The Gifts from Louis ⅩⅣ:The Arrival of the"King's Mathematicians"and the Introduction of European Scientific Instruments during the Kangxi Reign
In July 1687,after a long journey by sea,five"King's Mathematicians"led by Jean de Fontaney finally arrived in China via Siam,thus opening a new chapter in the Sino-French exchanges.In addition to the propagation of the Christian faith,the missionaries also brought with them the task of making astronomical observations with guidance from the French Royal Academy of Sciences.They maintained close contact with the scientists in Paris,becoming the messengers of information across the oceans.As envoys of the Sun King Louis ⅩⅣ,the"King's Mathematicians"also carried many scientific instruments as royal gifts for the Kangxi Emperor.From a global and cross-cultural perspective,this paper examines the different types of scientific instruments brought by the King's mathematicians and their impact on Chinese scientific activities at the Kangxi court.
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