3 10 70 https://chinesestudents.andover.edu/files/original/000d303033954a9dce5b884fa0dc472b.jpg b02b3d08c497fdd177e26c03c6d36f1e https://chinesestudents.andover.edu/files/original/65b6b0d1ea535f07b997108d8dc901f4.jpg 7311017668f1e282d1ce9bc32f62a939 https://chinesestudents.andover.edu/files/original/b5d49de5cd413afdd48388092b30ae1b.jpg 8a26855824b8344e6b6ff3fff2779e1d Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Box 28 Folder 1 Mary Sun, Head of School (Stearns) Records Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Letter from Mary Sun to Dr. Stearns, February 13, 1926 Subject The topic of the resource Letter from Mary Sun to Dr. Stearns, February 13, 1926 Description An account of the resource Handwritten letter sent from Mary Sun to Dr. Alfred E. Stearns. Asks why her letters need to be sent to Stearns before being sent to the intended recipient. States she doesn't like the new school. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Mary Sun Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Phillips Academy Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource February 13, 1926 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource All Rights Reserved By Phillips Academy Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Correspondence Dr. Alfred E. Stearns Mary Sun https://chinesestudents.andover.edu/files/original/350b1af0ff52e6274e59b57883c41de1.jpg 96dd1bb80bcf9cfd14aae096bdb5dc48 https://chinesestudents.andover.edu/files/original/4c9bc3c9f54b6c28d54ec0af03921e7d.jpg 63a6c27e9288e70f2fbbce0d6ef86812 https://chinesestudents.andover.edu/files/original/15cd5741e52d12f9a46f33c2a2307efc.jpg 3c42ac3c2e01cfe42dad0442b04d97f2 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Box 28 Folder 1 Mary Sun, Head of School (Stearns) Records Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Letter from Mary Sun to Dr. Stearns, April 2, 1926 Subject The topic of the resource Letter from Mary Sun to Dr. Stearns, April 2, 1926 Description An account of the resource Handwritten letter sent from Mary Sun to Dr. Alfred E. Stearns. Asks to stay with her old roommate for 2-3 days before returning to Andover. Explains Sze is willing, but wants Stearns permission too. Also asks about a weekend at Abbot Academy. Ask for a quick response so arrangments can be made. States Charlie arrived and didn't bring enough money. Requests $60.00. Lent money to Charlie. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Mary Sun Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Phillips Academy Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource April 2, 1926 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource All Rights Reserved By Phillips Academy Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Correspondence Dr. Alfred E. Stearns Mary Sun https://chinesestudents.andover.edu/files/original/d791149e048e78b1ba905cabce1f9697.jpg 80c43271269f2f6aa0f093dd29f685a8 https://chinesestudents.andover.edu/files/original/aa5fb346e36a249fd57d02b50c877a81.jpg 2e09f3ab1e9e679750aa59cddfd3b913 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Box 28 Folder 1 Mary Sun, Head of School (Stearns) Records Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Letter from Mary Sun to Dr. Stearns and Miss Clemmons. Subject The topic of the resource Letter from Mary Sun to Dr. Stearns and Miss Clemmons. Description An account of the resource Handwritten letter sent from Mary Sun to Dr. Alfred E. Stearns and Miss Clemmons. Asks to spend weekend with Alice Perry at Abbot Academy before returning to school. States she is having a good time. Coming down with a cold. Saw a show the previous day. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Mary Sun Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Phillips Academy Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource April 3, 1926 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource All Rights Reserved By Phillips Academy Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Correspondence Dr. Alfred E. Stearns Mary Sun Miss Clemmons https://chinesestudents.andover.edu/files/original/bc0a47e26020139a9cdc475507b1eaf2.jpg 6b9ffd5ea23d6b9aa931d9c9e07c88a8 https://chinesestudents.andover.edu/files/original/6bf0fc8a9b167ba3eb7f74ba043d8f6e.jpg 9d2e72912b419661504f3574e6cb62bb https://chinesestudents.andover.edu/files/original/97de41852f24dabd93bdb0025a9e11d4.jpg 548dab5d2b4953382c84d62b339c3b66 https://chinesestudents.andover.edu/files/original/bd83ac8b29d1d2fb7034fd98402a1989.jpg 889af9d4c39a6b327482151595f6940a Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Box 28 Folder 1 Mary Sun, Head of School (Stearns) Records Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Letter from Mary Sun to Dr. Stearns Subject The topic of the resource Letter from Mary Sun to Dr. Stearns Description An account of the resource Handwritten letter sent from Mary Sun to Dr. Alfred E. Stearns. Apologizes for not writing sooner. States school is very busy and has little freetime. Sent accounts for Stearns to look over. Believes Charlie has a bad cold and is the reason why he hasn't written. States the school is having a prom. Explains seniors have to pay $45. Questions whether she is a senior or not. States she is called a 'special senior'. Hopes she isn't a senior in order to save money, especially since she doesn't want to go. Asks Stearns cares if she gets a special degree and if it would mean anything. