22 10 3636 https://chinesestudents.andover.edu/files/original/87baba1cdba190d74c7393d2d306d3be.jpg ec0657d48da1654797a78ad1ebe7779d Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Box 28 Folder 1 Mary Sun, Head of School (Stearns) Records Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Letter from Dr. Alfred E. Stearns to Miss Mary Sun, April 21, 1926 Subject The topic of the resource Letter from Dr. Alfred E. Stearns to Miss Mary Sun, April 21, 1926 Description An account of the resource Typed letter sent from Dr. Alfred E. Stearns to Mary Sun. Thanks her for the statement of accounts. States Charlie should send the amount Mary loaned to him to keep both accounts current. States that Mary wouldn't be considered an official senior. States she shouldn't have to pay and to explain Mrs. Russell. Explains a certificate or diploma from Merrimac wouldn't mean much. States the goal is preparation for college and the college diploma is the important certificate. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Dr. Alfred E. Stearns Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Phillips Academy Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource April 21, 1926 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource All Rights Reserved By Phillips Academy Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Manuscripts. Correspondence. Relation A related resource April 21, 1926 Miss Mary Sun Whittier School Merrimac, Mass. Dear Mary: Many thanks for your recent letter and for the statement of accounts. I understand perfectly that the Washington trip was an expensive one at best and see nothing to complain of in the expenditures you have recorded. Charlie, however, ought to send back and I shall ask him to do so, the amount you loaned him so that your two accounts may be kept in proper order. I don’t see any reason why you should appear as an official senior, at least to the extent of having to meet that extra payment for a senior prom. Just tell Mrs. Russell that you do not dance and that, as you are a special student, neither you nor I believe, that you should be called on to assume this added obligation. In view of your short stay at Merrimac, I can’t see that such a certificate or diploma as you might earn there could really be considered of any great value. The main thing is to get ready for college, and of course the college diploma, which we shall count on your taking later, will be the thing that really counts. With every good wish and the hope that I may be able to run over before long and have a look at you, believe me always Sincerely yours, Dr. Alfred E. Stearns Mary Sun https://chinesestudents.andover.edu/files/original/6fa1933b9b6de1ea55f49164d018ae86.jpg f7067c0e0936a6496abebcdfad02995c Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Box 28 Folder 1 Mary Sun, Head of School (Stearns) Records Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Note from Dr. Alfred E. Stearns to Dr. Sao-Ke Alfred Sze, April 21, 1926 Subject The topic of the resource Note from Dr. Alfred E. Stearns to Dr. Sao-Ke Alfred Sze, April 21, 1926 Description An account of the resource Typed note sent from Dr. Alfred E. Stearns to Dr. Sao-Ke Alfred Sze about Mary's college education. States the progress made at Elmira will allow them to fulfill their plan for Mary's education. Thanks for Mrs. French's letter. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Dr. Alfred E. Stearns Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Phillips Academy Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource April 21, 1926 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource All Rights Reserved By Phillips Academy Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Manuscripts. Correspondence. Relation A related resource April 21, 1926 Dr. Sao-Ke Alfred Sze Chinese Legation Washington, D.C. My dear Dr.Sze: Thank you for sending me Miss French’s letter. Evidently you have made real progress with your friends at Emira, and I am sure that we ought now to be able to carry this proposition through to a happy and successful conclusion. Very sincerely yours, Dr. Alfred E. Stearns Mary Sun Sao Ke Alfred Sze https://chinesestudents.andover.edu/files/original/425abb9e52b3e0f9dc53b3b881577af0.jpg 3f1f10764fa1db0bb0f8693353222ad1 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Box 28 Folder 1 Mary Sun, Head of School (Stearns) Records Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Letter from Ernestine French to Dr. Sao Ke Alfred Sze, April 13, 1926 Subject The topic of the resource Letter from Ernestine French to Dr. Sao Ke Alfred Sze, April 13, 1926 Description An account of the resource Typed note sent from Ernestine French to Dr. Sao-Ke Alfred Sze. States Elmira College will accept Mary Sun and help with her education. Sent Dr. Stearns a catalogue and book of views. