The Park, Prestwich, Manchester. - Sorry to miss seeing Julian and Ursula; hopes they will have a good time at [?] Grunnock. He and Bessie had a good time at Wallington. Has not yet 'carried off the Botticelli Dante drawings' [see 12/28], though spoke to Charles; he was 'quite nice about it' though Bob thinks he rather likes the book being there. Has taken measurements to see if it will fit on the shelves at the Shiffolds, which he doubts; doesn't want to put it out on a table, and wonders whether Julian would like to have it in London. It had better stay at Wallington for the moment. Bessie comes home tomorrow, but will probably go to Wallington again in September. Wonders whether Julian has seen [Maria] Germanova again, and if he has found out if she is having difficulties with her rent. [Hasan Shahid] Suhrawardy has written him a 'disconsolate letter'; seemed to think it was unlikely he could come to Europe this year. Hopes to see Julian when he comes South. He and Bessie are probably visiting the [Donald] Toveys at Hedenham around the 25th. Thinks Bessie is 'very well'; she takes her breakfast in bed at half eight; Julian will have to have the '8 o clock breakfast at Wallington' if he goes there.
93, High Street, Knaphill, Woking. - Hears from John [Wellcome Tovey] that they are bringing an Austrian doctor [Karl Bluth, who was in fact German] to see Donald [Tovey] at Hedenham and therefore his own doctor 'an old and very distinguished man who loves him' has been sent back, having already started from Edinburgh . Will say nothing about that, nor will Dr [Robert?] Thin; 'daresay he knows Lady Tovey'. She herself has 'the most enormous respect for the Viennese medical school' and would welcome this doctor's examination of Donald as long as he 'knew all the circumstances': that until his second marriage he had never once failed to keep a musical engagement, but since then he has been 'constantly ill - chiefly in that damp hole Hedenham'. He has now lost the use of his hands [through arthritis]; she heard nothing of this until she came to Edinburgh in December and 'was stricken to the heart when he showed them' to her; always used to say that 'if Donald's hands were injured his brain would be affected', and now, 'among the meagre news of him doled out' to her she hears his brain is 'failing'. As recently as 'this last January' Lady Tovey and Miss Morah were saying 'it was just laziness if he did not practice'. Would be very grateful if Trevelyan could bring the Austrian doctor to see her here: 'Jew or Gentile' she would be 'full of respect' if he is what she knows Viennese doctors to be. She is not far away; describes the location of her 'little house'.
93, High Street, Knaphill, Woking. - Is getting ever more anxious about Donald [Tovey]; claims the many illnesses he has had recently 'derive from Lady Tovey' and is sorry John [Wellcome Tovey] is there; Lady Tovey has also stopped Donald's Edinburgh doctor [Robert Thin?] from coming. Says the doctor knows, as she does that Lady Tovey 'does not speak the truth'; her 'jealousy amounts to insanity'; when she was young and was jealous of the other girls 'she hid under the table and bit their legs'. When Donald escorted Sophie Weisse to the door and gave her a kiss on her first visit to the Royal Terrace house, his wife 'howled like a wolf and slammed the doors until the house shook'. On Sunday, Donald's Norfolk doctor, Corbett, came to see Miss Weisse against her wishes; she 'went into peals of laughter' and repeatedly assured him she had 'not the slightest confidence in him'. John writes today that they are waiting for Trevelyan's 'Austrian doctor' [Karl Bluth, actually German?] to make plans for Donald. Thinks well of the Viennese medical school, but demands to know who the doctor is, and what his qualifications are. Remembers that a lady she met recently at a wedding told her what a reputation Donald had in Vienna as a player, alongside people such as Joachim and Mandyczewski, and 'that Brahms when he was dying hoped Donald would come so that he might hear him before he died'. Says she 'must' see the doctor first, and will be at Hedenham when he comes; 'unless he comes here and entirely satisfies [her] - which seems hardly probable' she will do all she can 'to put him out of court'. Is thinking of coming to see Trevelyan tomorrow if he does not bring the doctor to her.
