Letter from Hattie to Em, December 28, 1871
Dublin Core
Title
Letter from Hattie to Em, December 28, 1871
Subject
Women--Education; Photographs; Picture frames and framing
Description
Harriet writes to her sister Emily about her schooling. She tells Emily that she has nothing to prove and not to push herself too hard trying to prove herself against the "boys". Emily sent Harriet and Henry a picture with the last mail, which Harriet thanks her for. Harriet continues the letter on January 5th because she says Dr. Happer stopped her from continuing. She describes their home to Emily and says she hung up the photos that were sent to her.
Creator
Noyes, Harriet Newell
Source
The College of Wooster, Special Collections, Noyes Collection, Box #1
Publisher
Unpublished
Date
1871-12-28
Contributor
Council on Library and Information Resources Hidden Special Collections Grant
Rights
Format
PDF
Language
eng (English)
Type
Text
Identifier
noyes_c_cor_069
Text Item Type Metadata
Text
Canton
Dec 28th '71-
My [u]dear[/u] Em,
Your [u]Wooster[/u] letter
of Oct 13th we found awaiting
our return from "Synod." We are
so glad to think of you as Enjoying
yourself at "school." But now do be
careful very [u]very[/u] careful of your
health Take good care of your
[u]eyes[/u]. You must'nt get too ambitious
to get ahead of the "boys." we do not
need any proof to convince us that
you [u]could[/u] hold your own with
[u]any[/u] of them if you had a fair
chance. I shall have a [u]very
high opinion[/u] of Dr Lord, of his good
judgment, discernment, penetration,
etc etc etc if the suspicions that I have
heard hinted {that you are rather
a favorite of his} are confirmed.
The photograph that you Enclosed
is just perfect, imagine if you can
how much good it did us to see your
dear, good, sweet face once more,
Tis'nt Every one that can get
such a pretty picture. Henry and I
have laughed a good deal about
trying to get some [u]pretty[/u] pictures of ourselves to send home but
have about concluded that it isnt in our line. So unless some
of the girls at home will Eclipse you you will have to be Fathers
[u]pretty[/u] daughter as well as his [u]good[/u] one. Now I know just how
vexed you will be to read this and I dont suppose I should
dare to [u]say[/u] it "face to face" but as it is you can only look
daggers at this poor little bit of paper and that will not
hurt me. But to return to the photo Henry claims that it is
his because you said you would put it in instead of writing
to him while I claim that it should be mine because I have
not had any of you only a promise were than four years
old that you would send me one some time. Now if you
dont want trouble between our "families" let me suggest that
if you have another spare one you send it on for the one
who dont succeed in keeping this. And furthermore please
tell the other girls that when we were in Ningpo Mr + Mrs
Leyenbarger gave us two very pretty frames for photos Each
one will hold [u]three[/u] so if I could collect the photos I would like
to fill them with "just us six girls" but I dont quite like to
take the pictures out of our Albums. So if [u]you five[/u] have them
to spare you may know where they will be welcome but
you must'nt go and get them taken on purpose for
frames will [u]keep[/u] so there is no hurry.
The box you sent by Mr Nevin we received on
our return just in time for a Christmas present.
Everything was [u]so nice[/u] the things you sent me I shall
wEar with thoughts of you. The cross of cardboard is very
pretty it looks as though you could use your Eyes to pretty
good purpose. I ordered a gilt frame for it to-day is that
the proper thing to do with it. We have not yet put up
our pictures in our new house we have quite a nice lot now
Yesterday + to-day I have been taking them all out of the
frames + cleaning the glass etc etc, and we hope to put them
up to-morrow. I wish you could see our house when we
get it all in order. We have got any locks for the doors yet
they are now in Hongkong we suppose brought by a ship that
has just come in. We are in a hurry to get them for it
is getting rather cold and it is a great trouble to keep the
doors shut. I told Henry to-night. Jan 5th This letter I
commenced one evening [u]last year[/u] and just as I had
reached that interesting point Dr Happer came in and I
laid down my pen and so many days have passed since
then that [u]what[/u] I told Henry that night is long since forgotten.
During the days that have intervened
we [u]have[/u] hung up our pictures as I told
you we intended doing and they
look very nicely. We are no longer at
a loss for a [u]place[/u] to hang pictures although
we have quite a large supply there are
still many vacant places. We had the
walls tinted a little instead of being washed
with whitewash And we think it an
improvement. The plaster did not dry
well however the rainy season continued
so late and the walls are consequently
some what stained + disfigured, so that
we shall have to have them down over
in a year or two. Our parlor + my
bedroom are washed a very light lilac
color or between the + slate the outside
of the house is the same color a darer
shade which with the green blinds
makes a very pretty contrast I fear I
cannot give you an idea of the color of the
other rooms a sort of neutral tint. Perhaps
if you can imagine light grey + buff mixed
together it would produce it ^see margin. The hall
is the same marked off with narrow
black lines in imitation of stone. This
very lucid explanation I expect will
make it all as "clear as mud" to you.
If not never mind just think that we
are satisfied, pleased, delighted with it
and if you want to see it for yourself
just come over here and you shall.