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Ernestine French Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Phillips Academy Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource April 13, 1926 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource All Rights Reserved By Phillips Academy Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Manuscripts. Correspondence. Relation A related resource Dr. Sao Ke Alfred Sze, Chinese Legation, Washington, D. C. My dear Dr. Sze: Your letter of April 12 in regard to Mary Sun, the daughter of your personal friend, has just been received. I can assure you that we shall be glad to do everything we can for Miss Sun, and I trust that she will enter Elmira and that her contact here will be as mutually happy and helpful as that of our little friends Rhoda and Alice. I am sending Dr. Stearns one of our latest catalogues and a book of views. With cordial good wishes, I am Sincerely Yours Ernestine French Ernestine French Sao Ke Alfred Sze https://chinesestudents.andover.edu/files/original/596cf1e52bf42e8cada0de709d37de1f.jpg c9556bf7e42f948194a6257ee352dc4b https://chinesestudents.andover.edu/files/original/d3bb7d5db8adc250aa4e06c07acd5e99.jpg b1f89efd56a3b035d3bfad14bbc650d2 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Box 28 Folder 1 Mary Sun, Head of School (Stearns) Records Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Letter from Sao-Ke Alfred Sze to Dr. A.E. Stearns, April 5, 1926 Subject The topic of the resource Letter from Sao-Ke Alfred Sze to Dr. A.E. Stearns, April 5, 1926 Description An account of the resource Typed letter sent from Sao-Ke Alfred Sze to Dr. Alfred E. Stearns about Mary and Charlie Sun's visit to Washington. Enclosed letter describing discussing between Sze and Charlie. Discusses Mary's future education. Plans to talk with Elmira College about Mary's college entrance exams. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Sao-Ke Alfred Sze Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Phillips Academy Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource April 5, 1926 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource All Rights Reserved By Phillips Academy Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Correspondence Relation A related resource Dr. A.E. Stearns , Phillips Academy, Andover,Mass. Dear Dr.Stearns, The Western Union has delivered to me your telegram and remittance of sixty dollars. have handed the money to Mary. Charlie returns to Boston this evening. He has been very helpful to me. The accompanying letter was dictated by me to him, showing the result of our talks here. At first Mary wished me to ask you to allow her to see all visitors and to have full freedom of correspondence. This I declined to do. She was,however,quite insistent, so finally I proposed the postscript. I can not tell you how greatly I am impressed by Charlie’s good sense and sagacity. In view of the fact that Mary is prepared to continue at Whittiers, I wonder whether it is necessary to cable to Mr.Sun. Perhaps a letter from you, describing all the circumstances and also your visit to Washington, will suffice. In fact Mary never asked to be allowed to return to Abbot. She dreads of the college entrance examinations. I am inclined to think that I can persuade the Elmira College to be lenient on the entrance requirements. Mary has not yet said when she will return to Mass. As soon as I know of her decision, shall either write or telegraph to you Yours sincerely Sao-Ke Alfred Sze Dr. Alfred E. Stearns Sao Ke Alfred Sze https://chinesestudents.andover.edu/files/original/35bda022eaad17e10034d30f04b7d434.jpg 4369d193c52d97002398d253d9edb359 https://chinesestudents.andover.edu/files/original/28ca1102f785722468d7212355861e57.jpg 3c42ac3c2e01cfe42dad0442b04d97f2 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Box 28 Folder 1 Mary Sun, Head of School (Stearns) Records Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Letter from Sao-Ke Alfred Sze to Dr. Stearns, Easter Sunday, 1926 Subject The topic of the resource Letter from Sao-Ke Alfred Sze to Dr. Stearns, Easter Sunday, 1926 Description An account of the resource Typed letter sent from Sao-Ke Alfred Sze to Dr. Alfred E. Stearns about Mary Sun's school and education. Suggests Mary stay at Merrimac until the end of the school year and take prep courses over the summer. Believes Elmira would suit Mary best. Suggests hiring a teacher from Elmire as a tutor for the summer. Post script asks for restrictions on Mary be removed. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Sao-Ke Alfred Sze Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Phillips Academy Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource Easter Sunday, 1926 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource All Rights Reserved By Phillips Academy Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Correspondence Relation A related resource Easter Sunday, 1926 Dear Dr. Stearns: With reference to Mary Sun’s school I have discussed the matter both with her and Charlie. The suggestion I made has been accepted by Mary, which is as follows: Mary is to remain at Merrimac till the end of the scholastic year with the object to prepare for college. During the summer she is to study under a special tutor in order to insure her admission to college next September. As to the selection of college, Elmira seems to meet her wishes at best. I think it is possible to arrange with a teacher of Elmira college to coach her during the summer in such studies that require special attention. It is perhaps also possible to find a tutor who will be willing to take Mary in during the summer as a paying guest. I am not for the moment able to say definitely as to the requirements for