19世纪中叶英国舆论中两广总督叶名琛“恶魔”形象考辨

Textual Research on the Image of"The Monster Yeh"in British Public Opinion in the Mid-Nineteenth Century

在19世纪中叶的英国舆论中,两广总督兼管理五口通商事务钦差大臣叶名琛被塑造为“恶魔”形象。该形象在1857年2月底至3月初的英国议会辩论中生成,是顺应英国时政需要的产物。其核心依据是叶氏在1855年上半年于广州处决了70,000名洪兵起义者。该数据来源于香港英文报纸,具有一定事实基础,和叶氏“恶魔”形象一并经由英国本土报纸广泛传播,影响深远。该形象的考辨对于正确看待叶名琛这个历史人物和全面认识新闻与历史的关系,具有重要意义。

In British public opinion in the mid-nineteenth century,Yeh Ming-ch’en,governor-general of Guangdong and Guangxi and imperial commissioner for foreign affairs,was portrayed as a“monster”.This image was created during the British parliamentary debates in late February and early March 1857 and was in line with British political decisions.Its central basis was Yeh’s execution of 70,000 insurgents in Canton within the first six months of 1855.This figure was based on English newspaper in Hong Kong and was widely disseminated in the British press,along with“the monster Yeh”image,which had a far-reaching impact.The identification of the image is important for a correct view of Yeh Ming-ch’en as a historical figure and a comprehensive understanding of the relationship between news and history.