Letter from Charlie Sun, London, to Alfred E. Stearns December 12, 1929
Dublin Core
Title
Letter from Charlie Sun, London, to Alfred E. Stearns December 12, 1929
Subject
Letter from Charlie Sun, London, to Alfred E. Stearns December 12, 1929
Transcription
Dear Dr. Stearns,
I have been here for over two weeks but I have not received a single answering letter from my friends in the States. As I told you, Sir, I feel awfully lonely in London. Their weather, their rooms, and their food all disagree with me. I never realized how good America was until I left it.
Miss Clemons was so good to give me a reply last week; it was certainly cheering to hear from a friend. She is now still on the Continent but she expects to come to London this Christmas, when I hope to have the pleasure of seeing her.
My job is very pleasant to me. if only my father would give up the idea of having me get another degree, I would be perfectly happy. At present I feel blue enough without studying. But if I have to study and work all day and then worry about books in the evening, I shall go mad in a week. Dr. Sze frankly told me himself that father’s desire to have me get another degree is purely vanity. Mr. M.T. Liang’s sons all went back to China with dozens of degrees attached to their names; so father wants his sons to return home with equal honor. The Minister added further that I had better study for a certificate in Diplomacy or something (it didn’t matter much what) just to please my father. I locked up the other day the catalogue for the London School of Economics, and found that there are three things I can do: (1) To study three years for an LLB (2) two years for a certificate in Diplomacy (3) one year for the same. But in any of these, I have to go to classes spreaded out during various parts of the day. So even if I work only part time in the Legation, I shall have to go there only in the morning one day and only in the afternoon another day. I really don’t see how I can work or study in that manner. If my father insists upon my taking a postgraduate degree, I would rather give up my present job and return to the States to finish what I have begun in Columbia. I simply cannot study and work both in London. My father can't see that all this business is not helping but ruining me. He first promised me to let me go home this June, then he made me study, and now he wants me to study and work as well. He is doing all this for my good so I can't say anything to him. But I believe, Sir, that you understand better. That is why I am telling it all to you. If you can do anything to help me, I shall be ever so grateful. I think I have complained too much after you and my father have done so much for me these many years. But I really
can’t bear the situation any longer.
As for myself, my health is good but my spirits are low. I am trying very hard to cheer myself up by going out to supper with my new friends every day. But it's no use. As soon as I get home in my room, I feel blue again. May be it is the weather. But whatever it is, it is certainly getting me.
Minister Sze is very kind to me. He is no doubt a wonderful man to work under. My job is the pleasantest
part of my dreary life in London.
With best regards and wishes for a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year,
Ever faithfully yours,
I have been here for over two weeks but I have not received a single answering letter from my friends in the States. As I told you, Sir, I feel awfully lonely in London. Their weather, their rooms, and their food all disagree with me. I never realized how good America was until I left it.
Miss Clemons was so good to give me a reply last week; it was certainly cheering to hear from a friend. She is now still on the Continent but she expects to come to London this Christmas, when I hope to have the pleasure of seeing her.
My job is very pleasant to me. if only my father would give up the idea of having me get another degree, I would be perfectly happy. At present I feel blue enough without studying. But if I have to study and work all day and then worry about books in the evening, I shall go mad in a week. Dr. Sze frankly told me himself that father’s desire to have me get another degree is purely vanity. Mr. M.T. Liang’s sons all went back to China with dozens of degrees attached to their names; so father wants his sons to return home with equal honor. The Minister added further that I had better study for a certificate in Diplomacy or something (it didn’t matter much what) just to please my father. I locked up the other day the catalogue for the London School of Economics, and found that there are three things I can do: (1) To study three years for an LLB (2) two years for a certificate in Diplomacy (3) one year for the same. But in any of these, I have to go to classes spreaded out during various parts of the day. So even if I work only part time in the Legation, I shall have to go there only in the morning one day and only in the afternoon another day. I really don’t see how I can work or study in that manner. If my father insists upon my taking a postgraduate degree, I would rather give up my present job and return to the States to finish what I have begun in Columbia. I simply cannot study and work both in London. My father can't see that all this business is not helping but ruining me. He first promised me to let me go home this June, then he made me study, and now he wants me to study and work as well. He is doing all this for my good so I can't say anything to him. But I believe, Sir, that you understand better. That is why I am telling it all to you. If you can do anything to help me, I shall be ever so grateful. I think I have complained too much after you and my father have done so much for me these many years. But I really
can’t bear the situation any longer.
As for myself, my health is good but my spirits are low. I am trying very hard to cheer myself up by going out to supper with my new friends every day. But it's no use. As soon as I get home in my room, I feel blue again. May be it is the weather. But whatever it is, it is certainly getting me.
Minister Sze is very kind to me. He is no doubt a wonderful man to work under. My job is the pleasantest
part of my dreary life in London.
With best regards and wishes for a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year,
Ever faithfully yours,
Creator
Charlie Sun
Publisher
Phillips Academy
Date
December 12, 1929
Rights
All Rights Reserved by Phillips Academy
Language
English
Type
Correspondence