19 Kensington Park Road, W.11. - Yes, she is trying to keep to Trevelyan's divisions of the lines [in his play "The Bride of Dionysus"] as much as possible, except when it would sound completely senseless in German: she wants it to make it 'as good poetry & good German' as she can and her first version, 'before its wings got clipped everywhere', is best in that respect. Asks if she should send [Max?] Reinhardt Trevelyan's work, telling him of her translation and asking if it could possibly be performed at his theatre; supposes Tovey would have no objection. Thanks Trevelyan for sending Tovey's letter, which she returns; his 'anxious and passionate hopefulness' [about his wife] is pitiful; hopes 'he may do her good, but it sounds a difficult case', and the worry cannot be good for his work. Enjoyed the Schubert and Debussy concerts, and is looking forward to the d'Aranyis. Wonders if Trevelyan has read Hayden Brown's book [Haydn Brown, "Advanced Suggestion: Neuroinduction" ?] and what he thought of it.
Northlands, Englefield Green, Surrey. - Knows what Bessie means about interruptions to work, but asks Bessie to get Bob 'to sacrifice a little this once' and come to Northlands on Sunday. Is worried about the Arányis: fears it will be Friday before Donald [Tovey] gets back from London and the girls must work with him. All four coming today; will try and keep them as long as she can; has 'rather an important engagement' for them in July. Bessie can be quiet as she likes at Northlands, and Bob and Donald can perhaps work [at the opera] between music making with the girls; unsure which day they are to play with Sir Walter [Parratt]. Wishes the pain in her leg and side would ease.
18 Elm Park Gardens, S.W. - Apologises for not answering Mrs Trevelyan's 'sweet' letter and invitation, but they were very busy with Adila's wedding. Mrs Trevelyan is 'so, so nice': Jelly was 'so sad and wretched' before the wedding that Titi [her sister Hortense] arranged to stay with her for a week and join Ralph [Hawtrey] later; it was a 'great comfort' and now she is happy, 'very happy indeed for darling Adila'. Must stay in town for the moment, but if Mrs Trevelyan would still like them to come later, they will be very happy to do so. At the moment, they are very busy, including looking for a place to live; and she must be in town when Adila returns. Invites Mrs Trevelyan to visit if she is in town. Is 'practising quite madly' which is 'such a comfort'. Asks how Julian is; sends love to him; hopes he can 'still get into his Chinese costume'.
Welcombe, Stratford on Avon. - Very sorry to tell Elizabeth that 'the poor little twin [Hugh] cannot live'; his illness is meningitis; Dr Still [?] came from London but could do nothing. The one comfort is that he 'sleeps & has no pain'. Mary has little time to write; she and Charles will be deeply grieved as 'they are so wrapped up in the children'. Glad Julian is well; sure he will be 'more free & active' [after his operation] which will 'keep his liver in order; nice that he gardens. Hopes the 'Scotch governess' is suitable; thinks they are 'generally more ready for country life'. She and Sir George are both very busy; Dr [Cyril?] Burt has called on Sir George and thinks him 'wonderfully strong'. The 'Hawtry's' [sic: Ralph Hawtrey and his wife?] must be 'an amusing pair'; glad they are happy. Janet and the children are visiting next week; does not know if she has let her house.
Brack's Doelen Hotel, Amsterdam. - The Trevelyans must come to Englefield Green when [Julius Engelbert and Abrahamina] Röntgen are in England; they arrive on 7 May, asks if Bessie could look in a Bradshaw [railway guide] to see how they could best travel from London. Hopes that they will all be able to entertain each other, as she will be 'absolutely distracted' by work and they have been incredibly kind and hospitable to her; hopes the Casals [Pablo and Guilhermina Suggia] will be staying too as he is playing on the 10th and 11th. Some of them can stay at the Wheatsheaf at Virginia Water, and they can use the concert room as a sitting room. Wishes the 'new Toveum' was built. Is sorry that she 'wailed' at Bessie about Ariadne ["The Bride of Dionysus", see 8/53] but it is 'almost tragically disquieting'; thinks the 'fearful pull in another direction' [Tovey's feelings for Mary Kelly?] which is 'helping to lame the poor fellow', though he has just written some beautiful songs. Will have no peace until the opera is totally finished, and at least Tovey's symphony written, but does not know when that will be, while Donald lets his career slip away. He should have gone on writing for the "Times" and done some teaching. Is however no longer anxious about his playing. The Arányis will probably also be at Northlands, so there will be a real 'Musikfest'. Regrets that she has not been to the Hague: as it is she has done more than suits her, but Bessie's kind Schwager [brother-in-law: Julius Röntgen] played her the Beethoven G major concerto with Donald 'as orchestra'. Donald is staying to hear Rontgen's new symphony and is staying with them; she is kindly asked to meals, and was taken yesterday to Volendam, which was not what she planned when she came out with her 'faithful "Annie"' [her maid]. Is finding Amsterdam very picturesque and interesting, though it seems 'surprisingly new'. Hopes her 'much admired Julian' is well.
