Letter from Alfred E. Stearns to Tsai Ting-Kan, Dairen, Manchuria, July 8, 1927
Dublin Core
Title
Letter from Alfred E. Stearns to Tsai Ting-Kan, Dairen, Manchuria, July 8, 1927
Subject
Letter from Alfred E. Stearns to Tsai Ting-Kan, Dairen, Manchuria, July 8, 1927
Transcription
My dear Mr. Tsai:
Your interesting letter of May 24 reached me several days ago but, owing to the rush attending the closing of the school year, I have delayed my reply.
I am sorry that the cable message acknowledging the receipt of your remittances in the children's behalf failed to reach you. The two drafts, one of $9,000.00 and the other of $6,000.00, were duly received. I have deposited this amount to the joint account of the children and myself with the Andover savings Bank which pays a 5% interest as much as the Bank permits on limited deposits. A further balance above what I deem it wise to retain on the active checking account I have deposited with the Savings Department of the local National Bank which allows a 4% interest rate. As the checking account itself also accumulates a small interest, I think that the funds can now be said to be working as effectively and safely as could be desired.
Both of the children are now at summer camps, camps which have been selected with a good deal of care and where I believe the youngsters will receive the most wholesome influences, physically, intellectually, and morally. The camps are located on the same lake in New Hampshire but a few miles apart; so that it will be possible for Alfred and Helen to exchange visits occasionally. I stopped at Helen's camp a few days ago on my way down from my summer place in northern New Hampshire and had a chance to see the camp for myself and to talk with Helen and her councilors. Most of the girls are considerably younger than Helen, but I had felt that the extra advantages of the camp itself and of being near her brother would more than offset this particular limitation. Further, Helen has an exceptionally nice way of meeting those who are younger than herself and as she will very soon be thrown with older girls in school and elsewhere, I am not reluctant to allow her to continue for this short period, at least, the contact of those who will profit by her interest and leadership.
I doubt whether Alfred will be able to enter Phillips Academy next fall, though we can tell a bit better at the end of the summer. Evidently he needs another year of thorough grounding in elementary subjects before he can tackle successfully the higher subjects of our Junior or lowest class. I agree with you as to the unfortunate situation in which so many Western educated Chinese students find themselves at home, and I shall certainly have this in mind definitely in trying to figure out the lines along which Alfred should pursue his higher education. He is still very immature and has not developed that serious purpose and good judgment which will doubtless come with the passing years and which his sister possesses to an unusual degree for one of her age. Alfred works only under pressure, while Helen eagerly grasps whatever opportunities for learning come her way.
Thank you for your kind expressions of appreciation of what I have tried to do for your children and assuring you that it is a real pleasure to render this service to you and to them, believe me with kindest regards
Very sincerely yours,
Your interesting letter of May 24 reached me several days ago but, owing to the rush attending the closing of the school year, I have delayed my reply.
I am sorry that the cable message acknowledging the receipt of your remittances in the children's behalf failed to reach you. The two drafts, one of $9,000.00 and the other of $6,000.00, were duly received. I have deposited this amount to the joint account of the children and myself with the Andover savings Bank which pays a 5% interest as much as the Bank permits on limited deposits. A further balance above what I deem it wise to retain on the active checking account I have deposited with the Savings Department of the local National Bank which allows a 4% interest rate. As the checking account itself also accumulates a small interest, I think that the funds can now be said to be working as effectively and safely as could be desired.
Both of the children are now at summer camps, camps which have been selected with a good deal of care and where I believe the youngsters will receive the most wholesome influences, physically, intellectually, and morally. The camps are located on the same lake in New Hampshire but a few miles apart; so that it will be possible for Alfred and Helen to exchange visits occasionally. I stopped at Helen's camp a few days ago on my way down from my summer place in northern New Hampshire and had a chance to see the camp for myself and to talk with Helen and her councilors. Most of the girls are considerably younger than Helen, but I had felt that the extra advantages of the camp itself and of being near her brother would more than offset this particular limitation. Further, Helen has an exceptionally nice way of meeting those who are younger than herself and as she will very soon be thrown with older girls in school and elsewhere, I am not reluctant to allow her to continue for this short period, at least, the contact of those who will profit by her interest and leadership.
I doubt whether Alfred will be able to enter Phillips Academy next fall, though we can tell a bit better at the end of the summer. Evidently he needs another year of thorough grounding in elementary subjects before he can tackle successfully the higher subjects of our Junior or lowest class. I agree with you as to the unfortunate situation in which so many Western educated Chinese students find themselves at home, and I shall certainly have this in mind definitely in trying to figure out the lines along which Alfred should pursue his higher education. He is still very immature and has not developed that serious purpose and good judgment which will doubtless come with the passing years and which his sister possesses to an unusual degree for one of her age. Alfred works only under pressure, while Helen eagerly grasps whatever opportunities for learning come her way.
Thank you for your kind expressions of appreciation of what I have tried to do for your children and assuring you that it is a real pleasure to render this service to you and to them, believe me with kindest regards
Very sincerely yours,
Creator
Alfred E. Stearns
Publisher
Phillips Academy
Date
July 8, 1927
Rights
All Rights Reserved By Phillips Academy
Language
English
Type
Correspondence