93, High Street, Knaphill, Woking. - Describes her visit from Donald's 'local doctor' [Dr Corbett], whom she describes as 'boorish and unprepossessing', to tell her that Donald was better as he had walked from his bed to his chair; could get no information from him about Donald's diet, and lying in bed is 'very harmful to him as it was to his father'. Told Corbett that Donald's doctor was 'a very distinguished Edinburgh physician [Robert Thin] whom she had asked to attend him, but Corbett replied that they had telegraphed to say he should not come as Donald was better; she herself pays Dr Thin's fees, and he says Lady Tovey hinders him in Edinburgh as she 'does not speak the truth'; told the Norwich doctor that she had no confidence in him. Regrets that John [Wellcome Tovey] is there when he should be with her, expects 'he is in love with the "Secretary"'. Has sent a 'Lebensgang [biography]' of Donald to Dr Bluth, especially the 'opinion of the two very able doctors at Bath about 9 years ago' who told her how anxious they were about him. Now must wait for Dr Bluth's conclusions; what he has written to her so far inclines her to think favourably of him. Will be 'a bore' for him to read all she has written, but it is better than having her 'talking excitedly at him'; hopes she may see him soon. Wonders what is wrong with Lady Tovey; her mother and aunt died of cancer; is 'sure she is very infectious'.
93, High Street, Knaphill, Woking. - Dr Bluth and Dr de Souza, have made her 'responsible for Donald's welfare'; she knows that 'poor Lady Tovey' has never done him or John [Wellcome Tovey] 'anything but harm'. Dr de Souza has been 'most kind' and told her 'every detail of his illness and treatment'; Dr Bluth is still in the North at Newport, 'taking charge of a hospital', she has written to ask him to return by the end of the month and to Dr de Souza beginning him to keep Donald in hospital 'for at least another month' and guaranteeing the cost since she has to go to Nauheim if she is 'not to become an invalid' herself. Saw Donald last week; he 'ardently desired' a 'garden syringe to squirt water on the little people' in the garden below and a piano to play. TheX-ray shows the joints in his hands had 'not yet ankylosed' so there is 'hope of him playing and even recording' again. He must not return to Hedenham again, and she hopes 'to get him out of Royal Terrace in Edinburgh', which faces 'straight onto the seafogs at the mouth of the Firth of Forth'. Dr de Souza insists on Donald walking; she has often urged him to do so but Lady Tovey just 'murmurs "The motor is at the door" and D. obediently creeps in'.
Changes since she started writing the letter: they have given Donald a piano in the hospital; thinks there is 'nothing they would not do for him' and Dr Bluth tells her Dr de Souza 'delights in his witty and brilliant conversation'. Supposes that he will therefore stay there 'for three months or longer' and will be able to go to Nauheim without anxiety. Now worries about John: fears he has been 'completely idle at Cambridge', and Donald's 'delightful and kind nephew' Duncan says Lady Tovey gives him 'far too much money'; he is now 'idling at Hedenham'. Thanks Bessie very much for sending Dr Bluth to her; he has been 'both very clever and very kind'.
93, High Street, Knaphill, Woking. - Is very sad and anxious: there has been a reversion to 'the state of things at Hedenham' before the Trevelyans made their 'most merciful and helpful interviention'. Had just written to Donald [Tovey] to invite him, Clara, and the chauffeur to stay with her in the case of 'anxiety about the Hospital buildings [due to the war]'; he would then be able to stay in touch with Dr de Souza at Harley Street; she got her housekeeper to ring the hospital and was told he and Lady Tovey had gone back to Hedenham on the 24th. Has just had a letter from her and Donald's solicitor in Edinburgh; gathers that Lady Tovey has been 'very impudent.. paid all the bills, and wound everything up at the Hospital'. Worries about the damp at Hedenham and Donald's medical care; the local doctore [Dr Corbett] came to see her and was 'obviously incompetent and untruthful'. It is cruel: Donald's hands were recovering to the point that she and Mary Grierson both hoped he might be able to make some recordings of his playing; he has been 'induced to ask the university for a term's leave of absence' which means he will spend months at Hedenham. Thinks he 'would not be sane now' had it not been for the Trevelyans' intervention; also blesses Dr Bluth. The prospect of another great European war is 'the blackest cloud'. Says 'we are not really a European power'; always made her shiver when 'that kind man Mr Chamberlain... talked of Europe as if it was a schoolroom and he its governess'; keeps reading Donald's essays and remembers that her mother used to say 'Beethoven did not beg for peace, he ordered it' (quotes the German), but they cannot do that
93, High Street, Knaphill, Woking. - John [Wellcome Tovey] is 'idling away the time at Hedenham'; tells her 'rather confusedly' that Bessie has been there, and Dr Bluth or he is coming. She has 'kept quite aside' as she knows Lady Tovey too well and wonders only 'that Donald has not been destroyed long since'. Draws attention to the date of the enclosure [now not present] which she found last night; 'Dr Thin is the best and the doyen of... Edinburgh doctors', is 'devoted' to Donald and 'frankly thinks the worse of his wife' who he says does not tell the truth; he has been down to Hedenham at least three times and was about to go this year when Lady Tovey stopped him. Thanks Bessie for 'not consulting' her about kind efforts on Donald's behalf: she had 'better wait outside till [she is] called in' and is ready; writes with 'much affection and gratitude and trust' in both Trevelyans. Would not be surprised if the 'war just petred [sic] out. It is a politicians war and many of [the] best will have nothing to do with it'.
