THE LETTERS OF RALPH VAUGHAN WILLIAMS

The White Gates
Dorking.

July 27th 1952.

Dear Alice,

It was sweet of you to write to me.  I wish I could have been at Cheltenham, but was due at the King’s Lynn Festival almost at the same time.¹

I should have liked to have heard the Gardener work.  Also, I could not very well have come down to your rehearsal just for ten minutes of the Mystical Songs.

I can’t immagine David Willcock’s trowsers ever coming down.

Thank you so
Start that again.)²  Thank you so much for your address.  Ursula and I will come and visit you more than once if we may.  We are stopping with Isobel³ at the Imperial Hotel, (of doubtful reputation!)

I hear that John junior has done marvellously at the University.

My love to you and all; Ursula also sends her love,
yrs R.V.W.⁴
R. Vaughan Williams.

1. VW was at King’s Lynn from 22 to 31 July. This took in several of his works (not conducted by him) and one speaking engagement (on English folk song with special reference to East Anglia).
2. The paper had slipped in the typewriter and “Thank you so” was at a steep angle downwards. The mis-spellings are reproduced here.
3. Isobel Holst
4. Typescript except for the greeting line and initials by VW.