THE LETTERS OF RALPH VAUGHAN WILLIAMS

Leith Hill Place,
Nr Dorking.
13 Cheyne Walk
S.W.

[About 1st April 1914]

Dear Dent

I don’t know which of the two alternatives I hope is the true one. Because (A) I admire your judgement extremely but (B) I value your friendship even more – so if the two are in conflict I should not know which to choose – but let us hope that you are right & the two are compatible – & that I may trust and be grateful for the judgement which approves of the symphony¹ & the friendship which has led you to write and tell me so. I am very glad you like it – I feel my self²  that I am perhaps beginning to emerge from the fogs at last.
I am glad you admire George’s stuff³ – I believe he is going to be very great man – if indeed he is not so already.
Now I have something on my conscience – about two years ago you wrote to me about a young & struggling musician whom you asked me to invite to see me – at the time I was going away & c^d do nothing – then I lost his name & address (Brixton I think) & have done nothing since – I feel thoroughly ashamed – can I do anything now?
Yrs

R. Vaughan Williams

1. A London Symphony which had received its first performance on 27th March. See Catalogue of Works 1913/5.
2. sic.
3. George Butterworth