A VINCENTIAN TRAILBLAZER
IN CHINA
DISCOVERIES BY PERE ARMAND DAVID, C.M.
IN CHINA
DISCOVERIES BY PERE ARMAND DAVID, C.M.
Pere Armand David (1826-1900), is well-known in scientific circles throughout the world. He, along with our other two confreres, Evariste-Regis Huc and Joseph Gabet, can easily be called a "Vincentian Marco Polo". The later two traveled extensively to many parts of China. Their exploits are related in their book "Travels in Tartary, Thibet and China 1844-1846" (Dover Publications, Inc.). First published in 1851, it was one of the most read books at that time.One of the many great accomplishments of Pere David was to present the giant panda bear to the West. Another was to make known the existence of a unique deer, and in the long run, save it from extinction. The name of the deer is the "Pere David deer". David's exploits are translated into English by Helen Fox under the title: "Abbe David's Diary" (Harvard University Press, 1949). This article has relied heavily on the book "Travels in Imperial China: The Explorations and Discoveries of Pere David" by George Bishop (Cassell Publishers, Ltd., 1990). There is also much material in our archives at the Maison Mere in Paris.
PERE DAVID DEER
Pere David arrived in Beijing on July 5, 1862. He was a missionary priest, teacher, zoologist and botanist. For three years he made short excursions outside of Beijing and sent zoological and botanical specimens back to the Museum of Natural History in Paris. In September 1865 David traveled to the Imperial Hunting Park at Hai-tzu which was several miles south of Beijing. He investigated reports of a type of deer, called "mi¬lou", and also referred to as "ssu-pu-hsiang", which means "the four characteristics which do not match". There was even a question whether or not the animal existed. Entry to the Imperial Hunting Park was forbidden to all Europeans and also to most of the common people, under pain of death. David was able to climb on some bricks to peek over the wall. There he was able to see a group of these deer with antlers of a stag, the hooves of a cow, the neck of a camel and the elongated tail of the donkey. Their cry resembled more the bray of the donkey than the call of the deer. The gait was more like that of a mule than of any other deer he had ever seen. He was able to get some specimens which he sent to the Museum in Paris.
Pere David arrived in Beijing on July 5, 1862. He was a missionary priest, teacher, zoologist and botanist. For three years he made short excursions outside of Beijing and sent zoological and botanical specimens back to the Museum of Natural History in Paris. In September 1865 David traveled to the Imperial Hunting Park at Hai-tzu which was several miles south of Beijing. He investigated reports of a type of deer, called "mi¬lou", and also referred to as "ssu-pu-hsiang", which means "the four characteristics which do not match". There was even a question whether or not the animal existed. Entry to the Imperial Hunting Park was forbidden to all Europeans and also to most of the common people, under pain of death. David was able to climb on some bricks to peek over the wall. There he was able to see a group of these deer with antlers of a stag, the hooves of a cow, the neck of a camel and the elongated tail of the donkey. Their cry resembled more the bray of the donkey than the call of the deer. The gait was more like that of a mule than of any other deer he had ever seen. He was able to get some specimens which he sent to the Museum in Paris. Several months later, Pere David was summoned to the French Embassy in Beijing. A letter from the minister of external affairs was read to him and not only mentioned the animal "Elaphurus davidianus" but also requested that they obtain living specimens of his animal to be shipped to France. Over the next 30 years several were sent to France and England. This fact saved them from extinction. In 1894 a flood killed many and caused others to escape from the Imperial Hunting Park, later to be slaughtered by the famine stricken peasants. The remainder were killed by foreign troops who camped in the Park during the Boxer Rebellion of 1900.
Fortunately the deer which were sent to Europe flourished. In 1957 London sent four young Pere David deer to Beijing. In 1985 nineteen more were returned to the Imperial Hunting Park outside of Beijing. Today there are probably around 3000 head in the whole world.
