Letter from Hattie to Edward, February 13, 1869
Dublin Core
Title
Letter from Hattie to Edward, February 13, 1869
Subject
Chinese New Year; Mail steamers; Postal service; Missionaries; Teaching
Description
In this letter to her brother, Edward, Harriet Noyes focuses on the mail in China. She details how she received a large amount of letters, and how the mail is the most common topic of talk for the missionaries. She also writes of Mr Rogers, a missionary, going home. To conclude the letter, Harriet responds to a letter of November 13th, and jokes a little about teaching in China.
Creator
Noyes, Harriet Newell
Source
The College of Wooster, Special Collections, Noyes Collection, Box #1
Publisher
Unpublished
Date
1869-02-13
Contributor
Council on Library and Information Resources Hidden Special Collections Grant
Rights
Format
PDF
Language
eng (English)
Type
Text
Identifier
noyes_c_cor_024
Text Item Type Metadata
Text
[Note: Written sideways on page one]
I am afraid
you dont
get much
time to
play on
your piano
Play the
"Maiden's
Prayer" for
me once in
a while. I
have heard
it twice
here and
it always
makes me
think of
brother
[u]Edward[/u].
Canton, China
Feby 13th /69
My [u]own dear Edward[/u]
Yesterday after
many days of impatient waiting
brought us the mail so I this morning
feel just in the mood for writing
letters. We expected the mail on Monday
but had to wait until Friday alas
for the reputation of the "Great Republic"
Thursday was Chinese New Years-
Henry + I thought we would [u]celebrate[/u]
the day by walking round the city
on the old wall a distance of about
nine miles so you see we are both Equal
to something of a walk. When we
were in the North (farther) side of the
city we caught sight of the steamer
coming in and as we could see
that the flags were up we [u]hurried[/u] back
to get out letters but only to find that
they were not here. Then yesterday
as there were no flags up we gave up
letters and were feeling as disappointed
as might be expected under the
circumstances when "Atsan" came
in bringing an armful of papers +
[u]letters[/u]. (Letters should come first) I could
hardly believe my eyes and what a
treat we had. Two months mail
from home one the Nov mail that we
had feared was lost and a nice
full envelope from Mr Crane's.
The Cleveland Heralds for four months
also came. I expect they have been
dropping them along the line of
the Rail Road during the past few
months and have at last picked
them up and brought them on.
But I hope the irregularities of the
mail are getting to be a thing of the
past and that we shall soon have
only their unpleasant memory.
I expect my long descriptions of the
arrival of the mail neither edify nor
instruct but really it is one of the main
features of Life in China. and has
an important part in out conversation
here. It very nearly crowds out "the
weather" although that has to come
in too for subjects of conversation are
rather scarce on this side of the water.
But we can always ask, "When did
your last mail come?" and "Did you
have good news?" and "Where does the
mail leave?" +c +c +c. It is very nice
too the kindly interest that we all feel
in each others receiving good news and
the sympathy that is felt for any one
who receives a sad message from
"loved ones far away"
Henry has gone to the steamer this morning to see Mr Rogers
start for [u]home[/u]. We shall all miss him very much but there
is no use in his trying to stay here longer. He makes us think
a great deal of you in his looks and ways. It is a lovely
morning and I cant help wondering just how any one would
feel starting [u]home[/u]. If after a person had been here long
enough to feel they were doing right in going home I am
sure it would be [u]perfectly delightful[/u] such happiness I am
sure as could not be brought without years of separation
from those [u]nearest + dearest[/u]. But I know Mr Rogers feels
sad in leaving the work here just as he is ready to commence
and I know it must be a great disappointment to him.
The Wesleyan's have asked for an other missionary to come
and take his place also for a young lady to come
assist Miss Radcliffe. If she is half as nice as Miss
Radcliffe I think we may all rejoice. Dr Lowrie writes
that of the two under appointment for China he hopes
that one may come to Canton. I wonder if it is
Mr Lyon. I thought that his destination was settled at Hangchow
but from what Father writes- think perhaps [--he--] we may see him here.
I thank you very much for your letter of
Nov 13th and for telling us all about "the
ditch." I am [u]so glad[/u] that you got through
it so well. I wish I could have "been there
to see" where you finished it and let
the water in. Now that it is done do you
think it will be a benefit to any one or any
thing. Have you sold Kate yet as you spoke of
doing. How I would enjoy going to your sing
again. I am sure I would appreciate
singing with you more than ever.
My love to Jacob Bell's family if you are
still going over to Lodi, and do remember
me to the good friends in Westfield.
Do you know Em Walcott Mary Alden the
Alexanders Deweice Phillips & E Bissell.
