it aspires to consolidate their amassed knowledge, further

enriched by the author’s original research—particularly emphasizing the Chinese

language. fiis work represents a distinctive and invaluable addition to European

understanding of China.

THE LADY IVY WU COLLECTION

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China Monumentis was authored by Athanasius Kircher, a German Jesuit scholar and

polymath hailed as the “Master of Hundred Arts.” Intrigued by Sinology, he penned

this comprehensive encyclopedia on China, revealing the early presence of Nestorian

Christians. In addition, Kircher endeavored to establish connections between China,

Egypt, and Christianity. Despite his passionate pursuits in Egyptology and geology,

later historians found some of his findings, particularly in these realms, to be

inaccurate. Nonetheless, his overall commitment to learning remains a noteworthy

aspect of his legacy.

With its vivid depiction of ancient China, this

work has made a notable global impact,

presenting European audiences with a fresh

perspective. In its inaugural year, it garnered over

7000 publications and has since been translated

into more than 6 languages. However, criticism

has surfaced from scholars who view the book

more as entertainment than education. fiey

argue that Kircher designed it for a general

audience rather than scholarly pursuits,

contending that it lacks the depth necessary for

serious study and research on China.

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INTRODUCTION OF TBC

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LES MISSIONARIES DE PEKIN: MEMOIRES CONCERNANT

L’HISTOIRE, LES SCIENCES, LES ARTS, LES MOEURS, LES USAGES

&C. DES CHINOIS. TOME II.

JOSEPHMARIE AMIOT, PIERRE MARTIAL CIBOT,

AND ALOYS KAO. PARIS, NYON, 1777.

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LES MISSIONARIES DE PEKIN: MEMOIRES CONCERNANT

L’HISTOIRE, LES SCIENCES, LES ARTS, LES MOEURS, LES USAGES

&C. DES CHINOIS. TOME VI.

JOSEPHMARIE AMIOT. PARIS, NYON, 1777.

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MEMOIRS SUR LES CHINOISE

Louis XV of France, seeking to reform his nation’s spirit, took the suggestion of his

Minister of State, Henri Bertin, to “inoculate the French with the Chinese spirit.”

fiis proposal laid the foundation for this book.

fiis rare 18th-century survey of Chinese life encompasses translations of

Confucian Classics, Chinese law, proverbs, and essays on linguistics and scientific

observation. Engraved illustrations, inspired by contemporary Chinese depictions,

vividly depict various themes, including philosophical and historical figures,

military affairs, and music, seamlessly blending both Chinese and Western artistic

styles. Notably, the ninth volume showcases 12 exquisite Pictures of Yanzhou

Flood Reconstruction, faithfully replicating the prototypes of Chinese paintings.

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TBC preserves two original volumes,

specifically volumes 2 and 6, from the

initial set of 17 volumes. fie second

volume encompasses 3 memoirs about

China and a brief poem centered around

Chinese bamboo, while the sixth volume

delves into the realm of Chinese music.

Missionaries such as Joseph Amiot, the

author of this book, played a pivotal role

in shipping Chinese music theory works,

collecting physical instruments, musical

instrument production instructions, and

tens of thousands of music scores back to

Europe. fiis initiated a century-long

“Chinese music craze” in Europe.

Moreover, TBC possesses later prints of

Volumes 1-9, spanning the years

1786-1814, with these reprints seamlessly

integrated into the Lady Ivy Wu

Collection. Currently, the book exists in

15 versions and is housed in 156 libraries

worldwide, including prestigious

institutions like the Edinburgh University

Library in England, Macau University of

Science & Technology in China, and the

University of Hawaii at Manoa in

America, in addition to TBC.

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MEMOIRS SUR LES CHINOISE

Joseph Amiot, along with Gaubil, Prémare, Cibot, and Poirot, collectively authored

the book, with Amiot as the primary contributor. His journey commenced with a

fervent desire, expressed in an early letter to his superiors in Rome, to serve in a

delegation to China. Arriving in Macau on July 27, 1750, he reached Beijing on

August 22 of the same year. In Beijing, he assumed responsibility for the children’s

congregation of the Holy Guardian Angels, residing there for 43 years. Concurrent

with his preaching duties, he dedicated the majority of his energy to the study of

Chinese culture.

Joseph Amiot immersed himself in the study of the Chinese language, adopting

the name Qian Deming and embracing traditional attire. He introduced various

facets of Chinese knowledge, encompassing history, language, Confucianism,

music, and medicine, to France. His endeavors garnered widespread attention from

cultural circles in France and throughout Europe, establishing him as a crucial

intermediary between European academics and China.

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DESCRIPTION GENERALE DE LA CHINA, CONTENANT. VOL. 1:

LA DESCRIPTION TOPOGRAPHIQUE DES QUINZE PROVINCES QUI

FORMENT CET EMPIRE, CELLA DE LA TARTARIE, DES ISLES, ＆

AUTRES PAYS TRIBUTARIES QUI EN DEPENDENT; LE NOMBRE ET

LA SITUATION DE SES VILLES, L’ETAT DE SA POPULATION, LES

PRODUCTIONES, VARIES DE SONS SOL, ＆ LES PRINCIPAUX

DETAILS DE SON HISTOIRE NATURELLE. NOUVELLE EDITION,

AVEC CARTES ET FIGURES.

JEANBAPTISTE GROSIER. PARIS: CHEZ MOUTARD, 1787.

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DESCRIPTION GENERALE DE LA CHINA

DESCRIPTION GENERALE DE LA CHINA, CONTENANT. VOL 2:

UN PRECIS DES CONNOISSANCES LE PLUS RECEMENT

PARVENUES EN EUROPE SUR LE GOVERNMENT, LA RELIGION,

LES MOUERS & LES USAGES, LES ARTS & LES SCIENCES DES

CHINOIS. NOUVELLE EDITION, AVEC CARTES ET FIGURES.

