THE LETTERS OF RALPH VAUGHAN WILLIAMS

The White Gates
Dorking

Dec 26 [1950]

Dear Mary & Victor
You have sent us so much and all arrived just before Xmas – where can I begin! – Your united efforts at a bedjacket excites my admiration – I can’t determine what rows were knitted by each – & after that came the package of all that is most welcome. My husband was so pleased & happy with the candied fruit and we felt very rich having that bag of sugar. I wonder that you were allowed to send it.¹
Last – but by no means least is Mary’s delicate flower painting – I admire it very much for its accurate drawing & colour – yellow is so difficult and you have got the clear delicacy of the flower – I once knew a Major’s wife who in her travels in many countries used to paint the different flowers for Kew Gardens – they had to be botanically accurate – You have the right gift and from what you write such a collection is needed. I feel so sorry that your father did not receive your gift – I know he was an invalid & that you encouraged him to enjoy more in life which was so right. He must have been made happy by your coming.
We are having a bleak winter but so far we are keeping well and hoping to have enough fuel to warm our rooms. Work still goes on steadily – My husband’s opera “The Pilgrim’s Progress” is supposed to be going to be given at Covent Garden on April 26 – but who can tell² – This is independent of the much advertised “Festival of Britain” with which I feel little sympathy – however music will survive somehow?
Our affectionate thoughts and wishes
Yrs
Adeline VW

1. The Sheppards regularly sent parcels of food to the VWs during post-war rationing.
2. The opera was indeed given its first performance on 26 April 1951 at Covent Garden.