Ah the two winters I spent in Westfield
were happy ones and their memory is
bright with many precious recollections of
my [u]darling Hannah[/u]. I suppose the
school there has changed completely since
my rule. Dont laugh at my expense
in Chinese school teaching although I am
sure I could hardly expect you to keep from
it if you should pop into my school-room
some day. "Asha" the girl that I punished
is the "black sheep" of my flock. I fear I
shall have some trouble in trying to get her to
do better but for some reason or other I have
taken a special fancy to her and I am
satisfied that she thinks a good deal
of me so I will hope for the best.
And now good-by With love from
Your own loving Hattie
[注：写在第一页上]
恐怕你没有太多时间弹奏你的钢琴 偶尔为我弹奏“少女的祈祷”。
我在这里听过两次，
它总是让我想起爱德华兄弟。
中国广州，
1869 年 2 月 13 日
我亲爱的爱德华
昨天经过多天的焦急等待，
给我们带来了邮件，
所以今天早上我正好有心情写信。
我们预计周一会收到邮件，
但不得不等到周五，
唉，因为“大共和国”的声誉，
周四是中国新年——亨利和我想我们会在旧墙上绕城走一圈来庆祝这一天。
九英里，
所以你看我们都等于散步。
当我们在城市的北部（较远）一侧时，
我们看到轮船进来了，
我们可以看到旗帜已经升起，
我们急忙回去拿出信件，
但发现它们不在这里。
然后昨天因为没有旗帜，
我们放弃了信件，
当“Atsan”带着一大堆文件和信件进来的情况下，
我们感到很失望。
（字母应该放在第一位）我简直不敢相信自己的眼睛，
我们得到了多么好的待遇。
从家里寄来的两个月的邮件，
一封是我们担心丢失的 11 月邮件，
还有一封来自克兰先生的漂亮的完整信封。
四个月的克利夫兰先驱报也来了。
我预计他们在过去几个月里一直在沿铁路线丢弃它们，
最后捡起来并带上它们。
但我希望邮件的违规行为成为过去，
我们很快就会只有他们不愉快的记忆。
我希望我对邮件到达的长篇描述既没有启发也没有指导，
但它确实是中国生活的主要特征之一。
并且在这里的谈话中扮演着重要的角色。
它几乎排挤了“天气”，
尽管这也必须进来，
因为在水的这一边谈话的主题相当稀少。
但我们总是可以问，
“你最后一封邮件是什么时候来的？” “你有好消息吗？”和“邮件发往哪里？”等等。
我们都对彼此收到好消息感到亲切的兴趣，
以及对任何收到来自“远方的亲人”的悲伤信息的人的同情，
这也是非常好的。
亨利今天早上去了轮船见罗杰斯先生开始回家。
我们都会非常想念他，
但他试图再留在这里是没有用的。
他让我们在他的外表和方式上非常重视你。
这是一个美好的早晨，
我不禁想知道任何人开始回家会有什么感觉。
如果一个人在这里待了足够长的时间，
觉得他们回家是正确的，
我相信这将是非常令人愉快的，
我相信如果不与最亲近的人分离多年，
就无法获得这种幸福。
但我知道罗杰斯先生在准备开始工作时离开这里感到难过，
我知道这对他来说一定是一个很大的失望。
卫斯理会已要求另一位传教士前来接替他的位置，
也请一位年轻女士来协助拉德克利夫小姐。
如果她有拉德克利夫小姐一半那么好，
我想我们都会高兴的。
Lowrie 医生写道，
在这两名被任命为中国工作的人中，
他希望其中一名可以来广州。
我想知道是不是里昂先生。
我原以为他的目的地定在杭州，
但从父亲写的来看——想也许我们可以在这里见到他。
非常感谢你 11 月 13 日的来信，
感谢你告诉我们关于“沟渠”的一切。
我很高兴你能顺利度过难关。
我希望我能“去看看”你在哪里完成它并让水进来。
现在它完成了，
你认为这对任何人或任何事情都会有好处。
你有没有像你所说的那样卖掉凯特。
我多么喜欢再去听你唱歌。
我相信我会比以往任何时候都更喜欢和你一起唱歌。
如果你仍然要去洛迪，
我对雅各布·贝尔的家人的爱，
请记住我给韦斯特菲尔德的好朋友。
你知道 Em Walcott、 Mary Alden、 Alexanders Deweice、 Phillips & E Bissell。
啊，我在韦斯特菲尔德度过的两个冬天是快乐的，
他们的记忆很美好，
对我亲爱的汉娜有许多珍贵的回忆。
我想自从我的统治以来，
那里的学校已经完全改变了。
不要嘲笑我在中文学校教书的费用，
尽管我敢肯定，
如果有一天你突然出现在我的教室里，
我很难指望你能不这么做。
我惩罚的女孩“阿莎”是我羊群中的“害群之马”。
我担心我在试图让她做得更好时会遇到一些麻烦，
但出于某种原因，
我特别喜欢她，
我很满意她对我的重视，
所以我会抱最好的希望。
现在再见了。
来自，
海蒂
I am afraid
you dont
get much
time to
play on
your piano
Play the
"Maiden's
Prayer" for
me once in
a while. I
have heard
it twice
here and
it always
makes me
think of
brother
[u]Edward[/u].
