THE LETTERS OF RALPH VAUGHAN WILLIAMS

R. Vaughan Williams,
Music Department, Cornell,
Ithaca, N.Y. U.S.A..

November 16th 1954.

Dearest Betty,

Thank you so much for your letter and good wishes.  I  had my birthday at Ann Arbor on the Huron river, when we were touring.  We have had a fine time, seeing the sights – Niagara, including dressing up in oilskins and going down to the foot of the falls all among the spray, and in the little ship – and the Grand Canyon.   We went right accross¹ the continent by train, through  the most astonishing scenery, and after lecturing at Los Angeles, had a week’s holiday by the sea at Santa Barbara among palm trees and pelicans.  Lovely weather and swimming, so it was a bit of a shock to return to eight inches of snow!  That has vanished now, and its bright autumn weather.  We have a week more here, two concerts, one in Buffalo, where one goes in a small plane like a bus, and then a week in New York, and home.   It has all been very exciting and interesting, and we have met a lot of nice people.  But we are looking forward to going home all the same. 
I do hope Nicola is quite recovered now.  I am glad they let you stay with her.²  
Love from

Uncle Ralph

 1.  sic.
 2.  Maconchy’s daughter, Nicola LeFanu.