Northlands, Englefield Green, Surrey. - Apologises for not writing sooner to thank Bessie for her kindness to Donald [Tovey]; hopes she has heard from him in the meantime. She is still in 'agony' about his symphony; there is an 'obstinate place in the "Second Subject"' and she would find it very interesting to see him 'wrestling with it' if she were not so worried about the date; he has gone off cheerfully to Aachen again 'with the fragment of Symphony in his hand'. They had an 'enchanting little visit to [George] Henschel at Aviemore'; encourages Bessie to come to the concert at Northlands on 23 October when Henschel is singing. Has had a 'rather heartshaking correspondence with Guilhermina Suggia' who says that she and [Pablo] Casals have parted on good terms; she was in England all August and September, and very much wanted to come to Northlands but 'that could not be', though she has not lost her 'tenderness and anxiety for her'. Told Suggia plainly that 'Donald is ready for friendship with Casals' and her 'lies and the way in which she broke up the friendship between the two men' means that 'Donald is quite unapproachable for her'. Wishes very much she had not let the matter be 'taken out of her hands' as she did.
Prades. - The arrangement she has made for her husband's library seems a good one; he, like she, is sure that Robert Trevelyan would approve. He thinks often of Robert and of their friend Donald Tovey. Is sorry to hear of Joachim's rheumatic pains and hope they have ceased; soon he will receive an invitation for the [Prades] Festival and it would give Casales joy to work with him as in other years.
Northlands, Englefield Green, Surrey. - Thanks Bessie for all her kindness: she is a 'true friend'. Donald [Tovey] has gone to Wales; they few days he spent with her were 'very quiet' with 'no sort of discussion'. Has not yet got the new programmes for the [Chelsea] Concerts. Donald kept saying 'how valueless [Pablo] Casals had always been to him'; this was very hurtful, as it reminds her of his parents, but she said nothing. Donald 'seemed a little better'; hopes he will not talk in Wales and that the subject will 'recede in his mind'. Sends love and best wishes for Christmas to Bessie, Julian and Bob, whom she wishes 'safe back home soon again [from the East]'. Encloses some 'Dutch pence' for the mending of her chain; Julian should 'play with the little silver box' until she finds him a toy she likes. Sends love to the 'kind Röntgens'. In a postscript, urges Bessie to bring Julian 'for a little Christmas tree on the 30th'; Donald could take her back next morning, and perhaps go straight from hers to Aachen on the 2nd. Work is 'the only cure' for Donald; wishes he had practised his concerto.
Northlands, Englefield Green, Surrey. - Donald [Tovey] has returned, and she feels 'white faced and strained looking and estranged as he is' that he is glad to be home; however he is certainly an invalid, and must 'as Willy Strecker' urges be treated like one. Entreats Bessie not to let him refer to 'the horrible things of this last autumn' again; he will come to see 'he was blinded by arrogance and the feeling as he said himself... that he was teaching Casals that he, Donald, was the 'top dog'' so fell 'victim to Guilhermina's urgent need to wrench her husband's love back'. She will not refer to all this, or to Hugh Godley's conduct, again. Donald's reactions 'are not "passionate misunderstandings" - it is what is his heirloom'; only this 'explanation and excuse' makes it still possible for this to be his home; he will be 'ill like this again'. He is currently 'writing reams of letters', many she thinks to 'little [Adolf] Busch', which makes her nervous; but his interests in the opera ["The Bride of Dionysus"] have been roused again and she longs for it to be finished. Donald thinks his concerts will be his last in London, and she fears he may be right; he talks of going to Bessie around the 30th, but she herself 'longs' to see her and Julian before that.
