Letter from Martha to Sarah
Dublin Core
Title
Letter from Martha to Sarah
Subject
Health; Death; Typhoons; Mail steamers; Postal service; Tea trade; Quinine
Description
The letter begins with a comment on the mail delay and Martha's disdain for the steamer line/route. She also comments on how upset she and Hattie were by news of the typhoon and that the servants in the house asked why she and Hattie were crying. She discusses a walk they took, a speech by a failed tea merchant, and the health of friends and family members. She encourages Sarah to get exercise and sleep.
Creator
Kerr, Martha Noyes
Source
The College of Wooster, Special Collections, Noyes Collection, Box #5
Publisher
Unpublished
Date
Unknown
Contributor
Council on Library and Information Resources Hidden Special Collections Grant
Rights
Format
PDF
Language
eng (English)
Type
Text
Identifier
noyes_c_cor_529
Text Item Type Metadata
Text
Canton China
My darling Sister Sarah
We received the
mail to night after a wait of
more than two weeks after the
regular time. That old republic
it does not deserve a capital {r}
has been the source of disap-
pointment ever since it went
on the line of steamers on ac-
count of its slow sailing, but
we were happy to night when
the basket with its precious
freight came to our door. I was
dressing for evening but sat down
without the finishing touches of
the [?tirlet?] and can say I fairly
devoured the news. I did feel
in a famished state but am
convalescent at this present
moment. I must tell you
how kind our servants are in their
feelings. Our boy came up into
Henry's study to make a fire
while we were reading our letters
some of them refered to that dread-
ful typhoon and Hattie and I
shed some tears over them. He
went down and told Aquy's family
{our cook} that he was sure we had
heard bad news for Ti ku and
[?knnewing?] were both crying. In less
then two minutes the cooks wife
was up in Lucy's room asking
what was the matter. They always
watch our countamances when we
get our mail to see whether they
argue good or ill. It is nice to think
they care so much for us. We have
all been out since tea and had a
walk around Shamin 1 1/2 miles
It has its advantages going by
moonlight we do not have to
dress in our best on account of being
inspected by the English merchants
and their families. To morrow we
are invited to listen to a lecture
upon China, written by a Mr
Nye resident here of whom I may
already have spoken. He is a
broken down tea merchant has
failed several times once for the
sum of 9,000,000 It is said at one
period he ruled the tea market of
N.Y. but now what supports him
is a mystery but he carries the
appearance of a gentleman it is
said he formerly owned the finest
collection of paintings in the United
States but he disposed of them at
immense sacrifice. One which
he sold for a few hundreds of dol
lars afterwards brought $25,000. Poor
man I fear his treasure has been
consumed by moth and rust he seems
to have no heavenly riches. I do
not think I ever saw any one who
gave me more sad feelings.
You write that our dear Mrs Wake
field is better though very low. Oh
how thankful I am she is spared
to her dear loving husband and you
all. I know you are all rejoiced that
you can hope to have her in her
old place again. How very much
more we appreciate blessings when
they seem about to be snatched from
us. Do give her very much love
from me. I enjoyed her so very
very much while in C. was so glad
it was so [--she--] I sat next her at table
You are having Mumps by whole-
sale seems to me. Poor Aunt Ruth
must needs be a monument of
patience, not to feel like doing
summary work sometimes.
I was so surprised to learn of
the death of good Dr Smith. I know
you must miss him. I can never
forget that benevolent face nor
the kind remarks he droped while
I was in his room the day he
examined my lungs. One more of the
treasured ones "up there" safe at home
Dear sister sometimes I feel we
should almost forget to weep when
we the think of the joy of entering
in to be with the Lord. You speak
of being under the physicians care
I do not like the idea of teaching
and taking medicine at the same
time. I wonder if you get exercise
and sleep enough. Those are two
very important points you know
I have said good bye to [?Chil?]
