THE LETTERS OF RALPH VAUGHAN WILLIAMS

[Late 1898]

Dear V.H.

Thanks awfully for your post card.  Did I tell you that I was setting ‘The Garden of Proserpine’ to music for chorus & orchestra with lots of trombones and things – I’ve just finished the first sketch – a sort of 6 lined af[f]air most of it.¹ That reminds me have you heard from Francis Thompson, tell me when you do – and when it will be coming out.²  Will it do for my choral society? or is it too hard?  How is Deptford appreciating your efforts?³  Where do you go after Deptford?  Do you stop about and is there any chance of your coming to see us?
I will write you a longer letter soon.

Yours always

R. Vaughan Williams

1. Catalogue of Works 1899/1. See also VWL233.
2. Holst made a four-part setting of Thompson’s poem To Sylvia and was seeking permission from the poet to publish it. See VWL232.
3. Holst was working with the Carl Rosa Opera Company who were presumably performing at Deptford.