admission to Elmira College. I am under the impression that Elmira’s requirements are not so severe as those of either Wellesley or Mt.Holyoke but this point we can ascertain by writing to Elmira for a catalogue. If I can be of any assistance to Mary in getting her admitted, I shall be entirely at your and her disposal. I hope that my suggestion will also meet with your approval. Sincerely yours, Sao-Ke Alfred Sze P.S.: Mary asks me to say that she requests all restrictions placed upon her such as receiving and sending correspondence and receiving visitors since her going to Merrimac removed. I am passing on this request for such action you may deem advisable. Dr. Alfred E. Stearns Mary Sun Sao Ke Alfred Sze https://chinesestudents.andover.edu/files/original/4512771e3db6d3fe49d2936d0e689d6d.jpg 70a7e17a5e7e24b58246f29d1b41f266 https://chinesestudents.andover.edu/files/original/54b4b3f5bf4539dad2859ad89425a81b.jpg 6c3a62f90d0bf9304d27bae888941ce6 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Box 28 Folder 1 Mary Sun, Head of School (Stearns) Records Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Letter from Dr Alfred E. Stearns to Mr. Sao-Ke Alfred Sze, April 7, 1926 Subject The topic of the resource Letter from Dr Alfred E. Stearns to Mr. Sao-Ke Alfred Sze, April 7, 1926 Description An account of the resource Typed letter sent from Dr. Alfred E. Stearns to Mr. Sao-Ke Alfred Sze. States arrangements for picking Mary up from Washington. Agrees with Sze's suggestions for Mary's education and attending Elmira. Sent a letter to Mr. Sun describing the situation. Explains how difficult the situation has been with interference from Mary's friends, through no fault of Mary's. Explains that no restrictions have been placed on Mary's correspondence other than her first two days at Merrimac. Also states she should follow the same rules as other girls at the school and not ask for special favors. Asked that Mary focus on school work and find balance between school and friends. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Dr. Alfred E. Stearns Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Phillips Academy Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource April 7, 1926 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource All Rights Reserved By Phillips Academy Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Correspondence Relation A related resource April 7. 1926 Mr. Sao-Ke Alfred Sze Chinese Legation Washington, D. C My dear Mr. Sze: Your three letters of recent date have reached my desk this morning. Accept, please, my thanks for them and especially for the clear and intelligent way in which you have helped me deal with this rather knotty and troublesome problem. I note that Mary is to leave Washington at 7: 30 P.M. tomorrow, April 8. I will try to get in touch with Arthur by telephone to-night so as to be sure that he will be on hand to meet Mary on her arrival in Boston Friday morning. If he is unable to do this, I can probably arrange to have some one go in from here. I note also that you and Charlie have both agreed that Mary should finish out the year at the Whittier School, pursuing special work with the object of preparing for college in this shortest possible time. The suggestion that Elmira is probably the best fitted for Mary’s needs meets, on the whole, with my full approval, and I shall await with interest any farther information you may be able to secure from the Elmira authorities as to the admission requirements that will be demanded of Mary and the possibilities of having her do special work during the summer with some competent and reliable member of the college faculty. Such an arrangement would be a great relief, for I must admit that one of the most difficult problems I have faced with Mary has been to provide satisfactorily for the long summer vacations. I can’t tell you how deeply I appreciate your friendly helpfulness and how greatly relieved I am to feel that I can count on your generous assistance in dealing with this problem from now on. On my return from my visit to Washington I wrote Mr. Sun at great length and in detail, describing the situation, telling him of my discussion with you and the conclusions which we reached, and outlining as clearly as I could the complete picture. I told him how difficult the problem had been made through the unwarranted interference by well-meaning but uninformed friends of Mary and that you and I had both come to feel that the arrangement with the Wittier School should continue for the balance of the year. I also intimated that I did not consider Mary responsible for the trouble and that my whole object had been to shield her from the interference of her friends whose attitude and actions could only tend to distract her thoughts and interfere with her work. I agree with you that under the circumstances a further cable message seems hardly necessary. The reference in one of your letters to Mary’s request for the release of "all restrictions placed upon her, such as receiving and sending correspondence and receiving visitors, since her going to Merrimac" is a bit difficult for me to understand. As I have explained to Mary, no definite restriction was placed on the correspondence by me except during the first two days she was at Merrimac, and