The textbooks compiled by Du Yaquan are innovative and adapt to the new era. Here is an example of "The Beginning of Literature": The Beginning of Literature, edited by Du Yaquan 1902, published by the Commercial Press, has been studied for six volumes in three years. At that time, the Qing government "promoted learning", but it still stipulated that "its teaching method is mainly based on the four books and five classics." Du ignored the decrees of the Qing court and changed the traditional teaching materials of "three-character classics, hundreds of surnames and thousands of characters". According to the law of language, he first started with content words, from shallow to deep, then persuaded, from real to virtual, from single words to sentences, from superficial knowledge of common things around children to audio-visual electrification, figures in Chinese and foreign history, and then. In particular, it is worth pointing out that this book obviously abandons the idea that only reading is high and reading is official, and gives new democratic connotations to traditional ethics such as loyalty, filial piety and benevolence. The latest print run of this textbook is 1906, which means that it has been popular for at least 5 years. This "life span" is not in its previous textbooks. The book "abandons the center of Confucian classics, is close to children's life, makes education full of life breath, and has the general education content of modern concepts." New education has been advocated for many years, and the construction of teaching materials has been explored for many years. So far, it has generally embarked on the right path. "According to the principle of pedagogy, this book is an epoch-making textbook in the history of primary school textbooks in China.
When compiling textbooks, Du Yaquan did not forget to publicize patriotism, so as to inspire young people's ambition to revitalize China. He compiled and published the General New History, and there is a passage in his General Theory: "In the pre-Qin era, China ceded territory to open ports, which was almost divided up by whites. Today, * * * harmony has been established. From this national effort, we can revitalize common affairs and seek wisdom. With the reputation of our ancient country, it can drive all countries on five continents. What are the responsibilities of non-nationals? " In the book "Ordinary Cases", it is also said: "In modern times, the people of China have gradually met with the world, and the superior has defeated the inferior, that is, in these 200 years, it is a thousand years. The eyes of the people of China must not only focus on the rise and fall of dozens of dynasties in China, but also examine the strength, civilization and ability of ethnic forces as a standard for everyone to be alert and inspired. " This history textbook is very popular in academic circles, and it was reprinted 28 times in just five years.
Later, the general library was also in trouble because of insufficient funds and other reasons. At this time, the Shanghai Commercial Press gained development in the opportunity of the wave of running schools at that time, and was recruiting and expanding its business. 1in the autumn of 904, at the invitation of Xia and Xia, the founder of Shang Jing, Du Yaquan was hired as the director of the physical and chemical department of the compilation institute of Shang Jing, devoted to scientific research and compilation, and the general library was merged into the Commercial Press. Since then, Du Yaquan has served in the "business" for 28 years, and realized his scientific ideal through long-term publication.
In the first few years of "starting a business", Du Yaquan devoted almost all his energy to the compilation of teaching materials. The textbooks he compiled ranged from primary school to high school and normal school, including animals, plants, minerals (these three were also called natural history at that time), mathematics, physics, chemistry, physiology, agronomy, and the teaching and teaching methods of some subjects. According to Wang, who later served as editor-in-chief of the Commercial Press, Du "wrote hundreds of books on natural science", a considerable part of which were textbooks. The Commercial Press "most of the early science textbooks and books were written by Mr.". The first is to compile a botanical dictionary. This book is the first influential professional dictionary in China, co-authored by 13 people and edited by Du Ren. Organized from 1907, published in 19 18, reprinted in 12, 1934. This book contains 8,980 plant names in China, 5,880 scientific terms in western languages, 4 plant names with Japanese pseudonyms170, 2 plant pictures 1002, 1700 pages and more than 3 million words. Cai Yuanpei said in the preface: "China has recently published a scientific dictionary, and there is nothing more detailed than this." Qi Tianxi, an American scientist who was then the head of the Department of Biology at Soochow University in Suzhou, also thought: "Our book, named after Chinese and Western plants, is well-founded and used as a guide."
The second is to compile a dictionary of zoology. The book is co-authored by five people and edited by Du Ren. It was compiled from 19 17 and published in 1923, which lasted for 6 years and consisted of four editions. The book has more than 2.5 million words, and each animal name is annotated in English, German, Latin and Japanese, with pictures and texts. Before editing, there are animal distribution maps and animal kingdom profiles, and after editing, there are western language indexes, Japanese pseudonym indexes and four-corner number indexes. This book, together with the Botanical Dictionary, is an unprecedented masterpiece of the scientific community in China, and it is still playing a role today.