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Mary Sun Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Phillips Academy Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource April 18, 1926 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource All Rights Reserved By Phillips Academy Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Manuscripts. Correspondence. Dr. Alfred E. Stearns Mary Sun https://chinesestudents.andover.edu/files/original/425abb9e52b3e0f9dc53b3b881577af0.jpg 3f1f10764fa1db0bb0f8693353222ad1 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Box 28 Folder 1 Mary Sun, Head of School (Stearns) Records Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Letter from Ernestine French to Dr. Sao Ke Alfred Sze, April 13, 1926 Subject The topic of the resource Letter from Ernestine French to Dr. Sao Ke Alfred Sze, April 13, 1926 Description An account of the resource Typed note sent from Ernestine French to Dr. Sao-Ke Alfred Sze. States Elmira College will accept Mary Sun and help with her education. Sent Dr. Stearns a catalogue and book of views. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Ernestine French Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Phillips Academy Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource April 13, 1926 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource All Rights Reserved By Phillips Academy Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Manuscripts. Correspondence. Relation A related resource Dr. Sao Ke Alfred Sze, Chinese Legation, Washington, D. C. My dear Dr. Sze: Your letter of April 12 in regard to Mary Sun, the daughter of your personal friend, has just been received. I can assure you that we shall be glad to do everything we can for Miss Sun, and I trust that she will enter Elmira and that her contact here will be as mutually happy and helpful as that of our little friends Rhoda and Alice. I am sending Dr. Stearns one of our latest catalogues and a book of views. With cordial good wishes, I am Sincerely Yours Ernestine French Ernestine French Sao Ke Alfred Sze https://chinesestudents.andover.edu/files/original/fe5ae1229a832372307280c598ac1dd5.jpg aed127e34f66298fa858db34b83648c4 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Box 28 Folder 1 Mary Sun, Head of School (Stearns) Records Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Letter from Dr. Alfred E. Stearns to Mr. Charles Sun, March 30, 1926 Subject The topic of the resource Letter from Dr. Alfred E. Stearns to Mr. Charles Sun, March 30, 1926 Description An account of the resource Typed letter sent from Dr. Alfred E. Stearns to Charles Sun. States if Arthur is able to visit Washington, he will grant Charlie's request. Prefers Charlie discuss matters with Mr. Sze. Explains Mr. Sze has seen all the correspondence. States Mr. Sze prefers one of Mary's brothers should accompany her in Washington. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Dr. Alfred E. Stearns Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Phillips Academy Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource March 30, 1926 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource All Rights Reserved By Phillips Academy Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Correspondence Relation A related resource March. 30, 1926 Mr. Charles Sun 35 Woodside Ave Amherst, Mass. Dear Charlie: I have just received your letter and have written Arthur by this same mail explaining your position. If Arthur will consent to go, I shall be ready to accede to your request, though, frankly, I should prefer to have you talk matters over with Mr. Sze, even if you may so fully understand the situation as Arthur does. Since I have shown Mt. Sze all the correspondence that has passed between your father and me and have his assurance that under the circumstances I could not well have acted other than I did in Mary's case, I am sure that you would be able to do just as much as Arthur. As a matter of fact, what Mr. Sze especially desired was that Mary should have one of her brothers for a companion to share with her in the activities and tripe that were planned for the vacation week. I will write you the minute I hear from Arthur, which I hope will be soon, for I have told him to let me hear from him the minute he gets my letter. With all good wishes, believe me Faithfully yours. Arthur Sun Charles Sun Dr. Alfred E. Stearns Mary Sun Sao Ke Alfred Sze https://chinesestudents.andover.edu/files/original/f1904c92ebd9fb76d668de792ae77dfc.jpg f4dc5056d9f56cb4288334d6d324a7d5 https://chinesestudents.andover.edu/files/original/a95e05ad75fe46e24cecc8cd74dc4157.jpg a829befd5328c4d8ee57d10a890baec2 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Box 28 Folder 1 Mary Sun, Head of School (Stearns) Records Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Letter from Dr. Alfred E. Stearns to Mr. Charles Sun, March 26, 1926 Subject The topic of the resource Letter from Dr. Alfred E. Stearns to Mr. Charles Sun, March 26, 1926 Description An account of the resource Typed letter sent from Dr. Alfred E. Stearns to Charles Sun. Discussed current situation with Mr. Sze. Showed all the correspondence between Stearns and C.Y. Sun. States Mr. Sze believes Stearns took the correct course of action. Believes if well-meaning but uninformed people had interferred, Mary would adjust better to her new school. Explains Mary will visit Mr. Sze in Washington and believes Charles should accompany her. States Mr. Sze believes Mary shouldn't return to Abbot Academy. Asks Charles to respond about Washington visit. