A Letter written on Jan 17, 1912

Lafayette B. Mendel,
Yale University
New Haven, Connecticut

January 17th 1912.

My dear Miss Turner;

If your department cares to have me come, as you suggest, to speak on some phase of nutrition I think that I can arrange to do so on one of the Saturday dates which you suggested, preferably March 2. It is my custom, on such occasions, to speak quite informally. I am not at all certain as to what "type" of topic you prefer to have me discuss. Indeed, this must depend somewhat on the interests and preparation of those who may attend.

In lectures which I have given before audiences of women students in Philadelphia, Baltimore, Pratt Institute, etc the subjects included:

The Newer Views on Nutrition
The Rôle of Digestion in Nutrition
Diets and Dietary Systems
Old and New Ideas on Nutrition

Is this what you want? I must be taught to warned where to steer between the Scylla of too elementary discussion of physiological themes and the Charybdis of "talking over their heads."

My chief object in coming would be to try to encourage interest in the study of nutrition; therefore there will be no honrarium expected other than the defrayal of my travelling expenses - if this can be done without sacrifice of other interests.

It will facilitate my plans if you can give me an answer before long.

Very truly,
Layfayette B. Mendel.

Miss A. H. Turner,
Mount Holyoke College.