THE LETTERS OF RALPH VAUGHAN WILLIAMS

Letter from Adeline Vaughan Williams to Ralph Vaughan Williams

Letter No. VWL1360

Letter from Adeline Vaughan Williams to Ralph Vaughan Williams

Letter No.: VWL1360


Friday smorn [15 July 1938]

Dear one

We had a very good Pag1 last evening. Hon2 placed me the further side near the band – The smuse fitted wonderfully well – & was bufe3 – It was better heard for it was a still evening – mostly grey & a bit chilly later on. There was a great body of schoolboys from London who were camping – very attentive near me. Our family party sat together – Mrs  Buck & Joan4 – Mrs Fryer & sister & Brett5. They were very happy – and the crowd there was satisfactory – all seats taken except the 2 front rows! G & H & Daphne there but I had no speech with them. Hon enjoyed herself – & we were back soon after 9.30. The time was brisker.
I’ll now write answers according to yr instructions – Nothing suitable for you today! but 2nd proofs of Serenade have just come in. All very well here – So hope you are getting refreshment of spiriwig6. That is the main thing?
A


1.  i.e. Pageant. See R.V.W.: a biography, p.222.
2.  Honorine WIlliamson
3.  beautiful. The music was England’s Pleasant Land, Catalogue of Works 1938/1.
4.  Mrs Buckton was the daily help at White Gates and Joan one of her daughters.
5.  The gardener at White Gates.
6.  spirit or inspiration? VW was staying at a cottage in Wiltshire ‘on retreat’ and beginning to compose after a period of writer’s block.