THE LETTERS OF RALPH VAUGHAN WILLIAMS

From R. Vaughan Williams,
The White Gates,
Westcott Road,
Dorking.

Jan 25 [1930]

Dear Bob

I have never thanked you for your Xmas gift – I wanted to read it through again before I wrote.
It gives me such pleasure to think that my Leith Hill Woods should be commemorated in your poetry.
If you are offered the Laureateship (this is of course my purely unofficial wish) please do not refuse! If for no other reason to keep out that awful woman who, I believe, thinks she is going to get it.¹
My love to Bessy
Yrs

R. Vaughan Williams

1. This is probably a reference to Edith Sitwell. In fact the honour went to John Masefield – but who was the woman in question?!