Letter from Alfred Stearns to Chung Ying (C.Y.) Sun, Tientsin, November 29, 1922
Dublin Core
Title
Letter from Alfred Stearns to Chung Ying (C.Y.) Sun, Tientsin, November 29, 1922
Subject
Letter from Alfred Stearns to Chung Ying (C.Y.) Sun, Tientsin, November 29, 1922
Transcription
Dear Mr. Sun:
I am enclosing herewith the statements of the children and Quincy Sheh for the past year. The receipts for the bills involved will be sent you under separate cover if you desire, or held here for possible future reference. Whichever plan you prefer will be perfectly satisfactory to me. I believe we have been able to cut down expenses a bit, this past year, though even so prevailing prices carry the outlays far higher than would have been the case in the older days, and than I wish might be true today.
The children are all exceptionally well and seemingly happy. Arthur writes me encouragingly of his work and progress at the Institute of Technology and it is a real pleasure to be able to welcome him at the house over the weekend from time to time when he finds it possible to get away from his work. I hope to have all the boys at the house over the Christmas holidays.
Tom seems to be doing much better this year. His work does not come so easily to him as it does to the other boys, but his spirit has been good and I feel sure that he is really trying hard to give you good returns.
Charles has developed wonderfully. That boy ought to go far and be a real factor in the life of his country during the years just ahead of us. He has a fine mind, well balanced judgment, and a most manly and friendly disposition which win the confidence and respect of those whom he touches.
Mary is making a good record at Abbot Academy. I have talked recently with her teachers and they all speak in very high terms of her ability and spirit. So far as her studies are concerned I have nothing whatever to complain of. In other matters it is not so easy to get a good response for, as you know, Mary has a stubborn streak in her; of value at times no doubt, but on other occasions a bit distressing. Both Miss Clemons and I have felt that Mary should have a reasonable amount of fresh air and exercise, her tendency being to stick to her books and in her room, from which fresh air is pretty rigorously excluded. Many attempts have been made to induce Mary to see the value of these recommendations, but they have met with little success, until we have almost given up hope of securing co-operation. I am sure you are as anxious as we are that Mary should grow strong physically as well as mentally, and it is with that belief that we have tried our best to induce her to observe a few rules of hygiene, on the wisdom and necessity of which all modern doctors are agreed.
As the Christmas season draws near please accept the greetings of your friends across the world, and their expressions of esteem and friendly good will. I wish you might be here to join in the festivities of this holiday season in which, for the past two or three years, our Chinese friends have played the most important part. We expect a generous gathering of them again this year, with representatives from Harvard and Technology, and perhaps even Yale. If you could ever join that group our pleasure would be complete.
With warmest personal regards, and every best wish for the days ahead, believe me,
Very sincerely yours,
I am enclosing herewith the statements of the children and Quincy Sheh for the past year. The receipts for the bills involved will be sent you under separate cover if you desire, or held here for possible future reference. Whichever plan you prefer will be perfectly satisfactory to me. I believe we have been able to cut down expenses a bit, this past year, though even so prevailing prices carry the outlays far higher than would have been the case in the older days, and than I wish might be true today.
The children are all exceptionally well and seemingly happy. Arthur writes me encouragingly of his work and progress at the Institute of Technology and it is a real pleasure to be able to welcome him at the house over the weekend from time to time when he finds it possible to get away from his work. I hope to have all the boys at the house over the Christmas holidays.
Tom seems to be doing much better this year. His work does not come so easily to him as it does to the other boys, but his spirit has been good and I feel sure that he is really trying hard to give you good returns.
Charles has developed wonderfully. That boy ought to go far and be a real factor in the life of his country during the years just ahead of us. He has a fine mind, well balanced judgment, and a most manly and friendly disposition which win the confidence and respect of those whom he touches.
Mary is making a good record at Abbot Academy. I have talked recently with her teachers and they all speak in very high terms of her ability and spirit. So far as her studies are concerned I have nothing whatever to complain of. In other matters it is not so easy to get a good response for, as you know, Mary has a stubborn streak in her; of value at times no doubt, but on other occasions a bit distressing. Both Miss Clemons and I have felt that Mary should have a reasonable amount of fresh air and exercise, her tendency being to stick to her books and in her room, from which fresh air is pretty rigorously excluded. Many attempts have been made to induce Mary to see the value of these recommendations, but they have met with little success, until we have almost given up hope of securing co-operation. I am sure you are as anxious as we are that Mary should grow strong physically as well as mentally, and it is with that belief that we have tried our best to induce her to observe a few rules of hygiene, on the wisdom and necessity of which all modern doctors are agreed.
As the Christmas season draws near please accept the greetings of your friends across the world, and their expressions of esteem and friendly good will. I wish you might be here to join in the festivities of this holiday season in which, for the past two or three years, our Chinese friends have played the most important part. We expect a generous gathering of them again this year, with representatives from Harvard and Technology, and perhaps even Yale. If you could ever join that group our pleasure would be complete.
With warmest personal regards, and every best wish for the days ahead, believe me,
Very sincerely yours,
Creator
Alfred Stearns
Publisher
Phillips Academy
Date
November 29, 1922
Rights
All Rights Reserved by Phillips Academy
Language
English
Type
Correspondence