周(zhou)永年家(jia)(jia)貧(pin),百無嗜好(hao),獨嗜書(shu)(shu)(shu)。有(you)感于明代曹學佺之論,作(zuo)《儒藏(zang)說(shuo)》。此說(shuo)一(yi)出,羅有(you)高(gao)、劉音(yin)為之張目,劉作(zuo)《廣儒藏(zang)說(shuo)》以(yi)和(he)之。論者(zhe)謂清修(xiu)《四庫(ku)全書(shu)(shu)(shu)》,分儲七閣,實受《儒藏(zang)說(shuo)》之啟發,永年倡始(shi)之功誠(cheng)不可沒。(詳見(jian)王紹曾(ceng)、沙嘉(jia)孫著(zhu)《山東藏(zang)書(shu)(shu)(shu)家(jia)(jia)史(shi)略(lve)》)今迻錄其文,以(yi)供參(can)考。(僅據《山東藏(zang)書(shu)(shu)(shu)家(jia)(jia)史(shi)略(lve)》所附《儒藏(zang)說(shuo)》輸(shu)錄,未校原書(shu)(shu)(shu)。)
乾隆(long)三十(shi)(shi)六(liu)(liu)年(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)進士(shi),乾隆(long)四十(shi)(shi)年(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)被征修(xiu)《四庫(ku)全書(shu)(shu)(shu)(shu)(shu)》。乾隆(long)四十(shi)(shi)四年(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)出(chu)(chu)任貴州鄉試副考官。四庫(ku)館(guan)散(san),授編修(xiu),充文淵閣(ge)校(xiao)理(li)。乾隆(long)五十(shi)(shi)六(liu)(liu)年(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)乞(qi)病歸(gui)(gui)里,是(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)年(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)秋七月卒,享年(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)六(liu)(liu)十(shi)(shi)二歲。周(zhou)(zhou)(zhou)(zhou)永(yong)(yong)年(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)是(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)我(wo)國十(shi)(shi)八世紀著名的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)藏(zang)(zang)書(shu)(shu)(shu)(shu)(shu)家(jia),人(ren)稱其(qi)藏(zang)(zang)書(shu)(shu)(shu)(shu)(shu)“甲于(yu)山左”,也是(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)著名的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)學(xue)者,在(zai)校(xiao)勘學(xue)、目錄學(xue)和圖書(shu)(shu)(shu)(shu)(shu)館(guan)事(shi)(shi)業上成績(ji)卓著,尤(you)其(qi)對《四庫(ku)全書(shu)(shu)(shu)(shu)(shu)》的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)撰修(xiu)作(zuo)出(chu)(chu)了(le)突出(chu)(chu)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)貢獻(xian)。年(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)輕時代(dai)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)周(zhou)(zhou)(zhou)(zhou)永(yong)(yong)年(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)心(xin)中即裝著普天下(xia)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)讀書(shu)(shu)(shu)(shu)(shu)人(ren)和利在(zai)萬世的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)藏(zang)(zang)書(shu)(shu)(shu)(shu)(shu)事(shi)(shi)業,醞釀著一件具(ju)有歷史意義的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)大事(shi)(shi)——力倡“儒(ru)(ru)(ru)藏(zang)(zang)說”以存天下(xia)之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)書(shu)(shu)(shu)(shu)(shu),主建(jian)(jian)“借(jie)(jie)(jie)書(shu)(shu)(shu)(shu)(shu)園”欲使(shi)一家(jia)之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)藏(zang)(zang)廣(guang)之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)于(yu)天下(xia)。