THE LETTERS OF RALPH VAUGHAN WILLIAMS

From R. Vaughan Williams,
The White Gates,
Westcott Road,
Dorking.

August 16 1937

Dear Professor Fiedler

Please forgive my delay in coming to a decision, but I feel that the great honour which the University of Hamburg asks me to accept is more than a personal matter being in fact a gesture of recognition to the whole art of music in England through me as one of it’s¹ representatives.  Therefore I found it necessary to consult with others before deciding.
You have assured me that this honour is offered purely in the cause of art by a learned body to a member of the English musical profession; that it implies no political propaganda and that I shall feel free as an honourable man, if I accept, to hold and express any views on the general state of Germany which are allowable to a British citizen.²
In these circumstances I have pleasure in cordially accepting the honour offered to me in your letter.
Yours sincerely

R. Vaughan Williams³

1.  sic.
2.  Printed in R.V.W.: a biography, p.217.
3.  In the hand of AVW, signed by VW.