THE 3 MAIN EXPEDITIONS
THE 3 MAIN EXPEDITIONS
In the following years Pere David set out on three main expeditions to discover new species and to bring back as many specimens as possible. In doing so he encountered many new animals, birds, and plants which had konever been classified.
The first of these expeditions was from March 12 to October 26 in 1866.The destination was Inner Mongolia where winter was nine months long and summer only three. Along the way he met "Tchy-Lama", but the Vincentians knew him by the name "Sambdatchiemda". He was a strong middle-aged Mongolian, a former Buddhist monk who had converted to Christianity. He guided Fathers Huc and Gabet on their journey to Tibet where they were among the first missionaries ever to enter the forbidden capital, Lhasa. Pere David and Sambdatchiemda covered over 1000 miles (1600 kilometers) on this first expedition.
The second expedition from May 1868 to July 1870 was longer and covered more distance. A Chinese named Ouang Thome accompanied Pere David. 
The destination was central China and eastern Tibet. They traveled nearly 3000 miles or 5000 kilometers. On the way they stopped in Tianjin to see the confreres and the work of the Daughters of Charity. There were thousands of adult catechumens baptized each year. The Daughters of Charity had won the esteem of both Christians and non-Christians by their work in education and medicine and by their devotion and virtues. At the time of David's visit the city was in fear of an attack by the leader, Yen-Wang ("King of Hell") of the "Chang-mao" ("the long-haired rebels"). Two years later, at the end of this expedition, Pere David learned of the massacre of the Vincentian priests (Claude Marie Chevrier and Vincent Ou), ten Daughters of Charity and many Christians in Tianjin.
The destination was central China and eastern Tibet. They traveled nearly 3000 miles or 5000 kilometers. On the way they stopped in Tianjin to see the confreres and the work of the Daughters of Charity. There were thousands of adult catechumens baptized each year. The Daughters of Charity had won the esteem of both Christians and non-Christians by their work in education and medicine and by their devotion and virtues. At the time of David's visit the city was in fear of an attack by the leader, Yen-Wang ("King of Hell") of the "Chang-mao" ("the long-haired rebels"). Two years later, at the end of this expedition, Pere David learned of the massacre of the Vincentian priests (Claude Marie Chevrier and Vincent Ou), ten Daughters of Charity and many Christians in Tianjin. Deeply saddened by the massacre in Tianjin and because of deteriorated health from the ordeals of his journeys, his superiors sent Pere David back to France to
recuperate He took this opportunity to help classify some of his finds; and in the summer of 1871 huge crowds came to see the exhibition of the plants and animals which David had discovered. While there, he also complained directly to the president of France about the constant harassment and humiliation that the missionaries had suffered in China.
recuperate He took this opportunity to help classify some of his finds; and in the summer of 1871 huge crowds came to see the exhibition of the plants and animals which David had discovered. While there, he also complained directly to the president of France about the constant harassment and humiliation that the missionaries had suffered in China.
The third expedition from August 1872 to April 1874, though taking a 
little less time covered more distance Two young Christian converts accompanied Pere David to Central China. About halfway through his journey, while traveling on the river, he and his companions were shipwrecked; but although they escaped with their lives all his baggage and specimens were lost. He arrived in Jiujiang (Kiukiang) in the Province of Jiangxi (Kiangsi) with just the clothes on his back. Nevertheless, he continued the expedition. David had high praise for his Chinese companions. Through illnesses and much suffering "they never make a complaint or even a gesture of discontent."
little less time covered more distance Two young Christian converts accompanied Pere David to Central China. About halfway through his journey, while traveling on the river, he and his companions were shipwrecked; but although they escaped with their lives all his baggage and specimens were lost. He arrived in Jiujiang (Kiukiang) in the Province of Jiangxi (Kiangsi) with just the clothes on his back. Nevertheless, he continued the expedition. David had high praise for his Chinese companions. Through illnesses and much suffering "they never make a complaint or even a gesture of discontent." During this last expedition, David's health broke down so much that the doctor advised that he go back to France and that he should not return to China.
