晚清外交使臣刘瑞芬出使西洋纪实——对出使日志《西轺纪略》的解读

On Historic Records of the Visit to Western Countries of Liu Ruifen,a Diplomatic Envoy in the Late Qing Dynasty

刘瑞芬的出使日志《西轺纪略》所记录的内容一部分为出使国的风土人情、民风民俗及社会政治文明,一部分为刘瑞芬的洋务帮办举措、外交外事活动及所见所思所想,所记载的内容很有文献价值。《西轺纪略》对西洋各国政治、经济、文化和风土人情考察的记述,是研究十九世纪泰西各国政治、经济、文化、民俗等方面的重要历史资料,是研究当时中国改革开放政策的重要文献,也反映了晚清驻外使臣刘瑞芬对当时西方文明的认知程度。文章从西洋的国风民俗、科技文教、经济活动、政治文明等方面解读了《西轺纪略》,阐述刘瑞芬时代的世界情势和他在西洋各国的外事活动。

Liu Ruifen, a diplomatic envoy in the late Qing Dynasty, wrote a journal titled Historic Records on Visiting Western Countries which recorded local customs, practices and political civilization of countries he visited, as well as Liu′s westernization activities, foreign affairs and his thought of what was heard and seen. The content of the journal is of great documentation value. The record and narration of western countries are important historical materials about studying politics,economy, culture and customs of western countries in the 19th century and about studying China′s reform and opening up policy at that time. It also reflects Liu′s cognition of the western civilization. This article interprets Historic Records on Visiting Western Countries from the perspectives of folk custom, science and technology, culture and education, economic activities and political civilization, expounding the world situation of Liu Ruifen′s era and his foreign affairs in western countries.