then only for her own protection. I suggested to her, by letter as well as by telephone that she should not devote too much of her time to writing to her friends, only because this would consume time which should of necessity be given to her lessons. It was also stated frankly that she could receive visitors on the regular day set apart by the school for that purpose but that she must not ask for or expect to receive special favors in this direction that were not granted the other girls, as advertised in the school catalogue. Most certainly I have no desire to assume any attitude or take any steps that shall prevent Mary from having a reasonable and proper contact with her friends, provided only she doesn’t indulge in excesses in this direction which would necessarily interfere with her work and progress and hinder the attainment of the goal that we all had in mind for making the change of school and in investing the extra money that such a change made necessary. With sincere appreciation of your many favors and with kindest regards, believe me Very sincerely yours. Dr. Alfred E. Stearns Mary Sun Sao Ke Alfred Sze https://chinesestudents.andover.edu/files/original/8cecf2644b86deae9c45697709f7f6e6.jpg a83bd4e2e2ba84f50fdbb3e087646c99 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Box 28 Folder 1 Mary Sun, Head of School (Stearns) Records Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Telegram from C.Y. Sun to Dr. Stearns, March 19, 1926 Subject The topic of the resource Telegram from C.Y. Sun to Dr. Stearns, March 19, 1926 Description An account of the resource Cablegram sent from C.Y. Sun to Dr. Stearns about Mary's college education. Suggest Mary return to Abbot for diploma. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource C.Y. Sun Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Phillips Academy Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource March 19, 1926 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource All Rights Reserved By Phillips Academy Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Correspondence Relation A related resource S6B X 37 CABLE TIENTSIN NFT MARCH 19 1926 STEARNS PHILLIPS ACADEMY ANDOVER MASS. GRATEFUL LETTER DETAILS GIVING CONSENSUS OPINION CLEMONS BAILEY ARTHUR REGARDING MARYS COLLEGE QUALIFICATION I NOW EMPHASIZE COLLEGE LESS MAY I SUGGEST MARY RETURN ABBOT FOR DIPLOMA ROBINSON WILL DISCUSS FUTURE PLANS PERSONALLY SUN 2218pm C.Y. Sun Dr. Alfred E. Stearns Mary Sun https://chinesestudents.andover.edu/files/original/85207c650151357ec60928e88190bf31.jpg 3ac0a85511308cc17c8a7a4d247be4a5 https://chinesestudents.andover.edu/files/original/a2b6168774da43c723a2ed56be9a0906.jpg 7c204172568188ab91606e9c0d6f19c3 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Box 28 Folder 1 Mary Sun, Head of School (Stearns) Records Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Letter from Dr. Alfred E. Stearns to Miss Ellen F. Pendleton, April 3, 1926 Subject The topic of the resource Letter from Dr. Alfred E. Stearns to Miss Ellen F. Pendleton, April 3, 1926 Description An account of the resource Typed letter sent from Dr. Alfred E. Stearns to Miss Ellen F. Pendleton about Mary Sun's education and current situation. Explains Mary was placed in schools based on the expectation she would return to China after high school and not attend college. States her father decided to send her to college, which requires change in schools and additional prep work. States Mary would be unable to take the full list of examinations, but may be able to suceed in subjects outside of languages and mathematics. Asks if there anything Hoyle can do to help. Provides information on Mr. Sun, the father. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Dr. Alfred E. Stearns Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource April 3, 1926 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Phillips Academy Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource All Rights Reserved By Phillips Academy Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Correspondence Relation A related resource April 3, 1926 Miss Elle F. Pendleton President, Wellesley College Wellesley, Mass. My dear Miss Pendleton: I am wondering whether there is any way that you can help me out in handling a very perplexing problem that is mine in connection with the American guardianship which I hold of a Chinese girl, Mary Sun of Tientsin, China, whose father has recently decided that she should go to college and has expressed a preference for Wellesley. Here is the situation in a nutshell. Mary Sun and her brothers were placed under my care five years ago. Mary, herself, was only fifteen years old. Her first work was done in the local grammar school. A term at Northfield proved unsuccessful and she war entered as a day scholar at Abbot Academy, continuing to live in my own home. Last year she was placed as a boarder in Abbot and was allowed to take the general course, in which she would naturally have secured her diploma this June. This arrangement was made because of the understanding on my part that Mary was to complete her American education this year and return to China this coming summer. Several rumors having reached me during the early part of the current school year that Mary’s father had changed his mind and might