Hackett Medical College for Women
American Presbyterian Mission
Canton, China.David Gregg Hospital
Turner Training School for NursesNov. 6 - 1921.
Dear Abby:-
Your steamer letter was and is a lot of pleasure to me. I wish I could express matters so neatly and satisfactorily as you can! I did like knowing you a bit, very much indeed - and I often realized I'd like knowing you better! So here's hoping. Do you get that cryptic remark? Don't exhibit its English to The English Department - they have a fancy for better stuff.
Before this you have doubtless received the mandarin strip. I hope you will like it. It was a pleasure to buy it for you. I have not seen any blue pongee, however - alas! But when and if I do I shall remember your predilection for it.
China refused to become real to me for a long time. I insisted on believing firmly in my heart that I was still at Holyoke, thinking about being here! It is such a queer place. It is maddening not to be able to show it to you. Can't you come and see it? The streets with their granite paving and their blank gray walks - the dignified, busy, self-contained throngs passing and passing, - the students, so independent, so courteous, so eager, so hard to satisfy, - the boats of every description under heaven, - the water gardens, - the hills of the graves, - the terraced rice-fields, - the waterways of the Delta - Oh come along and see it!
Perhaps you know I talked with Rhoda Hartwell last
yearsummer about the possibility of her coming out here to teach zoology. I found she was much interested - Rachel Metcalfe told me of it at first. She writes that she is still interested, and I am writing her to-day, suggesting that she take another year of study and then come along. I think she would make good - altho of course it is always a lottery, no matter who comes. But she writes that Helen Shelton would be willing to consider overseas work too, and wanted me to write her whether there might be any opportunity for her in any of the schools in Canton. At a venture I am writing her the suggestion that she go and talk with you on the possibility of her going to some good place which you would recommend to study a year in Physiology - and then come out with Rhoda and teach it. I know this is a thrust into the darkness, as I told her, for I do not know her training in it, at all. The department is not developed to any visible extent here, simply because there has been noone to develope [sic] it. The students get only one year of it - and in that "the absolute necessities," as it were. Of course it must be worked up - but for some few years it would bearequiredsubjectcourses only (until the student body was large enough to warrant electives in it.) But the person who is to take it in hand should have a very solid background in order to know what to choose as the "absolute necessities" for a medical student. Moreover she should be a hard worker and one who is "avid" for thinking up methods and devising means. She should be a pusher. Now I do not know Miss Shelton well - and I have not a clear idea whether she would be this sort of person or not. Hence I want you to help in the matter. Of course she may not care for the idea at all, and so may not mention it to you. I also suggested to her that she might get a position for English and music or some science work in the girl's high school here - or in the Canton Christian College. If she does come to you would you mind going over the matter with her? I'll be very grateful. And if the Board should write you for recommendation do be "completely honest"!I hope the year is going well with you. Did your eyes recover all right? How goes your new assistant?
Please give my love to Ann and Alma - Mrs. Cameron - Miss Chase - and all the rest of the nice bunch in Faculty House - only maybe you'd best say "greetings" in most cases!
Christmas greetings to you - if it is not too early! And keep a small (?) bit of the aforementioned love for yourself if you will -