1906 – Letter full of collegiate advice from “the father of agricultural education” to his daughter who was beginning her studies at The Women’s College of Baltimore, today Goucher College
Washington, DC: 1906. Envelope or Cover. This two-page letter, written on U. S. Department of Agriculture stationery, was written on 3 October 1906 by Alfred Charles True in reply to one from his daughter, Elizabeth, who was attending school at The Women’s College of Baltimore (today Goucher College). It is enclosed in its original mailing envelope postmarked in Washington on the same day. In nice shape.
In this letter, True provides some cogent advise about beginning college study away from home. It reads in part:
“The teachers are evidently trying to break up the poor Freshies with long lessons. It is an old trick and nobody should be fooled by it. . .. I should think chapel and gym three times a week each would be about right in these days of muscular Christianity. A college is often said to be a little world in itself . . . and if this is so you will find that you cannot attend all the meetings, formal and informal, and keep your work going at the same time. One of the chief purposes of going to college is to learn to manage one’s self and others. This implies choice, moderation, patience and tact. To be properly self assertive and manage other people without their knowing it is a great art and worth learning. At any rate it is well to have a just sense of one’s limitations and not to get into too many meetings or clubs. To keep away from all of them is equally bad – and there you are! . ..
“Dr Rogers is an eminent author on archaeology, but probably knows little about nervous diseases. If you want advice on the latter go to the doctors at Johns Hopkins. Meanwhile be out of doors an hour or two every day and . . . sleep eight hours every night.”
True also provides an update on family life at home:
“Black Mary (their servant] has had a chill and is among the missing today. Mother and I have done the work. That is, I worked about ten minutes and mother did the rest. . .. It begins to look as if . . . there would be a job waiting for you here if you get tired of college life.
“Henry’s spelling lessons have begun again and he couldn’t spell governor this evening. His German teacher kept the whole class after school today. So you see ‘there’s somelton’ doin’ at Tech [probably either McKinley Technical High School]. . ..”
. Very good. Item #010772Alfred Charles True was employed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture for over 30 years. While serving as the chief of its Office of Experiment Stations, he greatly expanded its network of research facilities, and later as the Director of States Relations, he coordinated agricultural extension work. During his tenure he played the major role in establishing extensive vocational agriculture programs in U. S. schools.
True’s letter is full of sound advice and makes one wonder if Addie took it to heart. Probably, since she saved this letter.
.Price: $150.00