Letter from Dr. Alfred E. Stearns to May Wright Sewall, February 17, 1908
Dublin Core
Title
Letter from Dr. Alfred E. Stearns to May Wright Sewall, February 17, 1908
Subject
Letter from Dr. Alfred E. Stearns to May Wright Sewall, February 17, 1908
Description
Typed letter sent from Dr. Alfred E. Stearns to May Wright Sewall. Discusses Wong's schoolwork. States a tutor will be needed to make up lost work. States domestic situation is affecting Wong's education. Believes a separation between Wong and wife will allow Wong to progress and fulfill father's wishes. Thanks Sewall for writing about the situation.
Transcription
17 February. 1908
Mrs. Mary Wright Sewall
Cambridge Mass
My dear Mrs. Sewall
I have delayed answering your letter of the 18th Inst, until the opportunity should be given me to secure full information bearing on Mr. Wong's case. The boy has from the start interested me greatly, and with you I am anxious to do only what shall be for his best interests. Your queries are very natural.
Go far as the boy's school work is concerned, I find that his mathematics come harder for him, perhaps, than do the languages, but his instructor tells me that he was passing, though at a low grade, at the time of the interruption to his school work - Since then he has not been able to make up all the work lost, will probably require a tutor to accomplish this. When this has been done he will be able, no doubt, to do the mathematics at a low grade, and will probably improve his standing as time goes on.
In his modern language he is reported as doing excellent work, better than one of the other Chinese boys in his class, but not quite so good as the third. His work in English is fair, and improving. On the whole I think he has a better knowledge and command of the English language than most of the other Chinese boys have had at the start. Our teachers feel that he has excellent ability, fully the equal of most at least of the other Chinese boys, and that he will probably be able to stand fully as well if his domestic responsibilities do not prove too great a drain on his time and thoughts.
As to the domestic situation, I confess that it seems far from desirable looked at from the point of view of the boy’s education. I can readily understand how hard it must be for the boy and his wife to consider a possible separation for most of the time. On the other hand only in that way will he be able, I think, to make the progress which is desired and without which the expense and time involved in his trip to and stay in this country must of necessity be part ill spent. I have said nothing whatever to Mr Wong on these lines, but an glad that you have been willing to put the ease so frankly. I may be wrong, but with the limited knowledge of the case that I now have, it is impossible for me to reach any other conclusion.
Purely apart from the interference with his scholarship that the domestic arrangement involves, it seems only fair to say that the boy’ s relations with his schoolmates and his position in the school life as a whole must of necessity be seriously embarrassed by the presence and claims of hie wife and family. It seems almost heartless to advise a separation, but if the boy is in earnest in his desire to carry out his father's wishes for the best education America can give him, I believe he must adopt such a course.
Trusting that you will appreciate fully the spirit in which I write, and will feel perfectly free to offer any suggestions or criticisms that my words may prompt, believe me,
Very truly yours,
Mrs. Mary Wright Sewall
Cambridge Mass
My dear Mrs. Sewall
I have delayed answering your letter of the 18th Inst, until the opportunity should be given me to secure full information bearing on Mr. Wong's case. The boy has from the start interested me greatly, and with you I am anxious to do only what shall be for his best interests. Your queries are very natural.
Go far as the boy's school work is concerned, I find that his mathematics come harder for him, perhaps, than do the languages, but his instructor tells me that he was passing, though at a low grade, at the time of the interruption to his school work - Since then he has not been able to make up all the work lost, will probably require a tutor to accomplish this. When this has been done he will be able, no doubt, to do the mathematics at a low grade, and will probably improve his standing as time goes on.
In his modern language he is reported as doing excellent work, better than one of the other Chinese boys in his class, but not quite so good as the third. His work in English is fair, and improving. On the whole I think he has a better knowledge and command of the English language than most of the other Chinese boys have had at the start. Our teachers feel that he has excellent ability, fully the equal of most at least of the other Chinese boys, and that he will probably be able to stand fully as well if his domestic responsibilities do not prove too great a drain on his time and thoughts.
As to the domestic situation, I confess that it seems far from desirable looked at from the point of view of the boy’s education. I can readily understand how hard it must be for the boy and his wife to consider a possible separation for most of the time. On the other hand only in that way will he be able, I think, to make the progress which is desired and without which the expense and time involved in his trip to and stay in this country must of necessity be part ill spent. I have said nothing whatever to Mr Wong on these lines, but an glad that you have been willing to put the ease so frankly. I may be wrong, but with the limited knowledge of the case that I now have, it is impossible for me to reach any other conclusion.
Purely apart from the interference with his scholarship that the domestic arrangement involves, it seems only fair to say that the boy’ s relations with his schoolmates and his position in the school life as a whole must of necessity be seriously embarrassed by the presence and claims of hie wife and family. It seems almost heartless to advise a separation, but if the boy is in earnest in his desire to carry out his father's wishes for the best education America can give him, I believe he must adopt such a course.
Trusting that you will appreciate fully the spirit in which I write, and will feel perfectly free to offer any suggestions or criticisms that my words may prompt, believe me,
Very truly yours,
Creator
Dr. Alfred E. Stearns
Publisher
Phillips Academy
Date
February 17, 1908
Rights
All Rights Reserved By Phillips Academy
Language
English
Type
Correspondence