The third is the compilation of "The Collection of Chemical Technology". The first edition of the book was published in March 19 17, and the ninth edition was published in February 1929. The contents of the book include more than 30 important technologies, ranging from daily use at home to workshop manufacturing, as well as various chemical technologies such as alloy, gold plating, metallurgy, glass, enamel, artificial gem, pottery coloring, matches, paint, ink, bleaching, antisepsis, soap, poison and detoxification. , are described in detail. The purpose of writing this book is to provide technical reference for domestic manufacturers.
In order to promote the development of science education in China, Du Fu copied the production of scientific experimental instruments and equipment while compiling and publishing textbooks. At his initiative, the Commercial Press set up a training course for specimen instruments to recruit apprentices, teach skills and train their own talents to make instruments, specimens and models. He personally taught at the seminar. In addition, he also started and funded his sons and nephews to set up factories to produce musical instruments and stationery. For example, support my cousin Zhou Rongxian to open China Instrument Factory in Shanghai (now the predecessor of Shanghai Geological Instrument Factory under the Ministry of Geology); Support cousin Du Chunfan to open an ink factory "Natural Ink Factory" in Shanghai (1949 and then merge with other factories to establish Shanghai Ink Factory).
In view of Du Yaquan's contribution to the spread of popular science, some people called him a scientist. He replied modestly: "No, it's the ear of a scientific introducer." Du Yaquan is a man who cares about the country and the people and has a scientific mind. He thinks seriously and calmly about various social phenomena, and he is diligent and good at thinking. According to Cai Yuanpei's memory, Du "sometimes walked alone, walked slowly, or looked at a scene and stood still, knowing that he was thinking everywhere"; Moreover, he "has a keen brain, what he has learned is unbreakable, and what he says is not spoken." Du Yaquan not only has a keen insight into various social phenomena, but also dares to publicly state his views, not following the crowd and not afraid of authority. Once you form your own point of view, you will persevere and will not give up easily. He thinks this is his social responsibility.
After the Revolution of 1911, the political uncertainty, the separatist regime of feudal warlords, the plundering of imperialist powers, and the decadent feudal consciousness intertwined with capitalist ideas made the social spirit and morality decline day by day, and people's thoughts were extremely chaotic. At that time, China's patriots, political consciousness and thirst for knowledge were developing day by day, and Du Yaquan also deeply felt the need for a tool to "save the people from the hunger of knowledge" and "induce them". At this moment, the Commercial Press hired Du Yaquan as the editor-in-chief to refresh Oriental Magazine. This is a godsend for him. So on the one hand, he carried out drastic reforms on Oriental Magazine, on the other hand, he insisted on writing.
Oriental magazine, monthly, was founded in 1904. At first, it was just a selective newspaper, compiling court announcements and newspaper articles. After Du served as editor-in-chief, he expanded the space, enlivened the layout, wrote more articles, compiled the domestic and international situation, national politics, economy, social problems, academic trends, etc. in detail and quickly, and published critical articles. At the same time, the column of "Miscellaneous Studies" was added to spread scientific knowledge, and the column of "Talking about Essays" was added to criticize the shortcomings of the times, which made Oriental Magazine look brand-new and became the largest and most influential comprehensive magazine in China at that time.
