Esther Loring Richards, M.D.
1316 North Charles Street
Baltimore, Maryland12/26/24
Lady dear,
I am pleased with the pencil which I shall hang from my neck when correcting papers. Have a good many this year. I'm making students write in real high school fasion. University methods are applicable only to graduate students, I'm thoroughly convinced. And medical students don't fall into that group except in a few instances.
I was glad to get your long letter & hear your impressions of various folks. I am eager to know the decision of the Committee on curriculum. That will indicate the direction of the current of public opinion more than the student contribution. If they uphold Ann in her obvious rationalizations I shall know that she has succeeded in her campaign of malicious propoganda. If they do not I think she will interpret the defeat as time to be moving. You see I am nasty & abrupt as usual!
My lectures in Cleveland & Brooklyn were a success. Both places asked me to return in Feb. but I declined saying that I could consider engagements for the coming fall (1925). My first duty is to my teaching, even if I haven't got that $500 yet that's been promised me. By the way I left in that passage on reflexes you advised me either to omit or expand, & the crowd got it. They were mothers & teachers & P.H. nurses who wanted to understand, - not a bunch of college girls "taking a course." The older I grow the more I believe in the Will to Believe.
I am home for the holidays. Father seems well. He has expressed repeatedly his appreciation of your kindness in sending him those League bulletins. He says, "Pity we cannot set the Irish fighting the Germans!" And while they are at it, stand up behind the combatants & blow them to H-. They wouldn't land anywhere else, I'm sure.
Much love to you.
from
EstherP.S. I am sending you under separate cover 2 little books Ethel Sturtevant sent me. I have read them, & tho' they are written by famous men I cannot hand them a single thing as to truth, style or humor. They seem to be agglutinations of words. Maybe I am losing my literary sensibilities. Don't return them, please.