Northlands, Englefield Green, Surrey. - Asks Bessie to help her 'by preventing even a single word more about the Casals business' [the quarrel between Donald Tovey and Pablo Casals about Guilhermina Suggia]. Insists that Donald is ill; wishes she had known some things sooner; telegraphed for permission to read 'a huge fat letter' from Amsterdam before sending it to him at Hewell but was 'rather snubbingly refused', but if she had known even a little of the 'Münchhausiaden [tall tales]' in it she would have put it on the fire. Feels all their friends, with only two exceptions, have done 'the most injudicious things' and thought they could judge the matter better than she could with the result that she knows almost nothing of what has been happening. Donald has 'poured the whole story out everywhere', even to her old friend Eugenie Schumann at Interlaken and her two sisters [Marie, and Elise?], 'whom he has never much liked', and she has received a long letter from Eugenie today 'greatly excited by Donald's "wrongs" and very disapproving' of her. Everything makes it very difficult to welcome him back and give him 'the love and care he needs if he is to be safe'. Was so anxious about him going to Vendrell, even though she knew nothing of what had happened in Vienna, that she wrote to Lady [Evelyn] de Vesci for details about a hotel in the Pyrenees where she might stay; felt ashamed of her 'anxiety and distrust' and returned to Germany but wishes now she had gone to Spain. Asks Bessie to write to the Röntgens asking them never to mention the quarrel with Casals to Donald again. Must now try and patch up the concerts, though she hates the thought of them.
Prades. - Thanks her for the letter and the photographs of herself and her husband. Has not been able to attend to correspondence for a few weeks because of his 75th birthday. Her nephews gave him the most special of his presents; a photocopy of the autograph version of their father's [Julius Rontgen's] cello concerto. They are a fine family, and their parents' spirit lives on in them. Hopes she'll have chance to be with them: they are very fond of their aunt. Has started work for the 1953 [Prades] festival; as ever, he worries whether he will have the strength to carry out this great task, but trusts in God.
Northlands, Englefield Green, Surrey. - Just returned from seeing Mr [Willi] Strecker in London, a visit she found difficult due to her recent heart trouble; they tried to see what could be done to 'save something from the wreck of the Chelsea Concerts' but this is not much. Her 'poor Donald [Tovey]' is undoubtably ill'; begs Bessie not to speak or write to him about the Casals [Pablo and Guilhermina Suggia] and not to discuss her or repeat anything she has said if possible. Asks her to send back the note about 'what took place in Mr [Hugh] Godley's office on the 1st of November'. Godley's 'conduct towards Donald this year... is inexplicable'; can only imagine it is somehow 'connected with Adila v[on] Arányi'; 'he has done his best to ruin Donald', working skilfully to 'detach him from Casals'; now he has 'shown his hand' and declared he will have nothing to do with the Chelsea Concerts. There is 'also Mr [Murray Coutts?] Trotter's sentimental stupidity'. Donald should not have seen a word of Guilhermina's 'ridiculous romances', nor been told 'he would have to bring a lawsuit against Pablo lest P. should think him weak'; is very sad Professor Röntgen showed Donald her 'piteously anxious telegram to Vienna'. Asks if everyone is 'against her' in her 'efforts to guard' Donald, and whether they know 'what the dangers are'; fears she will have to write to the Toveys' 'little solicitor', who appeals to her to help him 'prevent Duncan [Tovey] from robbing Donald' to asks if she can prevent 'Duncan from having the custody of his brother if he should become worse'. Donald keeps writing letters 'full of the foulest language about the Casals' and towards her; he has also written such a letter to Mr Strecker, saying her telegram to Röntgen showed she did not believe in 'his freedom from crime'. Has only written the letter to Donald of which Bessie has seen a copy [8/78] and another saying she 'can receive no more such letters' and will never mention the Casals again. Willy Strecker only mentioned his letter to prove Donald is ill. Donald says he will not return unless she joins 'in abusing Casals and praising [Donald's] every act - and Hugh Godley's'. Wonders Casals did not 'shoot him there and then' if Donald behaved even a fraction as badly in Spain. Hopes to get him well again, but only if the few friends she can trust, amongst whom she numbers Bessie, will help her.
Handed in at Englefield Green. - Will come on Thursday, also next Saturday; is waiting to hear from [Pablo] Casals about September.
