Letter from Dr. Alfred E. Stearns to Mrs. Seth E. Pope (Florence Peltier Pope), June 22, 1908
Dublin Core
Title
Letter from Dr. Alfred E. Stearns to Mrs. Seth E. Pope (Florence Peltier Pope), June 22, 1908
Subject
Letter from Dr. Alfred E. Stearns to Mrs. Seth E. Pope (Florence Peltier Pope), June 22, 1908
Description
Typed letter sent from Dr. Alfred E. Stearns to Florence Peltier Pope. Asked to see Wong after receiving Pope's letter. Attempted to advise Wong. Asked Wong to honor agreement with owners of the cottage. States Wong has been a disappointment. Believes Wong has potential, making failures more disappointing. Believes home life has negative affect on Wong's education. Will try to meet Pope in person.
Transcription
My dear Mrs. Pope:
Your very interesting though somewhat disturbing letter reached me in the midst of the rush of our closing exercises, entrance examinations., etc . and I have been wholly unable to give it the thought and attention it deserves. Even now I must write hurriedly, deeply as I feel on the question at issue. 1 sent for Wong after reviving your letter, and gave him some fatherly advice without attempting to qualify the terms of my disapproval of his act. Frankly, the boy has been a a great disappointment to me, as he has been to you. Indeed, the same must be said, I regret to add, of several of our Chinese boys. I do not know whether my advice accomplish anything or not, but I begged and urged Wong to observe the ordinary standards of decency and honor and stand by his original agreement with the owners of the cottage. I must sincerely hope that he has done so. Nor do I wonder at your anxiety and disgust.
This is not the first evidence I have had during the year that has convinced me that Wong has not yet developed a clear perspective in regard to many things. I believe the boy has good material in him, and though I have been extremely fond of all of the Chinese boys we have had here, Wong appealed to me at the outset more strongly than did any of the others. Hence I am the more disappointed to discover his shortcomings,. I think the boy in this particular instance you have mentioned should at least be held for every penny that has been put into the house by the owners on the expectation of the carrying out of his promise. Before the summer is over I shall endeavor to find an opportunity to see you in person and talk over the whole situation . For one thing, much as I would regret to seem to break up Wong a home, I am convinced that the responsibility and distractions of a wife and child and a sister who comes and goes apparently without restraint have all combined to interfere very seriously with the boy’s education. I do hope that some other arrangement for the coming year may be possible.
Thanking you for writing me so frankly in regard to this matter, which I am frank to say trembles me fully as much as it does you, believe me,
Very sincerely yours
Your very interesting though somewhat disturbing letter reached me in the midst of the rush of our closing exercises, entrance examinations., etc . and I have been wholly unable to give it the thought and attention it deserves. Even now I must write hurriedly, deeply as I feel on the question at issue. 1 sent for Wong after reviving your letter, and gave him some fatherly advice without attempting to qualify the terms of my disapproval of his act. Frankly, the boy has been a a great disappointment to me, as he has been to you. Indeed, the same must be said, I regret to add, of several of our Chinese boys. I do not know whether my advice accomplish anything or not, but I begged and urged Wong to observe the ordinary standards of decency and honor and stand by his original agreement with the owners of the cottage. I must sincerely hope that he has done so. Nor do I wonder at your anxiety and disgust.
This is not the first evidence I have had during the year that has convinced me that Wong has not yet developed a clear perspective in regard to many things. I believe the boy has good material in him, and though I have been extremely fond of all of the Chinese boys we have had here, Wong appealed to me at the outset more strongly than did any of the others. Hence I am the more disappointed to discover his shortcomings,. I think the boy in this particular instance you have mentioned should at least be held for every penny that has been put into the house by the owners on the expectation of the carrying out of his promise. Before the summer is over I shall endeavor to find an opportunity to see you in person and talk over the whole situation . For one thing, much as I would regret to seem to break up Wong a home, I am convinced that the responsibility and distractions of a wife and child and a sister who comes and goes apparently without restraint have all combined to interfere very seriously with the boy’s education. I do hope that some other arrangement for the coming year may be possible.
Thanking you for writing me so frankly in regard to this matter, which I am frank to say trembles me fully as much as it does you, believe me,
Very sincerely yours
Creator
Dr. Alfred E. Stearns
Publisher
Phillips Academy
Date
June 22, 1908
Rights
All Rights Reserved By Phillips Academy
Language
English
Type
Correspondence