Letter from Alfred E. Stearns to Mr. Joseph Thebaud, June 24, 1908
Dublin Core
Title
Letter from Alfred E. Stearns to Mr. Joseph Thebaud, June 24, 1908
Subject
Letter from Alfred E. Stearns to Mr. Joseph Thebaud, June 24, 1908
Description
Typed letter sent from Alfred E. Stearns to Joseph Thebaud. Describes past Chinese students at the Academy. Explains some have done well and almost all are courtous and gentlemanly. Noticed a growing trend to extravagences. Believes there are too many attending this year, allowing them to forgo English studies and communicate entirely in Chinese. Does not wish to increase the number of students, an idea the Chinese minister supports. Suggests Dummer Academy as another good school choice. Will ask Dr. Ingham to send a catalogue to Thebaud.
Transcription
2d June 1908
Mr. Joseph Thebaud
Seattle, Wash.
My dear Sir:-
I have read with interest your letter of the 17th inst. received yesterday. I shall be glad to offer you such advice and help as I can, though I question how far my opinions may prove of value to you.
For the past three or four years we have had from six to ten Chinese students here each year. Consequently I have become somewhat familiar with their ways and their behavior under our American school conditions. Some of these boys have done exceptionally well. Almost without exception they have proved themselves unusually courteous and gentlemanly in their relations with us, and in the main have studied faithfully. I have noted, however, a growing tendency to extravagances, especially in the matter of clothes, and this tendency has disturbed me a good deal. I am inclined to think, too, that this year at least there have been too many of these boys here for their own good. They have found it too easy to get together and make use of their own language to the detriment of their English, and on the whole they seem to have been not quite so earnest and studious this year. I should not like to increase the size of the delegation now in Andover, and hence I do not feel justified in recommending this school for your friends just now.
I know the recent Chinese minister, whom I know intimately, and who was himself formerly a student in this school, felt very strongly that it was unwise to get too many of these boys together in one place.
[sentences illegible]
Trusting that you will feel free to advise me if I can be of farther service to you in this matter, believe me.
Very truly yours,
Principal
Mr. Joseph Thebaud
Seattle, Wash.
My dear Sir:-
I have read with interest your letter of the 17th inst. received yesterday. I shall be glad to offer you such advice and help as I can, though I question how far my opinions may prove of value to you.
For the past three or four years we have had from six to ten Chinese students here each year. Consequently I have become somewhat familiar with their ways and their behavior under our American school conditions. Some of these boys have done exceptionally well. Almost without exception they have proved themselves unusually courteous and gentlemanly in their relations with us, and in the main have studied faithfully. I have noted, however, a growing tendency to extravagances, especially in the matter of clothes, and this tendency has disturbed me a good deal. I am inclined to think, too, that this year at least there have been too many of these boys here for their own good. They have found it too easy to get together and make use of their own language to the detriment of their English, and on the whole they seem to have been not quite so earnest and studious this year. I should not like to increase the size of the delegation now in Andover, and hence I do not feel justified in recommending this school for your friends just now.
I know the recent Chinese minister, whom I know intimately, and who was himself formerly a student in this school, felt very strongly that it was unwise to get too many of these boys together in one place.
[sentences illegible]
Trusting that you will feel free to advise me if I can be of farther service to you in this matter, believe me.
Very truly yours,
Principal
Creator
Dr. Alfred E. Stearns
Publisher
Phillips Academy
Date
June 24, 1908
Rights
All Rights Reserved By Phillips Academy
Language
English
Type
Correspondence