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Dr. Alfred E. Stearns Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Phillips Academy Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource March 26, 1926 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource All Rights Reserved By Phillips Academy Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Correspondence Relation A related resource Dear Charlie: I am bit distressed by the contents of your letter of March 25 which I find on my desk this morning on my return from Washington, where yesterday I had a long and very satisfactory conference with your minister, Mr.Sze, about Mary and her problems. I showed Mr.Sze all the correspondence letters and cablegram alike, that has passed between your father and me in connection this latest development in Mary’s case was very greatly relieved to find that Mr.Sze felt that I had done exactly that I should have done under the circumstances and that I could not well have done done without seemingly taking steps that were directly at variance with your father’s pressed wishes and instructions. If some well meaning but impulsive and uninformed people in the town here had not joined with some of Mary’s Abbot Acadamy friends in trying to stir up trouble, I am very sure that Mary herself would have accepted the situation with the best of spirit within a few days after the change had been made. As it is, she seems to be settling down nicely and Mrs. Russell, her new teacher, tells me that she is taking hold of her work with good spirit and good results. Mary, as you probably know, is to accept Mr. Sze’s invitation to pass the spring vacation with him and his wife in Washington. She will leave on the Federal Express from Boston this coming Sunday evening, reaching Washington Monday morning. Mr.Sze thinks it is very important that one of you boys should join her in this Washington visit, and in talking over the situation we were both agreed that the one who would be most helpful asked me, therefore, if I would convey his urgent invitation to you and arrange for you to go to Washington as soon as you could get away from Amherst at the close of this term. I, myself, think that it is very important that you should do this, and I am sure that you can explain the situation to your friends at Amherst who will doubtless understand the reason for your decision and the importance attaching to the Washington visit. Mr.Sze feels that under the circumstances Mary should not return to Abbot this year but go ahead with the preparation for college where she is. He is anxious to make Mary see this the right light and feels that your presence and influence will be a very great help. I feel very strongly, therefore, that you should plan at once to accept Mr. Sze’s invitation though I am disappointed that your work at Amherst does not finish sooner, so that you could make the trip on the same train with Mary herself. In this hope I had almost decided to make a reservation for you in advance but evidently it is just as well that I did not do so. Please let me know just when you can start for Washington so that I advise Mr.Sze promptly as I promised him that I would do. Further, I know that the trip will do you a lot of good, that you will find Washington at this time of year immensely interesting, and that you will get a real letdown and refreshment after your strenuous year’s work at Amherst. Ever sincerely yours. Charles Sun Dr. Alfred E. Stearns https://chinesestudents.andover.edu/files/original/046f3cca26bc3697972270ac4a338a71.jpg 1326db500fbc77f3e92f7bb736827980 https://chinesestudents.andover.edu/files/original/1ee87ae58546982999b38c649961280f.jpg 3e03a30f29cd4d907f1faeaa869bcbb2 https://chinesestudents.andover.edu/files/original/54f9fdbee47834e4b2c9e9a71b599b47.jpg fce0a4549871af4a2c427ff14e11be17 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Box 28 Folder 1 Mary Sun, Head of School (Stearns) Records Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Letter from Dr. Alfred E. Stearns to Mr. Charles Sun, February 22, 1926 Subject The topic of the resource Letter from Dr. Alfred E. Stearns to Mr. Charles Sun, February 22, 1926 Description An account of the resource Typed letter sent from Dr. Alfred E. Stearns to Charles Sun. States Charles letter arrived as Stearns was discussing Mary's situation with Arthur. Sent a cable to their father to disregard messages from Mary until Stearns' letter explaining the situation arrives. States Mary is adjusting to the new situation. Explains the school transfer was based on a cablegram from C.Y. Sun to 'prepare Mary for college'. Explains the change was required because her current courses were not focused on college preparation. States Mary's first reaction was understandable and has since started adjusting to the new school. States she still wishes to return to China. Apologizes for any worry this has caused Arthur and Charles. