Letter from Alfred E. Stearns to Charles Sun, Chinese Legation, London, March 17, 1932
Dublin Core
Title
Letter from Alfred E. Stearns to Charles Sun, Chinese Legation, London, March 17, 1932
Subject
Letter from Alfred E. Stearns to Charles Sun, Chinese Legation, London, March 17, 1932
Transcription
Dear Charlie:
Your nice letter of February 26 reached me only yesterday, and brought real pleasure to all the members of the household, for Miss Clemons and Marjorie enjoyed it thoroughly, as did I.
Frankly, I have been on the point of writing you for a long, long time, but since I have had no secretary during this period of my convalescence, I have found it utterly impossible to keep up with the letters which my kind and sympathetic friends have thrust upon me. Today I am stealing an hour at the office, my second visit only, and hence am sending this note in typewritten form.
Needless to say. I am delighted to hear that your father has finally consented to allow you to return home. I have just dictated a letter to him telling him how pleased I am at this news. Just why he should have hesitated so long, I of course cannot expect to understand, but it has long seemed to me that both you and Tom should have gone back to China much sooner than this. Now, in view of all that has been happening over there lately, China needs more than ever men of your ability, poise, and idealism, - men who will play the game straight, as few politicians in any country appear to be able to do, who will win the respect of their friends and citizens, and whose clear vision will enable them to offer definite and attainable goals. I can’t help believing that you can and probably will play a big part in the reconstruction and unification of China, something that must be done, and soon, if China is to fill the place she ought to fill in the world, and to receive the justice and respect that would then be clearly her due. What a tragedy Japan has forced upon the world in these recent weeks! If I were younger, I think I should be tempted to line up with the Chinese in the actual fighting itself if I had the chance.
Yes, I am getting along finely, and fast recovering the health and strength of earlier days. Indeed, the doctors tell me, and I think they are going to be right, that I shall be better than I have been for some years. They add the proviso, however, that I must go slow for a time yet if this goal is to be attained. And so, difficult as I find it, I am doing little but loaf, satisfying myself with the thought that it will all more than pay in the end.
My thoughts will follow you back to your home-land. They will be with you constantly when you are there. Do write me and keep me posted as to your doings and plans. I don’t know of anything that could prove of more interest to me, for I have always considered and shall always consider that you are in a very peculiar way a member of my own home circle. As such, your doings will interest me as do those of my own children.
Good luck and every best wish to you.
Very sincerely yours,
Your nice letter of February 26 reached me only yesterday, and brought real pleasure to all the members of the household, for Miss Clemons and Marjorie enjoyed it thoroughly, as did I.
Frankly, I have been on the point of writing you for a long, long time, but since I have had no secretary during this period of my convalescence, I have found it utterly impossible to keep up with the letters which my kind and sympathetic friends have thrust upon me. Today I am stealing an hour at the office, my second visit only, and hence am sending this note in typewritten form.
Needless to say. I am delighted to hear that your father has finally consented to allow you to return home. I have just dictated a letter to him telling him how pleased I am at this news. Just why he should have hesitated so long, I of course cannot expect to understand, but it has long seemed to me that both you and Tom should have gone back to China much sooner than this. Now, in view of all that has been happening over there lately, China needs more than ever men of your ability, poise, and idealism, - men who will play the game straight, as few politicians in any country appear to be able to do, who will win the respect of their friends and citizens, and whose clear vision will enable them to offer definite and attainable goals. I can’t help believing that you can and probably will play a big part in the reconstruction and unification of China, something that must be done, and soon, if China is to fill the place she ought to fill in the world, and to receive the justice and respect that would then be clearly her due. What a tragedy Japan has forced upon the world in these recent weeks! If I were younger, I think I should be tempted to line up with the Chinese in the actual fighting itself if I had the chance.
Yes, I am getting along finely, and fast recovering the health and strength of earlier days. Indeed, the doctors tell me, and I think they are going to be right, that I shall be better than I have been for some years. They add the proviso, however, that I must go slow for a time yet if this goal is to be attained. And so, difficult as I find it, I am doing little but loaf, satisfying myself with the thought that it will all more than pay in the end.
My thoughts will follow you back to your home-land. They will be with you constantly when you are there. Do write me and keep me posted as to your doings and plans. I don’t know of anything that could prove of more interest to me, for I have always considered and shall always consider that you are in a very peculiar way a member of my own home circle. As such, your doings will interest me as do those of my own children.
Good luck and every best wish to you.
Very sincerely yours,
Creator
Alfred E. Stearns
Publisher
Phillips Academy
Date
March 17, 1932
Rights
All Rights Reserved by Phillips Academy
Language
English
Type
Correspondence