Letter from Mary Elizabeth Garrett to M. Carey Thomas, July 18, 1886

Dear Girls, Our Oxford investigations have not resulted in very much that is useful for the school, I fear. The house-keeper at Lady Margaret referred us to a Mrs. Toynbee, one of the Committee, for information. We found her at home, but she could tell us of no one in Classics but Miss Lucas. I do not remember whether you have her address. Sophley Vicarage Ringwood, Hauts In Mathematics she knew of but one who had taken 1st Class in Mathematics in either hall. Miss Seward of Somerville, who took her degree only this year, but did a good deal of coaching while studying for it. J. thought she would probably wish to teach in a college or somewhere where she would have older pupils than with us, but that it might be worth while to correspond with her and to ask her whether she knew of any one whom she could recommend if she should not care for such a position herself. Both Miss Clough and Mrs. Toynbee said that -ú150 would be a large salary here, even for a woman with a first class, unless she had had a great deal of experience in teaching and seemed to think that -ú160 would certainly seem a good salary to any. Miss C. said living expenses here would be about 30 shillings - about $8.00, she thought - this however being for two living rooms instead of one fair sized one. Miss SewardGÇÖs address is 2 Normandy St. Liverpool But I think she said she was expected in Oxford before very long. At any rate if letters seemed promising, some meeting-place could be appointed. Mrs. T mentioned having opened MinnieGÇÖs letter addressed in general to the authorities. I think she said, and having forwarded it to Miss Shaw-Lefevre, I think at any rate she thought at first we were enquiring about the same thing and could not quite understand it; but I thought I remembered your having spoken of being in correspondence with an Oxford girl for French and German assistant at Byrn Mawr [College] and explained that school and college were distinct. By the way she sounded like just the person we might like for the school and I quite begrudged you having appointed her for the college. Miss Schroeder I think was the name Miss Shaw Lefevre Mistress of Somerville by the way, we understand, is at present in London and she might perhaps be able and willing to give some information personally about people. I believe she is of rather a swell family, and so may be able to understand our views as to the desirability of having a person who is distinctly a lady as well as a well trained student. Miss Madeleine Shaw-Lefevre 41 Seymore St W. Is the address. We have also got to be very careful about having abundant testimonials as to their respectability and moral character, or we might find we had introduced a wolf into our fold. I am sorry to say I am afraid we have got to ask you girls to do the rest of the searching and to believe that our very small share of it is not from lack of good will. It is entirely my fault. I have found Oxford very depressing and tomorrow we turn our backs on it and the cathedrals we had planned to see and all the other delights of wandering through England and go back to London en route for a bracing climate somewhere - the special point still to be decided. We will try to go up to Cambridge for a day from London and make all the enquiries we can there and will gladly interview any one either before going on our way back before sailing. We are both extremely sorry about it and it is needless to say are also excessively disappointed about our trip. Hoping to see you before long, Affectionately yours, Mary E.G. Please let us know at once at BrownGÇÖs Hotel if there is any one for us to see in London, say before Thursday.