THE LETTERS OF RALPH VAUGHAN WILLIAMS

The White Gates,
Dorking,

4th November, 1948.

Dear Grainger
I feel quite overwhelmed by your letter.¹ Such praise from one whose praise is well worth having as yours is almost too much for my equilibrium. I do hope, as you say, that foreign countries are beginning to realise that music in this country is worth consideration.
It interested me very much that the Russian manifesto about their composers singled out for special condemnation the music of Britain and America. Twenty years ago the Russian authorities would not have thought it worth while to mention British music, even for condemnation.
I wish we could meet and I will gladly fall in with your suggestion of coming to see you one day when you come to London, unless you would agree to what would be for my wife and myself a still better plan: If Mrs. Grainger and you could find time to come down to Dorking one day and have tea with us. It is only three quarters on¹ an hour’s journey from London and there are frequent trains, and I would send the car to meet you at the station.
At present I am free most days, excepting the following: November 9th, 10th, 17th, 21st., 24th, 27th and 30th, and December 4th.
As regards the coloured photograph, I would gladly do anything to show my admiration of you, but I do not like the idea of a coloured photograph. Nevertheless, I will try and get in touch with the photographer you mention some time when I am going to London.
By the way, I have no title. Plain Mr. on the envelope, please!
With kind regards,
Yrs
R Vaughan Williams
(R. Vaughan Williams).

Percy Grainger, Esq.,
c/o Brigadier Robert C. Bristow,
“Lilla Vran”,
Seaville Drive, Pevensey Bay.

1. See VWL5295.