THE LETTERS OF RALPH VAUGHAN WILLIAMS

April 28th 1957

[Extract]

My dear Mrs Finney

Your letter was exactly like an unknown chapter of Aubrey, & gave me the same pleasure. I can only offer in return a conversation with the Barrow boy, Frank, from whom I buy flowers. He had two really beautifully-made wreaths for sale, so I asked if they were for anyone special – ‘O no’ he said ‘just if anyone wants to buy them. I do a big general trade – I did all the wreaths for the Edgware Road gangsters’ funeral – & do you remember the man who struck off his wife’s head with an axe? Lovely flowers he ordered, from prison, & wrote on the card “from your ever loving husband, Bert”‘. Sad & horrific tale.
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