儒(ru)(ru)(ru)藏(zang)(zang)之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)說源于(yu)明末曹學(xue)佺,周(zhou)(zhou)(zhou)(zhou)永(yong)(yong)年(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)把它(ta)提高到(dao)理(li)論層面加(jia)以闡(chan)述,并作(zuo)《儒(ru)(ru)(ru)藏(zang)(zang)說》以明其(qi)意,在(zai)文后的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)《儒(ru)(ru)(ru)藏(zang)(zang)條約(yue)三則(ze)》中,制訂了(le)周(zhou)(zhou)(zhou)(zhou)到(dao)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)實施(shi)細則(ze),便(bian)于(yu)實施(shi)。為建(jian)(jian)儒(ru)(ru)(ru)藏(zang)(zang),大聲疾呼,且(qie)身(shen)體力行建(jian)(jian)起了(le)“借(jie)(jie)(jie)書(shu)(shu)(shu)(shu)(shu)園”。借(jie)(jie)(jie)書(shu)(shu)(shu)(shu)(shu)園是(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)周(zhou)(zhou)(zhou)(zhou)永(yong)(yong)年(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)藏(zang)(zang)書(shu)(shu)(shu)(shu)(shu)處,更是(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)其(qi)《儒(ru)(ru)(ru)藏(zang)(zang)說》理(li)論的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)自(zi)我(wo)實踐,具(ju)備近現代(dai)圖書(shu)(shu)(shu)(shu)(shu)館(guan)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)兩大功(gong)(gong)能——保存文獻(xian)和傳播文明,是(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)近代(dai)公共(gong)圖書(shu)(shu)(shu)(shu)(shu)館(guan)之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)濫(lan)觴(shang)。可惜這只是(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)周(zhou)(zhou)(zhou)(zhou)永(yong)(yong)年(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)天真的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)夢想(xiang),在(zai)那個時代(dai),藏(zang)(zang)書(shu)(shu)(shu)(shu)(shu)家(jia)們的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)宋槧元抄(chao)往(wang)往(wang)藏(zang)(zang)之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)深(shen)閣(ge),秘(mi)不(bu)示(shi)人(ren),完成儒(ru)(ru)(ru)藏(zang)(zang)理(li)想(xiang),賴周(zhou)(zhou)(zhou)(zhou)永(yong)(yong)年(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)個人(ren)之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)力是(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)不(bu)行的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)。但是(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi),儒(ru)(ru)(ru)藏(zang)(zang)說一出(chu)(chu),便(bian)得到(dao)士(shi)林諸同志的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)響應(ying),而(er)《四庫(ku)全書(shu)(shu)(shu)(shu)(shu)》的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)編纂思想(xiang)和擇棄(qi)原則(ze),正(zheng)是(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)周(zhou)(zhou)(zhou)(zhou)永(yong)(yong)年(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)在(zai)《儒(ru)(ru)(ru)藏(zang)(zang)說》中力倡的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)。因(yin)此(ci)有人(ren)說纂修(xiu)《四庫(ku)全書(shu)(shu)(shu)(shu)(shu)》“倡導之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)功(gong)(gong),歸(gui)(gui)諸永(yong)(yong)年(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)”,是(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)有道理(li)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)。