[Continued vertically on the first page]
have not had any for 4 months. I do hope you will get
home for visit ere long am sure it would do you and the
home folks both good. Clara and Mary write as if they were
hard at work. They
must not use up the body
in feeding the mind as
Aunt Fay used to say
Poor little Charley
is persecuted in that man
ner is he how can his
relatives be so hard
hearted as to give him
[?quinine?] in direct
opposition to his will
I hope you will give
him my profound
sympathy for I have
a most positive objec
tion to the articles my
self. So little Bessie
thinks "Papa is in dan
ger of changing his name"
She is rather young to be
exercising her mind on such
[Continued written upside down on the first page]
impossibilites. Precious child I wish I could
kiss the dear little & all.
中国广东广州
我亲爱的莎拉修女
比正常时间晚了两个多星期，
我们晚上才收到邮件。
那个不值得大写{r}的旧共和国自从它因航行缓慢而登上轮船以来一直令人失望，
但是当装有珍贵货物的篮子来的时候，
我们很高兴到我们家门口。
我正在为晚上穿衣服，
但没有完成tirlet的最后润色就坐了下来，
可以说我相当吞噬了这个消息。
我确实感到处于饥饿状态，
但此刻我正在康复中。
我必须告诉你我们的仆人对他们的感情有多好。
当我们阅读我们的信件时，
我们的男孩来到亨利的书房生火，
其中一些信提到了可怕的台风，
我和海蒂为他们流下了眼泪。
他下去告诉 Aquy 的家人{我们的厨师}，
他确信我们已经听到了 Ti ku 的坏消息，
并且知道都哭了。
不到两分钟，
厨娘就出现在露西的房间里，
询问发生了什么事。
当我们收到邮件时，
他们总是看着我们的表情，
看他们是好是坏。
很高兴认为他们如此关心我们。
喝茶后我们都出去了，
在沙面岛周围散步了 1 1/2 英里。
它有它的优势，
在月光下，
我们不必穿着最好的衣服，
因为受到英国商人及其家人的检查。
明天我们被邀请听一个关于中国的讲座，
由我可能已经谈到过的一位居住在这里的 Nye 先生撰写。
他是个破产的茶商，
曾数次失败900万 据说曾经统治着纽约的茶叶市场，
但现在支撑他的是一个谜，
但他带着绅士的外表，
据说他以前拥有美国最好的画作收藏，
但他以巨大的牺牲处置了这些画作。
后来他以几百美元的价格卖掉了一个，
带来了 25，
000 美元。
可怜的人，
我担心他的财宝已经被蛀虫和锈蚀了，
他似乎没有天上的财富。
我想我从来没有见过任何让我感到更悲伤的人。
你写道，
我们亲爱的韦克夫人场虽然很低，
但更好。
哦，
我多么感激她能幸免于她亲爱的丈夫和你们所有人。
我知道你们都很高兴，
因为你们希望她能再次回到她原来的地方。
当祝福似乎即将从我们身边夺走时，
我们更加感激祝福。
一定要从我这里给她很多的爱。
在 C 的时候，
我非常非常喜欢她。
我很高兴，
所以我坐在她旁边的桌子旁。
在我看来，
你正在批发腮腺炎。
可怜的露丝阿姨必须是耐心的纪念碑，
有时不想做总结工作。
得知好史密斯博士去世的消息，
我感到非常惊讶。
我知道你一定很想他。
我永远不会忘记他检查我肺部那天我在他房间时的那张仁慈的脸和他说的话。
又一个“高处”的宝贝安全在家 亲爱的姊妹，
有时当我们想到进入与主同在的喜悦时，
我觉得我们几乎应该忘记哭泣。
你说在医生的照顾下，
我不喜欢同时教书和吃药的想法。
我想知道你是否得到足够的锻炼和睡眠。
这是两个非常重要的点，
你知道我已经和 Chil 说再见了 [在第一页垂直继续] 已经有 4 个月没有了。
我真的希望你能尽快回家参观，
我相信这对你和家里的人都有好处。
克拉拉和玛丽写得好像他们在努力工作一样。
他们不能用身体来养心，
就像费阿姨过去常说的那样可怜的小查理受到迫害，
他的亲戚怎么会如此铁石心肠，
以至于直接违背他的意愿给他奎宁我希望你会向他表示深切的同情，
因为我对自己的文章持最积极的反对意见。
如此小的贝西认为“爸爸有改名的危险”。
她还很年轻，
能够在这种 [继续在第一页上下颠倒地写] 不可能的事情上动脑筋。
亲爱的孩子，
我希望我能亲吻亲爱的小宝贝。
My darling Sister Sarah
We received the
mail to night after a wait of
more than two weeks after the
regular time. That old republic
it does not deserve a capital {r}
has been the source of disap-
pointment ever since it went
on the line of steamers on ac-
count of its slow sailing, but
we were happy to night when
the basket with its precious
freight came to our door. I was
dressing for evening but sat down
without the finishing touches of
the [?tirlet?] and can say I fairly
devoured the news. I did feel
in a famished state but am
convalescent at this present
moment. I must tell you
how kind our servants are in their
feelings. Our boy came up into
Henry's study to make a fire
while we were reading our letters
some of them refered to that dread-
ful typhoon and Hattie and I
shed some tears over them. He
went down and told Aquy's family
{our cook} that he was sure we had
heard bad news for Ti ku and
[?knnewing?] were both crying. In less
then two minutes the cooks wife
