Mémoires concernant l’histoire, les sciences, les arts, les moeurs, les usages… des chinois, par les missionnaires de Pekin, Tome 2
At the dawn of the Age of Enlightenment, as the 18th century drew to a close, the Western world was eager for knowledge—driven by a philosophical movement that championed reason and science. King Louis XV of France asked for the advice of his trusted Minister of State, Henri Bertin, about how to reform the spirit of the nation, after giving it some thought, Bertin famously responded, “Sire, to inoculate the French with the Chinese spirit.” The king thought it was a great idea and approved every suggestion Bertin made. It was on this foundation that the encyclopedia was created. During a period when intellectuals were fascinated by “exotic” lands and cultures, publications like this one provided an unparalleled insight into the unfamiliar traditions of China, challenging European assumptions and sparking philosophical debates.
Joseph Amiot (1718-1793) is the primary contributor to the Memoires. Amiot was a French Jesuit priest who served in Qing China during the rule of the Qianlong Emperor (the last imperial dynasty of China, known for its territorial expansion and cultural achievements). Amiot was a young Jesuit who arrived in Beijing in August 1751, where he spent the rest of his life. Upon arriving in Beijing, he was made responsible for the Holy Guardian Angels children’s congregation. Volume 15 features a portrait of him dressed in traditional Chinese attire. Additional contributors to the work include Gaubil, Prémare, Cibot, and Poirot.
Concurrently with his preaching duties, Amiot dedicated the majority of his time and energy to studying the Chinese culture and language. Following in the footsteps of other Jesuits, he adopted the regional customs, hoping to win sympathy and acceptance from the locals. Amoit also learned Manchu, the language of the emperor Qing. He created a Manchu-French dictionary that was published from 1789 to 1790 with the support of Bertin. During his time in China, Amiot undertook scientific observations and experiments. For example, he recorded the weather patterns in Beijing and documented military strategies, detailed observations of Chinese astronomy, and the introduction of European technology into the Qing court, among other topics.
This is a collection of 17 volumes, these Mémoires were individually published throughout a period of 38 years. What differentiated this encyclopedia from other books is that it was based on translated Chinese texts covering a wide range of topics, from Confucian classics, Chinese Law, proverbs, historical figures, military affairs, music, etc. The ninth volume prominently features a collection of 12 illustrations depicting the reconstruction efforts following the devastating Yangzhou Flood of 1742. TBC holds the original Volume 2, which contains three memoirs about China and a poem centered on Chinese bamboo, The Garden Of Sée-Ma-Kouang, about the cotton farmers, etc. Furthermore, TBC has later prints of volumes 1 through 9, spanning the years from 1786 to 1814. The Lady Ivy Wu Collection includes both the original Volume 2 and the reprints of volumes 1 to 9.
The text itself reflects the duality of admiration and critique, as the contributors were deeply impressed by China’s advanced technologies and governance while simultaneously interpreting these through a Eurocentric and often religious lens. This duality sheds light on how global interactions were shaped by both genuine respect and cultural biases. The book’s publication in France signifies the prominence of French Jesuits in documenting China during the 17th and 18th centuries, but its influence didn’t remain confined to Europe. Over time, these accounts circulated globally, influencing how generations of scholars, politicians, and travelers viewed China and its place in the world.
The legacy of this volume extends beyond its immediate historical context, as it became a reference point for later works on East-West relations. For instance, the observations it contains about Chinese governance and scientific knowledge likely informed other Enlightenment thinkers, such as Voltaire and Diderot, contributing to a broader reconsideration of governance and society in the West.
This book can be viewed at the Ron Anton Library for Chinese Studies at The Beijing Center by appointment only. Contact us at [email protected] to plan a visit.
This is the first American edition of Anderson’s fascinating account of Britain’s first diplomatic mission to China in 1792. By the end of the eighteenth century the East India Company had been trading with Chinese merchants for two hundred years, but in a strictly limited way.
At the dawn of the Age of Enlightenment, as the 18th century drew to a close, the Western world was eager for knowledge—driven by a philosophical movement that championed reason and science. King Louis XV of France asked for the advice of his trusted Minister of State, Henri Bertin, about how to reform the spirit of the nation, after giving it some thought, Bertin famously responded, “Sire, to inoculate the French with the Chinese spirit.”
Fr. Seil Oh, S.J., the Vice-President of International Affairs from Sogang University, South Korea, visited The Beijing Center (TBC) on January 6th, 2025. During his visit, he met with TBC’s Executive Director, Simon Koo, to discuss strategies for enhancing the collaboration between their respective institutions.
Imagine traveling across continents in the 1600s to reach China—a world almost entirely unknown to Europeans at the time. That is exactly the experience of Magalhães, a Portuguese Jesuit missionary who spent over 20 years in China.