THE LETTERS OF RALPH VAUGHAN WILLIAMS

The White Gates

Sunday [1948-9]

Dear Joyce

That was a lovely boxful – Lilies of the Valley are better travellers than cowslips & their scent is beyond words. We have none here. The only bulbs we did have got buried under coal & perhaps our soil is too dry for them for Brett has not succeeded in making them happy – but then he seldom succeeds! To hear of new works from Gerald is something to look forward to with sure anticipation. I do wish that Irwin¹ would broadcast ‘Fear no more’.
Ursula² is here and sends her love. There has been a great weeding since she came. R is very well. I find the Epstein³ very interesting – sometimes so like & often so unlike!
Love from

AMVW

1. Robert Irwin, baritone, who had given the first performance of Fear no more the heat o’ the sun with Howard Ferguson in 1942.
2. Ursula Wood.
3. VW had been sitting for Epstein for a bust, made during 1948 and completed in 1949.