156 10 3636 https://chinesestudents.andover.edu/files/original/ca8d9beda1c86f960ddf352430cebdbd.jpg 60f14cb7860a5a5f083b6b5c7c187183 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 27 Folder 2 Tsai, 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 Helen Tsai, May 4, 1927 Subject The topic of the resource Letter from Dr. Alfred E. Stearns to Helen Tsai, May 4, 1927 Description An account of the resource Typed letter from Dr. Alfred E. Stearns to Helen Tsai. Will take care of coats, sweaters, and books. Recommends the coats be placed in storage to protect from moths. Plans to discuss summer plans with Helen. 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 May 4, 1927 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 May 4, 1927 Miss Helen Tsai Whittier School Merrimac, Mass* My dear Helen: I am just back from a trip out West and find your letter of May 1st. I will do what I can to take care of your coats, sweaters, books, etc., though the former ought probably to be put in storage to protect them from moths. I hope to get over there is a day or two to talk over your summer plans with you. and this will give us a chance to disease the other matter also. With all good sights, believe me Ever sincerely yours. Dr. Alfred E. Stearns Helen Tsai https://chinesestudents.andover.edu/files/original/38bfa21d120f7e66a04e75d48ca09d5f.jpg cd47abd82d2de09da1176772d6a446ad 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 27 Folder 2 Tsai, 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 Helen Tsai, November 19, 1926 Subject The topic of the resource Letter from Dr. Alfred E. Stearns to Helen Tsai, November 19, 1926 Description An account of the resource Typed letter sent from Dr. Alfred E. Stearns to Helen Tsai about Thanksgiving vacation. Plans to take Helen up to The Stearns School to visit brother Alfred Tsai. Asks Helen to discuss with Mrs. Russell. 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 November 19, 1926 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource All Rights Reserved By Phillips Academy Type The nature or genre of the resource English Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context Manuscripts. Correspondence. Relation A related resource November 19, 1926 Miss Helen Tsai Whittier School Merrimac, Mass. Dear Helen: My brother has telephoned me saying that Alfred would remain at his school for the Thanksgiving recess and asking me to bring you up on Thanksgiving Day to join with them in the festivities. This I am hoping to do. If acceptable to you and Mrs. Russell, I shall plan to go over and get you Wednesday afternoon, allowing you to stay at the Phillips Inn that night so that we can get an early start the next morning and give you a chance to have a real visit with your brother before the dinner. I should plan to take you back to Merrimac late that same day. Please explain the plan to Mrs. Russell and ask if it meets with her full approval. Very sincerely yours Dr. Alfred E. Stearns Helen Tsai https://chinesestudents.andover.edu/files/original/717094d535d7669349f0b511348c8c02.jpg 9edbc4adaa964b3456d44e84e24cd289 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 27 Folder 2 Tsai, 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 Helen Tsai, November 2, 1926 Subject The topic of the resource Letter from Dr. Alfred E. Stearns to Helen Tsai, November 2, 1926 Description An account of the resource Typed letter from Dr. Alfred E. Stearns to Helen Tsai. Saw her brother Alfred who did not know the items she was looking for. Asked for the items to be shipped when found. Enclosed $10.00 as a monthly allowance. Asked Helen to discuss allowance with Mrs. Russell. Asked for receipt for check to be signed and sent back 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 November 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 Manuscripts. Correspondence. Relation A related resource November 2, 1926 Miss Helen Tsai Whittier School Merrimac, Mass. Dear Helen: Thank you for your recent note with its interesting report of your Saturday night festivities. I am glad to know that you are so well and happy. I saw your brother for a minute at Mont Vernon last week and tried to get him to give me the things which you said you desired and which he had in his trunk. He did not seem to know just what these were but promised to write you at once and find out. I asked him to ship them to you Just as soon as he heard from you, and 1 hope he has done so. He seemed well and happy, too. I am enclosing a check for $10.00 to cover a month’s s allowance for incidentals. This is the practice that I follow with the other Chinese students, but it must have the sanction of your head, Mrs. Bussell, for some schools prefer to handle themselves the spending money of each individual pupil. Please be sure to get Mrs; Bussell’s approval of whatever you do, and please sign also and return in the enclosed stamped envelope the receipt which accompanies it. Excuse a hasty note this morning, but that is all I have time for today. My best wishes, however, go with it. Dr. Alfred E. Stearns Helen Tsai https://chinesestudents.andover.edu/files/original/ed5b2914ab46577d9d90637279416970.jpg c6fc17f12b62e642d153170bcba11f69 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 27 Folder 2 Tsai, 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 Helen Tsai, November 4, 1926 Subject The topic of the resource Letter from Dr. Alfred E. Stearns to Helen Tsai, November 4, 1926 Description An account of the resource Typed letter sent from Dr. Alfred E. Stearns to Helen Tsai. Compliments Helen on her English and use of typewriter. Updates Helen on current situation in China. Believes Peking has yet to be affected by the civil war. States the south is in control, which may spread to the north. 