THE LETTERS OF RALPH VAUGHAN WILLIAMS

The White Gates,
Westcott Road,
Dorking.

Monday [26 December 1932]

Belov Boo,

What perfect presents you have given us. We opened them all yesterday – except that the bulb has been a daily joy – shooting ever taller & taller & always on the point of bursting its thin buds – but not quite managing to do it!
The coal saver was rushed into our grate & there it sits red hot & O such heat. Bob¹ says it will burn itself away quickly – but we shall see.
What could be more perfect that the 3 expensive pictures of dear Julius² – R is so delighted with them – They are marvellous. And to thanks Ad³ for his dear letter – I was astonished at your shopping in Chichester – a good place to choose – and nice to think you haven’t got to shop in Portsmouth.
Yesterday was spoilt by fog – Hon⁴ cooked a fine Turkey – & we browsed over our presents & R read Dickens Xmas Carol aloud and we listened to the all the world round wonders ending in the King’s speech (that might have been better?)
Then Carr⁵ arrived for tea – & we looked at all the Xmas cards – & more reading aloud from R till sup – & some wireless afterwards – Joan Coxon – & some Bach. R is sending Ad his Folk Song Suite⁶ w^h he may be able to do on his flute – tho’ R fears it gets out of his compass in places. R was so pleased with Ad’s playing – & has been saying ‘why can’t I write a tune for Ad to play on his flute instead of Concertos etc.’
Please give love to the Ks & thanks for the Xmas card – Ralph has started off for Cardiff this morn – fog better here – His concert (Toward the Unknown – & 4 Hymns⁷) is in a ‘distressed area’ – rather gloomy! He has taken white waistcoat & will be in his very best.⁸
Your A

Carr left this morn – she is trying to settle if [she] shall take a cooks job in a doctors house after her family has left next week – 35/ a week but long hours

1. Robert de Ropp, a young relative of AVW who lived with the VWs for some years.
2. A tame badger belonging to the Curles.
3. Adam Curle, son of Cordelia.
4. Honorine Williamson, who lived with the VWs for some years as a companion to AVW.
5. Rosamond Carr, a friend of the VWs.
6. Probably Six Studies in English Folk Song (Catalogue of Works 1926/1), which had alternative solo parts issued for instruments including violin and clarinet.
7. Towards the Unknown Region (Catalogue of works 1907/2) and Four hymns for tenor, viola and piano (Catalogue of works 1914/2).
8. VW was to conduct a performance of his works in The Workmen’s Hall, Cwmaman, a poor Welsh mining village near Aberdare, on Monday 26 December. The concert included Towards the Unknown Region, Four hymns, three of the Songs of Travel, and the Wasps Suite. See R.V.W.: a biography, p.190, and VWL3873 and VWL1027.