Correspondence, notes, expense lists, and invoices for objects obtained by Gen. Munthe and shipped to Gertrude Bass Warner in Eugene [017]
Item
Title
Correspondence, notes, expense lists, and invoices for objects obtained by Gen. Munthe and shipped to Gertrude Bass Warner in Eugene [017]
Author
Munthe, Johan Wilhelm Normann
Recipient
Warner, Gertrude Bass, 1863-1951
Date
1930-02-27
Identifier
UA022_b005_f006_067_070
Description
Correspondence between Gertrude Bass Warner and General Normann Munthe
Transcript:
Peking, 27 February, 1930.
My dear Friend,
First of all, a thousand thanks for your welcome telegram from the “President McKinley” just before landing in San Francisco. It reached me 2 o’clock in the night, as I was sitting up in the drawing room, having a pretty rough time of it. I had to [wise] to [Mrs. Greenwood] twice these last 3 weeks, and, as usual, when I ask her for help, always get helped over the [skill], and never feel easier—Strangely enough we had much colder weather in December: but somehow February, March seems the least favourable [sic] time for me. It is getting better, year for year, but as I have said before: the [Kuoce] we can stand at the beginning of the fight, we cannot stand at the end of it. However, I feel sure that God will keep His hand over me till my work is done.
It was so kind of you to think of me, and when I opened and read your telegram, I gave you a [] greeting, and sent you ever so many thanks.
I wrote to you to Kobe, and I suppose you got the letter, as it has not come ack to me. On the other hand, with the exception of aforementioned telegram, I have not had word from you or of you. I trust all is well with you.
It will interest you to hear that my money—the first 1/3 installment, actually came to hand on January 28th, and I have been [] twice, settling up and taking up certain contracts and previously-made arrangements. No, we do not worry [Munthe 2/27/30 see packing list date 2/24/30] worry, I am not [burdening] myself down too much or so that I cannot get away. I have told the wife that I want to go to America, as soon as the most important things can be arranged for, and leave her and Godfrey here. This suits her very well, as the is going to continue her history of China. From the death of Ch’ien Lung, where it starts, down to the Revolution 1911. I have just sent off the following things for you:
1. The Ming roll of painting by Lü Fong, which you forgot;
2. The piece of imperial yellow silk, as actually used in the Palace, that I promised you, but could not get before. [Ku’Yue-sien-Morant p-246, 54]
3. One pair of Ch’ien Lung Ku Yueh Hsien vases. The quotations by the Emperor Ch’ien Lung reads: “A few branches will be sufficient for prosperity. It will be full of leaves throughout the four seasons.” [MWCh23:9;MWCh23:10/C-85,C-86]
The 3 red-and-gold insects on the shoulder of the vases indicate that the vases were made for the 30th birthday of Emperor Chien Lung.
I have merely put on a nominal value for obvious reasons; the actual value here would be Mex25.000. You have no idea what a pleasure it is for me to send these to you. None deserves it better, for you are the most generous minded soul that I know, always thinking of giving pleasure to others, and always doing so, and without making any fuss or song about it.
4. You asked me to get you a bronze bell; well, it did not materialize while you were here, but did [C-47/MWCh6:46] did so not long ago. It is a Chou bronze with very fine decorations, in good conditions, and with fair polish. You are asked to pay Mex$600 for it—no price at all. It comes from the same person from whence you got the Mex 2500 one, and had been [], and I redeemed it.
The expensive one is just too heavy to go through the mail, but you will get it, as soon as I get something to make up a sending by freight. I have been on the point of redeeming the [] crystal; but as you said, you did not want it before May, I did not wish to act against you wishes. Let me know if there is anything that I can get for you, and it will be a pleasure to do so.
I am looking forward to so much now that the first necessary step has been taken, but most of all to come to America—to see, hear, and learn I can of Christian Science.
All loving and Kind and true thoughts and wishes to you, my dear Friend,
Ever your friend,
Normann Munthe
Kindly remember me to Mrs. Perkins and the other ladies, whom I know. NM
End of transcript.
