These letters were written by Three Faculty Members at Victoria College.
University of Toronto
Victoria College,
Toronto,
Canada
July 5, 1913
This is to certify that Miss Evelyn Kelly, B.A. was a regular attendant upon my classes in English and German during the years of her undergraduate course. Her mark was most satisfactory, increasingly so as she advanced in the courses, and it was a great pleasure to note her progress. Miss Kelly takes a keen interest in educational problems of all kinds and is progressive in methods, and constantly giving.
Miss Kelly is a splendid young lady of fine character and altogether will make a very fine teacher - As well equipped in every way for teaching. I recommend her to the favorable attention of all who need the services of a capable lady teacher.
L.E. Horning(1)
Professor of Teutonic Philology
Annesley Hall
Queen's Park
Toronto
July 11, 1913
To whom it may concern:
This is to testify that I have known Miss Evelyn Kelly five years, four of which were spent in the Residences of Victoria College. Miss Kelly proves herself a student of more than ordinary ability and won the esteem of the Officers of the Halls and of her fellow students. She is an earnest Christian, faithful in the discharge of her duties, resourceful in her work, easy to get on with, and of personal attractiveness.
I have therefore much pleasure in recommending her to the Principal of any school where her services may be desired.
Margaret T. Addison(2)
Hotel Paoli
Florence
August 1, 1913
Miss Kelly B.A. is I understand an applicant for a position in Columbia College, New Westminster. I am not aware of the nature of the position applied for, but in a general way I can endorse Miss Kelly's candidature most emphatically. She has decided ability, ample commonsense, and is possessed of more than an ordinary share of that vaguely named but useful thing - character.
With every desire and hope for her success, and in the assurance that her appointment would be sincerely satisfactory for all concerned - I remain
Very sincerely
Pelham Edgar(3)
Victoria College
University of Toronto
Accompanying letter from Margaret T. Addison to Evelyn Kelly
Annesley Hall
Queens's Park
Toronto
July 11, 1913
My dear Evelyn:
I have much enjoyed your letter, which reached me to-day. I am very glad indeed that your year's partial rest has restored you to a measure of health which you have not had for some time. But, my dear, your future health will depend on how well you learn your limitations of strength and how wise you are in learning to live within them. You will probably never be able to do as much as some people do, but if you know how much you can do without overstraining yourself, you will be able to live a quite happy and useful lie. There is nothing like stopping to rest before one becomes too tired. I have the belief that you will be wise.
I enclose a recommendation. I am unable to say anything about you as a teacher, never having seen you teach. I hope you may be able to take some position in Columbian College(4). The Lady Principal takes Moderns, and the new Principal - whose name has for the present slipped from mind - was in Toronto some weeks ago interviewing different candidates. I did not hear the results of his visit, nor did I see him.
I am very sorry indeed to hear of Mary Lowrey's operation. I am glad she is recovering so nicely.
My sister and I have been spending some time in a quiet country place. Some seventy years ago an Englishman came out to this country, purchased some land for £3 S3(5) [sic] and on it he built an octagonal tower, eight stories high, each story one room, and each room lined with red cedar. A spiral stairs led the way up. It was burned, but before that, it had passed into the hands of a wealthy Scotchman, who bought it, furniture and all. He built the present large fine farm house, using the stones of the tower.
Forty-four years ago, it came into the hands of the present owner, and bears the name "Tower Farm." The old gentleman had several sons and daughters, but the sons, all but one, sought better land, and the daughters married, and the father and one son were left alone.
Seven years ago a housekeeper came to them, and being a woman of conscience, self-sacrifice and unusual character, she nursed the old man, and set herself to teach the son that everything in world had not a money value. Finally, he fell in love with her, and they married. Both have a keen sense of humour and it is perfectly delicious to hear Mrs. Norse tell a story. In describing the evolution of the house, and the acquisition of a furnace she ended by saying "I thanked God and took courage, having lived so many years in cold storage."
The farm is close to Rice Lake. A field lies between the house and the water. Behind the house are rolling hills from which one has a magnificent view of the islands of the Lake, of the woods distance and near, of the golden, brown and green fields on the opposite shore. We are so sorry that our all too brief stay is nearly at an end.
I do hope the summer will bring you added rest and recreation.
With loving regards, I am, ever sincerely your friend.
Margaret E. T. Addison
1. Dr Lewis Emerson Horning Educationist, Author - taught Classics and Modern Languages at Victoria College.
2. Miss Margaret Addison. Dean of Annesley Hall, women's residence at Victoria University from its founding in 1903 until 1931.
3. Oscar Pelham Edgar (1871-1948). Lecturer in English at Victoria College and literary critic. Made a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada in 1915 and received its Lorne Pierce Medal for distinguished service to Canadian literature in 1936.
4. Possibly refers to Columbian College (est. 1892) by the Methodist Church in New Westminster, British Columbia.
5. £3 3s. is 3 Guineas, which would be the equivalent of about $15.00 in those days.