[Note: the following was written in the margin]
Henry says say light cream color which I imagine is about right.
[Note: the following is vertically written on page 1]
I was showing your photo to one of our missionaries the other day + he asked if you
were not coming to China. I told him I was afraid your health
was not good enough but when Henry spoke of it I told [u]him[u]
that you seemed
to me a [u]little
too good[/u] for a
[u]missionary[/u] Now I
expect you will
want to stick this
letter into the fire
and you [u]may[/u]
but bestow [u]all[/u]
your "vexation of
spirit" upon [u]it[/u]
and Believe [u]me[/u] Ever
Your own loving
[u]sister Hattie.[/u]
Dec 28th '71-
My [u]dear[/u] Em,
Your [u]Wooster[/u] letter
of Oct 13th we found awaiting
our return from "Synod." We are
so glad to think of you as Enjoying
yourself at "school." But now do be
careful very [u]very[/u] careful of your
health Take good care of your
[u]eyes[/u]. You must'nt get too ambitious
to get ahead of the "boys." we do not
need any proof to convince us that
you [u]could[/u] hold your own with
[u]any[/u] of them if you had a fair
chance. I shall have a [u]very
high opinion[/u] of Dr Lord, of his good
judgment, discernment, penetration,
etc etc etc if the suspicions that I have
heard hinted {that you are rather
a favorite of his} are confirmed.
The photograph that you Enclosed
is just perfect, imagine if you can
how much good it did us to see your
dear, good, sweet face once more,
Tis'nt Every one that can get
such a pretty picture. Henry and I
have laughed a good deal about
trying to get some [u]pretty[/u] pictures of ourselves to send home but
have about concluded that it isnt in our line. So unless some
of the girls at home will Eclipse you you will have to be Fathers
[u]pretty[/u] daughter as well as his [u]good[/u] one. Now I know just how
vexed you will be to read this and I dont suppose I should
dare to [u]say[/u] it "face to face" but as it is you can only look
daggers at this poor little bit of paper and that will not
hurt me. But to return to the photo Henry claims that it is
his because you said you would put it in instead of writing
to him while I claim that it should be mine because I have
not had any of you only a promise were than four years
old that you would send me one some time. Now if you
dont want trouble between our "families" let me suggest that
if you have another spare one you send it on for the one
who dont succeed in keeping this. And furthermore please
tell the other girls that when we were in Ningpo Mr + Mrs
Leyenbarger gave us two very pretty frames for photos Each
one will hold [u]three[/u] so if I could collect the photos I would like
to fill them with "just us six girls" but I dont quite like to
take the pictures out of our Albums. So if [u]you five[/u] have them
to spare you may know where they will be welcome but
you must'nt go and get them taken on purpose for
frames will [u]keep[/u] so there is no hurry.
The box you sent by Mr Nevin we received on
our return just in time for a Christmas present.
Everything was [u]so nice[/u] the things you sent me I shall
wEar with thoughts of you. The cross of cardboard is very
pretty it looks as though you could use your Eyes to pretty
good purpose. I ordered a gilt frame for it to-day is that
the proper thing to do with it. We have not yet put up
our pictures in our new house we have quite a nice lot now
Yesterday + to-day I have been taking them all out of the
frames + cleaning the glass etc etc, and we hope to put them
up to-morrow. I wish you could see our house when we
get it all in order. We have got any locks for the doors yet
they are now in Hongkong we suppose brought by a ship that
has just come in. We are in a hurry to get them for it
is getting rather cold and it is a great trouble to keep the
doors shut. I told Henry to-night. Jan 5th This letter I
commenced one evening [u]last year[/u] and just as I had
reached that interesting point Dr Happer came in and I
laid down my pen and so many days have passed since
then that [u]what[/u] I told Henry that night is long since forgotten.
During the days that have intervened
we [u]have[/u] hung up our pictures as I told
you we intended doing and they
look very nicely. We are no longer at
a loss for a [u]place[/u] to hang pictures although
we have quite a large supply there are
still many vacant places. We had the
walls tinted a little instead of being washed
with whitewash And we think it an
improvement. The plaster did not dry
well however the rainy season continued
so late and the walls are consequently
some what stained + disfigured, so that
we shall have to have them down over
in a year or two. Our parlor + my
bedroom are washed a very light lilac
color or between the + slate the outside
of the house is the same color a darer
shade which with the green blinds
makes a very pretty contrast I fear I
cannot give you an idea of the color of the
other rooms a sort of neutral tint. Perhaps
if you can imagine light grey + buff mixed
together it would produce it ^see margin. The hall
is the same marked off with narrow
black lines in imitation of stone. This
very lucid explanation I expect will
make it all as "clear as mud" to you.
If not never mind just think that we
are satisfied, pleased, delighted with it
and if you want to see it for yourself
just come over here and you shall.
[Note: the following was written in the margin]
Henry says say light cream color which I imagine is about right.
