Letter from Mary Elizabeth Garrett to M. Carey Thomas, December 04, 1888

Dearest Minnie, Your delightful letter came last night. I agree with you that the best way, if not the only way, to triumph is to be triumphant, but if i can plod along the road, stumbling very often but making a very little bit of headway measuring it from week to week or month to month, not looking very much beyond the daily strut, it is all I expect. Grief is selfish, and I think the only salvation is not to dwell on oneself or oneGÇÖs fortunes or misfortunes, and I try to think of myself just as little as possible and to go on as cheerfully and as steadfastly as I can. At least if there is not much to live for for oneself, there is a great deal to make oneGÇÖs life worth living and a great deal to try for for other people. But a chariot I cannot mount. You have not been selfish in your grief - you have been very brave and have helped everyone who has come in contact with you by your courage. But I hope and believe that this new year is going to bring you more peace and even some of the old joy in living. I will come if I can before Xmas for a few days, but do not know certainly whether I can as my New York visit is delayed. Just as soon as I have made up my mind about the J.H. plan of action I will write you. Please ask about two of the graduates of this year of the Philadelphia Medical School, Dr. Elsie Howe and Dr. Gaston. The latter is not a New England woman but is now one of the interns at the New England Hospital. Miss Howe is the granddaughter of an old Mr. Brewster, who was a well-known publisher in Boston for many years and is now a Bank President; her mother is a widow of considerable means, very philanthropic and very liberal in her ways. There is no necessity for the girl to do anything for her support, but she wants to work. After her graduation she passed the examinations of the Massachusetts Medical Society with very decided success. She is quite young, 22 about, and attractive and lady like, and very enthusiastic, so my impression goes. Dr. Gason is rather older, probably 25 or 26, quieter, matter of fact and sensible. Query, would either of these, of course only in the event of failure to find one of experience, be a possibility for us for our Gymnasium teacher? Of course I know that either of them would care about it, but it will do no harm to get their record from the Philadelphia School. Do you know either Dr. Grace Wallerton or Dr. Lena Ingrasham, who are successful practitioners in Boston? I wonder whether the gift of the 500 was answered at the Special Board meeting of the J.H.U. yesterday? My address for the next day or two is the Brevoort. With love, Yours, Mary E.G. I hope Miss Barritt is really making progress by this time. Thanks for the promise of the letter re. The Headmistress which I shall look forward to. I hope too Isaiah will - what an extraordinary name for a Quaker!