'Mile End House, Englefield Green, Surrey' printed on the first sheet, but '93 High Street, Knaphill' written on the second. - Bessie has several times apologised for not addressing her by her 'Mus. Doc' title; she 'shrank from it at the time', and does not mind what she is called, but has to be 'careful to be "Doctored" because Donald [Tovey] cannot endure me to omit the "Dr". Dr Bluth is 'most kind... and very helpful' and his letter greatly distresses her; does not care about the violin concerto but cares 'everything in the world' about the recovery of Donald's hands 'so that some record may be left of his playing'. There is none, and Lady Tovey has 'lost' Sophie Weisse's entire collection of press notices; Lady Tovey intends to stay at Hedenham till the middle of January, a very damp spot and 'as Dr Thin indignantly says "you step down into the house from the grass"', while Lady Tovey 'may or may not be infectious'. Dr [Hugh Andrew?] Gordon Watson and his colleague in Bath told her they were anxious about Donald and believed that 'all his ill health' sprang from his association with Clara Tovey. Knows this is true, but in addition Hedenham is 'a fatal place'; wants Donald to 'come away altogether' and has offered them this house with she herself going to Edinburgh where she has 'arranged a complete bombproof shelter'. Also cares about the 'burden on Mollie Grierson', who has commented that it is 'like a miracle' seeing Donald 'straighten up the moment he has a conducting stick in his hand' but is struggling with all his work while her mother is ill after two operations. He will have to give up the Royal Terrace house; ought to live where Professor Niecks lived, near his classroom on the warm south side of Edinburgh; Lady Tovey bought 'the Royal Terrace house for a song: the owner having committed suicide'. John [Wellcome Tovey] writes that Lady Tovey is weak and therefore irritated, and there are rows [this in German] ; John may himself be rude; he also says Donald cannot play at all on the large piano, and they did so much for his hands at the Westminster Hospital.
93 Knaphill High Street, Woking. - Sends the Trevelyans all good wishes, and is 'thankful' they are alive, for Donald [Tovey]'s sake. Originally enclosing a volume which reached her on Christmas Day; she 'nearly cried with joy' as she has been 'so alone and "ausgestossen" [pushed out]'; she should have been in Edinburgh with Donald, and now Lady Tovey has even 'roped in' John [Wellcome Tovey] by giving him lots of money and allowing 'a very violent flirtation with the then chauffeuse', which even Dr Blut [sic: Bluth] noticed. Feels that Dr Bluth only saw the surface of things at Hedenham; asks why he did not question there being 'two cases of rheumatoid arthritis in the same house''; Donald only started to show the signs of rheumatism 'if it is rheumatism' shortly after his marriage and went to Bath, where on a visit to see him she was visited by [Andrew] Gordon Watson and another doctor saying they were anxious about him and that all his ill health was 'caused by his association with Mrs Tovey'; she was too emotional to discuss the matter further. Hedenham is also 'one of the dampest places in Britain'; on a visit there in November she once saw rainwater from a storm come in under the front door, flow along the passage and out of the back door. Was very disappointed in Dr Bluth for not seeing the truth of things and has not written to him, but is now tempted to ask if he can do anything else to help; liked him very much. She and Mary Grierson believe Lady Tovey wants Donald to give up his Professorship., when 'even giving up playing would cause him to drift into insanity'. John talks of him as 'not sane'. Lady Tovey, Miss Morrah and even John have told her that Donald does not practise only because he is 'lazy'; she has told John he 'cannot come here if he dares to speak like that' of Donald. She and Mary Grierson believe Donald must have work to recover: '[p]ut a conducting stick into his hand and after three rehearsals he will be himself', but 'Lady Tovey does not like Edinburgh'.
