THE LETTERS OF RALPH VAUGHAN WILLIAMS

December 23 [1949]

Dear Martin
It was lovely to have a letter.  Your handwriting still retains its dash but the new pen has certainly added elegance.
I hope the diet is not too horrid.  When you were here I pitied you for having to eat so much salt but you did not show that you needed pity, and I expect, however horrid, you are being equally heroic over whatever diet is prescribed.  And may it be quickly over with success.  R has been very well until a short time ago when he has had a cold and cough, so he is indoors just now and I am hoping he is losing his cough.  Much work of different kinds is in progress.  I am glad you liked the Tennyson as he did.  I am to send you both his love and to ask “How is your pretty little daughter getting on”.   I am tough as usual – rather like a decrepit old tree.
We have a visit from a Mr Maurice Harvey, introduced by his stepfather M^r. Clemenson, & we talked of you, and he talked too of a film project that he is considering we liked him – do you?  R has not seen any of his work.
R’s last film was The Captain Scott and I think it will be the last.  He is turning it into an orchestral suite now.  You don’t say what you have got on the stocks, and we always want to know.
Perhaps like R who says he is digging up artichokes you say you are chopping wood.
I must not go on being so garrulous & will end with my love.
I shoudln’t like not to have a share in the love you send to Ralph
yrs
AMVW