Father Hyacinthe (1777-1853) is the monastic name of Nikita Bichurin, one the first and main figures of Russian sinology. His prolific writing carreer earned him a
unique position in the history of Russian academia. He has worked at the Russian Mission in Peking for a number of years where he managed to obtain full
command of the Chinese language, not only spoken but also literary. Upon his return to Russia, he continued his research but his academic enthusiasm
was regarded with increasing disapproval by his monastic superiors.
In the contemporary account below, Father Hyacinthe is being introduced to the English (Scottish, to be exact) readers as a man of unique talent and
erudition. The excerpt is from the Caledonian Mercury (Jan 26, 1824) published in Edinburgh.
None of the European Powers have more regular or more uninterrupted relations with China than Russia. These relations have subsisted on the same footing since 1728, or since the conclusion of the first commercial treaty between the two empires. By this treaty the Russian Government has the right of maintaining at Pekin, a hotel, two churches, an archimandrite, with four ecclesiastics, and as many young men destined to acquire the Chinese and Mandchou languages, for the purpose of serving, on their return, as interpreters on the frontier or in the offices of the Minister of Foreign Affairs. By the stipulations of the original treaty, all these persons should reside at Pekin for only ten years, but generally the ecclesiastical suite and the pupils of language remain for thirteen years. Till lately little attention was paid to the kind of persons selected for the Chinese mission. They were frequently individuals of mean talents and limited education. A few of the Russian interpreters brought up in China have hitherto rendered real services to their country and to literature, such as Leontiev and Vladikine. Of the last mission, which has just returned, I must speak differently.
The Archimandrite Hyacinthe, who was at the head of it, carried to Pekin more natural talents than any of his predecessors, and has gained higher claims to distinction by his indefatigable study of the Chinese, and his extensive knowledge of other languages of the interior of Asia. Thirteen years spent in the capital of China, and employed in stubborn literary labours, have enabled him to accomplish works which will surprise those best acquainted with the Chinese language, literature, and history. I shall merely enumerate a few of those works, which would appear from their number and importance to be rather the united transactions of a learned society than the productions of a single individual. The chief of them is a history of China from the year 2357 before Christ, to the year 1633 or our era, which is comprised in nine folio volumes. Another is a Geographical and Statistical Description of the Chinese Empire, accompanied with an extensive map in the five principal dialects spoken in China. The next in importance is a translation of the works of Confucius into Russian, with an ample commentary and learned notes.
Beside these, he has composed a dictionary of the Chinese and Russian languages, in two volumes; four works on the Geography and History of Thibet and Little Bucharia; a History of the Mongolian tribes; and a translation of the Code of Laws given by the China Government to the Mongolian hordes under its dominion; a detailed description of the city of Pekin; and an account of the Hydraulic Works executed on the banks of the Yellow River and the great Canal of China. In addition to these labours, the Archimandrite Hyacinthe has enriched the literature of his country with several treatises on the manners, the customs, the arts, and sciences of the Chinese. It is said by his friends, that this learned person possesses extensive literary treasures, of which his present position is little calculated to forward the publication.
Whether from the freedom of his political opinions, or from the want of that legitimate superstition which is now so much in demand in the Russian church, he has been ordered to leave the capital, and to reside in a convent near Archangel. It is hoped that he will be recalled by the Emperor, after expiating his liberal sentiments or conduct by proper penance.
Antipathy of the Chinese
The Chinese in Mexico
Chinese pirates of the South China Sea
North polar exploration
Tragedy in Klondyke
The Long Walk of the Navajo
Sir Douglas Forsyth