Northlands, Englefield Green, Surrey. - In answer to Tovey's letters, states 'categorically' that she has never thought, nor 'led any other creature to think' she thought, nor feared anyone ever thought, that Tovey had said or done anything that anyone 'from Guilhermina Casals outwards could interpret' as being wrong 'from any man to any woman, let alone any woman who was the wife of his friend [Pablo Casals]'. Even the first 'angry frightened lines' she sent Donald, which he regards as 'so foul an insult', show this, and she would have written the same if the three of them had been men, as she does feel his 'host and friend had reason to feel himself neglected and ridiculous'. Is not afraid of 'gossip or even slander' either for him or for herself. Mr Strecker showed her Donald's letter to Casals written at Liverpool, from which she expected the reply, though not its 'gentle and dignified' tone. They will 'not allude to the matter' when they meet. Does not understand about [Adolf] Busch or what she has done, but since Donald says he has not told him about Casals, hopes there is no harm done. Tells him to come home or not as is best for him.
Northlands, Englefield Green, Surrey. - Thanks Bessie for all her 'kind words'; thinks she had better read the enclosure, which is 'practically' what she has written to Donald [Tovey] then burn it. Donald must be 'very hardworking and very humble and courteous' if she is to continue 'making a home for him'. This business [the quarrel with Pablo Casals] shows him to have been 'a self righteous arrogant goose' and 'that young woman' [Guilhermina Suggia] has 'sized him up'. Donald writes 'gaily' that she should write and ask Enesco to find another cellist. Wishes 'he had run away with Guilhermina - she might have prevented such follies and made him work'. Intends to ignore the existence of the concerts, though has already given fifty pounds towards them. Is sorry for Willy Strecker. Thinks Donald's letter to Casals 'odious'; told her brother he should never have let Donald send it; he agrees and was amazed at 'the moderation and dignity of Casals' reply'. Donald should have left the 'London gossip' alone, which would have denied Guilhermina the opportunity of 'poring out all her amusing venom'. Casals denied to her that he had accused Donald of anything other of being 'too assiduous in his attentions'; she is very sorry for him. Wrote and telegraphed Donald warning against his friendship with Guilhermina and urging him to come home to see his sick father. Told Henry [her brother] that he was 'the fourth Oxford man to have been a fool about this business'. Is very worried about Donald as these 'bouts of loss of self control' are becoming more frequent and more violent; the 'Speyer business' was bad enough. He needs to work hard, and 'earn his Vienna ticket now by two articles in the Times'. Thanks Bessie about Christmas; Donald says he ought to go and see his aunt in Wales. In a postscript written after she has read Bessie's letter again tells her not to say 'how well in health and sane' Donald is since the 'only excuse for his behaviour is that he is ill, which makes him 'just like his father'. Has just received 'another horrible letter from Donald', enclosing Hugh Godley's letter. Godley 'wished Donald to break with Casals' and wishes him to break with her. Is telling everyone who asks that Donald's health alarms her. Her brother agrees it was very wrong of him to go to Vendrell after 'the Vienna episode', which she herself had not known of.
Northlands, Englefield Green, Surrey. - Originally enclosing [?] letters which are 'reassuring though very maddening'. One of 'the "poky prigs" is Sir Walter Parratt' who passed the offer to go to Vienna on to Donald [Tovey]'. Assures Bessie that, if she think's [Pablo] Casals' leter was cold then Donald's was 'icy in its egotism and priggishness and tactlessness'. If Casals does not give concerts in London on 'those very dates' [previously agreed for performances with Donald] it will be 'a miracle of generosity'; she agrees with Willy Strecker that Casals is the 'most aggrieved party', which she could prove from Donald's own letter to her; it is 'disgraceful that he should use such foul language of them [Casals and Suggia] now'. Knows what trouble Casals took to interest [Franz] Schalk in Donald. Wants Donald to be a good man, which does not simply consist in obeying the seventh commandment [do not commit adultery]; lists the virtues which he can lack: 'Industry, humility, loyalty, candour...' Pities Casals. Her brother [Henry] told her 'some of the lies Guilhermina [Suggia] had concocted about Donald'; cannot help admiring 'that young woman's invention'. In October, Donald 'nearly threw a dinner plate' at her and 'dashed out of the house' when she said something in Suggia's conduct when they were in Paris needed explaining. Is sorry and very disappointed about the concerts, as is Mr Strecker; does not know what is to be done. As Fanny Davies and 'every sensible person' said, the 'only answer to the esclandre [scandal]' was to keep to the Chelsea Concerts programme, and it is Donald alone who made that impossible. He will have to lose money and reputation this year. Is relieved he seems better; fancy him having 'two terrific quarrels in one year', she herself has never had one on her own account.