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Dr. Alfred E. Stearns Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Phillips Academy Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource February 22, 1926 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource All Rights Reserved By Phillips Academy Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Correspondence Relation A related resource February 23, 1926 Mr. Charles Sun 35 Woodsides Avenue Amhest, Mass. Dear Charlie: By a curious coincidence your letter reached me at the very moment that Arthur, who had me come out for lunch, was sitting in my study discussing with me Mary’s situation and problems. As a result of that talk I have just dictated a long letter to your father explaining everything, and I may even cable him in the morning, urging him to disregard any message received from Mary in advance of the receipt of the letter which I am sending. I have told him that her first reaction was naturally one of resentment, and not to blame her for it under the circumstances, but that from all we could learn (and Arthur and Miss Clemons have both talked with her over the phone this after noon) the first feelings had largely died away, and that Mary was now adjusting herself rapidly to the new conditions and growing increasingly contented. I am sure, therefore, that you need have no further occasion to worry on this score. My action in changing Mary’s school was taken on the receipt of a very definite cablegram from her father, saying only “Prepare Mary for college”. His message was prompted by your father’s receipt of a letter from me, written on December 18th last, in which I told him of rumors that had reached me that Mary was to go on to college later and the careful explanation I gave him of what that would mean, since Mary up to that time had been taking, not the college-preparatory course, but the general course, on my understanding that this was to round out her American education and that this school diploma was desired. I told your father frankly that if college preparation was to be adopted, not only would Mary’s course have to be changed at once, but all probability her school as well, for she would need form now on intensive and personal work and that I did not feel authorized to undertake anything so radical and drastic as this without definite instructions from him. In view of his cable, therefore, I could not do anything else than what was actually done. Of course Mary was terribly upset. That was natural enough and I cannot blame her in the least. I purposely acted quickly, after I had investigated carefully the qualifications of various schools , for I knew that the longer the step was delayed the more difficult it would be for Mary herself, as her friends would naturally bemoan her departure and console with her over what they would regard as a hard decision. The first day after Mary reached the new school she filled the mail-bag with letters, to her brothers, to Mr. Szein Washington and to others and I naturally inferred that these letters would be of the character that both your and Arthur have described. I am sure, however, that this was only the first reaction. Mrs.Russell, the principal of the new school, assured me only today that Mary had settled down and seemed increasingly happy and contented, and in conversations which both Arthur and Miss Clemons had with Mary over the phone this afternoon she herself admitted that this was so, that the school was all right, the girls exceedingly friendly, that she was working hard, but that she still wished (and that, of course, has been her wish for months) to return to China. So you see, Charlie, I think that things are not quite so black as you felt them to be on the receipt of Mary’s hysterical letter. I am very sorry Mary had to go through this ordeal, which has been extremely hard for her, of course. I am sorry, too, that you and Arthur have had to shoulder an extra burdern of anxiety because of it, and I shall be doubly sorry if anything Mary has said tends to upset her father. If I cable him after I hear from Arthur tonight, I shall simply ask him to disregard Mary’s message and away the receipt of my letter. I shall simply ask him to disregard Mary’s message and await the receipt of my letter. In this way I believe we can forestall trouble and smooth things over so that within a short time the situation will be satisfactory to everybody. Again my thanks for your letter. Don’t worry any more, though I know it is just like you to take a thing of this kind deeply to heart, for your are, perhaps, more likely than most others to sense the significance of all of the factors involved. I have been immensely perplexed and distressed myself over the situation, but have done only what I felt your father definitely wished me to do, and am much more cheerful now, in view of development of the last few days. With all good wishes, believe me ever. Very sincerely yours. Charles Sun Dr. Alfred E. Stearns Mary Sun https://chinesestudents.andover.edu/files/original/44469985c672840515b7ebb3c0c42f73.jpg 4ac7cced9a674da115205b1c52b71c82 https://chinesestudents.andover.edu/files/original/a3dffb5140fe34fc87601d1357d118c2.jpg 19b771945a115327535e9eca97c7daef https://chinesestudents.andover.edu/files/original/533371bcd9bdbbe834dbb1d780a1e05e.jpg e06dbb5337b804cfa66a92dc85dbca59 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Box 28 Folder 1 Mary Sun, Head of School (Stearns) Records Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Letter from Dr. Alfred E. Stearns to Mr. C.Y. Sun, February 22, 1926 Subject The topic of the resource Letter from Dr. Alfred E. Stearns to Mr. C.Y. Sun, February 22, 1926 Description An account of the resource Typed letter sent from Dr. Alfred E. Stearns to C.Y. Sun about Mary's education and school transfer. Made arrangements after receiving Sun's cablegram to prepare Mary for college. Transferred Mary to Whittier School in Merrimac, Massachusetts. States Mary was upset to be transferred from Abbot to Whittier and wrote letters to several people initially. Questions the decision to send Mary to college, as her previous course work didn't prepare her for college. Explains the reasoning behing his decisions regarding Mary and her education. Asks for advice in dealing with Mary and her education in the future. