THE LETTERS OF RALPH VAUGHAN WILLIAMS

From R. Vaughan Williams,
10, Hanover Terrace,
Regents Park,
London, N.W.1.

July 10th 1958.

Dear Mr Barber,

I feel much honoured that you propose to name one of your houses after myself.  I enclose a message to the boys and girls for you to read out, and frame, if you so wish.
Yours sincerely,

R. Vaughan Williams

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To the boys and girls of The Primary School Swaffham.

I am very much pleased to think that one of your houses is going to bear my name.  I am myself a musician, and I believe that all the arts, and especially music, are necessary to a full life.  The practical side of living of course is important, and this, I feel sure is well taught in your school: such things teach you how to make your living.  But music will show you what to do with your life.  It is necessary to know facts, but music will enable you to see past facts to the very essence of things in a way which science cannot do.  The arts are the means by which we can look through the magic casements and see what lies beyond.
Ralph Vaughan Williams.