Reading "Essai sur l'antiquite des Chinois" (1776), with a Focus on the First Part

“Essai sur lʼ antiquité des chinois” is an essay published in late 18th century France. The author was a Chinese Christian named Ko who had spent nearly 15 years studying in France. After returning home, he lived in Beitang in Beijing with Jesuit missionaries. “Essai sur lʼ antiquité des chinois” was written by Ko in cooperation with a Chinese colleague named Yang and French Jesuit missionaries, and later sent to France. In the essay, Ko first expresses surprise at the strength of the Europeansʼ curiosity in the ancient world and their high level of interest in ʻétrangers.ʼ At that time, it was usually China that was taken up as the object of such curiosity and interest. Ko argues that in order to learn about China in ancient times it is not ancient Greek and Roman literature, which Europeans tend to consult, but precisely Chinese literature that must be examined. However, his thinking was not based on the idea that Chinese civilization was superior to others, rather he believed that because China is located “in the interior of East Asia” and thus being separated from other civilizations, authentic sources on the history of China are only available in China. Based on this conception, Ko proceeds by asking what are the most reliable sources on ancient China. He consults each dynastyʼs official history, Shuowen jiezi, Wenxian tongkao, Shujizhuan huowen and contemporary histories from the time of the Qing dynasty etc. Ko especially praised Shujing, extolling it by linking it with the concept of ʻsublimitéʼ. This shows the impact of the querelle des Anciens et des Modernes in the 17th and 18th century Europe. Koʼs discussion of Chinese sources and the Chinese history itself is generally comprised of what would have been common knowledge in China. However, he was clearly aware of the views from Europe, which constituted a different cultural sphere from that of China, and he attempted to link knowledge of ancient China to the European république de lettres. In this respect, one sees the unique quality of the essay