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 Cwmaman, a poor Welsh mining village near Aberdare. See R.V.W.: a biography, p.190, and VWL3873 and VWL1027.