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South China Exploration Quotes
The following are quotes drawn from correspondance from Frank N. Meyer's
South China expedition.
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The loneliness of life; the great amount of work I
have to do, which I can never finish; the paralyzing effects of
this never-ending horrible war; and so many another thing, these
often rob me of my sleep and make me feel like a ship adrift.
Frank Meyer
February 3, 1917
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Beancurd and beanmilk always taste beany! -
The cheese, however, has lost this unpleasant characteristic. If
soft beancurd is beaten up, with sugar, it also improves
much in flavor.
Frank Meyer
September 8, 1917
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…you probably know that poppy cultivation has
been totally prohibited in all China and that poppy seed is absolute
contraband for which farmers have been beheaded who had it in
their possession.
Frank Meyer in his reply to a
U.S. request for opium seed
April 17, 1917
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Do not forget that we consider the knowledge which
you have accumulated a most valuable asset. You have begun a great
work, and it would be a tremendous pity not to carry it further,
particularly during these strenuous times.
David Fairchild in his reply to a letter from Meyer
in which he reported suffering a nervous breakdown
June 29, 1917
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You speak in one of your recent letters of wishing
you had some one to advise you. My dear Meyer, these are times when
we all need advice, but unfortunately there are times when those
who try to advise feel peculiarly incompetent to do so. I might
easily advise you to come back to this country and take up the breeding
of plants, but I do not feel sure that a man of your restless disposition
will be contented with the necessarily quiet life of a plant breeder.
David Fairchild
July 27, 1917
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We were held up by soldiers a few times and some unpleasantries
were indulged in, but on the whole we could have fared far worse.-Of
course we passed thru villages that had been looted and burned and
food was hard to obtain, but to an old hand out here, like myself,
these things have so often been encountered that one is used to
them.
Frank Meyer in his final letter
Hankow, May 18, 1918
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Yes, Mr. Fairchild, it often seems that we do not
live ourselves any longer but that we are being lived. Uncontrollable
forces seem to be at work among humanity and final results, or possibly
purposes, are not being revealed as yet, that is, for so far as
I can look into this whole titanic cataclysm.
Frank Meyer in his final letter
Hankow, May 18, 1918
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Concerning Dr. McCollum's idea that leafy green vegetables
are essential in the human diet, well, this is a mooted question.
The Russians at large use but few leafy herbs, and thousands of
cowboys, especially in the Argentine, live on an almost pure meat
diet. Of all of the leafy greens the Chinese love especially those
belonging to the cabbage and mustard group; it seems that the race
has found out that they supply some essential factors.
Frank Meyer in his final letter
Hankow, May 18, 1918
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It appears that Mr. Meyer while traveling down the
Yangtze from Hankow to Shanghai on the S.S. "Feng Yang Maru"
of the Nisshin Kisen Kaisha, was drowned near Wuhu. Whether he fell
off the ship accidentally or committed suicide in a fit of depression
will probably never be known.
Excerpt from the report received from the American Consul in Charge
Shanghai, China
June 14, 1918
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