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 November 4, 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 November 4, 1925 Miss Helen Tsai Whitter School Merrimac, Mass. Dear Helen: Your last letter is a wonder, for it is written in remarkably smooth and intelligent English. You seem to be gaining steady in your handling of the English language, and I congratulate you heartily. Further you are no ignoramus (can you guess what that word means?) in your use of the typewriter. Frankly, I could not begin to do as well as you have done without having made several attempts at least. The latest Chinese news is rather complicated, but I have not had any reason yet to believe that Peking has been seriously affected by the civil war that has been going on for so long, though I gather that the southern or Cantonese part of it seemed to be pretty much in control at present and likely to extend that control still, further north. Again my thanks for your letter and for your own copy of "The Psalm of Life.” Always sincerely yours, Dr. Alfred E. Stearns Helen Tsai https://chinesestudents.andover.edu/files/original/c7e19fbf3350a0009148f56bf034bfd4.jpg 43c999b5aec9e7db2ba1127c9de95dc8 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 27 Folder 2 Tsai, 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 Helen Tsai, October 26, 1926 Subject The topic of the resource Letter from Dr. Alfred E. Stearns to Helen Tsai, October 26, 1926 Description An account of the resource Typed letter from Dr. Alfred E. Stearns to Helen Tsai. Complimented Helen on her English. Was glad to see her at the game on Saturday. Plans to bring her to visit her brother if work permits. 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 October 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 Manuscripts. Correspondence. Relation A related resource October 26, 1926 Miss Helen Tsai Whittier School Merrimac, Mass. Dear Helen: This is just a note to acknowledge the receipt of your fine letter of October 21 and to tell you that in my judgment that letter showed that you are rapidly getting ahead in your English. I was greatly pleased with it and am grateful to you for writing. It was good to get a glimpse of you last Saturday night, and I hope that from time to time during the coming weeks I may be equally fortunate. If the pressure of work here permits it, I am also hoping to be able to take you up to Mont Vernon to see your brother before the term is over. With all good wishes, believe me Ever sincerely yours Dr. Alfred E. Stearns Helen Tsai https://chinesestudents.andover.edu/files/original/f48ff582cee9a8e577d2dc14800c994d.jpg 8d430c4cdcaff036636ac0d9e8f5479d 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 27 Folder 2 Tsai, 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 Helen Tsai, October 5, 1926 Subject The topic of the resource Letter from Dr. Alfred E. Stearns to Helen Tsai, October 5, 1926 Description An account of the resource Typed letter sent from Dr. Alfred E. Stearns to Helen Tsai. Congratulates Helen on her first English letter. States she did well and if the situations were reverses, Stearns' first Chinese letter would not be as good. Hopes to see her at school again once the school year begins. Asks if Alfred visited last Sunday. 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 October 5, 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 Miss Helen Y.K.Tsai Whittier School Merrimac, Mass. My dear Helen: Your interesting and cheerful letter reached me yesterday, and I enjoyed it thoroughly. It was very nice of you to write and I must congratulate you on doing so remarkably well on your first attempt. I am perfectly sure that, if I had had the same amount of training in Chinese that you have had in English and had attempted to write you a letter in your native tongue, I could you have begun to do as well as have done in this instance. It was good to get that little glimpse of you at your school last week, and I hope to get over again before long and have a look at you when the actual school year and school work are under way. I am sure you will like the school and will go ahead very fast in your work, for certainly you have the right kind of spirit to assure success. Did you see Alfred last Sunday? He called at my house Sunday afternoon, my cook tells me, while I was out for a short walk. I think my sister-in-law must have driven him down. As she told me sometime ago that she hoped to drive him down to Merrimac some day, I thought that very probably they had stopped in Andover on their way to see you. I certainly hope that he had a chance to visit you, for I know that this would have meant a great deal to you and to him, too. I wonder if he is still “Oberlin sick?” Wishing you very success in your work and plenty of enjoyment from the school life, and hoping to see you soon, believe me Very sincerely yours. Dr. Alfred E. Stearns Helen Tsai https://chinesestudents.andover.edu/files/original/5918332eaee102fd09ad8daff3f72628.jpg 904b2a58d1c4cf17c98ddaa2e6f8216a 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 Stearns Folder 5552, 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 Hin C. Chan, April 21, 1926 Subject The topic of the resource Letter from Dr. Alfred E. Stearns to Hin C. Chan, April 21, 1926 Description An account of the resource Typed letter from Dr. Alfred E. Stearns to Hin C. Chan informing him that Steans is dropping Hamilton from his list of schools to visit this year, not due to the school's reputation, but because of its distance from Andover. 