Letter from Dr. Alfred E. Stearns to Admiral Tsai, Ting-kan, February 7, 1927
Dublin Core
Title
Letter from Dr. Alfred E. Stearns to Admiral Tsai, Ting-kan, February 7, 1927
Subject
Letter from Dr. Alfred E. Stearns to Admiral Tsai, Ting-kan, February 7, 1927
Description
Typed letter sent from Dr. Alfred E. Stearns to Admiral Tsa Ting-kan. Sent statements for children's accounts up to Jan. 18th. Paid Alfred's school bills. Offers to send receipts for expenditures. Thanks Tsai for the Christmas gift of embroidery. Asks for opinions on Helen's future schooling. Mentions 2-3 schools Helen can attend that are both traditional and modern. Will do his best to honor Tsai's wishes.
Transcription
February 7, 1927
Admiral Tsai, Ting-kan
9 Ma Ta Jen
Huting, East City
Peking, China
My dear Mr. Tsai:
I am enclosing herewith statements of the accounts of Alfred and Helen up to January 18. Since these accounts were made out. I have received and paid the bill covering the second payment on Alfred’s school tuition, boxxd, room, etc., as well as incidentals, amounting in all to a little over $700.00. This means that both Helen and Alfred have balances on hand at present of approximately the same mounts.
I have regularly filed receipts for expenditures made by me in behalf of my Chinese wards bat most of the parents concerned have not cared to have me send these on to them, I shall be glad to submit them to you if you so desire.
I am afraid that I have neglected to express to you my great gratitude for your Christmas gift, which reached me through Mrs. Calhoun. I can assure you that I value it highly and that the beautiful embroidery will erelong find suitable and useful service in my home. May I also thank you for the Chinese picture which Helen presented to me several days ago, when I called at her school to see how she was getting along. This is especially pleasing to me, as I have always attached high value to the best Chinese art. I found Helen exceedingly well and seemingly happy and she was as interesed as ever in her work. Mrs. Russell spoke as enthusiastically as formerly of Helen’s spirit and progress.
I am beginning to wonder about a suitable school for Helen for next year. The choice will be influenced somewhat by the question of the course to be pursued. First of all, I must know whether it is your intention for Helen to go on to college later or to take a general course that will be expected to round out her American education. Will you please advise me definitely on this point.
I assume that you would desire a school where cultural and intellectual influences combine to create the wholesome kind of an atmosphere and contacts for a girl of Helen’s age end background. Frankly, such schools are somewhat difficult to find in America today, and they are much more expensive than they used to be. Modern changes have worked their influence on schools and colleges as well as on social life in general, and I am afraid not always for the best. I have in mind, however, two or three schools which I still feel stand high and which retain in lar-e measure the best of the old traditions without losing touch with modem progress.
St. Mary’s School on the Hudson River in New York State has been constantly called to my attention by parents of my boys and even by some of my close college and school friends as being exceptionally fine. It is an Episcopal school, emphasizing outwardly the church coloring, but is broad and liberal in its ideals and possessed of an unusually strong and high grade faculty. From all I have heard of the school I am inclined to rank it among the very first. There are smaller schools that emphasize the cultural side rather than the intellectual, and there are others they make a pretty rigid business of preparing their pupils for the higher institutions. The enrollments, too, vary widely, and of course both the small and the large school have their special advantages and disadvantages.
As it becomes necessary to register early at the best schools in order to be sure of gaining admission, may I ask you to write me very frankly as to your feelings and preferences. In general, the things that I am most anxious to know are whether Helen is to go on to college, whether a small or a large school is preferred, and whether the question of price should be carefully considered. My wish, of course, is only to carry out your desires in the matter, though I realize that the changes in conditions, which have to be faced today, are perhaps not so fully understood by you as they are by those of us who are on the ground. I frequently discuss with Minister Sze in Washington matters of this kind and shall be glad to do so and secure help in this instance if you so,desire.
With kindest personal regards, believe me
Very sincerely yours.
Admiral Tsai, Ting-kan
9 Ma Ta Jen
Huting, East City
Peking, China
My dear Mr. Tsai:
I am enclosing herewith statements of the accounts of Alfred and Helen up to January 18. Since these accounts were made out. I have received and paid the bill covering the second payment on Alfred’s school tuition, boxxd, room, etc., as well as incidentals, amounting in all to a little over $700.00. This means that both Helen and Alfred have balances on hand at present of approximately the same mounts.
I have regularly filed receipts for expenditures made by me in behalf of my Chinese wards bat most of the parents concerned have not cared to have me send these on to them, I shall be glad to submit them to you if you so desire.
I am afraid that I have neglected to express to you my great gratitude for your Christmas gift, which reached me through Mrs. Calhoun. I can assure you that I value it highly and that the beautiful embroidery will erelong find suitable and useful service in my home. May I also thank you for the Chinese picture which Helen presented to me several days ago, when I called at her school to see how she was getting along. This is especially pleasing to me, as I have always attached high value to the best Chinese art. I found Helen exceedingly well and seemingly happy and she was as interesed as ever in her work. Mrs. Russell spoke as enthusiastically as formerly of Helen’s spirit and progress.
I am beginning to wonder about a suitable school for Helen for next year. The choice will be influenced somewhat by the question of the course to be pursued. First of all, I must know whether it is your intention for Helen to go on to college later or to take a general course that will be expected to round out her American education. Will you please advise me definitely on this point.
I assume that you would desire a school where cultural and intellectual influences combine to create the wholesome kind of an atmosphere and contacts for a girl of Helen’s age end background. Frankly, such schools are somewhat difficult to find in America today, and they are much more expensive than they used to be. Modern changes have worked their influence on schools and colleges as well as on social life in general, and I am afraid not always for the best. I have in mind, however, two or three schools which I still feel stand high and which retain in lar-e measure the best of the old traditions without losing touch with modem progress.
St. Mary’s School on the Hudson River in New York State has been constantly called to my attention by parents of my boys and even by some of my close college and school friends as being exceptionally fine. It is an Episcopal school, emphasizing outwardly the church coloring, but is broad and liberal in its ideals and possessed of an unusually strong and high grade faculty. From all I have heard of the school I am inclined to rank it among the very first. There are smaller schools that emphasize the cultural side rather than the intellectual, and there are others they make a pretty rigid business of preparing their pupils for the higher institutions. The enrollments, too, vary widely, and of course both the small and the large school have their special advantages and disadvantages.
As it becomes necessary to register early at the best schools in order to be sure of gaining admission, may I ask you to write me very frankly as to your feelings and preferences. In general, the things that I am most anxious to know are whether Helen is to go on to college, whether a small or a large school is preferred, and whether the question of price should be carefully considered. My wish, of course, is only to carry out your desires in the matter, though I realize that the changes in conditions, which have to be faced today, are perhaps not so fully understood by you as they are by those of us who are on the ground. I frequently discuss with Minister Sze in Washington matters of this kind and shall be glad to do so and secure help in this instance if you so,desire.
With kindest personal regards, believe me
Very sincerely yours.
Creator
Dr. Alfred E. Stearns
Publisher
Phillips Academy
Date
February 7, 1927
Rights
All Rights Reserved By Phillips Academy
Language
English
Type
Manuscripts. Correspondence.