黎庶昌使外之文刍议

On Li Shuchang’s Essays

桐城派文家黎庶昌有使欧和驻日的外交履历,迥然相异的西洋风物与一衣带水的邻邦,赋予其使外之文独特风貌。经世致用与孔孟之道贯穿黎庶昌外交活动与文学创作始终,记述旅欧见闻的《西洋杂志》在文本体例和叙述方式上突破传统,使桐城游记的域外书写别开生面。黎庶昌驻日期间,固守儒家传统,着意访求古籍,将诗文酬唱作为外交活动的有益延伸。他的这些活动与其所作《拙尊园丛稿》共同建构出一位“全才君子”的公使形象。

Li Shuchang has both diplomatic experience as an envoy to Europe and an envoy to Japan. Li Shuchang placed himself in a completely different Western world, advocating the application of academic study to the governance of the nation. Western Travel Notes,recording his experiences in Europe, breaks through the traditional pattern in the text style and narrative method, and brings a unique new atmosphere to the ancient writings of Tongcheng. During his two missions to Japan, Li Shuchang adhered to Confucius teaching, and used poetry chant as an extension and means of diplomacy. With his academic activities of exploring ancient books and his works Zhouzun Garden Series, he constructed the image of a minister of all-round gentleman. The rebirth and evolution of these ideological concepts are vividly presented in his essays.