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 21, 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 21, 1926 Mr. Hin C Chan Hamilton College Clinton, N.Y. Dear Chan: Thank you for your good note of April 14. I am sorry that it was necessary for me to drop Hamilton from my list this year, but, as I explained to your good president, I simply had to cut down these out-of-town trips; and Hamilton is a long way off. I did tell Dr. Ferry, however, that I would try to go a year later if he would let me off at this time. Mr. Bancroft tells me that so far no boys hare reported at the office that they are heading for Hamilton. I am worry that this is so, for I do not know a higher grade college in the country and I wish more of our boys were inclined to look upon it with favor. The fast is that it is a bit out of the way, as you know, and I imagine that the location has as much as anything xxx with the seeming lack of interest. With all good wishes to you, believe me Ever sincerely yours Dr. Alfred E. Stearns Hin-Cheung Chan https://chinesestudents.andover.edu/files/original/c315c6b0c3076d25928a6e1b62da68d5.jpg c2e2c85e73f1ad2ecc96dbc436a85955 https://chinesestudents.andover.edu/files/original/805f01d42ced15abd42c5e6f8ec5f878.jpg 3037944cb708518ae3890c2334d23128 https://chinesestudents.andover.edu/files/original/4683f58a6f014a0273607e7d4609e602.jpg 6eff2509da7724cce96151d9222de52b 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 Hon. Alfred Sze, February 18, 1926 Subject The topic of the resource Letter from Dr. Alfred E. Stearns to Hon. Alfred Sze, February 18, 1926 Description An account of the resource Typed letter sent from Dr. Alfred E. Stearns to Sao-Ke Alfred Sze. Explains the current situation with Mary and her education. States he received a cablegram from Mr. Sun that Mary should attend college. Made arrangements to transfer Mary from Abbot Academy, where she resided for 2 years, to Whittier School, a small school suitable for college prep. Questions whether the transfer was the right course of action. Is troubled over the effect the transfer had on Mary. 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 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 Correspondence Relation A related resource February 18, 1926 Hon.Alfred Sze Chinese Legation Washington D.C. My dear Dr.Sze: I forwarded to you a day or two ago, by registered mail and at Mary Sun’s request, a letter in which I assume Mary expressed to you her dissatisfaction with the most arrangement which I felt it necessary to xx for her further schooling. I cannot blame Mary at all for feeling as she does, for I am a good bit distressed and puzzled myself. In view, however, of definite cabled instructions from Mr. sun to prepare Mary for college, I could not see how the step taken could be avoided, and I am writing only to explain my position. For the past two years Mary has been a student at Abbot Academy, taking the general and not the college course, and with the expectation of XX her diploma in this course this coming June. I had always understood from Mr. Sun and from other children that on the completion of her school work in this country was to return to China. For this reason, and for the added reason that the college work seemed a bit too hard for the girl, the general course was selected. About a year ago I began to hear rumors from the children that Mr. Sun might desire Mary to go on to college. Numerous inquiries brought me no definite information, though finally in a letter from Mr. Sun under date of September 4, 1925, this statement is made: “With reference to the choice of school to which Mary should join after she finish her studies in Abbot, many of my friends have told me that Wellesley will be a very desirable college for her.” In answer to this I replied: “The new school year is well under way. Mary should complete her course at Abbot Academy next June. If she is to go on to college, as you initiate, my preference will be for Mount Holykole or Wellesley.” The above was written on the assumption, of course, that Mary would required further preparation, and that Mr. Sun himself had not fully made up his mind to the desirability of the advanced college work. I did not feel it wise for Mary to change schools again, in middle of the year. From that time on, further and XX stronger intimation come to me from the children that college for Mary was becoming a mere definite issue in her father’s mind. I also gathered that the extra year or two of preparation would prove distasteful to both Mr.Sun and Mary and that Mary herself was hoping to enter some so-called college of inferior grade that would not require further preparation. Knowing something about American institutions of this class, I could not believe that Mr.Sun would approve of any such course, and I frankly told Mary so. It was and still is my opinion that in speaking of “college” Mr.Sun had definitely in mind a college of the first rank, and not a college in name only. Consequently, and with these ideas in my mind, I wrote Mr. Sun at