Every day since learning that upon me the so great honor fall to become
Essayist, I have secretly and with great carefulness searched within the
libraries of each of our Honored Instructors to find out what Essay is,
and to gain information about this thing.
At last, O, so great happiness, I find in Miss Powers' library one great
and important book called, "Essay on Man," by Honorable Pope; also one
small, unimportant book called, "Studies in Prose Essays." Now surely
all these things I can to know about Essay.
All day, all evening, and again next day, I read most secretly, hiding
book quickly if any one come near, for no one must know of these
readings in Honorable Pope.
"Surely," I say, "By and by I will find part easy to understand."
Another day I read and hide away books, yet no more can to understand
what Honorable Pope make meaning. This time head ache, eyes ache, heart
ache. Truly all too sad, too sorrowful.
Next day have no heart to read more, but try one little while. Then, O
too great joy, one part not before found reveal new meaning to me! Here
all parts separate with large, plain numbers - 1-2-3 - like questions in
great Examination. "Possibly," I say, "one Essay I can do like book of
wisdom." The great and wise book say:
"Three roads are open for further expansion of the stimulation of the
brain; for the sensory nerve finds three -
1st - Other Sensory nerves. 2d - Sympathetic nerves. 3d - Motor nerves.
The transference of its excitation to other sensory nerves, consequently
the production of an accompanying sensation in the other than actually
stimulated parts, must be confined within a narrow range."
Wonderful! I think at once to begin; can surely write Essay of 1, 2, 3
parts, and then some one very learned will answer questions and I will
all things know which for three, four years make deep trouble in my
heart.
O too great happiness, I will my Essay at once begin.
Question I - Honorable Pope make much speech of brain, what meaning I
know not; Chinese people oldest wisest people in whole world, Chinese
people know all learning is put away in stomach. When men know many
things all people say, "He have many characters in his stomach."
Foreign people say not so, they say all learning put in brain, top-side
head. Foreigner very afraid to let sun shine on head, afraid melt brain
- perhaps mix characters.
Dr. Ewing say, "Chinese must of Solar-Plexus take good care." I not know
what meaning "Solar-Plexus;" yet I know Chinese people of so great age
so great wisdom, surely all will of "Solar-Plexus" take great care.
Question II - One year ago today Miss Sterling call me to room to
transcribe for her a letter to a dear friend in Peking, this friend very
fond Chinese letter.