Letter from Charlie Sun, London, to Alfred E. Stearns December 2, 1929
Dublin Core
Title
Letter from Charlie Sun, London, to Alfred E. Stearns December 2, 1929
Subject
Letter from Charlie Sun, London, to Alfred E. Stearns December 2, 1929
Transcription
Dear Dr. Stearns:
I hate to be appealing for money already, but my expenses have been such that it is absolutely necessary. For your reference I am enclosing a bill from the tailor who made three suits for me, all of which are ordered upon Minister Sze's suggestion. The figure of two pounds and 12 shillings which you see added in ink at the bottom of the account are for some dress shirts, ties, and scarf that I bought. The total, therefore, amounts to 31 pounds and 2 shillings or about $148.00, besides these I had to purchase such small things as studs, stiff collars shoes, suspenders, etc., none of which I had in the States. Cut of the three hundred dollars which I had left after my voyage, I have a little over $100.00 left. My room rent including breakfast every morning is 36 shillings or about a bit over six dollars a week. This Christmas I expect to buy some present to send to different friends both in China and in the States; I expect to need more than $100 to carry me through with some margin. The reason I am writing you so early is because it takes sometime for a letter to get to America and back to England again, and I don’t like to be borrowing money from anyone here. Please send me what you think fit, that is, to last me till Easter time. My father, as you know, Sir, has instructed me confidentially not to take a cent of my salary for my work in the Legation.
Now, a word about myself and my work. England is a good place but not quite so good as America. I find everything here so different, and so uncomfortable. I have made a number of new acquaintances but somehow I still feel rather lonely for my friends in the States. I am most happy when working hard; not only because working keeps me from brooding too much but because it is really a thrill for me. Dr. Sze is very considerate and kind to all his subordinates and all my colleagues, so far as I am able to find out, are nice to me. I don’t mix with them much; because I live outside of the Legation and also because they don’t seem to be the same type as I. They are all newly from China; what they say and do are not at all of interest to me.
We are friendly to each other, that’s all. Most of my friends are students.
I have written Miss Clemons a letter, but have not as yet received an answer. I hope that the letter has not been miscarried. Mary is the only one from whom I got a letter of all my friends in the States and in China. It was certainly cheering to hear from the other side of the Atlantic. I read over every word twice, I hope that some of my other friends will write me soon.
Sir, my best wishes to you and hoping that you will have a very good Thanksgiving Holiday as well as a very, very merry Christmas coming. I wish that I was able to spend it in America with you.
Obediently yours,
I hate to be appealing for money already, but my expenses have been such that it is absolutely necessary. For your reference I am enclosing a bill from the tailor who made three suits for me, all of which are ordered upon Minister Sze's suggestion. The figure of two pounds and 12 shillings which you see added in ink at the bottom of the account are for some dress shirts, ties, and scarf that I bought. The total, therefore, amounts to 31 pounds and 2 shillings or about $148.00, besides these I had to purchase such small things as studs, stiff collars shoes, suspenders, etc., none of which I had in the States. Cut of the three hundred dollars which I had left after my voyage, I have a little over $100.00 left. My room rent including breakfast every morning is 36 shillings or about a bit over six dollars a week. This Christmas I expect to buy some present to send to different friends both in China and in the States; I expect to need more than $100 to carry me through with some margin. The reason I am writing you so early is because it takes sometime for a letter to get to America and back to England again, and I don’t like to be borrowing money from anyone here. Please send me what you think fit, that is, to last me till Easter time. My father, as you know, Sir, has instructed me confidentially not to take a cent of my salary for my work in the Legation.
Now, a word about myself and my work. England is a good place but not quite so good as America. I find everything here so different, and so uncomfortable. I have made a number of new acquaintances but somehow I still feel rather lonely for my friends in the States. I am most happy when working hard; not only because working keeps me from brooding too much but because it is really a thrill for me. Dr. Sze is very considerate and kind to all his subordinates and all my colleagues, so far as I am able to find out, are nice to me. I don’t mix with them much; because I live outside of the Legation and also because they don’t seem to be the same type as I. They are all newly from China; what they say and do are not at all of interest to me.
We are friendly to each other, that’s all. Most of my friends are students.
I have written Miss Clemons a letter, but have not as yet received an answer. I hope that the letter has not been miscarried. Mary is the only one from whom I got a letter of all my friends in the States and in China. It was certainly cheering to hear from the other side of the Atlantic. I read over every word twice, I hope that some of my other friends will write me soon.
Sir, my best wishes to you and hoping that you will have a very good Thanksgiving Holiday as well as a very, very merry Christmas coming. I wish that I was able to spend it in America with you.
Obediently yours,
Creator
Charlie Sun
Publisher
Phillips Academy
Date
December 2, 1929
Rights
All Rights Reserved by Phillips Academy
Language
English
Type
Correspondence