[Note: the following is vertically written on page 1]
I was showing your photo to one of our missionaries the other day + he asked if you
were not coming to China. I told him I was afraid your health
was not good enough but when Henry spoke of it I told [u]him[u]
that you seemed
to me a [u]little
too good[/u] for a
[u]missionary[/u] Now I
expect you will
want to stick this
letter into the fire
and you [u]may[/u]
but bestow [u]all[/u]
your "vexation of
spirit" upon [u]it[/u]
and Believe [u]me[/u] Ever
Your own loving
[u]sister Hattie.[/u]
广东 1871年12月28日 我亲爱的Em 我们从将会回来就收到了 你Wooster十月13日的信 我们很高兴 听说你很喜欢学校的生活。 但是现在 一定要特别特别注意身体健康 保护好眼睛。 你一定不要太过雄心壮志 去和男生们竞争。 我们不需要任何证明去说服我们， 如果有机会， 你可以和男生一样优秀。 我会请Lord博士做很好的选择 他有很好的 判断力、辨别力、洞察力 等等，如果我有的猜疑心 听说：你是他最喜欢的 是被肯定的。 你放的照片很完美， 想一下如果你能见到家人再一次见到你 亲切、快乐、甜美的脸的时候， 是多么温馨的。 没有人能得到这么美的照片。 我和Henry笑的多灿烂， 照片照得多好， 我们努力照好看的照片然后寄给家人 但是不能用几句话说完。 所以如果家里的女孩们不会让你黯然失色 你还是父亲的美丽的姑娘。 现在我知道你读这封信的时候有多难，而且我认为我不该面对面说 但是只有你能晚一点看到这张纸的一小部分 而且这不会对我有什么伤害。 但是把照片还给Henry，这是他的照片， 因为你说过你会把照片放进去 而不是写下来，当我拿走那张照片是，那应该是我的， 因为我没有拿走呢任何东西， 只有一个四年前你给我的保证。 现在，如果你不想在家庭成员中有什么麻烦， 我建议你把照片寄给可以保管好它的人。 进一步说， 请告诉其他的姑娘们，我们在宁波那会儿， Leyenbarger夫妇给我们两个很漂亮的相框， 每一个可以放三张照片，所以如果我可以收集这些照片， 我会用这个来放咱们6个女孩的照片， 但是我不是很喜欢吧照片从相册里拿出来的。所以你有咱们多余的照片， 你可以随时寄给我， 但是你不要特地为了相框而去找， 不用着急，相框一直都在。 我们回来的路上收到了你通过Nevin先生寄给我们的圣诞礼物了。 / 你寄给我们的东西（衣服）都很好，我穿的时候会想起你的。 wEar with thoughts of you. The cross of cardboard is very 纸箱也很好看， 看起来即使你可以让它很好看。 我今天定了镀金的相框， 我有意这样做的。 我还没有把我们的照片放到新房里，我们现在有很多很棒的照片。 昨天到今天，我把这些照片从相框里拿出来了， 并且清理了一下玻璃，而且我希望明天我可以把它们收起来。 当我们收拾好了，我希望你能看看我们的房子。 我们有很多门锁， 但是现在它们在香港，我们期待把锁寄给你。 我们很急用， 因为天气变冷，而且一直关着门会很麻烦。 我今晚告诉Henry。去年的1月5日晚上，我开始写了这封信， 而且如我之前说的有意识的点 Happer医生来了，我放下我的笔， 而且很多天过去了， 因为我那天晚上告诉了Henry，但他忘了。 在这几天，我们一直没有挂上我们的画 就像我说的 我们准备挂画， 而且它们看起来很好看。 我们不再因为挂画而亏本， 即使我们有很多画， 这里还是有很多地方挂画。 我们的墙是彩色的， 而不是白色的，我们认为这是一个改善。 墙灰还没有彻底干， 但是雨季开始得很晚还连绵不断 / 弄得墙上很多污渍，还损坏了， 以至于我们过两年有必要把墙扒掉。 我们的客厅， 还有我的卧室都刷了浅紫色， 或者之间，外面铺石板瓦 和房子一样的颜色的 一个棚子，挂绿色的遮光帘 这颜色反差很大 我担心我在这说不明白我房间的颜色 是一种很自然的颜色。 也许你能想到浅灰色混上米色， 那会产生这样的颜色。 大厅同样有标记 越来越细的线来模仿石头。 这很容易解释， 我认为这会让你理解得浆糊一样清楚。 如果你不介意， 知道我们对此很满意、很高兴、很愉悦就好了， 而且如果你想验证会不会让你高兴， 你来就好了。 【以下内容空白边书写】 Henry说就像脱脂奶油一样的颜色，我认为差不多。 【纵向书写】 我过两天给你看看我们的传教士的照片， 问问他你会不会来中国。我告诉他我担心你的健康问题 但是当Henry说了以后 你看起来 做一个传教士 挺好的。 现在， 我认为 你会把这封信烧了 / 你可以这么做 但是， 将它记在 你的灵魂深处， 并且相信我。 永远爱你的姐姐 Hattie
Original Format
Letter
Collection
Citation
Noyes, Harriet Newell, “Letter from Hattie to Em, December 28, 1871,” Letters from Harriet Noyes: Missionaries and Women's Education in Nineteenth Century China, accessed April 26, 2024, https://noyesletters.org/items/show/124.