considerable length and in detail just before Christmas, asking for definite instructions as to the course I was to pursue in order to carry out his wishes. I explained very fully that they general course Mary was now taking would not permit her to enter a good college, and that further preparation of a year at least, and perhaps more, would be required. I told him, further, that if college was to be the definite goal, I should doubtless feel it necessary to sever at once Mary’s connection with her present school, Abbot Academy, and place her either in a small school or with a tutor where intensive work in preparation for college admission could be had. I explained that such a course would be drastic and upsetting, and in view of this fact I did not feel justified in adopting it without Mr.Sun’s full approval. I asked Mr.Sun, therefore, if he would carefully consider the facts I had stated and write me fully and definitely what I should do. Several days ago, and prompted by the receipt of my letter, Mr.Sun cabled me the brief messages, - “Prepare Mary for college”. I confess that the message distressed me a good bit, for I did not like the idea of making another change only two or three months before Mary would have completed the Abbot course, but under the circumstances and in view of the detail with which I had explained in my letter to Mr. Sun, I could see no alternative but to support the decision and follow instructions. I took several days to search carefully and make numerous inquiries among college and school authorities as to a suitable school, and finally decided on the Whittier School at Merrimac, about fifteen miles from here, a home school of some twenty-five or thirty girls with a distinctly cultured and Christian atmosphere, and where I am told excellent work can be counted on. Then I made the change, the purposely rather abruptly because it seemed to me that Mary’s distress would only be intensified if the strain was prolonged. I also withheld from Mary for the first two days a flood of letters from her former schoolmates and teachers, the receipt of which at the very outset of the new venture would only have been disconcerting. This I explained to Mary by telephone, and forwarded all the letters in question that same day. I mention this last merely because Mary showed in a note which she wrote to me that she felt that unduly severe measures were being taken by me, but for what reason she could not seemingly understand. I am really very troubled over the whole situation, for I cannot help feeling that Mary is perfectly justified in being greatly distressed over the sudden and unexpected turn in affairs, and yet I cannot see how I could have acted otherwise in view of Mr.Sun’s definite instructions. Had I been able to talk with Mr.Sun in person and explain all the ins and outs, I have no doubt that we could have come to a mutually satisfactory decision as to the best course to pursue. The long distance between us and the extensive time which most elapse between the sending and receipt of letter complicate the problem immensely. It has been very hard, therefore, for me to reach satisfactory decisions and to carry them out, feeling, as I do, that the wisest setps may not always been taken in this way and that a clearer understanding on my part of Mr.Sun’s exact wishes and a clearer understanding on his part of the factors and complications involved at this end would very probably prompt us to decisions somewhere different from these arrived at. I hope you will pardon this long and somewhat detailed letter, but since Mary has evidently placed her case before you, I think it is only fair that you should understand the reasons for the action which Mary herself could hardly regard with anything but questionings and distress. The last report I had from the school indicates that Mary’s intense reaction has lessened distinctly and I hope and believe that within a reasonable time she will enjoy the new surroundings and friends and be able to settle down to definite and hard work of preparing for college in accordance with her father’s expressed wishes. With personal regards and the assurance of my readiness to consider carefully any suggestions you may feel disposed to make in this matter, believe me, Very sincerely yours, https://chinesestudents.andover.edu/files/original/3ef75b6eb85e27b07a40720db78c2622.jpg 253eaf5df746819605c5af9fa9189374 https://chinesestudents.andover.edu/files/original/95215b54644664bb433fdb26a8dd1f8b.jpg 6c9aeda92377f931fb2a92e84e2aff37 https://chinesestudents.andover.edu/files/original/aca191cb3e3c4ba01ee13a5e6688a894.jpg b5af0a24ab9ce4aa9e0cd59ab0717dc9 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 Hon. Alfred Sze, February 18, 1926 Subject The topic of the resource Letter from Dr. Alfred E. Stearns to Hon. Alfred Sze, February 18, 1926 Description An account of the resource Typed letter sent from Dr. Alfred E. Stearns to Sao-Ke Alfred Sze about Stearns' decisions regarding Mary's education. Explains Mary attending Abbott Academy 2 years based on the assumption she would gain a diploma and return to China. Heard rumors from the Sun children that Mr. Sun prefers Mary attend college. Preferred Mary finish at Abbot, take additional prep courses, then attend college. Received letter and cablegram from Mr. Sun to prepare Mary for college, specifically Wellesley, or other first-rate college. Prompted Stearns to find a suitable school, Whittier, to prepare