wish her to go to college led me to write Mr. Sun very fully and frankly describing conditions, the character of Mary’s courses of study, etc.. and explaining further that college preparation would mean a complete change of courses and probably school, and asking for explicit instructions as to what was desired. The receipt of this letter prompted a cable message from Mr. Sun reading, only, “prepare Mary for college.” There seemed to be nothing else to do but sever the Abbot Academy connection and put the girl for the balance of the year in a small semi-tutoring school where intensive college preparatory work could be done. This was the course adopted. The girl is now twenty or twenty-one years old, I believe, according to our way of figuring ages, though a year or two older by the Chinese method. Under the circumstances she ought to get to college as soon as possible. Her present teacher tells me that, after a month’s work with her, she believes that, if she can gain admission to college this fall, she could be able to hold her own comfortably, at least if she doesn’t concentrate on languages of mathematics. On the other hand, it would, of course, be wholly impossible to get her ready to take the full list of college entrances examinations by next September, for the course at Abbot did not lead to college admission. Is there anything that you do for a girl in this situation that is not exactly according to Hoyle or advertised in the catalogue? I do not want to ask undue favors, but I do feel that this is very usual case and since a foreigner is involved, one that deserves as much consideration as can possible be given it. Mr. Sun, the father, is a very unusual man. He was formerly a banker in Tientsin but has retired and for the last few years had devoted most of his time to philanthropic work. He is not a professing Christian but is eager, as his letters to me have revealed, that his children should be. In some ways he is a better Christian than many who profess to be. He was head of the Red Cross for China during the War and since then, has served chairman of many flood and famine relief committees. Men who have come here from time to time while these children have been under my care and who have known Mr. Sun in China speak in most vigorous terms of his character and influence. The fact that he has sent four of his children to this country in the hope of giving them something bigger and better than China offered is a fair indication, at least, of his idealism. I am sorry to have pestered you with so much detail, but I must admit that I am tremendously puzzled with the problem which I have on my hands and eager to handle it in the most satisfactory way. At this stage I need help, and hence I turn to you. Please be generous as you can. With kind personal regards, believe me Dr. Alfred E. Stearns Ellen F. Pendleton Mary Sun https://chinesestudents.andover.edu/files/original/f98f85ab52ac80c4ea870b2cf0e8831a.jpg 195a15d5b64a3d1960fb1ae201bbaadd https://chinesestudents.andover.edu/files/original/604e4b05968cdc019d7a2f3d1c5cd180.jpg befd73f571c0a093f595a8ca3da6dde8 https://chinesestudents.andover.edu/files/original/38b3e2b53c4d02278831ca1eaf5c18cb.jpg 685ae554b0cd750f914b33452f4b3704 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Box 28 Folder 1 Mary Sun, Head of School (Stearns) Records Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Letter from Dr. Alfred E. Stearns to Mr. C.Y. Sun, April 2, 1926 Subject The topic of the resource Letter from Dr. Alfred E. Stearns to Mr. C.Y. Sun, April 2, 1926 Description An account of the resource Typed letter sent from Dr. Alfred E. Stearns to Mr. C.Y. Sun detailing the situation surround Mary's education and change in schools. Initiated plans for Mary attending college once he received Sun's cablegram. Explains that since Mary transferred from Abbot Academy to Whittier School, she has improved. States that friends from Abbot Academy, including Miss Shapleigh attempted to force Mary's return to Abbot Academy. Askd Miss Shapleigh to stop and explained the situation. Requested help from Sze. Expressed confusion over cablegram stating to focus less on college. Discussing his guardianship over Mary. Discussed Mary's progress with Mrs. Russell of Whittier school, who believes Mary could perform at middle ranks if taking broad courses. Sent inquiries to Wellesley and Mount Holyoke to see if Mary could attend without taking the full examinations. Explain Mr. Sze plans to contact Elmira College. Hopes Mr. Sun understands why Stearns decided to keep Mary at the Whittier School. