Abstract:

The Eastern Miscellany founded in 1904, was the earliest and most influential comprehensive magazine in modern China. Keeping in step with the times, it faithfully recorded the history development trace of modern China, which makes it renowned as the database of modern Chinese history. Also, it was the iconic magazine of the Commercial Press. The publisher Chen Yuan had been advocating the re-issuance of The Eastern Miscellany after he presided over the Commercial Press. Unfortunately, his plan failed to be realised for all sorts of reasons. However, Chen Yuan showed his unique perspective for a comprehensive magazine. He puts forward the idea of reviving the magazine in the light of the eclectic approach, which was once adopted by Zhang Yuanji. This approach was first proposed by Cai Yuanpei when he took charge of the Peking University. Also, Chen Yuan carried out the spirit of“freedom”and“independence”in the magazine.