Transcribed by Tom Fischer.
Transcript:
Peking, 27 February, 1930.
My dear Friend,
First of all, a thousand thanks for your welcome telegram from the “President McKinley” just before landing in San Francisco. It reached me 2 o’clock in the night, as I was sitting up in the drawing room, having a pretty rough time of it. I had to [wise] to [Mrs. Greenwood] twice these last 3 weeks, and, as usual, when I ask her for help, always get helped over the [skill], and never feel easier—Strangely enough we had much colder weather in December: but somehow February, March seems the least favourable [sic] time for me. It is getting better, year for year, but as I have said before: the [Kuoce] we can stand at the beginning of the fight, we cannot stand at the end of it. However, I feel sure that God will keep His hand over me till my work is done.
It was so kind of you to think of me, and when I opened and read your telegram, I gave you a [] greeting, and sent you ever so many thanks.
I wrote to you to Kobe, and I suppose you got the letter, as it has not come ack to me. On the other hand, with the exception of aforementioned telegram, I have not had word from you or of you. I trust all is well with you.
It will interest you to hear that my money—the first 1/3 installment, actually came to hand on January 28th, and I have been [] twice, settling up and taking up certain contracts and previously-made arrangements. No, we do not worry [Munthe 2/27/30 see packing list date 2/24/30] worry, I am not [burdening] myself down too much or so that I cannot get away. I have told the wife that I want to go to America, as soon as the most important things can be arranged for, and leave her and Godfrey here. This suits her very well, as the is going to continue her history of China. From the death of Ch’ien Lung, where it starts, down to the Revolution 1911. I have just sent off the following things for you:
1. The Ming roll of painting by Lü Fong, which you forgot;
2. The piece of imperial yellow silk, as actually used in the Palace, that I promised you, but could not get before. [Ku’Yue-sien-Morant p-246, 54]
3. One pair of Ch’ien Lung Ku Yueh Hsien vases. The quotations by the Emperor Ch’ien Lung reads: “A few branches will be sufficient for prosperity. It will be full of leaves throughout the four seasons.” [MWCh23:9;MWCh23:10/C-85,C-86]
The 3 red-and-gold insects on the shoulder of the vases indicate that the vases were made for the 30th birthday of Emperor Chien Lung.
I have merely put on a nominal value for obvious reasons; the actual value here would be Mex25.000. You have no idea what a pleasure it is for me to send these to you. None deserves it better, for you are the most generous minded soul that I know, always thinking of giving pleasure to others, and always doing so, and without making any fuss or song about it.
4. You asked me to get you a bronze bell; well, it did not materialize while you were here, but did [C-47/MWCh6:46] did so not long ago. It is a Chou bronze with very fine decorations, in good conditions, and with fair polish. You are asked to pay Mex$600 for it—no price at all. It comes from the same person from whence you got the Mex 2500 one, and had been [], and I redeemed it.
The expensive one is just too heavy to go through the mail, but you will get it, as soon as I get something to make up a sending by freight. I have been on the point of redeeming the [] crystal; but as you said, you did not want it before May, I did not wish to act against you wishes. Let me know if there is anything that I can get for you, and it will be a pleasure to do so.
I am looking forward to so much now that the first necessary step has been taken, but most of all to come to America—to see, hear, and learn I can of Christian Science.
All loving and Kind and true thoughts and wishes to you, my dear Friend,
Ever your friend,
Normann Munthe
Kindly remember me to Mrs. Perkins and the other ladies, whom I know. NM
End of transcript.
Transcribed by Tom Fischer.
Source
Gertrude Bass Warner Papers, 1879-1954
Repository
University of Oregon Libraries, Special Collections and University Archives
Institution
University of Oregon
Type
Text
Format
application/pdf
Rights
Rights Reserved - Free Access
Rights Holder
University of Oregon Libraries, Special Collections and University Archives