THE LETTERS OF RALPH VAUGHAN WILLIAMS

The White Gates

August 15 [1950]

Dear Mary & Victor
It was good to hear from you – let us hope for 1952 and that you will both get to England then.¹ I can’t feel like giving you any comfort just now – All is moving so fast this time which makes it different in a way but perhaps not really worse for light may come & the nightmare ended – For Communism is like a nightmare as practised by the Kremlin – I can’t imagine how it succeeded in poisoning men’s minds.
Newspapers are bad reading. Our life is tranquil enough, the work goes on and our garden is doing well – I wonder what your coloured primrose size flowers are called? bring some seed back with you!
My husband has written a new work for chorus & orchestra about the stars² – and his new “Old 104th Psalm” for pfte orch and chorus will be done at Gloucester Festival next month and at a Prom soon after that – he is keeping well so far and I am all right – just now our roof is being mended & we are going to have 2 rooms redecorated – we put off & off for there are more exciting things to do with money – but there comes a time – & roofs leak – well –
Love to you both & keep happy
A.M.V.W.

1. The Sheppards lived in South Africa.
2. Sons of Light