THE LETTERS OF RALPH VAUGHAN WILLIAMS

Rook’s Nest,
Stevenage,
Herts:

10th June, 1957

Dear Uncle Ralph,

It was lovely to see you both looking so blooming.  Thank you so much for what you did for Robin, & not only Robin, but all of us who care for such things as the present music editorship of O.U.P.¹ so sadly discounts, not least, the best, most enduring interests of English composers still dependent upon it – so much so, that I couldn’t stomach any more what I saw, & left it (though I would as soon have thought of leaving a husband!) & the goodwill, straight dealing & practical interest I have experienced since in my own work (particularly in folk & church music) make me deplore all the more the situation of those having to suffer it.  So I hope – a good many of us hope – you may have done good all round.  It is long since I so enjoyed an evening of music & a lovely moving song anthology of English verse – clear spring water after mud, dregs & highball mixtures!²
No answer required.  I felt I must sent this post script, & add a large X to you both.
Ever affec^ly

Elizabeth

1. Alan Frank. There was possibly a difficulty for the Oxford University Press in supporting Robin Milford in that he was the son of Humphrey Milford, formerly Publisher of the company.
2. The recently formed RVW Trust had sponsored a concert devoted entirely to the music of Robin Milford. See R.V.W.: a biography, p.380.