Northlands, Englefield Green, Surrey. - Is in great distress; sends Bessie 'these miserable things' firstly because she fears that Donald [Tovey], under cover of 'high spirits... is suffering from a depression which amounts to madness' and may end most terribly, and secondly as she is increasingly convinced [Julius Engelbert] Röntgen 'may be doing a grave injustice to his friendship with [Pablo] Casals' by only believing Donald's account [of the quarrel over Guilhermina Suggia]. Originally enclosing letters to her from Donald written at Vienna and Hewell which do not relate to anything she has said or done since there was no discussion of the matter on the day he left, and a telegram which is 'his only comment... on Casals' sad little note send him by Mr Strecker'. Has not yet written, only sent books and money as requested. Encloses the letter she plans to send [see 8/78 ?], not so Bessie can 'be a judge' between them, but so she can know her mind in case she can help care for Donald. Has had letters and speech like this from Donald before, and '[m]orally speaking' he should have left her after the first occasion, when he was at Oxford. But since she knows 'the tragedy of the circumstances of his origin' she has been willing [to forgive] 'unto seventy times seven' in order 'to save him'. Wishes his friends would help. Asks Bessie if she can send a word to Professor Röntgen, which might help, or perhaps not. Would listen 'to any advice or suggestion'.
Northlands, Englefield Green, Surrey. - Is very unhappy, as Donald [Tovey] did not keep his promise to send Willy Strecker his letter to [Pablo] Casals [about the quarrel over Guilhermina Suggia] before posting it; when he found that Casals was also in Liverpool he wrote him 'sheets and sheets of the most vain priggish arrogant stuff', in reply to which Casals wrote 'the sad little dignified note' she encloses a copy of [see 8/142]. Donald should have seen Casals, or at least have let him know they were in the same town. Donald sent Willy Strecker a rough copy of his letter after he had sent the original to Casals, and Strecker has sent it to her. The concerts will be ruined and she feels she can not show her face in London again. Knows Donald did not give 'so much as a breath of offence to Casals as a husband', but does not doubt 'he was very disloyal to him and made him very unhappy as a host and friend'. Is anxious in case Donald's 'too violent friendship with young [Adolf] Busch' ends sadly as well. All too like his father. Donald seemed very depressed so she has telegraphed to Professor Röntgen; his reply perhaps originally included. In a postscript, asks Bessie to send Willy Strecker's note on to Röntgen, and the copy of Casals' letter back to her.
Northlands, Englefield Green, Surrey. - Is 'devoured by anxiety about Donald [Tovey]': saw him off at Charing Cross 'looking as he did during those dangerous months of depression in the beginning of 1906'. Had a long talk with Willy Strecker after Donald left this morning: Hugh Godley has done a great deal of mischief, and still wants Donald to 'bring an action' [against Pablo Casals]. Thought Strecker 'most wise', and regrets Donald did not send him his letter to Casals before dispatching it. Fears from Donald's own account that the letter he sent to Casals in Liverpool was 'very argumentative Toveyish "I have the last word"' in style. Has got him a room in the same hotel as [Julius Engelbert] Röntgen in Vienna; asks Bessie if she could write to Röntgen and tell him how anxious Miss Weisse is so that he might send her some news of Donald. Is also dreadfully sorry for Pablo. Hopes Bessie found Julian well; thanks her for coming on Tuesday.