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Dr. Alfred E. Stearns Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Phillips Academy Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource February 22, 1926 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource All Rights Reserved By Phillips Academy Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Correspondence Relation A related resource 22 February, 1926 Mr. C. Y. Sun 44 Cambridge Road Tientsin, China My dear Mr. Sun: Upon the receipt of your recent cablegram, reading, “Prepare Mary for college”, I promptly started careful inquiries to ascertain the best available school where Mary could receive the special and intensive work which must now be had to enable her to achieve this end. As the result of these inquiries I selected a small home school, highly recommended and already somewhat familiar to me, known as Whittier School, in Merrimac, Massachusetts, a small country town about fifteen miles distant from Andover. When the selection had been made I sent for Mary, told her of your decision, and offered her the choice of going to the school in question or remaining at my home to work for the balance of the year with tutors chosen from our own teaching force, aided by a former teacher residing in the town. She chose the school, and the transfer was made the following day. Mary was badly upset by the news and the sudden change of plan involved. She protested vigorously and tearfully against leaving Abbot Academy, and insisted that I ought not to take the proposed step, which she felt sure you would not sanction if you understood all the conditions involved. Miss Clemons and I did our best to quiet her and make her we that no other course was open in view of your explicit instructions, which had been sent after the receipt of my earlier letter to you in which I had endeavored to explain carefully and in detail all that was involved if the change were to be made. Knowing that the change would be hard at best for Mary, I felt that the more promptly it could be made the less would be her distress in the end, for I knew that her friends at Abbot, including her teachers, would naturally console with her and unconsciously strengthen her own feelings that she was being harshly dealt with. To guard her against that I asked Mrs. Russell, the Principal of the Wittier School, to withhold from Mary for a couple of days the letters of sympathy, etc. which I felt sure would follow her from Abbot Academy and add only to Mary’s excitement. At the end of that period all of the letters, of which there were many, were forwarded to Mary, as I had planned at the outset to have them. I mention these details because 1 know that Mary’s first reaction was one of intense resentment and that she wrote at once to her brothers, to the Legation at Washington, and to others, protesting at what had been done and intimating, apparently, that you would not have sanctioned my action have you fully understood the situation. I kept in touch with Mrs. Russell by telephone and urged her to do everything she could to make Mary comfortable and happy and to bring her to realize that your authority in the matter was final, your decision proper, and my action absolutely necessary in view of your definite instructions by cable to me. From Mrs. Russell, and to-day from Mary herself, I have gathered that the first shock has largely worn off, that Mary is hard at work and evidently much more contented than she was at first. In justice to Mary I feel that it is only fair to say that I consider her first reaction perfectly natural and that it would not be fair to blame her too severely for it. As I intimated in my earlier letter to you, the change was a drastic one and the significance of it could not easily be at once interpreted by the one who was thus forced to sever abruptly all connections and friendships and start again among strangers in another school. I felt sure then, and feel surer now, that this reaction should not be considered permanent, and that in a very short time Mary would adjust herself to the new surroundings, and with increasing content and peace of mind. To-day Arthur came out to see me, at my request, stayed to lunch, and talked over with me very fully and freely the entire situation. While he was there we called Mary on the telephone and Arthur himself talked with her frankly. Arthur apparently agrees fully that what has been done is what you desire, and has assured Mary that it was the proper and only thing to do under the circumstances. I think he feels as strongly as I do that Mary is already in a much better frame of mind, and that she will bend herself to the new tasks and adjust herself to the new conditions rapidly and rightly. Arthur, however, is inclined to share my own feelings, those of Miss Clemons, who has followed Mary pretty closely in her work, and those expressed, too, by Miss Bailey, Principal of Abbot Academy, that it is a serious question whether Mary has the proper qualifications to make a college course for her practicable and wise. In some of the subjects, at least, required for admission to a good college (and I assume, of course, that you would not be willing to consider a second-rate college), Mary finds the greatest difficulty Arthur tells me that when he tried to teach her Algebra a short time ago, it seemed next to impossible