THE LETTERS OF RALPH VAUGHAN WILLIAMS

Seasalter
Alexander Road
Sheringham

18/8/20

My Dear Martin
I’m awfully sorry – I thought I cd make myself clear without discussing those horrid things principles.  But there it is.  It is distinctly against my principles & to take an active part in a ceremony I don’t believe in & to solemnly promise to do a lot of things I have no intention of doing.  I have always steadily refused on principle to the present to be godfather to anyone.  It hurts me very much to refuse you anything – but it wd hurt you much more w^dnt it if I was to do anything against my conscience.  No let me be a sort of unofficial sponsor outside your boys 3 regular godparents – but it wd be a bad start for him if I was to perjure myself at the outset of his career on his behalf.
yrs
R Vaughan Williams

Martin Shaw Esq
at Sawyers Farm
Lt Cornard
Sudbury
Suffolk