Did not come to I Tatti when Trevelyan was there as he was in quarantine in Rome, due to one of the Bracci boys having chickenpox or measles (cannot remember the right English word) which might have been dangerous for Mary [Berenson]; hopes to see him in the summer. Was good to read the short poems which Trevelyan sent to Nicky [Mariano]; expects he will see the dialogue soon. Spent a fortnight at I Tatti; a pleasure to see Mary so well, with 'nothing hectic in her state'. They went to four concerts in one week, including a performance by Huberman and Schnabel of all Beethoven's violin sonatas, played 'in quite a different way. Is going back to hear Cortot, Cazals and Thibaut [sic: Casals and Thibaud] playing the "Archduke sonata". Is not subscribing to the new "Life and Letters". Berenson has subscribed so he will look at it there. Has just finished [Woolf's] "Flush": found it 'an amazing performance but too much of a performance'; has also read some short stories by K[atherine] Mansfield which he cannot like and finds 'useless elaboration'. Will read Brennan's book soon, when Lina [Waterfield] returns it. Expects Trevelyan is glad about [Labour's] victory in the L.C.C [London County Council] elections, headed by [Herbert] Morrison. Was very angry about the 'so-called Viennese rebellion' [Austrian Civil War or February Uprising], especially as he suspects the Italian government had something to do with it.
Northlands, Englefield Green, Surrey. - Thanks Bessie for her kind note; wishes she could 'just ship Donald [Tovey] off to Amsterdam', but he is going to play in Leeds then representing Oxford at the centenary of the Gesellschaft der Musikfreunde in Vienna. He is much better again, though things are 'still very difficult' for her. The gossips in London say Hugh Godley declares 'he will not rest till he has detached Donald' from her; 'whatever is really best for Donald' will be best for her and she is not afraid as long as he 'remains his own good self'. Wishes he could go and stay with the Röntgens and Bessie; he is with Neville Lytton at the moment. The Klinglers [Klingler Quartet] are coming to Northlands when they will have more of his music, and [Adolf] Busch is going to put on his music in Vienna, so she hopes 'proper appreciation is in sight at least'. Wishes Ariadne ["The Bride of Dionysus"] were finished. Donald has shown her a letter from Guilhermina Casals [Suggia] written in Munich, which he says 'was exactly like the one to Madame Röntgen'. Is convinced the letters were not written by Guilhermina but by Pablo [Casals]: they are not at all in her style. It is 'the most frightful tragedy': she believes Guilhermina still values Donald 'rightly', but love Casals and had to write the letters or 'be thrown out into the street again' so she has betrayed Donald. Asks if she can have Guilhermina's letters to her back; Donald took them but said she ought to have them. Has also received a letter from 'old Madame Casals', asking her to write her a 'bonne lettre'. Thanks Bessie for seeing to her 'poor little chain'. Has sent Donald Bessie's letter at the Lyttons.
Northlands, Englefield Green, Surrey. - Thanks Bessie for her kind note, which has 'calmed Donald [Tovey] very much'; they need this as he has 'turned on' her as he did after his mother's death four years ago 'and the other horrors at Worplesdon'; he is behaving just like 'his unhappy Father', involving her in quarrels with her 'nearest friends' and 'doing nothing all day long'. Is very tired and finds it hard to take care of him, and cannot send him to the Trevelyans. He 'watches every post'. Everything has gone wrong since Hugh Godley 'began to meddle and insist on Donald's "refuting" [Pablo] Casals' slander' [about Guilhermina Suggia]; as if his own in the summer 'was not far worse'. Thanks for the chain, and for bringing Donald's things. Hopes to hear 'the results of Prof. Rontgen's kind endeavours soon' though she does not feel very hopeful.