During the nine years since1911-1920 was the editor-in-chief of Oriental Magazine, Du Zeng wrote more than 300 papers, miscellaneous feelings and translations under the pen names of "Uncle" and "Gao Lao". His articles cover a wide range, covering philosophy, politics, economy, law, diplomacy, culture, ethics, education and so on. Starting from reality, the article has criticisms and suggestions. The criticisms are sharp and straightforward, touching on the drawbacks of the times, and the suggestions are insightful and in line with the national conditions. Some articles, even after decades, are still thought-provoking In Du Yaquan's political essays, there are often some original ideas that inspire people. For example, in his article Why China's political revolution didn't succeed and social revolution didn't happen, he talked about the surplus of the working class in China, that is, the vagrant class in history was strong. They sometimes unite a part of the surplus intellectuals to fight against the aristocratic forces, but once the revolution is successful, they themselves gradually become aristocratic. This revolution is not a political revolution, nor a social revolution, but an imperial revolution. Today, the intellectuals in China "are still struggling to extricate themselves from the influence of the nobility and the vagrants", "the rich assimilate with the nobility, and the poor associate with the vagrants". This is the reason why the political revolution cannot be realized. As for the social revolution, it is the lack of social foundation. The article points out: "The social revolution in Europe is based on philosophical thinking, which is both profound and far-reaching; Its methods of movement in production and politics are well prepared, that is, they are rarely talked about in the intellectual class of our country; In the working class, it is even more impossible to acquire this knowledge, and it cannot happen without doubt. " He asserted: "If the future intellectual class still refuses to cut off the hope of its political life, does not stay in the industrial class and the working class to combine with it, but only associates with the aristocratic vagrants, then the aristocratic forces and vagrants will become more and more uncontrollable, and how can there be a political revolution and a social revolution?" According to the present situation, if the intellectuals in China only seek personal political development and do not combine with the industrial class and the working class, then there will be no political revolution and social revolution in China.
In the article "Future World", he foresaw "the end of national democracy" ... there will be a powerful new class in society, that is, workers with scientific literacy. These scientists are increasingly prosperous with the needs of society. All organs and occupations between the state and society are in the hands of workers. At this point, the political party "had no other choice", while the army "had to withdraw" and the war "had to stop"; "So the democracy of the country has become the socialism of the world", "The supply and distribution of things needed by human life, the removal of obstacles and the improvement of their welfare are all social affairs." Here, he vaguely saw the historical position and role of the working class and saw the bright future of socialism.
In the article "A New Life in China", he predicted that China's new strength lies in those who "keep their knowledge and ability, engage in social undertakings and strive for a self-reliant life" and "take the old morality as the standard, consider the new morality and strive for personal autonomy". This young and promising person, "punished by various advanced failures since the Reform Movement of 1898, began to realize something, so he got rid of impetuousness and restrained impatience, starting from social life and personal cultivation." In the future, these young people will benefit the whole world ... when the old power collapses, its power will naturally be revealed, and all aspects of power will naturally gather around this power. ""Today's civilized countries are all centered on the middle class, and China in the future will be no exception. This is what we believe. " In other words, he believes that the new strength of China lies in the young generation who strive to master knowledge and ability, devote themselves to social undertakings, care about the future of the country, have morality, are conscious, are not impetuous and are practical.
For another example, in the article "Reducing Politics", he pointed out: "The government's duty is to maintain social peace, maintain social order, raise its source of vitality without drying it up, and take the road of development without hindrance, even if the society can freely develop its vitality." If this principle is not observed, "how can trade expand political power and increase political expenditure?" The more people are disturbed, the faster the people will increase their burden. Interference may even hinder the development of society, and heavy responsibilities will exhaust the vitality of society, society will decline, and the government will also decline. " Doesn't this theory coincide with the connotation of "small government, big society" that we advocated after the reform and opening up?
After a thorough study of Du Yaquan's articles, we can get the impression that Du Yaquan is not only a pioneer of natural science, but also because he has mastered valuable scientific thinking methods and habits in natural science research, so that he can strictly abide by the practical and rational thinking mode in social science research, thus keeping a clear head all the time. Based on the "continuum theory" in western philosophy, he believes that history and the past are inseparable. Therefore, he advocated reconciliation in politics, and advocated the combination of progress and conservatism (conservatism here means "not arguing for things, not arguing for retro"). He advocated science and democracy and opposed autocracy, imperialism and bureaucratic comprador. He is sincere and firm in social reform, but advocates gradual progress and opposes radicalism. In his examination of western civilization, he not only realized the disadvantages of capitalism, but also vaguely saw that the "future civilization" of human society would "tend to socialism", which was bound to be linked with the working class.
