李仙得(Charles Le Gendre)眼中的「臺南」

“Tainan” in the Eyes of Charles Le Gendre

19 世紀中葉後，臺灣開港通商，吸引許多西方人士前來，其中包含有外交官、傳教士、商人或是一些專家、旅人等等。他們將其在臺灣的旅程書寫記錄下來，而為當時的福爾摩沙島留下珍貴資料。在此中又以李仙得的著作《臺灣紀行》一書最具特色，他帶著政治家、專業地質學家及旅人等多元身分，前後共計八次造訪臺灣。此書即為他在最後的私人行程的成果記錄。這次行程是由北往南進行，最終目的在「臺南」，清朝時期臺灣的重要政治、經濟中心。本文依據學界的研究成果，嘗試以「臺南」做為分析場域，由此探討李仙得在《臺灣紀行》一書中如何看待「臺南」及其所蘊涵的意義。本文首先從李仙得如何重視與提出佔領臺灣的面向探討他撰寫此書的可能動機與目的；其次，爬梳著作中有關「臺南」的自然景觀與人文景觀內容，可見他着重於經濟貿易發展、戰略地位及政治管理等方面。由此分析李仙得以肯定「臺南」的地位與發展價值，並以批評清朝官員治理不當為理由，支撐他的佔領臺灣的政治理念。

After Taiwan opened trade in the mid-19th century, there were many Westerners came here, including diplomats, missionaries, businessmen or some experts, travelers and so on. They wrote their journeys in Taiwan, and recorded the valuable information of the island of Formosa. The most unique writing is Notes of Travel in Formosa by Charles Le Gendre. He was politicians, professional geologist and traveler, and visited to Formosa for eight times from 1867-1872. This book was the records of his achievements in the last private travel, from north to south of the- journey-route, the ultimate aim was located in the “Tainan,” which was the important political and economic center of the Qing dynasty in Taiwan. This article, based on academic research, "Tainan" as the field of analysis, attempts to investigate Le Gendre how to treat the “Tainan” in this book, and its implication of significance. Firstly, discussingwhat kind of the motivation and purpose he wrote this book, from the views of importance and occupancy. Secondly, compiling about "Tainan" natural and cultural landscapes from this book, and analyzing his observations which focused on economic and trade development, strategic position and political management. Finally, analyzing Le Gendre how to support his occupation of Taiwans political philosophy from definitely the status and development value of “Tainan”, and from criticized the Qing officials for poor governance.