to make her understand the first principles of the subject. On the other hand she is extremely domestic and has evident talent along those lines. I think that is one reason why Mary has always intimated that she would like to study nursing, something that to-day many of our best girls in this country are taking up for serious study. I confess that I have been terribly puzzled over the whole problem. The subjects which Mary has been taking to round out the general course at Abbot Academy, and which would have permitted her to take her diploma in that course this coming June, are not in the main those required by the colleges for admission; hence her work from now on must he of a very different character. I have asked Mrs. Russell to watch Mary as closely as she can and tell me frankly within the next few weeks what she herself feels as to Mary’s qualifications to prepare for admission to college and carry later successfully the college course. If Mrs. Russell comes to feel, as some of the rest of us are inclined to do without, perhaps, full and proper data on which to base our somewhat hazy conclusions, that Mary ought not to attempt to go on to college, I shall hardly know what to do next. In talking the situation over with Arthur to-day we were both inclined to feel that if the college proposition should prove to be impracticable and a nursing or home economics course from your point of view undesirable, Mary should perhaps have a year or two in one of the very best of our American schools, chiefly for the contacts and cultural influences that such a school would afford. There are several such schools in this country, but I have not considered them seriously in the past, chiefly because they are excessively expensive, involving an annual outlay of from $2500 to $3000 per year per pupil a sum which it seems to me would be beyond what you would naturally feel ought to be invested. Perhaps my judgment has erred in this respect, but it has at least been formed on the basis of a very careful consideration on my part of all the factors involved and of a further belief that you would have reached the same decision yourself under the same circumstances. Where I may have erred chiefly up to this time has been through my understanding that Mary would return to China this coming year, and that therefore her American education was to have been completed so far as possible before that time. As I wrote in my former letter, the suggestion of a later college course came to me comparatively recently, and hence did not enter into the consideration of the earlier plans decided upon. I am writing you fully at this time because I have reason to fear that Mary in her first reaction to the new situation may have sent you, direct or through the Legation, at Washington, word that would naturally have been very much colored by her feelings at the time, and which I feel sure would have taken on a different color had she sent such a messages to-day , and probably even a brighter hue were she to send it a bit later. Her statement on the telephone to-day to both me and Arthur was to the effect that the new school was all right, that she liked her schoolmates, etc. but that she still wanted to return to China, I hope, therefore, that if you have received a message from her previous to the receipt of this letter, you will consider it in the light of what I have just written, and will not do unduly disturbed by its character. Unless Mary misled both Arthur and myself, she would not, I feel sure, send a message of quite the same character to-day, and I am very hopeful that we can within a reasonable time report her as contented and happy under the new regime. I hope that in your next letter to me you will feel perfectly free to tell me very frankly exactly what courses I should adopt with Susy from now on. Please take into consideration the possibility that those who are now undertaking to prepare Mary for colleges may agree with Miss Bailey and others that Mary is not adapted to college work and ought not, therefore, to be forced to attempt it. If this is the final and combined judgement of us all, we must then plan carefully for the next and wisest east step, and we shall certainly need definite advice and instructions from you. I have tried to outline the possibilities so that we may so far as possible work in complete sympathy and harmony in the matter and adopt a plan which has been decided upon only after all the conditions and ramifications that enter into the problem have been fully considered and estimated at their relative values. My sole desire is to carry out your wishes and to do only what I should feel you would desire to do yourself were you actually on the ground here and able to view the situation from the same angle. I might add that the Wittier School has been thoroughly endorsed by a number of responsible educators whom I have consulted, who know of its work and its product, and who tell me that it does exceptionally effective work in the preparation of its pupils for college. It is a home school, rather old-fashioned in its type, and to my mind all the better for that, with a distinctly cultural and Christian atmosphere. Mrs. Bussell is a motherly woman of high ideals and refinement, and strongly opposed to the modern and superficial tendencies and social excesses so strongly prevalent in the majority of our American girls’ schools to-day. Mary will therefore some under closer and in my judgment wholesome supervision than she has had heretofore, while at the same time