Page 220 - The Story of My Lif

TO MRS. SAMUEL RICHARD FULLER

Wrentham, October 20, 1899.

…I suppose it is time for me to tell you something about our plans for the winter.
You know it has long been my ambition to go to Radcliffe, and receive a degree,
as many other girls have done; but Dean Irwin of Radcliffe, has persuaded me to
take a special course for the present. She said I had already shown the world that
I could do the college work, by passing all my examinations successfully, in

spite of many obstacles. She showed me how very foolish it would be for me to
pursue a four years’

course of study at Radcliffe, simply to be like other girls, when I might better be

cultivating whatever ability I had for writing.

She said she did not consider a degree of any real value, but thought it was much
more desirable to do something original than to waste one’s energies only for a

degree. Her arguments seemed so wise and practical, that I could not but yield. I
found it hard, very hard, to give up the idea of going to college; it had been in
my mind ever since I was a little girl; but there is no use doing a foolish thing,
because one has wanted to do it a long time, is there?

But, while we were discussing plans for the winter, a suggestion which Dr. Hale

had made long ago flashed across Teacher’s mind—that I might take courses
somewhat like those offered at Radcliffe, under the instruction of the professors
in these courses. Miss Irwin seemed to have no objection to this proposal, and
kindly offered to see the professors and find out if they would give me lessons. If
they will be so good as to teach me and if we have money enough to do as we
have planned, my studies this year will be English, English Literature of the
Elizabethan period, Latin and German….

TO MR. JOHN HITZ

138 Brattle St., Cambridge,

Nov. 11, 1899.