晚清時期鐵路知識的建構：以上海格致書院課藝為例（1886-1894）

An Attempt to Construct Knowledge System of China’s Railway in Late Qing: A Case Study of the Essay Contests of Shanghai Polytechnic Institute, 1886-1894

本文試圖藉由在1886年至1894年間，上海格致書院舉辦課藝所收穫獎答卷中，探究晚清知識分子對於中國興辦鐵路的認識與未來展望。由官民合作下所成立的上海格致書院，於1886年開始有課藝競賽，輝映書院創立以來所標榜對西學知識的推廣。其中在競賽命題上又常以「科學」、「時務」為主，因此正值中國官方政策轉向階段，且符合課藝這兩大特徵的鐵路，就成為考官命題的重點之一。從對課藝所呈現的鐵路議題來看，又可分成兩階段，以1889年光緒帝更改鐵路政策之前，是倡導中國應當接受鐵路所帶來的效益，之後清政府開始正式籌辦鐵路，課藝題目則轉向對鐵路時務上的討論，包含有路線上的選擇、如何建設，以及對俄國西伯利亞鐵路到來的應對。在官方鐵路學校尚未建立前，藉由獨立於官學之外的格致書院所發展而來的課藝，從中知曉晚清中國在鐵路知識建構上曾經有過的努力。

This article examines the perception and outlook of late Qing intellectuals on the construction of railways, by analyzing the examination papers from essay contests held at the Shanghai Polytechnic Institute between 1886 and 1894. Founded through the collaboration of officials and civilians, the Shanghai Polytechnic Institute began organizing these essay contests in 1886, showcasing its commitment to promoting Western knowledge. During a time of shifting policy in China, the themes of the contests often centered on“science”and“current affairs”. Consequently, railways, which embodied both these themes, became a central topic for examiners. The essay contests on railway issues can be divided into two stages. Prior to Emperor Guangxu’s alteration of railway policy in 1889, the focus was on advocating for the acceptance of railways in China. Following this policy change, the Qing government began to formally prepare for railway construction, and essay topics on route selection, construction methods, and responses to the advent of the Russian Trans-Siberian Railway began to appear. These contests demonstrated a concerted approach to fostering an understanding of railways before the establishment of official railway schools in China, indicating that late Qing China undertook various efforts to develop expertise in railways.