《四庫(ku)全書(shu)(shu)(shu)(shu)(shu)》的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)纂修(xiu),周(zhou)(zhou)(zhou)(zhou)永(yong)(yong)年(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)不(bu)僅有倡導之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)功(gong)(gong),而(er)且(qie)為之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)作(zuo)出(chu)(chu)了(le)巨大的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)貢獻(xian)。
乾(qian)(qian)隆(long)四十年(nian)周(zhou)永年(nian)以(yi)夙望為(wei)(wei)大(da)學士(shi)劉統(tong)勛所(suo)推薦(jian),被征為(wei)(wei)纂(zuan)修官,特(te)旨(zhi)改翰(han)林院庶吉士(shi)。當時學界(jie)引以(yi)為(wei)(wei)榮,海內(nei)學人投刺踵(zhong)門,皆欲納交。四庫(ku)(ku)館(guan)開設于(yu)乾(qian)(qian)隆(long)三十八年(nian),《四庫(ku)(ku)全書(shu)》的(de)(de)(de)纂(zuan)修是從《永樂大(da)典(dian)》的(de)(de)(de)校勘輯佚工(gong)作開始的(de)(de)(de),周(zhou)永年(nian)在(zai)這件事上(shang)傾注了大(da)量(liang)的(de)(de)(de)心血,作出(chu)了突出(chu)的(de)(de)(de)貢(gong)獻(xian)。據(ju)章(zhang)學誠(cheng)在(zai)《周(zhou)書(shu)昌(chang)別傳(chuan)》中記載,館(guan)臣(chen)們不(bu)肯費力搜尋,多選(xuan)擇易為(wei)(wei)功者(zhe),就說再無(wu)可輯之(zhi)書(shu),可因為(wei)(wei)周(zhou)永年(nian)固執以(yi)爭,認(ren)為(wei)(wei)其(qi)中還(huan)有許多可做(zuo)的(de)(de)(de)工(gong)作,拿他無(wu)可奈何的(de)(de)(de)同事只(zhi)好“盡(jin)(jin)舉而委之(zhi)書(shu)昌(chang)”,周(zhou)永年(nian)不(bu)畏艱(jian)辛(xin),“無(wu)間(jian)風雨寒暑,目盡(jin)(jin)九千巨(ju)冊(ce),計(ji)卷一萬(wan)八千有馀(yu),丹鉛標識,摘抉編(bian)摩”,輯出(chu)永新劉敞兄(xiong)弟(di)《公是》、《公非(fei)》等十余家佚書(shu),皆具有極其(qi)重要的(de)(de)(de)價值。此外還(huan)據(ju)《永樂大(da)典(dian)》葺(qi)補殘缺、校讎錯訛(e)脫倒(dao)。在(zai)這次(ci)中國歷史(shi)上(shang)規模最(zui)大(da)、成(cheng)果最(zui)豐的(de)(de)(de)一次(ci)輯佚校勘活動中,周(zhou)永年(nian)不(bu)計(ji)名利只(zhi)是“欲行(xing)其(qi)平日之(zhi)見,盡(jin)(jin)表遺籍”,他默默無(wu)聞埋頭苦(ku)干的(de)(de)(de)精(jing)神和所(suo)輯宋元(yuan)遺籍永垂史(shi)冊(ce)!
李慈銘(ming)認為(wei),《四庫(ku)全書》雖紀昀、陸錫(xi)熊總其(qi)成(cheng),但是經部(bu)(bu)提要由(you)戴(dai)震主筆(bi),史(shi)部(bu)(bu)提要由(you)邵晉涵主筆(bi),子部(bu)(bu)提要由(you)周(zhou)永(yong)年(nian)主筆(bi),這(zhe)種分工(gong)是依據(ju)了各人的學術專長。
《清(qing)史(shi)稿》評(ping)價周(zhou)永年(nian):“四(si)部兵農天算術數諸家(jia)(jia),鉤(gou)稽(ji)精義(yi),褒譏悉當,為(wei)同館所推重。”桂(gui)馥在《周(zhou)先(xian)(xian)生(sheng)傳》中也說(shuo):“先(xian)(xian)生(sheng)于經史(shi)百(bai)氏之言(yan),覽括略盡,視(shi)其大(da)義(yi),不讎章句。”凡從《大(da)典》中輯出的佚書(shu),誰輯錄即(ji)由誰撰寫提(ti)(ti)要(yao),考(kao)察《武英殿聚珍版(ban)叢書(shu)》還可知,《彭城集(ji)》、《浮溪集(ji)》等集(ji)部提(ti)(ti)要(yao)亦出于周(zhou)永年(nian)之手。另外,據陳垣先(xian)(xian)生(sheng)考(kao)證,《四(si)庫提(ti)(ti)要(yao)》中釋家(jia)(jia)著錄十(shi)三部,存(cun)目十(shi)二(er)部錯誤(wu)極少,亦為(wei)周(zhou)永年(nian)所纂,因(yin)周(zhou)永年(nian)自年(nian)輕始即(ji)篤嗜內典,對佛家(jia)(jia)著作頗為(wei)精通。
周(zhou)永年(nian)為(wei)時(shi)碩儒(ru),文(wen)章冠絕一時(shi),但他(ta)眼(yan)光過(guo)高(gao),又過(guo)分謙(qian)虛(xu),自謂(wei)文(wen)拙(zhuo),不留存稿,故今(jin)天可見著述(shu)極少,致使許多(duo)人竟不知道(dao)他(ta)在《四(si)庫全書》的(de)撰修過(guo)程(cheng)中(zhong)做過(guo)這么(me)多(duo)的(de)工作,這是十分遺憾的(de)事。古人重實(shi),不求虛(xu)名,也給(gei)學術專(zhuan)家漫天飛,學術專(zhuan)著泛濫(lan)成災的(de)當今(jin)社會一個警示。