Lin Binri Diary

Author: Lin Binyi (Qing Dynasty)
Publisher:
Publishing 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, great-grandson of Lin Ri (great-grandson of Lin Zexu, third son of Lin Congyi). He was a selected scholar in the 11th year of the Guangxu reign (1885) and served as the magistrate of Jiangshan and Lou County. The diary survives from the 1st day of the 10th month to the 10th day of the 12th 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 a grid, 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 have the nature of "official gazettes." It also includes excerpts from the excellent writings and travelogues of figures such as Xie Zhaozhen and Hang Shijun, which are worth reading. It mentions Lin Taizeng (Kaisi, great-grandson of Lin Zexu, commander of "Zhenyuan") purchasing warships in Britain, the purchase of armored warships such as "Zhiyuan" (Deng Shichang), "Jingyuan" (Ye Zugu), and "Dingyuan" (Liu Buchan) from Germany, as well as 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 Zumou 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 limited length, it could not be compiled into a book, so this collection of "Lin Binyi Diary" is published for the reference of researchers.