During his tenure as editor-in-chief of Oriental Magazine, Du Yaquan also translated a large number of monographs, comments and reports on various major events in Japan and western countries through Japanese translation. For example, the fundamental differences between eastern and western societies, the new nationalism in the United States, the great men who succeeded in the Mexican revolution, the progress of the Meiji era in Japan, the news of the socialist parties in Europe and America, the brief history of women's participation in politics and so on. According to Zhang's recollection, he often introduced the utopian socialism of Moore, Owen, Fourier and Saint-Simon in Oriental Magazine, and translated and published Kropotkin's Mutual Aid Theory and Schopenhauer's Philosophy of Life by stages. It is particularly worth mentioning that in 19 12, he translated the book "The Essence of Socialism" written by Yukio Qiushui, a famous Japanese socialist theorist, which was serialized from May to September of that year in the 1 1 period of Volume 8 to the third issue of Volume 9 of Oriental Magazine. When this article was published in Oriental Magazine, it was eight years earlier than the publication date of the Manifesto of the Production Party translated by Mr. Chen Wangdao+August 0920.
After Du Yaquan left Oriental Magazine, people have entered old age, but he has no will to relax. At this time, in addition to doing a good job as the director of the daily physical and chemical department, he mainly focused on two aspects: one is to run education, and the other is to write books.
It is an important ideal and pursuit of Du Yaquan's life to set up education and cultivate talents needed by society. In his early years, he founded Chinese and Western Schools in Shaoxing with Cai Yuanpei, and later established Yaquan Academy in Shanghai. 1902, at the invitation of Pang, Nanxun, Zhejiang, he became the president of Xunxi Public School. /kloc-in 0/903, he founded the yue army public school with Shaoxing cultural and educational circles such as, shou, zong nengshu, etc. During his tenure as the chairman of the conference of seven counties in Shaoxing, he also set up three primary schools. Most of Du's school-running activities were not sustained due to lack of funds, and some of them existed for a short time. But his ambition to run a school has never lost. Later, he wanted to run a middle school at the foot of Zhuge Mountain in Shaoxing. "I try to discuss with my friends what equipment to make, what measures to take, how to implement it, how to expand it, and how to enter the university from middle school;" It is also said that if you get what you want, although you will eventually serve the school, your sons and nephews will also serve the school. When I said it, I was in high spirits and wanted to visit Japan. "Because of the situation at that time, I didn't get what I wanted.
1924, Du finally established the New China Academy in Shanghai at his own expense to train talents engaged in science and industry. He and his son and nephew are both teachers and responsible for discipline. I don't mind missing the editing time of the Commercial Press and deducting my salary. He hates bureaucratic comprador and often teaches students never to be comprador. He hated the decadent social style of study, advocated simplicity and encouraged students to go to the countryside to engage in education and rural cooperation after graduation. At that time, some students wanted to go to America, and he was worried. He said he didn't object to them studying in America, but they would come back to work as comprador for foreigners. He is also very concerned about the health of students. The students' meals include bamboo shoots as old as bamboo and water bamboo with black spots. After he found out, he posted money himself and asked the kitchen to add food to the students. But after two and a half years, it cost more than 8,000 yuan, and all the savings at home were spent. Du's original business shares have all been sold, but it is still not enough. Finally, the debt was 2,000 yuan to 3,000 yuan, and the school had to close.
Du Yaquan wrote many books in his life, and the most "dismal management" was Philosophy of Life. According to Cai Yuanpei, Du's textbooks are all about natural science, but he always refuses to confine his attention to the circles of mathematics and physics. "On the contrary, he always used philosophy to guide individuals and improve society, which has not changed for more than 30 years." During his stay in New China University, he opened a course on philosophy of life among students to develop young people's thoughts. After the school was closed, he searched for novel and alert theories in biology, psychology, sociology, ethics and other disciplines according to the lecture content, and expanded them. After 67 years, he compiled a book "Philosophy of Life", which was published by the Commercial Press in August 1929 as a high school textbook. Because Du Suozhi's philosophy is scientific, it is certainly different from a suspended philosopher. He "studies philosophy in a scientific way, so he is thorough and cautious, and tries to avoid favoritism." For all kinds of theories, we often take two sides, materialism and idealism, individual and society, Europeanization and quintessence, Chinese studies and Song studies in quintessence, motivation and utilitarianism, optimism and world-weariness, and all kinds of relative opinions are compromised and reconciled. It is a compromise and comprehensive philosophy to adopt universal holism in ethics and improve outlook on life. "
1932 65438+1On October 28th, the Japanese invaders invaded Shanghai, the Commercial Press was burnt down by gunfire, and Du Yaquan's apartment was also damaged. When the "business" closed down and laid off employees, Du also led the whole family to take refuge in their hometown and sell their property to live. However, his enthusiasm for society has not been slightly frustrated. In the countryside, he founded Qian Qiu Publishing House at his own expense, hired his old colleagues and two nephews who left the library, dragged his old body and continued to engage in scientific editing. He would rather not buy necessary clothes. He paid a severance payment of more than 400 yuan for his "business", bought all the reference books, transported them from Shanghai to the countryside, and buried himself in compilation. In more than a year, he completed the compilation of the 700,000-word Dictionary of Primary School Science. This book contains more than 2,000 words necessary for primary school science textbooks, including astronomy, meteorology, physics, chemistry, minerals, medicine, animals, plants, chemistry, agriculture, architecture, food, etc. It is very detailed to supplement the scientific knowledge of primary school science teachers. This book was published by the Commercial Press after Du's death, and it was his last contribution to society. Du Yaquan devoted his whole life to science through his writings.
