THE LETTERS OF RALPH VAUGHAN WILLIAMS

5 Cowley Street
Westminster

30th May [1898]

Dear Herr Gatty,

We have got a new address as you see. In spite of your good wishes we were turned out of our first.¹ The Landlady objected very strongly to my having influenza. We are more comfortable in these present rooms, though I don’t think we can stay here permanently. We have been looking at flats in Battersea Park but find it very difficult to determine what we want. Your brother² came for tea not long ago – He looked thinner than when I saw him last, but he explained that he had ‘run down’ at home during the Easter holidays – I hope he will be looking better tonight, we expect him for supper.
My husband heard a bit of his (Y^r brothers) 4^tet played at the Royal College – he thought it beautiful & yr brother played a good deal of it to us on the piano – I hope it will be played at one of the concerts.
I wonder if your cousin has arrived in Berlin yet – & if you regard this as good luck. You must be very hard at work. My husband has not done any composition since we set foot in England – nor has he wished to – he works tremendously hard at his Choir and organ & piano, is having organ lessons from Alcock of Sloane St & piano lessons from Mr Jones.³ Now he is helping to get up a testimonial to Parry – do you see he is to be made a Knight – My husband is very unhappy at it but thinks it an occasion for the College to show their appreciation of him. We have been to no operas or concerts – but on Friday we go to Tristan – we watched the procession last Saturday: it was most interesting to see the House of Commons & Lords – we are sending you an account, though perhaps you are tired of the subject. Have you read any German poetry yet, or are you still keeping it in reserve – Let us hear when you have acquired your green suit.
Always yours sincerely
Adeline Vaughan Williams

My husband sends his love.

1. See VWL4454; the VWs had moved to North Street in April but stayed there only a few weeks.
2. Nicholas Gatty
3. Evlyn Howard-Jones