was up in Lucy's room asking
what was the matter. They always
watch our countamances when we
get our mail to see whether they
argue good or ill. It is nice to think
they care so much for us. We have
all been out since tea and had a
walk around Shamin 1 1/2 miles
It has its advantages going by
moonlight we do not have to
dress in our best on account of being
inspected by the English merchants
and their families. To morrow we
are invited to listen to a lecture
upon China, written by a Mr
Nye resident here of whom I may
already have spoken. He is a
broken down tea merchant has
failed several times once for the
sum of 9,000,000 It is said at one
period he ruled the tea market of
N.Y. but now what supports him
is a mystery but he carries the
appearance of a gentleman it is
said he formerly owned the finest
collection of paintings in the United
States but he disposed of them at
immense sacrifice. One which
he sold for a few hundreds of dol
lars afterwards brought $25,000. Poor
man I fear his treasure has been
consumed by moth and rust he seems
to have no heavenly riches. I do
not think I ever saw any one who
gave me more sad feelings.
You write that our dear Mrs Wake
field is better though very low. Oh
how thankful I am she is spared
to her dear loving husband and you
all. I know you are all rejoiced that
you can hope to have her in her
old place again. How very much
more we appreciate blessings when
they seem about to be snatched from
us. Do give her very much love
from me. I enjoyed her so very
very much while in C. was so glad
it was so [--she--] I sat next her at table
You are having Mumps by whole-
sale seems to me. Poor Aunt Ruth
must needs be a monument of
patience, not to feel like doing
summary work sometimes.
I was so surprised to learn of
the death of good Dr Smith. I know
you must miss him. I can never
forget that benevolent face nor
the kind remarks he droped while
I was in his room the day he
examined my lungs. One more of the
treasured ones "up there" safe at home
Dear sister sometimes I feel we
should almost forget to weep when
we the think of the joy of entering
in to be with the Lord. You speak
of being under the physicians care
I do not like the idea of teaching
and taking medicine at the same
time. I wonder if you get exercise
and sleep enough. Those are two
very important points you know
I have said good bye to [?Chil?]
[Continued vertically on the first page]
have not had any for 4 months. I do hope you will get
home for visit ere long am sure it would do you and the
home folks both good. Clara and Mary write as if they were
hard at work. They
must not use up the body
in feeding the mind as
Aunt Fay used to say
Poor little Charley
is persecuted in that man
ner is he how can his
relatives be so hard
hearted as to give him
[?quinine?] in direct
opposition to his will
I hope you will give
him my profound
sympathy for I have
a most positive objec
tion to the articles my
self. So little Bessie
thinks "Papa is in dan
ger of changing his name"
She is rather young to be
exercising her mind on such
[Continued written upside down on the first page]
impossibilites. Precious child I wish I could
kiss the dear little & all.
