Lin Bao Ri Diary

Author: (Qing) Lin Binyi
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2000-11-01
Features: Lin Binyi (1749–1827), originally named Tianhan, styled Mengyang, styled Qiggu, native of Houguan (now Fuzhou). Father of the national hero Lin Zexu. "Lin Zizhuang Diary" translated by Lin Jun, styled Zizhuang, the great-grandson of Lin Ri (great-grandson of Lin Zexu, third son of Lin Congyi). He was admitted as a recommended scholar in the eleventh year of the Guangxu reign (1885) and served as the magistrate of Jiangshan and Lou County. The diary survives from the first day of the tenth month to the tenth day of the twelfth month of the Dinghai year of the Guangxu reign (1887), covering only three months, with 46 pages and approximately 12,000 characters. The manuscript is printed on rough-edge paper with blue lines, with nine lines per half page. The handwriting is neat, and the style is concise. The diary records a rich variety of content, including observations on local governance, many of which are of the nature of "official gazettes." The included excerpts of excellent writings and travelogues by Xie Zhaozhen, Hang Shijun, and others are also worth reading. It mentions Lin Taizeng (Kaisi, the great-grandson of Lin Zexu, commander of the "Zhenyuan"), the purchase of warships in Britain, the purchase of armored warships from Germany such as the "Zhiyuan" (commanded by Deng Shichang), "Jingyuan" (commanded by Ye Zugu), "Dingyuan" (commanded by Liu Buchan), and the ships under the command of Sa Zhenbing. "Lin Zizhuang Diary" is now preserved in the Fujian Provincial Library and was once part of the collection of the modern collector Shen Zumu of Fuzhou. Lin Jun's official position was not high, and his influence was limited, but he was still the great-grandson of Lin Binyi, and the diary's content also holds reference value, providing some assistance for the study of the Lin family. Due to its short length, it could not be compiled into a book, so this collection of "Lin Binyi Diary" is published for the reference of researchers.