she will be guided in her studies by those who are thoroughly familiar with the requirements for admission set by our best colleges, and who are in the habit of preparing their girls to meet the same. Please excuse this extremely long letter, but I cannot help feeling that the situation in such that you are entitled to know all of the circumstances and details which have been taken into consideration by me in handling this somewhat difficult and in a way very perplexing problem. I can only hope that I have not in any way, and unintentionally, abused the confidence which have so generously reposed in me, though I must admit in dealing with the case of a girl I feel my limitations more strongly than I do in dealing with boys, whose problems are a little more familiar, though even then not always easily solved. Believe me, with warm regard and esteem. Very sincerely yours, C.Y.Sun Dr. Alfred E. Stearns https://chinesestudents.andover.edu/files/original/f98f85ab52ac80c4ea870b2cf0e8831a.jpg 195a15d5b64a3d1960fb1ae201bbaadd https://chinesestudents.andover.edu/files/original/604e4b05968cdc019d7a2f3d1c5cd180.jpg befd73f571c0a093f595a8ca3da6dde8 https://chinesestudents.andover.edu/files/original/38b3e2b53c4d02278831ca1eaf5c18cb.jpg 685ae554b0cd750f914b33452f4b3704 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Box 28 Folder 1 Mary Sun, Head of School (Stearns) Records Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Letter from Dr. Alfred E. Stearns to Mr. C.Y. Sun, April 2, 1926 Subject The topic of the resource Letter from Dr. Alfred E. Stearns to Mr. C.Y. Sun, April 2, 1926 Description An account of the resource Typed letter sent from Dr. Alfred E. Stearns to Mr. C.Y. Sun detailing the situation surround Mary's education and change in schools. Initiated plans for Mary attending college once he received Sun's cablegram. Explains that since Mary transferred from Abbot Academy to Whittier School, she has improved. States that friends from Abbot Academy, including Miss Shapleigh attempted to force Mary's return to Abbot Academy. Askd Miss Shapleigh to stop and explained the situation. Requested help from Sze. Expressed confusion over cablegram stating to focus less on college. Discussing his guardianship over Mary. Discussed Mary's progress with Mrs. Russell of Whittier school, who believes Mary could perform at middle ranks if taking broad courses. Sent inquiries to Wellesley and Mount Holyoke to see if Mary could attend without taking the full examinations. Explain Mr. Sze plans to contact Elmira College. Hopes Mr. Sun understands why Stearns decided to keep Mary at the Whittier School. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Dr. Alfred E. Stearns Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Phillips Academy Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource April 2, 1926 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource All Rights Reserved By Phillips Academy Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Correspondence Relation A related resource April 2, 1926 Mr. C. Y. Sun 44 Cambridge Road Tientsin China, My dear Mr.Sun, The receipt several days ago of your second cablegram , bearing date of March 19, threw me into something of panic. I confess that t more I thought over its content, the more completely I felt at sea. The transfer of schools had already been made, the expense and responsibility of the new arrangement assumed, and a month of work under the new condition had brought Mary into a far better frame of mind, as indicated not only by her general attitude but by the the good spirit with which she was throwing herself into her studies. Under the condition another change back to the old regime seemed of questionable wisdom at best. Still another factor, however, entered into situation which I could not well ignore. From the moment Mary changed from Abbot Academy to the Whittier School at Merrimac several of her enthusiastic Abbot friends and a well-meaning but impulsive and inconsiderate friend in the town, a Miss Shapleigh, vigorously took up the cudgel to override my judgment and to force Mary’s return to Abbot Academy. Mary herself evidently was kept informed of the activities taken in her behalf and probably approved of them, as would perhaps be natural under the circumstances. When I learned of this, I went at once to Miss Shapleigh, read before her all the correspondence that had passed between you and myself, and ask if she did not feel that under the circumstances and in view of her complete ignorance of what had taken place between us she had not overstepped the bounds of propriety and decency in injecting herself into the situation without having even taken the pains to consult with me in any way. After she had read the copies of the last two letters I had written you, she admitted to me frankly that she thought that not even her most intimate friends at Abbot could have explained the situation to you more carefully and fairly than I had done. I found it difficult to persuade her, however, that she owed it to Mary particularly and to you and me to cease her activities, which could only make matters more difficult and trying for us all. The receipt of your cable message, plus my own disturbed feelings over the whole situation, prompted me to seek advice from other quarters and, since I had to be in New York a few days later, I wired to your minister Mr. Alfred Sze, in Washington and arranged for an interview. Mr.Sze was very kind and gave me several hours of his valuable time. I laid before him