JEANBAPTISTE GROSIER. PARIS: CHEZ MOUTARD, 1787.

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THE LADY IVY WU COLLECTION

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Originally conceived as a supplementary 13th volume to l’Histoire générale de la Chine

in France in 1785, edited by French Jesuit Joseph-Francois-Marie-Anne de Moyriac

de Mailla (1669–1748), as mentioned in Henri Cordier’s Bibliotheca Sinica

(1849–1925). After its initial publication, the book was reprinted in 1787 and

1818–1820, with translations into English, German, and Italian. Experiencing

widespread popularity, it emerged as the best-selling Sinology work in Europe and a

state-of-the-art Sinology study in France during that era.

fiis comprehensive work employs an encyclopedic narrative style with a grand

layout, offering a detailed exploration of China’s geography, nature, history, society,

economy, politics, military, belief, language, literature, and science.

Description Générale de la Chine, a significant

sinological masterpiece published in France in

1787 by Jean-Baptiste Grosier, meticulously

compiles first-hand materials, primarily memoirs,

letters, and articles sent and published by Jesuit

missionaries in Europe. Its purpose is to

introduce China’s national traditions and culture.

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DESCRIPTION GENERALE DE LA CHINA

TBC has preserved this work in its Anton library, encompassing both Part I and

Part II. Part I offers a comprehensive overview of the 15 provinces in the former

Chinese Empire, encompassing Tartary, specific islands, and dependencies. It

delves into detailed descriptions of cities, population statistics, material resources,

soil variations, and essential aspects of natural history. Meanwhile, Part II

documents the latest (at the time) European insights into Chinese government,

religion, customs, art, and science. fie updated edition includes comprehensive

maps and illustrations to enhance the understanding of the content.

THE LADY IVY WU COLLECTION

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Jean-Baptiste Gabriel Alexandre Grosier (1743–1823) was a distinguished scholar

of the Society of Jesus. Not only did he author Description Générale de la Chine, but

he also edited and published Histoire Générale de la Chine and Mémoires concernant

l’histoire, les sciences, les arts, les moeurs, les usages, etc., des Chinois, par les

missionnaires de Pékin, considered one of the three greatest Sinologist books in

18th-century Europe. Despite never embarking on a journey to China, Grosier

meticulously compiled knowledge from Jesuit travelers. He served as a canon of

St. Louis de Louvre and as the administrator of the Bibliothèque of the Arsenal in

Paris, a branch of the Bibliothèque Nationale de France.

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INTRODUCTION OF TBC

THE LADY IVY WU COLLECTION

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NOUVELLE RELATION DE LA CHINE, CONTENANT LA

DESCRIPTION DES PARTICULARITEZ LES PLUS CONSIDERABLE

DE CE GRAND EMPIRE.

GABRIEL DE MAGALHAES. PARIS: CLAUDE BARBIN, 1688.

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NOUVELLE RELATION DE LA CHINE

Nouvelle Relation de la Chine has been acclaimed by Donald Lach, a prominent

authority in Asian 16th-18th century history, as “the most comprehensive and

insightful account of China.” fiis book transcends the European perspective on

the Chinese language, delving into China’s language, Chinese characters, and

aesthetics. It offers detailed insights into China’s ancient philosophical thought,

its extensive history, and the Chinese chronicle—a distinctive style of compiling

history known for its remarkable precision and elegant organization.

THE LADY IVY WU COLLECTION

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Furthermore, the book delves into other distinctive topics such as unique wax statues,

sources of wealth in China, the state of the emperor’s treasury, grand ceremonies, and

more. firough its comprehensive and detailed exploration of China, this book stands

out as a valuable resource for attaining a deeper understanding of various facets of

Chinese culture and history.

fie book also highlights China’s accomplishments in various fields, with a

particular emphasis on its remarkable architecture. It meticulously chronicles public

construction projects in China, offering vivid descriptions of magnificent bridges,

the Grand Canal, city walls, houses, major temples, and the imperial palace. fiis

thorough account enables European readers to gain a nuanced appreciation for the

shapes and layouts of Chinese buildings.

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NOUVELLE RELATION DE LA CHINE

fiis book was authored by Gabriel de Magalhães (1619-1977), a Portuguese Jesuit

renowned for his expertise in mechanics and adventurous spirit. Notably, the author

hailed from the family of the famed navigator Ferdinand Magellan. Upon his arrival

in Hangzhou in 1640, he extensively traveled throughout China until relocating to

Beijing in 1648. In Beijing, he assumed the role of a repairer and technician of

Western clocks and watches in the Forbidden City. Simultaneously, he actively

broadened his understanding of China, evident in his descriptions of languages,

interactions with influential figures, access to the court, chosen subjects, and detailed

reports. Despite his contributions, he faced anti-Christian resistance, leading to his

imprisonment in Beijing, where he ultimately passed away.

THE LADY IVY WU COLLECTION

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TRANSLATOR

FRENCH VERSION:

Abbé Claude Bernou later translated the book from Portuguese to French,

enhancing readability by incorporating italicized notes at the end of each chapter.

Additionally, he devised a plan of Beijing based on the text, further improving

the book’s accessibility. TBC preserves the original French version of this book

and the accompanying map.

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NOUVELLE RELATION DE LA CHINE

The Beijing Center is a registered

Section 88 charity in Hong Kong

The Beijing Center for Chinese Studies

4th Floor Ningyuan Building

University of International Business and Economics

No. 10 Huixin East Street Chaoyang District, Beijing 100029

www.thebeijingcenter.org