中国广东广州
我亲爱的莎拉修女
比正常时间晚了两个多星期，
我们晚上才收到邮件。
那个不值得大写{r}的旧共和国自从它因航行缓慢而登上轮船以来一直令人失望，
但是当装有珍贵货物的篮子来的时候，
我们很高兴到我们家门口。
我正在为晚上穿衣服，
但没有完成tirlet的最后润色就坐了下来，
可以说我相当吞噬了这个消息。
我确实感到处于饥饿状态，
但此刻我正在康复中。
我必须告诉你我们的仆人对他们的感情有多好。
当我们阅读我们的信件时，
我们的男孩来到亨利的书房生火，
其中一些信提到了可怕的台风，
我和海蒂为他们流下了眼泪。
他下去告诉 Aquy 的家人{我们的厨师}，
他确信我们已经听到了 Ti ku 的坏消息，
并且知道都哭了。
不到两分钟，
厨娘就出现在露西的房间里，
询问发生了什么事。
当我们收到邮件时，
他们总是看着我们的表情，
看他们是好是坏。
很高兴认为他们如此关心我们。
喝茶后我们都出去了，
在沙面岛周围散步了 1 1/2 英里。
它有它的优势，
在月光下，
我们不必穿着最好的衣服，
因为受到英国商人及其家人的检查。
明天我们被邀请听一个关于中国的讲座，
由我可能已经谈到过的一位居住在这里的 Nye 先生撰写。
他是个破产的茶商，
曾数次失败900万 据说曾经统治着纽约的茶叶市场，
但现在支撑他的是一个谜，
但他带着绅士的外表，
据说他以前拥有美国最好的画作收藏，
但他以巨大的牺牲处置了这些画作。
后来他以几百美元的价格卖掉了一个，
带来了 25，
000 美元。
可怜的人，
我担心他的财宝已经被蛀虫和锈蚀了，
他似乎没有天上的财富。
我想我从来没有见过任何让我感到更悲伤的人。
你写道，
我们亲爱的韦克夫人场虽然很低，
但更好。
哦，
我多么感激她能幸免于她亲爱的丈夫和你们所有人。
我知道你们都很高兴，
因为你们希望她能再次回到她原来的地方。
当祝福似乎即将从我们身边夺走时，
我们更加感激祝福。
一定要从我这里给她很多的爱。
在 C 的时候，
我非常非常喜欢她。
我很高兴，
所以我坐在她旁边的桌子旁。
在我看来，
你正在批发腮腺炎。
可怜的露丝阿姨必须是耐心的纪念碑，
有时不想做总结工作。
得知好史密斯博士去世的消息，
我感到非常惊讶。
我知道你一定很想他。
我永远不会忘记他检查我肺部那天我在他房间时的那张仁慈的脸和他说的话。
又一个“高处”的宝贝安全在家 亲爱的姊妹，
有时当我们想到进入与主同在的喜悦时，
我觉得我们几乎应该忘记哭泣。
你说在医生的照顾下，
我不喜欢同时教书和吃药的想法。
我想知道你是否得到足够的锻炼和睡眠。
这是两个非常重要的点，
你知道我已经和 Chil 说再见了 [在第一页垂直继续] 已经有 4 个月没有了。
我真的希望你能尽快回家参观，
我相信这对你和家里的人都有好处。
克拉拉和玛丽写得好像他们在努力工作一样。
他们不能用身体来养心，
就像费阿姨过去常说的那样可怜的小查理受到迫害，
他的亲戚怎么会如此铁石心肠，
以至于直接违背他的意愿给他奎宁我希望你会向他表示深切的同情，
因为我对自己的文章持最积极的反对意见。
如此小的贝西认为“爸爸有改名的危险”。
她还很年轻，
能够在这种 [继续在第一页上下颠倒地写] 不可能的事情上动脑筋。
亲爱的孩子，
我希望我能亲吻亲爱的小宝贝。
Original Format
Letter
Collection
Citation
Kerr, Martha Noyes, “Letter from Martha to Sarah,” Letters from Harriet Noyes: Missionaries and Women's Education in Nineteenth Century China, accessed November 21, 2024, https://noyesletters.org/items/show/586.