Is alarmed by the inscription in the book she sends; asks if Bessie and Dr Bluth can help. There is a good Swedish masseuse here who has been helping her with sciatica; longs to have Donald 'in this warm little house and see his hands correctly massaged'; he will go mad if he loses his hands. Has been ill herself but is slowly recovering; Dr Bluth could perhaps read the letter and look at the inscription in the book, which she asks Bessie to send back soon.
The final sheet seems to be a copy of the inscription in the book sent by Sophie Weisse, perhaps in Robert Trevelyan's hand, calling Volume VI [of Tovey's "Essays in Musical Analysis"?] 'a Christmas Card partially completing a record but completely exhausting any reasonable persons patience... This is written with paralysed finger tips but by a perfectly sane and very courteous writer'.
Crouches, Newnham W, Baldock, Herts. - Thanks Bob for his letter; glad Bessie thinks she will be able to come and see Clara, and looks forward to seeing both Trevelyans one day. Has written to [Hubert] Foss and asked him to come and see her [about Donald Tovey's biography?].
18 Buccleuch Place, Edinburgh, At the Sign of the Edinburgh Review. - Finds it increasingly hard to write about Donald [Tovey]'s death, and her 'sense of wrong' grows increasingly bitter. Was 'hardly ever alone with him', except when people came to see Lady Tovey; she found him once, near the end, 'alone with [Beethoven's] Missa Solemnis on his lap - weeping', looking at his hands and hoping that they would sing it for him at Edinburgh. He could not hold a pencil, but kept saying that he had 'a Violin Concerto quite ready in his head'; the 'dear boys', Robert Bruce and another, tried to take it down for him but it was impossible. On his last day, she aw him for a short time on the morning of his last day, but could not return until the evening since as usual Lady Tovey slept from two till five in his bedroom; that morning when she asked him what she should bring him he replied 'quite clearly and distinctly: "Something wonderful and beautiful". When she returned in the evening, they told her he had died. Asks if Bessie knows where young Nurse Monks is, since she would very much like to know exactly what Donald's death was like. The copy of the "Missa Solemnis" [by Beethoven? see 8/132] was one she gave him when he was thirteen. Funeral service in St Giles 'very beautiful and moving', and the church was crowded. Is agonised to think of 'these desolate years' in which she 'saw the inevitable ruin coming and could do nothing... to try and save him'. One of Donald's colleagues, the Professor of Astrophysics [William Greaves?] said that he 'could have filled a chair of astronomy perfectly'. She got Frank Newall to procure a telescope for Donald [as a boy]; wishes she had it 'in some worthy place', but unfortunately it is at Hedenham.
18 Buccleuch Place, Edinburgh. - Thanks Bessie for a kind letter: she left Donald [Tovey] on the day of his death at quarter to one and he 'spoke those words' [see 8/133] to her 'quite clearly', but he may have become unconscious after that and when she returned around six he had died. Wonders whether Bessie went to Worplesdon for the burial of Donald's ashes; an old friend went and told her about it, but she herself had not heard it was to take place, yet Worplesdon is only about fifteen minutes drive from her house at Knaphill; wishes she had known. Has not been well recently, but has been working slowly on a project of turning most of this flat to a memorial: Molly Grierson says that there is nowhere for the students to do quiet work; would be happy to gift it to the university. Molly is 'overburdened in every way', especially family troubles. Some of Donald's old books are still here, such as his old "Missa Solemnis" over which she found him weeping [see 8/132] and from which he chose what was to be played and sung by Mona Benson. The memorial service in St Giles was very beautiful: old members of the Reid Orchestra came 'from far away places'; the 'whole University came in their magnificent robes'; Mollie conducted the orchestra in her red Doctor's robes, while she in hers 'crouched in a corner weeping'. Donald 'need not have died so soon... in such agony about his hands', if he had been left in London with Dr de Souza and not 'that damp place [Hedenham] where Lady Tovey and John [Wellcome Tovey] told him he was 'only lazy' [for not practising]. Dr de Souza had arranged somewhere safe for him to go in London if there was anxiety about the [Westminster] Hospital. Wonders whether Dr Blut [sic: Karl Bluth] is interned; very much 'admired and agreed with him as a doctor' and wishes she could help him. John has been sent suddenly somewhere in the South, for coastal defence: 'they have grown quite reckless with the lives of young men by the thousand'. Originally enclosing two poems by Professor [Oliffe Legh?] Richmond, which she thinks beautiful and like Donald. Her taxi driver today commented that she would be missing Donald and said 'We all thought there was nobody like him'; used to go on Sunday nights to hear him. Found herself 'sobbing on the man's arm'.
