THE LETTERS OF RALPH VAUGHAN WILLIAMS

The White Gates,
Dorking.

Sept 15 1948

Dear Barter

Very Confidential

You know how much I admire your work & I know how much you must feel that you are often frustrated from perfection by lack of funds – I should therefore be very glad if I might help – only my name must be kept right out of it – To every one else it must be an “anonymous donor” through me – this may be necessary as the cheque is in my name & your treasurer & banker will see it. One other thing so as to avoid a scandial¹  (though I leave you quite a free hand) that no part of the money shall be spent on any concert in which a work of mine appears.²
Yrs

R. Vaughan Williams

1.  sic.
2.  This letter is a very good example of VW’s habit of doing good by stealth. See further VWL2801. The condition that his gift should not be used for any concert including a VW work was a forerunner of the one of the conditions under which the RVW Trust was to operate.