THE LETTERS OF RALPH VAUGHAN WILLIAMS

From R. Vaughan Williams,
10, Hanover Terrace,
Regents Park,
London, N.W.1.

May 22nd [1956]

Dearest Michael

I don’t think I’ve ever had a letter that gave me more pleasure than yours.¹ It was always quite impossible that Ralph & I should have a life together, & I feel in a sense, that the gods have a bet on us – lets see what happens to a person who has all they ever wanted – and I hope the test case will be a precedent for making them give the same richness to other mortals.
How lovely for you two to have been married for nine years.  I wish you 999 more, as I am sure life gets better all the time – for the best people, anyway.  Ralph loved your telegram, & we had a most happy time with John & Evelyn² – I like to think of them in Venice now.
We have to water the garden every day, & the green fly are with us – but it looks gay.  We’ve had a BBB weekend³ – doing the income tax – relieved on Saturday by a charming visit from the Morris dancers, who danced in the terrace & came in after for quarts of cyder & Perry.⁴
Our dearest love to you both – we look forward to Cheltenham
Ursula

Thank you again.

1. Michael Kennedy had written to UVW following the first performance of the Eighth Symphony at Manchester, remarking on how much happiness she had brought VW.
2. The Barbirollis.
3. ‘bloody, bloody, bloody’.
4. Pear cider.