39, Royal Terrace, Edinburgh, 7. - Is glad that Trevelyan has seen someone at the B.B.C. about 'this disgraceful jiggery-pokery as to [Tovey's] concerts'. Wrote to [Adrian] Boult at once, assuming that he was not to blame; Trevelyan's letter enabled him to write again 'in still friendlier terms', saying that his concerto would be much easier than anything else Boult could do with [Pablo] Casals. The 'pretext of difficulty in rehearsing is only a damned lie' as any musician who knows Casals and Tovey's scoring would see, but 'illness covers all' and Tovey cannot suppose he would do any better in Boult's circumstances. Trevelyan will have heard from Edward Renton, whom Tovey is paying a hundred pounds towards 'his prospective adventures in Russia' for producing a copy of the full score of "The Bride of Dionysus", with both German and English text. Renton has been useful to Fritz Busch, and his Edinburgh University scholarships have now run out; Tovey will be grateful for any kindness Trevelyan can show him.
Northlands, Englefield Green, Surrey. - Originally enclosing some brown thread giving 'the length for the chain'; they could perhaps also supply a few opals if there are some missing. Is very tired after 'these anxieties and agitations' and very worried about Donald: he is showing the strain by behaving towards her as he did four years ago which makes it 'difficult to take care of him', and she has 'no dear Bob and Bessie to trust him to'. The 'affair itself threatens to end in bathos': she has had a 'rapturous' letter from 'the wife' [Guilhermina Suggia] saying how glad she is to be with her Pablo [Casals] again. Wishes Professor Röntgen could force Pablo 'to unsay all the wicked nonsense he wept out to all and sundry here'. Sends her love to all six Röntgens; they will be very grateful if Bessie's brother in law [Julius Engelbert Röntgen] can tell them what should be done. Regrets the loss of twenty-six pounds on Thursday's concert.
Prades. - Was moved to receive her letter containing the news of the death of her husband: speaks of his sympathy for her and the affection he felt for her husband. Would love to see her again, and regrets the circumstances which still delay a visit to England. He is organising the next Festival [in Prades]; is delighted that Joachim [Röntgen] will take part.
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'.
Northlands, Englefield Green, Surrey. - Asks if Bessie can visit for a night or two next week; say the 29th to stay for the concert on the 31st. Wants to talk to her: 'poor Donald [Tovey] has indeed been in deep waters this summer' [a reference to the quarrel with Pablo Casals over Guilhermina Suggia].
Hôtel Bellevue, Bad Nauheim, Hessen. - Is sending a letter from Bobbie [Trevelyan] to Donald [Tovey] at Pablo Casals' in Vendrell; wishes she herself could have news of the Trevelyans. Regrets that she was too exhausted the day after Donald's party to see them again. Still feels tired and depressed. Regrets that Ariadne ["The Bride of Dionysus"] is 'so far our of Bobbie's hands' that it does not keep him and Donald together and that she seems to see Bessie less; invites her to visit soon when they all return, and hopes Bobbie will not yet have 'scrambled off to the Antipodes'; it would make her very happy to see Julian again. She frets about Donald getting 'sunstroke and cholera and yellow fever' but trusts the Csaals are looking after him. Asks how the 'dear Röntgens' are. Is just booking the winds to perform [Julius Rontgen's] serenade at the first Chelsea Concert. Postscript says she hopes they were pleased with the "Times" review [of "The Bride of Dionysus"; Donald was, and so was she 'on the whole'. Asks if Donald mentioned that she read "Ariadne" with her girls this term.
Northlands, Englefield Green, Surrey. - Sent on Trevelyan's letter to Donald [Tovey] in Budapest, where he went to play a recital with [Pablo] Casals which was so successful that he was asked to stay and play in an orchestral concert on 2nd March; thinks he has been paid well, and he is seeing people and shedding 'some of the parochial worries of London'. It is 'too bad of the Pecksniffian creatures' to criticise Donald for ingratitude to 'that poor old weathercock Mr Speyer'; she feels it is Speyer who shows 'inhumanity' to Donald. Hopes that Bessie is better and would have visited if that had been allowed. Asks if Trevelyan will come to see Donald if he is back next week, The new house is getting on; it 'rather terrifies' her sometimes, but it will be comfortable and pleasant for them all.
