Letter from Gustav Holst to Ralph Vaughan Williams

Dear R V W
You have really done it this time.  Not only have you reached the heights but you have taken your audience with you.  Also you have proved the musical superiority of England to France.  I wonder if you realized how futile and tawdry Ravel sounded after your Epilogue¹.  As a consequence of last Friday I am starting an anti-Gallic League the motto of which shall be 'Poetry not Pedantry'.  More when we meet!
I enclose the £30 you so kindly lent me.  It has saved the situation very effectively and I am sorry I could not return it before.  I believe Coles has talked to you about his affairs - probably he is right although I feel it is risky.
If you are free, do come a walk² next Sunday.  The Masons have invited me to hear Boughton play his music drama that evening,
I wish I could tell you how I and everyone else was carried away on Friday.  However, it is unnecessary as I expect you know it already.
Yrs Ever

GV.H.

1.  The first performance of the London Symphony at the Queen's Hall, 27 March.
2.  sic.