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Dr. Alfred E. Stearns Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Phillips Academy Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource April 2, 1926 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource All Rights Reserved By Phillips Academy Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Correspondence Relation A related resource April 2, 1926 Mr. C. Y. Sun 44 Cambridge Road Tientsin China, My dear Mr.Sun, The receipt several days ago of your second cablegram , bearing date of March 19, threw me into something of panic. I confess that t more I thought over its content, the more completely I felt at sea. The transfer of schools had already been made, the expense and responsibility of the new arrangement assumed, and a month of work under the new condition had brought Mary into a far better frame of mind, as indicated not only by her general attitude but by the the good spirit with which she was throwing herself into her studies. Under the condition another change back to the old regime seemed of questionable wisdom at best. Still another factor, however, entered into situation which I could not well ignore. From the moment Mary changed from Abbot Academy to the Whittier School at Merrimac several of her enthusiastic Abbot friends and a well-meaning but impulsive and inconsiderate friend in the town, a Miss Shapleigh, vigorously took up the cudgel to override my judgment and to force Mary’s return to Abbot Academy. Mary herself evidently was kept informed of the activities taken in her behalf and probably approved of them, as would perhaps be natural under the circumstances. When I learned of this, I went at once to Miss Shapleigh, read before her all the correspondence that had passed between you and myself, and ask if she did not feel that under the circumstances and in view of her complete ignorance of what had taken place between us she had not overstepped the bounds of propriety and decency in injecting herself into the situation without having even taken the pains to consult with me in any way. After she had read the copies of the last two letters I had written you, she admitted to me frankly that she thought that not even her most intimate friends at Abbot could have explained the situation to you more carefully and fairly than I had done. I found it difficult to persuade her, however, that she owed it to Mary particularly and to you and me to cease her activities, which could only make matters more difficult and trying for us all. The receipt of your cable message, plus my own disturbed feelings over the whole situation, prompted me to seek advice from other quarters and, since I had to be in New York a few days later, I wired to your minister Mr. Alfred Sze, in Washington and arranged for an interview. Mr.Sze was very kind and gave me several hours of his valuable time. I laid before him all the correspondence and asked him to tell me very frankly if he felt I had done the right thing or had erred in my judgement in transferring Mary to the school In question and starting her preparation for college, as requested in your earlier message. After having read with care our correspondence, Mr. Sze assured me emphatically that he did not see how I could have taken any ether course than that adopted and that he felt that I should cease to worry about things, even if others of limited knowledge of the facts continued to criticize. Mr Sze told me further and this surprised me very much, that Miss Shapleigh, referred to above, had written him a vigorous letter asking him to cable you urging Mary’s prompt return to Abbot Academy and that to this message he had replied that he could not do this as I was Mary’s guardian in this country, in touch with you, and the only one qualified to make decisions in Mary’s case. The news that Mary’s friends had gone so far as this behind my back distressed me greatly for it indicated a spirit and attitude which were anything but pleasant to contemplate and which did not seem to point to smooth sailing for the future. Mr. Sze and I discussed fully the contents of your recent cablegram, in which you stated that you now emphasize college less and a return to Abbot. Both of us agreed that in view of the arbitrary interference of outsiders, it would be most unfortunate to change Mary back again to Abbot at this time, for it is clear to us both that such a step would promptly be regarded by those who had interfered as a justification of their position and action, and complete repudiation by you of my earlier judgement and decision, based though they were only on my understanding of your personal wishes in the matter. In other words, for the future it would have been utterly impossible for me to exercise the slightest control over Mary and her doings, for Mary herself would, of course, share the feelings of her friends that she had been mishandled by me in the past. We agreed further that to take this step would necessarily force me to resign at once my guardianship, something which 1 shall be perfectly willing to do if that is your wish and if others can be found to fill the position more satisfactorily than I. Indeed I should be ready to resign at once if it were not for two factors; (1) my unwillingness to turn Mary’s affairs over to those mho have impulsively and unfairly injected themselves into the situation in a wholly uncalled for way, and (2)because of the difficulty in finding the type of person who could and would assume this responsibility promptly and of whose qualifications to fill the position to your satisfaction and do for Mary what I am sure you wish to have done for her. In view of all that has been said above I have been compelled to feel that the decision which Mr. Sze and I reached is wise and that Mary should finish out the year at the Wittier School, concentrating on college preparatory work. I had a long talk with Mrs. Russell, the head of this school. Just before I started for Washington and was assured by her that from what she