Canton, China
Feby 13th /69
My [u]own dear Edward[/u]
Yesterday after
many days of impatient waiting
brought us the mail so I this morning
feel just in the mood for writing
letters. We expected the mail on Monday
but had to wait until Friday alas
for the reputation of the "Great Republic"
Thursday was Chinese New Years-
Henry + I thought we would [u]celebrate[/u]
the day by walking round the city
on the old wall a distance of about
nine miles so you see we are both Equal
to something of a walk. When we
were in the North (farther) side of the
city we caught sight of the steamer
coming in and as we could see
that the flags were up we [u]hurried[/u] back
to get out letters but only to find that
they were not here. Then yesterday
as there were no flags up we gave up
letters and were feeling as disappointed
as might be expected under the
circumstances when "Atsan" came
in bringing an armful of papers +
[u]letters[/u]. (Letters should come first) I could
hardly believe my eyes and what a
treat we had. Two months mail
from home one the Nov mail that we
had feared was lost and a nice
full envelope from Mr Crane's.
The Cleveland Heralds for four months
also came. I expect they have been
dropping them along the line of
the Rail Road during the past few
months and have at last picked
them up and brought them on.
But I hope the irregularities of the
mail are getting to be a thing of the
past and that we shall soon have
only their unpleasant memory.
I expect my long descriptions of the
arrival of the mail neither edify nor
instruct but really it is one of the main
features of Life in China. and has
an important part in out conversation
here. It very nearly crowds out "the
weather" although that has to come
in too for subjects of conversation are
rather scarce on this side of the water.
But we can always ask, "When did
your last mail come?" and "Did you
have good news?" and "Where does the
mail leave?" +c +c +c. It is very nice
too the kindly interest that we all feel
in each others receiving good news and
the sympathy that is felt for any one
who receives a sad message from
"loved ones far away"
Henry has gone to the steamer this morning to see Mr Rogers
start for [u]home[/u]. We shall all miss him very much but there
is no use in his trying to stay here longer. He makes us think
a great deal of you in his looks and ways. It is a lovely
morning and I cant help wondering just how any one would
feel starting [u]home[/u]. If after a person had been here long
enough to feel they were doing right in going home I am
sure it would be [u]perfectly delightful[/u] such happiness I am
sure as could not be brought without years of separation
from those [u]nearest + dearest[/u]. But I know Mr Rogers feels
sad in leaving the work here just as he is ready to commence
and I know it must be a great disappointment to him.
The Wesleyan's have asked for an other missionary to come
and take his place also for a young lady to come
assist Miss Radcliffe. If she is half as nice as Miss
Radcliffe I think we may all rejoice. Dr Lowrie writes
that of the two under appointment for China he hopes
that one may come to Canton. I wonder if it is
Mr Lyon. I thought that his destination was settled at Hangchow
but from what Father writes- think perhaps [--he--] we may see him here.
I thank you very much for your letter of
Nov 13th and for telling us all about "the
ditch." I am [u]so glad[/u] that you got through
it so well. I wish I could have "been there
to see" where you finished it and let
the water in. Now that it is done do you
think it will be a benefit to any one or any
thing. Have you sold Kate yet as you spoke of
doing. How I would enjoy going to your sing
again. I am sure I would appreciate
singing with you more than ever.
My love to Jacob Bell's family if you are
still going over to Lodi, and do remember
me to the good friends in Westfield.
Do you know Em Walcott Mary Alden the
Alexanders Deweice Phillips & E Bissell.
Ah the two winters I spent in Westfield
were happy ones and their memory is
bright with many precious recollections of
my [u]darling Hannah[/u]. I suppose the
school there has changed completely since
my rule. Dont laugh at my expense
in Chinese school teaching although I am
sure I could hardly expect you to keep from
it if you should pop into my school-room
some day. "Asha" the girl that I punished
is the "black sheep" of my flock. I fear I
shall have some trouble in trying to get her to
do better but for some reason or other I have
taken a special fancy to her and I am
satisfied that she thinks a good deal
of me so I will hope for the best.