Alderley Park, Chelford, Cheshire.—After a stay at Penrhôs she came to Alderley, where the Arányis made a disagreeably long visit. She has been to Liverpool to buy some penguins, but got a fox instead. Refers to a letter from Bluey, and asks how Montagu’s journey is going. Outlines her plans for the winter.
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Transcript
Alderley Park, Chelford, Cheshire
October 10th 1912
I have forgotten your address and mislaid your letter so I shall send this to the India Office from whence in due course it will be forwarded to you at Bombay or somewhere, I hope. If you were in Scotland I should find it quite easy to write but the fact that you wont get this for so long and will be in such different surroundings from me when you do, makes me feel that I ought to have a very high standard as to what is worth writing about and what isnt. All the same I shant apply that standard, because if I did I should stop now, for nothing has happened to, or near me, since you left. I had 5 swan song days at Penrhos, most lovely and a very bad preparation for an Alderley winter, tho’ as a matter of fact it is very delicious here and as far as weather goes perfect. Up to to-day the personel† of the house has left a great deal to be desired. In a moment of unthinking kindliness I wrote and asked the Aranyis to come for a day or two, meaning them to stay from Sat to Mon. They arrived, more exuberant than ever and I only got rid of them to day (Sat to Thursday) by telling them that I was going away myself. They were really terrific. I could stand the eldest’s grossness and vulgar indiscretion, and the youngests somewhat cloying flattery and affection but when these two lots of failings were combined in the form of the middle one, together with the largest share of congenital idiocy that has ever been bestowed on one human being, then civility and ones duty to one’s guests came very near to giving way. However they have served a purpose, I should never have been so happy at being alone if I hadnt had the horror of their visit. Father and I are the only two inmates of this house and he goes tomorrow leaving me completely alone for 4 days. In theory I love it and am over the moon at the thought of all I shall do, but I expect I shall welcome the return of other human beings very gladly.
I have been seized with the desire to own two penguins! And consequently went off to Liverpool yesterday in order to buy a couple. Unfortunately there were none at the moment. I was sadly disappointed and consoled myself, after resisting the claims of a huge square brown owl with amber coloured eyes the size of a 5/ bit, with a young fox. He is moderately nice only, but still very shy. I hope to get my Penguins before very long.
Bluey wrote to me cursing you for having left England without telling him what he was to say to your questions in the House. The viper really loves answering them. he is coming here shortly.
I do wonder how your journey is getting on and if you are having great fun. Have you met the magnetic lady yet? How many of the books have you read.
I ought to have got a list like you for myself to beguile the long hours here, for we are going to be practically alone till the middle of November and I shall have even more time than you will. I am going to the Opera tonight in Manchester. Doesnt that shock you most awfully? I know what your opinion about music and its effect on one’s character is! I do wish I had seen some people so as to have something more thrilling to write about than I have. I go to London in November for a month and then back here till the middle of February. No Sicily I am afraid.
Yrs
Venetia
On re-reading this I find it even duller than I had expected but it must go all the same. Is Mr Peel engaged to someone now {1}?
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{1} Or possibly ‘new’.
Northlands, Englefield Green, Surrey. - Will be delightful to have Bessie to stay tomorrow; tells her to come as early as she can, as [Adolf] Busch is here, and the Arányis and Percy Such are coming early tomorrow afternoon. Donald [Tovey] will give her news of Holland;he fled there on Saturday to tell 'his strange tale of the Casals to the dear and kind Röntgens' and came back yesterday 'much comforted'.
10 Netherton Grove, S.W.10. - Thanks Bob for sending her his 'lovely book' [the collected "From the Shiffolds" or "Windfalls"?]. They [she and her sister Adila?] are going to Forte dei Marmi on Thursday for four weeks; has not been to Italy since 1939 and is much looking forward to it. Spent this and last weekend with Titi [her sister Hortense]: 'such a relief to see her out of those nightmare Homes!'. 'Au revoir next automne [sic]'. Adds a postscript saying that Titi told her about Bob reading 'long Latin poems and English by the hour' and saying 'modestly' on stopping '"the trouble is, I am so stupid [underlined]"'. Bob can 'judge Titi's mental state' by her telling Jelly this story 'as a good joke'.