Mary, resulting in the transfer. States the transfer distressed Mary. Admits the situation troubles Stearns as well. Also explains letters to Mary were witheld the first few days after the transfer, to help Mary adjust. States the letters were forwarded after those few days. Reports Mary appears to be adjusting to the new 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 February 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 Correspondence Relation A related resource February 18, 1926 Hon.Alfred Sze Chinese Legation Washington D.C. My dear Dr.Sze: I forwarded to you a day or two ago, by registered mail and at Mary Sun’s request, a letter in which I assume Mary expressed to you her dissatisfaction with the most arrangement which I felt it necessary to xx for her further schooling. I cannot blame Mary at all for feeling as she does, for I am a good bit distressed and puzzled myself. In view, however, of definite cabled instructions from Mr. sun to prepare Mary for college, I could not see how the step taken could be avoided, and I am writing only to explain my position. For the past two years Mary has been a student at Abbot Academy, taking the general and not the college course, and with the expectation of securing her diploma in this course this coming June. I had always understood from Mr. Sun and from other children that on the completion of her school work in this country was to return to China. For this reason, and for the added reason that the college work seemed a bit too hard for the girl, the general course was selected. About a year ago I began to hear rumors from the children that Mr. Sun might desire Mary to go on to college. Numerous inquiries brought me no definite information, though finally in a letter from Mr. Sun under date of September 4, 1925, this statement is made: “With reference to the choice of school to which Mary should join after she finish her studies in Abbot, many of my friends have told me that Wellesley will be a very desirable college for her.” In answer to this I replied: “The new school year is well under way. Mary should complete her course at Abbot Academy next June. If she is to go on to college, as you initiate, my preference will be for Mount Holykole or Wellesley.” The above was written on the assumption, of course, that Mary would required further preparation, and that Mr. Sun himself had not fully made up his mind to the desirability of the advanced college work. I did not feel it wise for Mary to change schools again, in middle of the year. From that time on, further and somewhat stronger intimation come to me from the children that college for Mary was becoming a mere definite issue in her father’s mind. I also gathered that the extra year or two of preparation would prove distasteful to both Mr.Sun and Mary and that Mary herself was hoping to enter some so-called college of inferior grade that would not require further preparation. Knowing something about American institutions of this class, I could not believe that Mr.Sun would approve of any such course, and I frankly told Mary so. It was and still is my opinion that in speaking of “college” Mr.Sun had definitely in mind a college of the first rank, and not a college in name only. Consequently, and with these ideas in my mind, I wrote Mr. Sun at considerable length and in detail just before Christmas, asking for definite instructions as to the course I was to pursue in order to carry out his wishes. I explained very fully that they general course Mary was now taking would not permit her to enter a good college, and that further preparation of a year at least, and perhaps more, would be required. I told him, further, that if college was to be the definite goal, I should doubtless feel it necessary to sever at once Mary’s connection with her present school, Abbot Academy, and place her either in a small school or with a tutor where intensive work in preparation for college admission could be had. I explained that such a course would be drastic and upsetting, and in view of this fact I did not feel justified in adopting it without Mr.Sun’s full approval. I asked Mr.Sun, therefore, if he would carefully consider the facts I had stated and write me fully and definitely what I should do. Several days ago, and prompted by the receipt of my letter, Mr.Sun cabled me the brief messages, - “Prepare Mary for college”. I confess that the message distressed me a good bit, for I did not like the idea of making another change only two or three months before Mary would have completed the Abbot course, but under the circumstances and in view of the detail with which I had explained in my letter to Mr. Sun, I could see no alternative but to support the decision and follow instructions. I took several days to search carefully and make numerous inquiries among college and school authorities as to a suitable school, and finally decided on the Whittier School at Merrimac, about fifteen miles from here, a home school of some twenty-five or thirty girls with a distinctly cultured and Christian atmosphere, and where I am told excellent work can be counted on. Then I made the change, the purposely rather abruptly because it seemed to me that Mary’s distress would only be intensified if the strain was prolonged. I also withheld from Mary for the first two days a flood of letters from her former schoolmates and teachers, the receipt of which at the very outset of the new venture would only have been disconcerting. This