「長州ファイブ」で有名になった、伊藤博文や井上馨のイギリス留学。彼らがロンドン大学で聴講していたサインなどもあるのだが、下の記事を読んで、5人の内伊藤と井上が急遽国した。しかも金がないので帆船で。中国から日本の間は蒸気船に乗ったらしい。攘夷の血気盛んな連中と、お家第一の守旧派に挟まれて身動きが取れない中、故郷の長州に戻ったり、身につけた英語で各国の公使たちと交渉した。
この文章では中国人と日本人の精神と技術に関する比較がなされている部分がある。
In spite of our resentment against these overbearing Daimios,we cannot help admiring the military qualities and mechanical genius of the Japanese, as exhibited in the late engagements with European shipa.The American vessel Wyoming lost sixteen men in her encounter with the forts and war steamers of prince NAGOTA, and had to sheer off at last.
The Dutchmen, being prepared,fared better,but one French ship was disabled and another a good deal injured.We have yet to hear what damage Prince SATSUMA’s artillery inflicted upon our fleet, but, judging from the casualties amang the man, it can hardly have been trifling.The Chinese would have run away long before their town was in flames,and had not until very lately, if they now have, any ordnance equal to that manufactured in Japan.This is exactly what we had been led to expect.
Sir R .ALCOOK,who has no undue partiality for the country in which he lived so long in fear of assassination,declares that Japanese artificers are capable of competing with Sheffield and Birmingham on equal terms. They have not yet produced an Armstrong or a Whit-worth,but if they once get hold of a rifled gun they will certainly know how to imitated it and perhaps to improve upon it. While this aptitude for the production of destructive engines cannot afford us much pleasure just at present,it may well inspire us with respect for the intelligence and confidence in the future destiny of this extraordinary nation.The better the Japanese fight, even in the service of men like Prince NAGOTA and Prince SATSUMA, the more reluctant should we feel to give up the prospect of peaceful and friendly intercourse with them.
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