all the correspondence and asked him to tell me very frankly if he felt I had done the right thing or had erred in my judgement in transferring Mary to the school In question and starting her preparation for college, as requested in your earlier message. After having read with care our correspondence, Mr. Sze assured me emphatically that he did not see how I could have taken any ether course than that adopted and that he felt that I should cease to worry about things, even if others of limited knowledge of the facts continued to criticize. Mr Sze told me further and this surprised me very much, that Miss Shapleigh, referred to above, had written him a vigorous letter asking him to cable you urging Mary’s prompt return to Abbot Academy and that to this message he had replied that he could not do this as I was Mary’s guardian in this country, in touch with you, and the only one qualified to make decisions in Mary’s case. The news that Mary’s friends had gone so far as this behind my back distressed me greatly for it indicated a spirit and attitude which were anything but pleasant to contemplate and which did not seem to point to smooth sailing for the future. Mr. Sze and I discussed fully the contents of your recent cablegram, in which you stated that you now emphasize college less and a return to Abbot. Both of us agreed that in view of the arbitrary interference of outsiders, it would be most unfortunate to change Mary back again to Abbot at this time, for it is clear to us both that such a step would promptly be regarded by those who had interfered as a justification of their position and action, and complete repudiation by you of my earlier judgement and decision, based though they were only on my understanding of your personal wishes in the matter. In other words, for the future it would have been utterly impossible for me to exercise the slightest control over Mary and her doings, for Mary herself would, of course, share the feelings of her friends that she had been mishandled by me in the past. We agreed further that to take this step would necessarily force me to resign at once my guardianship, something which 1 shall be perfectly willing to do if that is your wish and if others can be found to fill the position more satisfactorily than I. Indeed I should be ready to resign at once if it were not for two factors; (1) my unwillingness to turn Mary’s affairs over to those mho have impulsively and unfairly injected themselves into the situation in a wholly uncalled for way, and (2)because of the difficulty in finding the type of person who could and would assume this responsibility promptly and of whose qualifications to fill the position to your satisfaction and do for Mary what I am sure you wish to have done for her. In view of all that has been said above I have been compelled to feel that the decision which Mr. Sze and I reached is wise and that Mary should finish out the year at the Wittier School, concentrating on college preparatory work. I had a long talk with Mrs. Russell, the head of this school. Just before I started for Washington and was assured by her that from what she had seen of Mary’s work thus far, she felt that, if Mary could possibly gain admission to college this coming fall, she would probably be able to hold the pace there as well as perhaps one-third, at least, of the student body and that with another year of preparation she ought to stand well up in the middle ranks, if not better. She added, however, that this was on the assumption that Mary would take the broader courses in college rather than concentrate on languages or Mathematics. I am writing to the presidents of Wellesley and Mount Holyoke, both of whom I happen to know personally, to see whether some way can be found to allow Mary to enter without meeting the full requirement of entrance examination regularly demanded of candidates. I am not at all sure that I can gain such concession, but if it were possible, it would probably mean the saving of an extra year of preparation, and that at least is worth striving for. Mr. Sze tells me that he has recently sent one of his wards to Elmira College in New York where the requirements for admission are not so stiff and where the tone and standards are known to be good. Curiously, Elmira is one of the colleges I have had under consideration during recent months when it there might be a chance that you would wish to have Mary go on to colleges after completing the general course at Abbot. I was doubly glad, therefore, to get Mr. Sze’s endorsement of the college, of which he evidently has a very high opinion. I shall await with interest Mr.Robinson’s arrival, and in the meantime will continue to do my best to see that Mary secures all that can possibly be provided for her to assure at least a fair test of the college plan. I hope that you will not feel that I have erred in deciding to over ride the suggestion contained in your last cable message and to let Mary finish out the year at Whittier School. I am sure that you will understand after you have read the details given above that I have tried to the best of my ability to solve wisely and well a very complicated and trying problem and that my sole object, as in the past, has always been to carry out the wishes which I believed you to entertain for Mary’s welfare and in ways of which I am prompted to think you yourself would approve were you here on the ground to visualize and understand all of the factors involved. Very sincerely yours, C.Y.Sun Dr. Alfred E. Stearns Mary Sun