THE LETTERS OF RALPH VAUGHAN WILLIAMS

Tuesday [26 October 1948]

My Dear

Its such a lovely afternoon that the first part of your journey, anyway, will be lovely. I hope the Mansion House lives up to its name, & that you will sleep in Queen Elizabeth’s bed; with perhaps a charming ghost of one of Charles II’s fair ones to haunt your sleep & that you will be called by a 6ft 5″ flunkey, with padded calves, and exquisite bread and butter with your early morning tea. Of course the alternative, of Prince Consort Wallpaper, and the lady mayoress in curlers bringing in a utility cup of Bohea, is possible. But I cling to the romantic.
This letter is a line of self-indulgence for I like to write you fond notes, sending you love, & hoping you will put them under your pillow – or use it for curl-papers; & not leave it in a pile with your old bus tickets & empty stamp books to be swept away in the mayoral paper salvage.
Anyhow, my dear, I send you my love, which you have already, in abundance.
U

1.1. VW went to Swansea, arriving on Tuesday evening to take part in the first Swansea Festival of Music. As noted, he stayed at the Mansion House. He was one of several who spoke at a luncheon given by the Lord Mayor on Wednesday, and in the evening he conducted the London Philharmonic Orchestra in his London Symphony.