While compiling ci books in the countryside, he also took a boat to Shaoxing county every other week to give lectures for Jishan Middle School (now the predecessor of Shaoxing No.2 Middle School) and worked tirelessly. The lecture covers politics, economy, natural science and so on. , promote the anti-Japanese national salvation. In addition, he also supported the rural people to crack down on bullies and help rural education reform.
Due to overwork, Du Yaquan, who was thin and old, finally fell ill. 1autumn of 933, suffering from pleurisy. He still hasn't stopped thinking about his career and all kinds of problems he has been concerned about during his illness. One night, he thought too much and couldn't sleep at all. The next day, his temperature rose and his condition worsened. He died on February 6, 65438. Du Yaquan has no property savings. "The money he usually earns from selling articles, except for simple living expenses, is donated to public welfare education, so he is very depressed and has no money left." . When he was seriously ill, he had no money to treat him. After he died, he borrowed a coffin and died.
In June of that year, Du Yaquan went to the nest in Longshan, Shaoxing to collect poems, and there were six rhyming poems in tune with friends. At the end of the two sentences, he said, "Try your best to find common ground, but it's still not good if people move." This is a portrayal of his life.
Du Yaquan is not only an all-knowing scientist of arts and sciences, but also an excellent educator, editor and translator. During his nine years as editor-in-chief of Oriental Magazine, he translated a large number of western scientific works. Natural science includes Geiger logarithm table, ecological essence, qualitative analysis, food hygiene law and so on. Social science includes the essence of socialism, a brief history of women's participation in politics, and the philosophy of war.
Although Du Yaquan concentrated on writing, he was also very concerned about the fate of the country and social reform. In order to oppose Yuan Shikai's restoration of monarchy, he published articles such as History of Imperialism Movement, Providence and Public Opinion in Oriental Magazine, and mercilessly lashed them. 19 14 years, he published a series of articles, such as personal reform, continuation theory and the purpose of breaking happiness, to elaborate his social reform thought. Du Yaquan is enthusiastic about social welfare undertakings. In order to invest in the establishment of the New China College in Shanghai, he sold his old shares in the Commercial Press at a low price, and even owed two or three thousand yuan without regret; In order to oppose the Qing government's betrayal of the right to build the Suzhou-Shanghai and Shanghai-Hangzhou-Ningbo railways, he ran around shouting and offered to let Shao You return to his hometown to become a shareholder with his own salary. In order to safeguard the rights and interests of Shaoxing fellow villagers in Shanghai, he initiated the establishment of the "Shaoxing Seven Townships Association" and was elected as the speaker.
Du Yaquan is willing to reward and help young people. During 1900, I served as the examiner for students studying in the United States in boxer indemnity, Zhejiang Province, and was responsible for setting questions in mathematics and science. When he encouraged Zhu Kezhen to take the exam, he passed the examiner and became a famous meteorologist. When Hu Yuzhi first joined the Commercial Press as an editor, he was carefully guided by his predecessor Du Yaquan. Hu Yuzhi was grateful for his life and called him a loyal elder.
Du Yaquan is upright and upright, selfish, thrifty and eager to learn, and willing to contribute, which can be a model for future generations. Shortly before his death, he went to the "Longshan Poetry Nest" to collect six rhyming poems with his friends. At the end of the two sentences, he said, "Try your best to find something in common, but animals and plants are still in a bad situation." He devoted his whole life to the cause of culture and education in China, which is a true portrayal of his life.