I explained to Mary by telephone, and forwarded all the letters in question that same day. I mention this last merely because Mary showed in a note which she wrote to me that she felt that unduly severe measures were being taken by me, but for what reason she could not seemingly understand. I am really very troubled over the whole situation, for I cannot help feeling that Mary is perfectly justified in being greatly distressed over the sudden and unexpected turn in affairs, and yet I cannot see how I could have acted otherwise in view of Mr.Sun’s definite instructions. Had I been able to talk with Mr.Sun in person and explain all the ins and outs, I have no doubt that we could have come to a mutually satisfactory decision as to the best course to pursue. The long distance between us and the extensive time which most elapse between the sending and receipt of letter complicate the problem immensely. It has been very hard, therefore, for me to reach satisfactory decisions and to carry them out, feeling, as I do, that the wisest setps may not always been taken in this way and that a clearer understanding on my part of Mr.Sun’s exact wishes and a clearer understanding on his part of the factors and complications involved at this end would very probably prompt us to decisions somewhere different from these arrived at. I hope you will pardon this long and somewhat detailed letter, but since Mary has evidently placed her case before you, I think it is only fair that you should understand the reasons for the action which Mary herself could hardly regard with anything but questionings and distress. The last report I had from the school indicates that Mary’s intense reaction has lessened distinctly and I hope and believe that within a reasonable time she will enjoy the new surroundings and friends and be able to settle down to definite and hard work of preparing for college in accordance with her father’s expressed wishes. With personal regards and the assurance of my readiness to consider carefully any suggestions you may feel disposed to make in this matter, believe me, Very sincerely yours, https://chinesestudents.andover.edu/files/original/b27917c48e88fef194f0e00495435e44.jpg 096937cc926b7e2cddd77c327659871e https://chinesestudents.andover.edu/files/original/e8681c9f489e145742db7571840eb334.jpg 1e9de43a578e960ec31ce71a46fcecf1 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 3 Tu, 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 Hon. H.K. Tu, November 15, 1926 Subject The topic of the resource Letter from Dr. Alfred E. Stearns to Hon. H.K. Tu, November 15, 1926 Description An account of the resource Typed letter sent from Dr. Alfred E. Stearns to H.K. Tu. States K.Y. Tu is doing better with expenses and living frugally. Will send reports when received. Provides report from director of Camp Otter in regards to K.Y. Tu. Believes the situation has improved since the summer. 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 November 15, 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 November 15, 1926 Hon. H.K.Tu Ministry of Navy M Peking, China My dear Mr. Tu I have your friendly letter of October 18. So far as I can tell, your son is doing much better this year along the lines mentioned in my last letter. The head of his school has promised full cooperation in the efforts to make the boy realise the value of money, especially, and the importance of making the most in every way of the opportunities now offered him for study and general development. He has certainly done more careful in the matter of his expenditures, and I am consequently hopeful that the tide has turned. Of course I am only desirous of carrying out your expressed wishes for the boy, though I am inclined to think that he, himself, regards me as something of an autocrat in the matter and hence is not disposed to feel so friendly as might otherwise be the case. In years to come, however, I am sure that he will appreciate that I had in mind only his best interests and that the realization of this will result in a friendly feeling. I have no special reports to pass on to you except those which I have come to me verbally and those which I have already told you. Whatever reports I do get, you shall have them, as requested. At the close of this past summer camp session the director of Camp Otter told me, as I believe I have already told you, that your boy was the most difficult fellow to deal with in the whole group and that in consequence he would not be willing to have him return another season. He complained that he was not amenable to discipline and that he was not willing to observe the regulations of all the boys in camp; and he also felt as strongly as I that the boy had no sense whatever of the value of money but spent it freely whenever the opportunity offered and whenever the whim moved him to do so. I am sorry to send a report like this but am doing so only because you have requested it. All this happened last summer, and, as I said earlier is my letter, I have reason to feel this fall that the situation has definitely improved - at least I have not been called on as frequently as formerly for money, and I have been assured by the boy himself that he has been working harder than ever before. With kind personal regards and trusting that the unsettled affairs in your land may speedily be straightened out to the ultimate advantage and strength of the nation, believe me Admiral H.K. Tu Dr. Alfred E. Stearns K.Y. Tu