And now good-by With love from
Your own loving Hattie
[注：写在第一页上]
恐怕你没有太多时间弹奏你的钢琴 偶尔为我弹奏“少女的祈祷”。
我在这里听过两次，
它总是让我想起爱德华兄弟。
中国广州，
1869 年 2 月 13 日
我亲爱的爱德华
昨天经过多天的焦急等待，
给我们带来了邮件，
所以今天早上我正好有心情写信。
我们预计周一会收到邮件，
但不得不等到周五，
唉，因为“大共和国”的声誉，
周四是中国新年——亨利和我想我们会在旧墙上绕城走一圈来庆祝这一天。
九英里，
所以你看我们都等于散步。
当我们在城市的北部（较远）一侧时，
我们看到轮船进来了，
我们可以看到旗帜已经升起，
我们急忙回去拿出信件，
但发现它们不在这里。
然后昨天因为没有旗帜，
我们放弃了信件，
当“Atsan”带着一大堆文件和信件进来的情况下，
我们感到很失望。
（字母应该放在第一位）我简直不敢相信自己的眼睛，
我们得到了多么好的待遇。
从家里寄来的两个月的邮件，
一封是我们担心丢失的 11 月邮件，
还有一封来自克兰先生的漂亮的完整信封。
四个月的克利夫兰先驱报也来了。
我预计他们在过去几个月里一直在沿铁路线丢弃它们，
最后捡起来并带上它们。
但我希望邮件的违规行为成为过去，
我们很快就会只有他们不愉快的记忆。
我希望我对邮件到达的长篇描述既没有启发也没有指导，
但它确实是中国生活的主要特征之一。
并且在这里的谈话中扮演着重要的角色。
它几乎排挤了“天气”，
尽管这也必须进来，
因为在水的这一边谈话的主题相当稀少。
但我们总是可以问，
“你最后一封邮件是什么时候来的？” “你有好消息吗？”和“邮件发往哪里？”等等。
我们都对彼此收到好消息感到亲切的兴趣，
以及对任何收到来自“远方的亲人”的悲伤信息的人的同情，
这也是非常好的。
亨利今天早上去了轮船见罗杰斯先生开始回家。
我们都会非常想念他，
但他试图再留在这里是没有用的。
他让我们在他的外表和方式上非常重视你。
这是一个美好的早晨，
我不禁想知道任何人开始回家会有什么感觉。
如果一个人在这里待了足够长的时间，
觉得他们回家是正确的，
我相信这将是非常令人愉快的，
我相信如果不与最亲近的人分离多年，
就无法获得这种幸福。
但我知道罗杰斯先生在准备开始工作时离开这里感到难过，
我知道这对他来说一定是一个很大的失望。
卫斯理会已要求另一位传教士前来接替他的位置，
也请一位年轻女士来协助拉德克利夫小姐。
如果她有拉德克利夫小姐一半那么好，
我想我们都会高兴的。
Lowrie 医生写道，
在这两名被任命为中国工作的人中，
他希望其中一名可以来广州。
我想知道是不是里昂先生。
我原以为他的目的地定在杭州，
但从父亲写的来看——想也许我们可以在这里见到他。
非常感谢你 11 月 13 日的来信，
感谢你告诉我们关于“沟渠”的一切。
我很高兴你能顺利度过难关。
我希望我能“去看看”你在哪里完成它并让水进来。
现在它完成了，
你认为这对任何人或任何事情都会有好处。
你有没有像你所说的那样卖掉凯特。
我多么喜欢再去听你唱歌。
我相信我会比以往任何时候都更喜欢和你一起唱歌。
如果你仍然要去洛迪，
我对雅各布·贝尔的家人的爱，
请记住我给韦斯特菲尔德的好朋友。
你知道 Em Walcott、 Mary Alden、 Alexanders Deweice、 Phillips & E Bissell。
啊，我在韦斯特菲尔德度过的两个冬天是快乐的，
他们的记忆很美好，
对我亲爱的汉娜有许多珍贵的回忆。
我想自从我的统治以来，
那里的学校已经完全改变了。
不要嘲笑我在中文学校教书的费用，
尽管我敢肯定，
如果有一天你突然出现在我的教室里，
我很难指望你能不这么做。
我惩罚的女孩“阿莎”是我羊群中的“害群之马”。
我担心我在试图让她做得更好时会遇到一些麻烦，
但出于某种原因，
我特别喜欢她，
我很满意她对我的重视，
所以我会抱最好的希望。
现在再见了。
来自，
海蒂
Original Format
Letter
Collection
Citation
Noyes, Harriet Newell, “Letter from Hattie to Edward, February 13, 1869,” Letters from Harriet Noyes: Missionaries and Women's Education in Nineteenth Century China, accessed April 24, 2024, https://noyesletters.org/items/show/23.