西方人眼中的叶名琛

Yeh Ming-ch'en's Image in the West

两广总督叶名琛是中国近代史上颇具争议的一个历史人物,国人普遍认为他昏庸无能,但是在西方人眼里,叶名琛绝不是一个软弱无能的满清昏官。在包令等外交官的眼中,他傲慢固执,是中国排外势力的代表;在普通英国民众眼里,他凶残嗜杀,是迫害英国人的广东屠夫,在额尔金等联军将领眼里,他是强有力的敌方首领,是反抗势力的标杆人物。不同的人对叶名琛都会有不同的看法,了解西方人眼中的叶名琛会帮助我们更全面地认识历史人物。

Yeh Ming- ch＇en was a controversial historical figure in Chinese modern history. The countrymen generally regard him fatuous and incapable. However, through the eyes of the westerners, Yeh Ming - ch＇en was not in the least a weak or incapable official in Qing Dynasty. In the diplomat Bowring＇s eye, Yeh Ming - chin was arrogant and stubborn, representing China＇s anti -foreign forces; in the ordinary British＇s eyes, he was a cruel and bloodthirsty Canton Butcher who persecuted the British people; in the eyes of the allied armies officer like Elgin, Yeh was a powerful enemy leader, a core figure of revolting forces. People may have different opinions towards Yeh Ming - chin, and it will enable us to have a more comprehensive view about historical figures that we get to under- stand him from the perspective of the westerners.