had seen of Mary’s work thus far, she felt that, if Mary could possibly gain admission to college this coming fall, she would probably be able to hold the pace there as well as perhaps one-third, at least, of the student body and that with another year of preparation she ought to stand well up in the middle ranks, if not better. She added, however, that this was on the assumption that Mary would take the broader courses in college rather than concentrate on languages or Mathematics. I am writing to the presidents of Wellesley and Mount Holyoke, both of whom I happen to know personally, to see whether some way can be found to allow Mary to enter without meeting the full requirement of entrance examination regularly demanded of candidates. I am not at all sure that I can gain such concession, but if it were possible, it would probably mean the saving of an extra year of preparation, and that at least is worth striving for. Mr. Sze tells me that he has recently sent one of his wards to Elmira College in New York where the requirements for admission are not so stiff and where the tone and standards are known to be good. Curiously, Elmira is one of the colleges I have had under consideration during recent months when it there might be a chance that you would wish to have Mary go on to colleges after completing the general course at Abbot. I was doubly glad, therefore, to get Mr. Sze’s endorsement of the college, of which he evidently has a very high opinion. I shall await with interest Mr.Robinson’s arrival, and in the meantime will continue to do my best to see that Mary secures all that can possibly be provided for her to assure at least a fair test of the college plan. I hope that you will not feel that I have erred in deciding to over ride the suggestion contained in your last cable message and to let Mary finish out the year at Whittier School. I am sure that you will understand after you have read the details given above that I have tried to the best of my ability to solve wisely and well a very complicated and trying problem and that my sole object, as in the past, has always been to carry out the wishes which I believed you to entertain for Mary’s welfare and in ways of which I am prompted to think you yourself would approve were you here on the ground to visualize and understand all of the factors involved. Very sincerely yours, C.Y.Sun Dr. Alfred E. Stearns Mary Sun https://chinesestudents.andover.edu/files/original/256512eafd28f6c838936f24d9067a43.jpg eee10839881368657b9d61c927c209b1 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Box 28 Folder 1 Mary Sun, Head of School (Stearns) Records Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Letter from Dr. Albert E.Stearns to Miss Mary Sun, April 5, 1926 Subject The topic of the resource Letter from Dr. Albert E.Stearns to Miss Mary Sun, April 5, 1926 Description An account of the resource Typed letter sent from Dr. Alfred E. Stearns to Miss Mary Sun. States he wired the money to Dr. Sze. Questions why $60.00 is needed, even if Charlie runs short. Advises Mary to keep expenses low, after the change of schools and course. States focus should be on preparing for college and extra vacations would intefere with that. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Dr. Alfred E. Stearns Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Phillips Academy Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource April 5, 1926 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource All Rights Reserved By Phillips Academy Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Correspondence Relation A related resource April 5, 1926 Miss Mary Sun The Chinese Legation Washington, V. C. Deer Mary: I have your letters of recent date and the accompanying letter of Mrs. Bridgman to Mr.Sze. This morning I wired Mr.Sze money in response to your request, though I can’t quite understand why the extra money is going to be needed in view of the earlier remittance sent you. Even though Charlie may run a little short, sixty dollars seems an absurdly large amount under the circumstances, and I am particularly concerned because of the excessive expense which your father has had to face already in connection with the change of school and plan of study. It is absolutely necessary for you to keep every expense just now down to the least possible limit, and the Washington trip must be included in this plan. I have wired both you and Mr. Sze explaining that extra visits just now should not be undertaken because of the big task we have on our hands to get you ready for college in the shortest reasonable time. Your scheduled vacation is more than generous, and I find from talking with Mrs. Russell that she is all ready to set you at work at once and before the actual term opens. I have told her, therefore, that I would arrange for you to go directly back after the Washington visit, for I am sure that a few days of extra work will help us in accomplishing the purpose outlined by your father. Just let me know in advance when you expect to reach Andover, and make it as seem as you can so that we can plan accordingly. The roads are good here now, and I can doubtless run you over myself to Merrimac and so save at least one little item of extra expense. Very sincerely yours, Dr. Alfred E. Stearns Mary Sun