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Dear Mary, I spent two hours in the gymnasium with Dr. Hurd, and it seemed to me perfectly impossible for her single-handed, really to manage all the children. The confusion was terrible and there seemed to me, moreover, considerable risk on account of the impossibility of one person watching so many - Of this, however, I said nothing but in the long talk we had Sunday, she herself said she thought it absolutely necessary for her to have a trainer. She said she knows of a nice woman in Sweden, a graduate of Stockholm institute, who was very anxious to come to this country and be with her, and that she felt sure she would come for $500. I said, of course, that we could not afford it and that she would have to bear the greater part of the expense. She said she was writing, and that she felt she could make it pay by outside classes. I said I was willing to present this proposition to the board - that this woman be engaged at $500, and we assume one-third of her salary, and Dr. Hurd two-thirds. She and I then made calculations, and I found that we could probably get back our one-third, by our one-third in the proceeds from outside classes. Both Mamie and I think the arrangement had better be made and at once, so that Dr. HurdGÇÖs letter can reach Sweden, before any other engagement is made. Please telegraph what you think. I shall feel a whole world happier in regard to the gymnasium, when once we have an efficient trainer. This special one knows how to fence, swim, and is a most excellent athlete Dr. Hurd says. Now as to the afternoon difficulty. It was clear to me both from what all the teacherse said, and from the discussion in the teacherGÇÖs meeting, - to Mamie it was clear from the discussion in the teacherGÇÖs meeting alone - that we shall have to have someone in the school during the afternoon. At present the children are absolutely forbidden to do what we very much wish them to do, use the schoolhouse in the afternoon. The teachers are worked as hard, that it seems to me impossible to ask them to take turns in returning and even as it is, it is most unprotected for the children, who continually break the rule, and go upstairs after gymnasium. Moreover, it would be exceedingly nice to get them into the habit of using the yard as a play-ground, and this of course makes the presence of an older person necessary. Do you know whether we could get Miss Keeler, and do you or would Julia know her address? We could, I suppose, get Mary Carroll, if she would have authority enough. Of course it would be an expense of $100 or $200, for the remainder of the year - but anything is better than the present slipshod condition of affairs. If we get the children out of the habit of using the school-room in the afternoon, I fear it will take a long time to get them back. What do you think and I do wonder what we ought to pay? You have not answered about the measurements for the bookcase in the reading room. Are they lost, do you think? In that case I can, I suppose, take them over again. After receiving Dr. HartwellGÇÖs letter I at once wrote to Cummings to take the photographs and send me samples. I forgot whether I told you this before. We have put an advertisement in the GÇ£NationGÇ¥ for an English teacher. It ought to appear on Thursday. GÇ£Open LettersGÇ¥ have been sent to Hospital and University Trustees, and to all the staff of the Hospital. Does it seem to you necessary to send them to the University people? Remser [?] and Martin of course have them through their wives. Miss FarwellGÇÖs letter reads as if she had had a row with Mrs. Colvin. I asked Mrs. Colvin the question, but it seems very improbable. It is probably only her English brusqueness. Yours, As you perhaps divined something happened to cut short my birthday wishes etc It was a lamp that began burning in the most shocking fashion filling the hall so full of smoke we could not see and completely baffling all my attempts to put it out (William was out and Annie was afraid) I then remembered reading that flour had a magic power over oil and lo, my demon ceased spitting fire and smoke and went peacefully out. Had it not been for this I think we should have had an explosion. I left my exordium till the next day and the mail went earlier than I expected and so Lovingly yours Minnie C T [enclosed is a type-written letter]
Letter from M. Carey Thomas to Mary Elizabeth Garrett, March 02, 1891
M. Carey Thomas writes to Mary Garrett about Ida Metcalf, a teacher at the Bryn Mawr School who is struggling to maintain control over her class and becoming a subject of gossip among the parents. Thomas writes that after their conversation Miss Metcalf threatened to resign but a satisfactory conclusion has been reached. There is no envelope so exact locations cannot be given.
Thomas, M. Carey (Martha Carey), 1857-1935 (author)
Garrett, Mary Elizabeth, 1854-1915 (addressee)
1891-03-02
2 pages
reformatted digital
BMC-CA-RG1-1DD2
M. Carey Thomas Papers, 1853-1935 --http://archives.tricolib.brynmawr.edu/repositories/6/archival_objects/98852
BMC_1DD2_ThomasMC_Outgoing_0314