Letter from M. Carey Thomas to Mary Elizabeth Garrett, July 02, 1884

Dearest Mary, I have today, finding my favorite stuff dresses unserviceable, precipitably [sic] bought a dress, visited the dressmaker, written six letters, read some Norse and have now a letter time over before Marshall Elliot comes to spend the evening. I have invited him to talk over the future of Romance studies at Bryn Mawr. I heard yesterday that the biologist whom I wished above all other will accept an associate professorship, so it only remains to have him appointed by the ponderous body the Trustees. I am now struggling with the problem of selecting out of six candidates four of them professors in good standing, a full professor in History and Political Science. Every possible advice has been asked. Three of them I have seen. I have tracked their article through various journals and new yesterday a seventh, a Cambridge wrangler with double firsts entered the lists and today I heard of a woman B.A. M.A. Ph.D. in posse; but because of her sex she shall be rejected. How can a political zero teach politics, an ineligible statesman, statecraft? Suppose on the other hand I lend my influence towards putting in a protectionist, and a man of such political unsoundness that he might teach the continued disenfranchisement of masses of educated, property holding, self supporting people. Greek is a chair I have not let myself think of. So much is at stake. I often think of the utterance of my idol Zarncke. GÇ£Das Alterthum uns lebendig zu machen, in ihm und mit ihm zu leben, dies ist der grosse Aufgabe allen unserer Cultur. Nicht zu jedem das gl++ck deus zu reproducion.GÇ¥ It is half past six, I must dress. 11 p.m. Three hours of steady conversation with Mr. Elliot. Every time I meet a scholar, and have the pleasure of talking scholarship. I feel rather faint hearted because I am a woman. I have a chance of course, but were I a man everything would be open to me. I could have all that sympathy and fellowship with other scholars-- not here in Baltimore of course but all over the world. I could write to all these men on terms which sex would not determine. Still detail which I feel such a severe strain. To make my pardon sure I forward the last carbon impression of the report, which nevertheless I hope you can read. Please return. You will probably not think it good, but you must remember that a thing, succeed with my constituency, must not be too good. All the scholastic part I have repeated and repeated vocally and by letter-- so I endeavored to embody it only in its truest form. My financial part passed wholly after a fierce struggle was voted upon and resolved. Mrs. Darts appointment was carried. The 4 grades of professors, 5 fellowships (more than I expected at first blush) , 3 scholarships of $200 each (less than I feared they would give) a European scholarship, higher entrance examinations, Miss Gregory appointed. All of which I consider wonderful. The crisis is now over. Dr. Rhoads is completely in sympathy with me and whatever happens I believe he will not be responsible for it. I had to refuse today an invitation to read a 40 minute paper before the Collegiate Alumnae of the U.S.A. I should have had an opportunity to address an important body of women graduates, but I cannot give the time to prepare the paper. To say nothing of my determination to keep free from that kind of work. I wonder if I told you how interested I was in the Harvard Annex. I believe 40 girls have entered for next year. If $25,000 more can be raised Harvard will assume charge of it and that means virtual recognition by the college authorities-- Degrees etc. Then we can follow suit and insist upon the graduate department of the J.H.U. being offered to women. There are so many practical subjects I long to help on-- so many, many things needing money that when I have any money of my own I am afraid I shall not feel it right to keep a horse or spend anything on clothes beyond what is necessary for influence. Mamie and I went to a womenGÇÖs suffrage meeting on Sunday night in Boston and were so GÇ£dipped into sympathyGÇ¥ that we put every penny we had into the collection plate-- only about $6 unfortunately. I have to keep telling myself that if am I to do good in scholarship I must leave such things as stump speaking and taking up collections to others. In regard to reform we should I think be careful not to work against it, even if we are not justified in spending time to work for it. Did you read Edith SimcroftGÇÖs (GÇ£Men Women and LoversGÇ¥, you know) article in last 19 C on Cooperative Shirt Making? Do read it. Why an evening of Romance Philology should have thus started me on the war path I cannot think! You must excuse me-- I seldom have an opportunity to talk to you either of my vocation or avocations, and the latter lend themselves more readily to a letter. We did not drive out that afternoon because we were sure you would be tired. I remembered you had not had time to spare in the morning and of course the afternoon was nearer the time of starting. I think it would be very nice if you would ask Mamie herself. I think we had a plan for the first part of September, but when you asked me about it I did not like to mention it because I do not know how she would feel about it; I should so like you to know Mamie a little better. I am were in not for the loneliness, it is a penalty I am willing to pay. But I felt in Boston (Oh Mary, Child was so charming to me-- he received me as an equal which was of course all his goodness and none of my merit. He said that in all his acquaintance with gaston ParisGÇÖ criticism he had never heard him praise a thesis as he praised mine in The Romania. Perhaps I have told you this before, but of course I care about it as an earnest) and I feel here that kind of companionship; and as yet it seems to me that I had rather have none. Have I atoned by all these 4 pages of Bryn Mawr for my desire to spare you some of the going to BessieGÇÖs next Saturday. Unless something which I do not know of prevents I will meet you at Deer Park if you are still there in August or any time which suits you better. My Peabody reading can be interrupted as well (or ill) at one time as at another. You know I always wish to do what you wish and I am sorry you did not understand, and sorry you were not able to arrange to see me for an hour during the five days you were here, and sorry I shall have to wait so long to see you again, and glad it is not to be a whole long summer; till when I reserve all arraignment of you at the bar of friendship and my own special pleading and meanwhile tender you as bail my devoit loves and shall await yours in return. Yours lovingly! Minnie C. T. Please remember me to Julia. Tell her Authorelle is about to be wrapped up