Is as sorry as Donald [Tovey] must be that his trip to Spain has been put off, even though she would have been anxious about the heat; they must now wait for [Pablo] Casals to write. She had just written to Guilhermina [Suggia] with Donald's time of arrival when the telegram came. If she were a 'fairy Godmother' she would get them to join Donald at Vernet les Bains, which Lady [Evelyn] de Vesci says is 'heavenly'. Casals has been 'wildly anxious' about his mother for some time, or it might be cholera. She will not go to Paris now, but have another couple of baths [at Nauheim?] then return via Flushing [Vlissingen] and Folkestone. Ought to be at Northlands by Saturday morning, but has promised to go to Worplesdon. If the Trevelyans have Donald a few days longer, at least there will be more time for Ariadne ["The Bride of Dionysus"], then he must have a little more holiday. An enclosure [now no longer present] may interest Bessie. Discussion of the weather: it has been raining in Chile.
1, Route de Canigou, Prades. - The Prades Bach Festival was very moving: the atmosphere and the perfect collaboration of all his colleagues gave him great joy. Is happy to hear about the Röntgen family.
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.
1, Route de Canigou, Prades. - Thanks her for her letter; he had already been happy to receive the postcard from Johannes [Röntgen?] and his wife during their stay with Elizabeth, imagining their pleasure at being together and also that music would not be neglected. Was happy to learn that Miss Sampson was there too: she is charming and an exquisite musician. At Prades they have also had lots of music, with his students, friends, and colleagues, during the spring and for a good part of the summer. This has been a marvellous cure for him, as opportunities to play chamber music are rare. Had the pleasure of meeting Joachim and his wife in Zurich, with his friends the Seilers, and they played together. Joachim is a worthy representative of the Röntgen name. Had not known that Mary Grierson was working on a biography of Donald [Tovey]; cannot think of anyone more suitable for the task. Asks when the work will be ready, and requests that she congratulates Dr Grierson from him. Sends best wishes to Elizabeth's husband.
Was sorry to miss seeing Julian at the concert; hopes he will be out of quarantine next Saturday when he comes with Bessie. They are going to hear [Pablo] Casals conduct in London if Bessie is well enough (she has a cold). Inviting Michael MacCarthy to visit some time in January; also, [Kenneth? or his father Alfred?] Cross says he will visit on the weekend of 7-9 January. Has bought a first edition of Dickens' "Bleak House" 'with the old pictures', which Elizabeth wants to read in the summer holidays. Went to visit the Headmaster of Eton [Cyril Alington] for a night recently, which was 'quite amusing'; corrected the sixth form boys' Latin verses, 'which were pretty bad', and Elizabeth 'played music with the Head's daughters, which was fairly good'. The Cloisters at Eton is 'quite a fine old mediaeval place', but Windsor Castle 'looks brand new'.
Julian 'must not be too much distressed at the dilapidations of the Exhibition', which are not getting worse; the Theatre and most of the buildings are all right; it is mainly the 'staircases, where the paper has curled up' due to time (he quotes Shakespeare) except 'one little building... next Low-Brow Hall, which once by night in the dark was destroyed by a certain giant's foot'. May be at the station to meet Julian next Saturday; if not, tells him to come quickly to get a seat near them as 'the Hall will be chock full'. Hears Julian will have another part, in the "Winter's Tale".
24 Norfolk Crescent, Hyde Park, W. - Saw Donald [Tovey]'s publisher Willy Strecker today, and they agreed his Cello Sonata and Elegiac Variations are to be published before the [Pablo] Casals concerts; Donald must at once send them to him; asks Bessie to make sure they are 'safely packed and... registered', since Dr Strecker told her a piece of Donald's due to be published in October has not yet come out as some corrected proofs were 'lost in the post'. Is very busy 'being concert agent', and asks if she can send some circulars to be distributed. Goes to the Countess of Lathom at Sandgate from Sunday till Tuesday, then probably to Worplesdon. Hopes Julian is getting stronger.