Letter from Hattie to Em, September 14, 1874

Letter from Hattie to Em, September 14, 1874

Weather; Letter writing; Furniture; Travel; War; Health

Harriet writes to Emily from vacation in Macau, where she admits to having planned for a morning walk before sunrise that she didn't end up completing due to the sun already having risen by the time she woke up. She expresses anxiety about the sixty letters she would like to write while on vacation, noting that Mattie is trying to write a similar amount but is less stressed. She complains about the primitive furniture where they're staying and the number of "Chinese visits" she is expected to receive and return. She misses Henry, and is concerned about Dr. Ellinwood planning to travel around the world while in poor health especially because a few other missionaries have fallen in and/or died. She also mentions that there are rumors of war between China and Japan, as people suppose that Japan wants possession of the island Formosa, noting that Japan's soldiers are likely better trained than China's.

Noyes, Harriet Newell

Unpublished

1874-09-14

Council on Library and Information Resources Hidden Special Collections Grant

PDF

eng (English)

Text

noyes_c_cor_128

Japanese punitive expedition to Taiwan, 1874

Macao,
Sept 14th 1874
My darling Em,
We got up Earlier
than usual this morning with the
idea of going to take a "morning
ramble by the sea-shore," but found
that the sun was up before us and
by the time we were dressed was
shining out in full force. So
Mattie gave up the idea at once
I started but after walking a little
way found it so hot that I was
afraid it would give me a headache
that would last all day and
prevent me from writing letters which
I would consider quite a calamity.
I am very anxious to get as many
letters written as possible during vacation
I counted up about sixty that I
would like to write, but I am
afraid I shall not get them all
written. We have been down here
now about a week and a half
and shall probably stay as
much longer. It is quite a rest
to get away from Canton for a

vacation spent there does not bring
as much rest. All the Chinese
think it such a grand chance
to come and visit us when we
have "plenty of time" and then
they beset us to return their visits
before school opens again, and
there is no work harder than
receiving and returning Chinese
visits. I presume Mattie has
written to you something of our
surroundings here. We are living
in rather a primitive fashion,
getting along without very much
furniture. Our bed-room contains a
bed, washstand, clothes-rack and two
trunks. During the day the bed
serves as chair and sofa and
just now I am using it as a
writing desk. I manage it by
putting my writing material on it
and then kneeling down by the
bed-side on a [u]pillow[/u] to save my
[u]knees[/u]. Mattie is on the other side
of the bed writing on a book in her
lap to Mollie Bowers. She too
has a list of [u]unwritten[/u] letters about
as long as mine but she does

not feel quite the same pressure
to get them written up soon that
I do as she has not to begin school
when we get back to Canton.
It is beginning to seem a [u]long[/u] time
since Henry went away almost
Eight weeks. Since we came down
here and I have a little time
to think about it I miss him more
The last we heard from him
he was just starting for Peking about
the 24th of August. Dr and Mrs
Ellinwood who came over by the
last steamer from America are
now in China and Expect to
come to Canton about the 1st of
Nov and I should not be much
surprised if Henry would wait
and come down with them.
if so I suppose we need not look
for him for several weeks yet.
Dr Ellinwood is planning to
make the trip around the world
visiting the Mission Stations all in
[u]Eight months[/u]. I am afraid
that it is a great mistake for
an invalid to [u]hurry[/u] so and
that he will find it will use up all

the strength he has. Perhaps you
will remember our writing you
of Bishop Harris' visit some time
since. We have just heard that
he is lying very ill in Geneva, and
the last Methodist Bishop who visited
their stations Bishop Kingsley
died before reaching home.
Dr Ellinwood however is a younger
man and perhaps the trip will
benefit him as he hopes. It is [u]very[/u]
hot this morning. I imagine Lucy
and Miss Whilden will get heated
nearly to the boiling point before
they get back from their "morning
ramble". There are "rumors of war"
now, between China and Japan
but what it will amount to no
one can as yet foresee. It is supposed
that the Japanese want to get possession
of the island of Forsoma [Note: misspelled Formosa, Taiwan]. We
hope that nothing will interrupt
our Mission work which seems to
be going on very Encouragingly now,
It seems strange that the Japanese
should think of fighting with China
but as a nation they have grown very
conceited lately and their soldiery is
doubtless better trained than China's.

[Note: Letter concludes sideways on page one]
I do not feel as though the letters I write home lately amount to
much but I will make it up in talking when I get home
and I feel sure Mattie
sends you
all the news
Ever your loving
[u]Hattie[/u]

Letter