18 Buccleuch Place, Edinburgh. - Has spent many months in 'an amazement of sorrow' [after Donald Tovey's death]; has long wanted to write about him, even before he died, and 'it has been a horror of misery' to fear that she cannot; old age seems to have descended on her 'like an avalanche', and then there is the 'sadness and terror and knowledge of what was happening to Donald in these last fifteen years'. Has recently found a letter and enclosure to Dr Bluth in her writing table; Dr Bluth knows Lady Tovey 'did not like him', as she did not like Edinburgh, Donald having friends here, or Donald seeing anything of her. The doctor at Hedenham told her so many lies at Knaphill that she instructed him to leave: he and Lady Tovey 'killed' Donald. Has found Dr Bluth's address and will write. Not being able to write about Donald is the worst of her griefs since he died; will try, but hopes the Trevelyans will write a great deal too, as '[n]o one knew him better'. Is having a marble memorial slab put in Worplesdon Church, which Duncan [Donald's nephew] and the Rector Mr Chitty 'are glad of and like'. John [Wellcome Tovey] is now in the regular army, somewhere in the south west; he writes to her 'every Sunday in German' and sends her his laundry; grieves that Donald lost 'him too'; John is anxious about a German friend in Cologne, because of the bombing.
18 Buccleuch Place, Edinburgh. - Warns Bessie to expect a large parcel in the post containing a Dutch folksong book which she expects Donald had from her. Her "Donald Tovey Rooms", as 'the young people who loved him' wished to have them called, are ready and look just as she wished. But she was allowed to have nothing of his to put in them, despite begging for the telescope she gave him and [Joseph] Joachim's presentation chair. Nor could she have any letters or papers 'from all the years of that so tragically fatal marriage', one of the Shetland wool cloaks she gave him. The rooms please the his pupils, however, and give her some peace. John [Wellcome Tovey] was prosecuting officer this morning, 'aged 22', at a court martial for drunkenness; is longing to see John.
39 Royal Terrace, Edinburgh 7. - Has burnt Bessie's letter: was very kind of her to write. Sir Donald [Tovey] is 'terribly ill', though he has improved slightly over the last couple of days; has become rather rapidly worse in the six weeks she has been here. He sleeps or is drowsy most of the time, but occasionally surprises them 'with a quotation or a witty remark', though he finds it difficult to speak; admires him very much. Miss Weisse is dreadful; 'very soon discovered her jealous and foolish ways'; is very sorry for Lady Tovey having to deal with her on top of all her other sufferings, but they laugh at her 'which is the only thing to do'; she has 'most wonderful and weird ideas about nursing'. Would love to visit when she comes south; always remember the Shiffolds 'and its cherry trees', which must have been lovely this year as they were in Pattendale.
39 Royal Terrace, Edinburgh 7. - Describes 'exactly what happened on the day Sir Donald [Tovey's] died' since Miss Weisse's story is not correct: fetched her in a taxi at 9 am; at 1 pm, advised her not to go home as it was not obvious how long Sir Donald would live and she didn't want her 'to have the opportunity of saying that [they] had sent her away'; she had lunch by his bed until 3.15pm when she left, Lady Tovey having been 'seated in another chair but not resting'. Sir Donald 'grew worse at 6.45 pm and died at 7.30 pm'; Jean Monks did not fetch Miss Weisse as she 'would have been troublesome, Lady Tovey did not want her & she had left of her own accord'; telephoned her after Sir Donald's death but she had already left and soon arrived; she saw him then the housekeeper took her home. Sir Donald 'hadn't spoken at all on Wednesday'. Asks whether she should write to Miss Weisse, or whether Bessie will. Lady Tovey is 'really very wonderful, but is very stiff [from arthritis]'; Jean Monks thinks she will go south after settling affairs here. Saw Miss Weisse yesterday and could go again but doesn't much want to.
