THE LETTERS OF RALPH VAUGHAN WILLIAMS

September 7th 1958

My dear Grace – if I may?
I am so glad Ralph heard, & was able to discuss with you, your Hopkins cycle,¹ and see the flowering of your work that he had watched lovingly so long. I feel that he was like a gardener, cherishing the growth of a generation, & only leaving us when he saw that all was secure, & well for the future. I know he felt that time would prove, & the fashions & fancies melt away unless they really had some final value – time had already given him a longer perspective.
With affection
Ursula

1. Grace Williams’ Six poems by Gerard Manley Hopkins. VW had died on 26 August.