[Other letters in this series take place just after Williston burns down on Dec 22, 1917. It appears this letter was written just before the fire in 1917, since there are several details that are common to both this letter, and the other letters that could be dated, such as the below zero weather, Prof. Sedgwick's trip to Northampton, and the food conference. Dorothea Horton as a freshman, though, makes it definitely 1917.]Dear Dr. Clapp:-
It's likely to be below zero tonight. Think of that in your land of oranges! Yes, I'd like to see where you are. The college sent Prof. Sedgwick over to Northampton in a grand limousine. There are no evening trains. "Twas quite correct, this visit - much more so than Dr. Porter's.
Ann and Lu went down in Bucs' auto this P.M. to get him. There was just a little time to show him about. Then a talk at 4:45, with the middle of the chapel full. Miss Woolley and Miss Purington both sneaked so I had to introduced him. He talked about openings for women, a few general remarks about many things - then more about this School for Public Health Officers in which Tech and Harv. Med. coöperate - the thing Roseman began when I was there, for M.D's only then. Now it is open to both men and women equally. Dr. S- says Harv. Med. will give its degree to women soon, maybe begin next year.
He referred in talk and at table to darkness of war now - but thinks we'll win in time - but that it will take time - says they are considering at Washington at least three years and planning for five.
After the lecture quite a few girls came up to talk with him - including Dorothea Horton (my Freshman, niece of Eva Barnard of Nashua aforetime). Her father it seems was the first of Sedgwick's pupils to go into the Pub Health work without having a medical course. Mrs. Smith was great and we had a fine dinner in one of the little S.A.H. dining rooms - Miss Woolley, Miss Purington, Miss Hooker, Carr, Laird, Stokey, Ann and I. Very nice. Way ahead of any dormitory entertainment I tell you! Then about 25 girls came to talk, in N.Y. reception room. They sat around on the floor, asking questions &c. Most interesting. He left about 8:30 to spend the night at Northampton and speak at Smith in the a.m. He spoke of you often - and we wished you were here! Oh, we miss you all the time anyhow. And even if I don't see when it can come off I'm still hoping for a long bat with you somewhere, sometime! Sometime when there's time to feel unhurried, but yet not a time of absolute quiet! Something to be explored - most any new place would do!
If I go on to Boston for a certain food conference in vacation I may get a date to talk with Prof. Sedgwick about the right content of physiology courses. He asked me to - he's really interested, and he has a different viewpoint from anyone else I've met - scientific practical hygiene. It suits me - and I want to do it, much. You see, I like these big men. Oh - he thinks Dr. Porter's work great.
I've been down to the R.I. alumnae association. Stayed a night with Helen Whiting and Helen Ordway and had a lovely forenoon at Brown. Mead is fine. I'd never seen the new building. He's the man I visit at length before we have a new building. He wanted to know about you - told how good you were to all that crowd at Chicago. Mitchell, the biochemist, is a most promising man to me - at F.C. Woods Hole, you know.
I could say much more but these wretched lights go out in five minutes! I get left every night, regularly. One night I went unexpectedly to see Bernhardt and I got home at eleven. But 'twas a wonderful evening, absolutely triumphant to me. She made me think so of you - old enough to have an infirmity or two (which is different from you) but essentially, victoriously, light-heartedly young! Now Ellen Terry was old as Portia - Bernhardt with only one leg had the freedom of youth. It seems to me I'll never forget her. I've been inspired ever since. I sat by the Warbekes in the top gallery where I felt happy and at home, but they were apologetic!
Oh - I want to write more - Good night - and I love you. Oh - a woman in Prov. had seen the head of the Armenian relief a few days ago, and he says Miss Patrick has gotten through to Constantinople. Did you see the Paneretoff (sp?) interview in Sunday's Times? Maybe that doesn't reach Florida. Perhaps I can get hold of it to send you. It seems weak to us.
Love to your sisters.
Mary Lyon wasn't married Nov. 22. Had a card today.
Chrissie is going - I think surely - to this Pub. Health School.
Dec. 10