THE LETTERS OF RALPH VAUGHAN WILLIAMS

Letter from Ralph Vaughan Williams to Michael and Eslyn Kennedy

Letter No. VWL3440

Letter from Ralph Vaughan Williams to Michael and Eslyn Kennedy

Letter No.: VWL3440


Oct 20 1956

Dear Eslyn & Michael

It was wonderful to get your letter – If anything in my life – music included – has enabled anyone to have a fuller enjoyment of life – then I feel I have not lived in vain – & is this not especially true with dear friends like you – I hope people feel this but so few of them take the trouble to say so – certainly not in the wonderful way you have said it.
Our friendship has not been long – at all events to an octogenarian like me – but I believe it is firm & lasting and strong.  I consider it a lucky day when I first met you both in Manchester.
But on the other hand your letter makes me feel my inadequacy – I wish I could be all you think & say I am – but it gives me an ideal to live for.
You write of being true to oneself – that is a thing I always try for & hope I may sometimes achieve it.
Our love to both of you & thanks for a good friendship
Yrs

R Vaughan Williams

P.S.  Forgive the scrappy letter – I thought it was going to be a rough copy – but I think you will be able to read some of it with a magnifying glass.1


1. The letter is written on lined paper torn from a spiral notebook. Michael Kennedy added a note on the envelope: ‘This letter is my greatest treasure  MK’.