Letter from C.Y. Sun, Tientsin, to Alfred E. Stearns February 18, 1930
Dublin Core
Title
Letter from C.Y. Sun, Tientsin, to Alfred E. Stearns February 18, 1930
Subject
Letter from C.Y. Sun, Tientsin, to Alfred E. Stearns February 18, 1930
Transcription
18th February 1930
Dr. Alfred E. Stearns,
Phillips Academy
Andover, Mass,
U.S.A
My dear Dr. Stearns:-
Your most kind letter of December 27th reached me about a fortnight ago just at a time when my daughter Dorothy was very critically ill at home with pneumonia complicated by pleurisy and a very bad carbencle on her back. I must confess that her condition was so serious that I had to allow everything to be in abeyance till now. She is somewhat better and said by her doctor to be out of danger. Your sound advice about Charlie’s future was, however, immediately followed as I have already asked him by telegraph to discontinue his further studies and also written to him that I would leave everything to his own judgment in case he does want to come home.
Regarding the question of a higher degree I would like to say that in China undue importance has always been attached to it because one’s future career general depend upon it to some extend. In Charlie’s case I do not pretend that I am one of the exception but my sole object was to have him thoroughly educated and specialized in diplomacy, as we have not too many who are well qualified in such profession in our foreign service. The reason why I have never disclose this idea to you or Charlie was due to the fear that the exposure of same might offend the sensitive feeling of those who were but armatures in our diplomatic service.
My dear Dr. Stearns, please allow me to state here that whatever you have written with such frankness and sincerity has touched me deeply and I fully appreciate your genuine friendlineSS to me and to my children, I was perhaps more or less influence in being too particular about children1s higher studies by the fact that qualification of some of the returned students are not to the expected standard which they should possess thus causing me to take more drastic view in the case of my children.
Regarding Tom I think he is still so young that he can well afford to pursue further study and specialize himself in Government Administration. I learn from Charlie's home mail that Toia is going to Harvard after he graduates from Middlebury. From Tom's own letter I understand that he going to study his French all over again upon your good advice. He is feeling ever so happy for his being elected chairmanship of his Fraternity, editor of his college Chapter paper and he felt greatly honored. So far he has not talked about coming home nor have I mentioned this point to him because I well know once they are back home it turns problematic whether they will ever be so anxious to go abroad to finish their studies such have always been the tender influence of the mothers over their children. However, should you think there is no necessity for Tom to take further studies please be mn kind enough to tell me so, and then we may try to arrange some means( if possible ) to enable him to obtain some practical training for a year or two in one of your Government Offices. In such a case I do not know whether I can impose upon your kindness to approach your Government upon this delicate matter provided it is permissible for a foreigner to obtain such experience.
Referring to the black wood carve piece which Tom sent, I must apologize for not having advised you in time. This carve piece was first entrusted to a friend of mine who was going to London via America But at the last moment he changed his plan so I had to get it packed and rush through the post office in order to catch the steamer that will reach the States before Christmas. Thus I forgot to write and tell you the said black wood carve piece was meant for the stand to support the piece of old jade which I have written you before, Dr. Sze has advised me in his recent letter that Madame Sze will bring the jade over to America to you in the near future. I would feel greatly obliged if you will send the broken pieces of the black wood carve piece to me at my expense as it is very easy to have a new one made here according to its measurements
I beg to advise you that I have ordered a remittance of G. §3,000.00 ( three thousand ) for my children’s account from the London Office of the National City Bank of New York. I expect it will reach you some time in March.
With best wishes from
Yours very gratefully
Dr. Alfred E. Stearns,
Phillips Academy
Andover, Mass,
U.S.A
My dear Dr. Stearns:-
Your most kind letter of December 27th reached me about a fortnight ago just at a time when my daughter Dorothy was very critically ill at home with pneumonia complicated by pleurisy and a very bad carbencle on her back. I must confess that her condition was so serious that I had to allow everything to be in abeyance till now. She is somewhat better and said by her doctor to be out of danger. Your sound advice about Charlie’s future was, however, immediately followed as I have already asked him by telegraph to discontinue his further studies and also written to him that I would leave everything to his own judgment in case he does want to come home.
Regarding the question of a higher degree I would like to say that in China undue importance has always been attached to it because one’s future career general depend upon it to some extend. In Charlie’s case I do not pretend that I am one of the exception but my sole object was to have him thoroughly educated and specialized in diplomacy, as we have not too many who are well qualified in such profession in our foreign service. The reason why I have never disclose this idea to you or Charlie was due to the fear that the exposure of same might offend the sensitive feeling of those who were but armatures in our diplomatic service.
My dear Dr. Stearns, please allow me to state here that whatever you have written with such frankness and sincerity has touched me deeply and I fully appreciate your genuine friendlineSS to me and to my children, I was perhaps more or less influence in being too particular about children1s higher studies by the fact that qualification of some of the returned students are not to the expected standard which they should possess thus causing me to take more drastic view in the case of my children.
Regarding Tom I think he is still so young that he can well afford to pursue further study and specialize himself in Government Administration. I learn from Charlie's home mail that Toia is going to Harvard after he graduates from Middlebury. From Tom's own letter I understand that he going to study his French all over again upon your good advice. He is feeling ever so happy for his being elected chairmanship of his Fraternity, editor of his college Chapter paper and he felt greatly honored. So far he has not talked about coming home nor have I mentioned this point to him because I well know once they are back home it turns problematic whether they will ever be so anxious to go abroad to finish their studies such have always been the tender influence of the mothers over their children. However, should you think there is no necessity for Tom to take further studies please be mn kind enough to tell me so, and then we may try to arrange some means( if possible ) to enable him to obtain some practical training for a year or two in one of your Government Offices. In such a case I do not know whether I can impose upon your kindness to approach your Government upon this delicate matter provided it is permissible for a foreigner to obtain such experience.
Referring to the black wood carve piece which Tom sent, I must apologize for not having advised you in time. This carve piece was first entrusted to a friend of mine who was going to London via America But at the last moment he changed his plan so I had to get it packed and rush through the post office in order to catch the steamer that will reach the States before Christmas. Thus I forgot to write and tell you the said black wood carve piece was meant for the stand to support the piece of old jade which I have written you before, Dr. Sze has advised me in his recent letter that Madame Sze will bring the jade over to America to you in the near future. I would feel greatly obliged if you will send the broken pieces of the black wood carve piece to me at my expense as it is very easy to have a new one made here according to its measurements
I beg to advise you that I have ordered a remittance of G. §3,000.00 ( three thousand ) for my children’s account from the London Office of the National City Bank of New York. I expect it will reach you some time in March.
With best wishes from
Yours very gratefully
Creator
C.Y. Sun
Publisher
Phillips Academy
Date
February 18, 1930
Rights
All Rights Reserved by Phillips Academy
Language
English
Type
Correspondence