Letter from Mary Elizabeth Garrett to M. Carey Thomas, July 24, 1885

Please bring any bills with you. Dear Girls, 10 circulars and the schedule went to you by the first mail this morning. Julia received MinnieGÇÖs letter with enclosures yesterday, and I wish to say one word more in regard to that plumbing (about which I fancy we are all inclined to use strong expressions) before I make my bow. Minnie speaks of JuliaGÇÖs and my GÇ£decidingGÇ¥ not to call in Mr. Brown and GÇ£reversing the decision of the committeeGÇ¥, when I thought I had made it apparent that fate decided the matter for us by Mr. BrownGÇÖs having left town not to return until after Mr. King and all the schoolhouse authorities should have investigated and decided the whole matter. The heat must have made my explanations very [illegible]. Do you suppose this is going to last through the 28th and 29th? We most sincerely hope not for every oneGÇÖs sake. I write now chiefly to support that the Committee make Montebello its headquarters. Mamie could either make her mother a visit first and follow later, or she could go in between with news and sessions. The GÇ£candidatesGÇ¥ I could readily send for to come out here, and I really think we would get through everything much more satisfactorily in that way. We should have no interruptions here, as my aunts go in on Monday. In regard to the English, you girls have had so much more of that sort of thing to do, that we think you can probably do it much better than we, and so will be prepared to take up your program for English and its division between Miss Locke and Miss Andrews as a working basis, suggesting modifications if need be. Decidedly, we say, Miss L. had better not have any Literature or say I, English History. You note she does not require or rather expect as much time to be given to geography as you had allowed. Is anything to be suggested to her about modelling maps? J. says she thinks writing to Miss Eves in that way at this late date would hardly be practicable and I agree. I asked Mr. Huxley to put any person whom he thought desirable in direct communication with us and gave him enough detailed information to make it possible for him to do so. Miss [G------] - oh!! Will the Fates not be kinder? You will find out about Ralsomming and if you know of any one of whom to enquire, ask about a good Nalsommier. We must arrange about it. Did Minnie ask Miss Pindell about amount of furnace coal and can Mrs. Thomas tell how much we shall need for open fires and what kind she considers best, as has Dr. Thomas bought his winterGÇÖs supply? If not, might it not be advantageous for both parties to order both together (and so get it at lower rate)? Otherwise we will attend to it as soon as advised about quantity and as soon as cellar is in condition to receive it. Hoping the thermometer has gone down with you and to hear very soon that my suggestion about Committee headquarters meets with favor. Affectionately, Mary E.G. I send Bessie a line making same suggestion if she is coming. Julia says that MinnieGÇÖs half-written sentence about Miss Geoteclos rather appealed to her but she dares not complete it!