24 Norfolk Crescent, Hyde Parke, W.2. - Donald [Tovey] showed her Bessie's letter when she was in Edinburgh last week, so she is writing to thank her for the kind messages. She remembers her well from Northlands, and Trevelyan from even longer ago. Is looking forward to renewing their acquaintance soon. She and Donald hope to be married soon.
18, Buccleuch Place, Edinburgh. - When they met just after Christmas in London, Bessie invited the Toveys to pay them a visit; Clara asks if they might come in April, either before or after spending a few days in Guildford. Donald sends his love.
Old Church House, Park Street, Woodstock, Oxford. - Thanks Trevelyan for his Christmas gift of poems ["From the Shiffolds"]. Notes that Trevelyan has a 'grandson still a baby' [Philip Erasmus]; his two youngest were born in France and the United States in 1942. Has not seen either of them, though he has good news of Janet and her family; wishes he could get news of 'poor Alice' and her family in the Hague, and hopes Mrs Trevelyan does not have the 'same anxiety' about relatives; the 'want of food and fuel must be very great' and the Germans are 'merciless enemies, so wanton in cruelty & destruction'. A long time since he has heard from Trevelyan, but has some news of him through [Logan] Pearsall-Smith. [Thomas] Sturge Moore has died since Grierson saw Trevelyan and [Gordon] Luce; followed his advice and had his 'arthritic joint bolted by Messer [?] in Edinburgh', which required two operations; took a long time to feel 'any great benefit', but does have less pain. Walks with two sticks and needs help to dress and undress. Has just published a book with an 'old Oxford friend' ["A Critical History of English Poetry", published with J. C. Smith], of which the reviews are 'divided about it - & ask its purpose'; would say it had two: to 'keep our minds off the war' and perhaps provide 'a little money for our children after we have gone'. Also completed and printed lectures he had given on rhetoric in Aberdeen and Edinburgh as a small book, which seems to have sold well so far as well. Was feeling a little run down so came south with his eldest daughter [Molly]; stayed with her at Leeds for over three weeks then came here ten days ago; will probably go home after Christmas. Read Trevelyan's brother's "Social History of England" with 'great interest'. Heard only 'by accident of the death of Lady Tovey' as her brother 'had not thought fit' to send a notice to any Scottish paper, and 'we do not all read "The Times"'; liked her very much. [Donald] Tovey was a 'great loss'. Hears 'nothing' of Miss Weisse.
Hedenham Lodge, Bungay, Suffolk. - The doctor came this morning and is satisfied with Donald's progress, though it is very slow. Donald has had a bed on the lawn most of the day; they are sleeping in the dining room so he does not have to climb stairs and can have fresh air in the hot weather. They are glad to hear good news of Dr [Julius] Röntgen. Donald is 'wonderful good and patient', she is afraid this is partly because he is so tired he is glad to lie still. Hopes the Trevelyans are well and have good news of Julian.
Hedenham Lodge, Bungay, Suffolk. - Is very sorry to hear bad news of Dr [Julius] Röntgen. The doctor told Donald yesterday that he would not be well enough to go to Edinburgh this winter: he is 'very depressed', though he must been prepared by his own feelings, but he is also full of plans and wants to have Molly Grierson and Margaret Ludwig down to arrange the winter's work. Clara fears this will be too much for him, and as it looks as if they will have to stay here for several months, hopes the Trevelyans will not mind delaying their visit. Donald feels it best to say at first that he will not be ready to go back in October, so she asks for discretion.
Hedenham Lodge, Bungay, Suffolk. - Thanks Bessie for her understanding. Donald has definitely improved over the last ten days. Professor [Sir Herbert?] Grierson came for a weekend and cheered him by assuring him that good arrangements can be made to carry on the Edinburgh work for the winter. Donald has applied for leave until Christmas; he talks as if he will return in the spring but she fears this is unlikely. Molly Grierson is here now and Margaret Ludwig coming on the 23rd to be coached for the teaching she will give. She has given him Johannes Rontgen's letter and the music, since he now takes an interest in everything; Bob will see a great chance in him since he can now concentrate as he could not in August. Thanks Bessie for what she says about not talking of Donald's plans. When they are alone again in October, it would be very nice to see her.
Hedenham Lodge, Bungay, Suffolk. - Dr Basden is very pleased with Donald's progress, and does not feel he needs to consult another doctor. He and Donald have discussed Nauheim and decided against that and other cures at the moment. He speaks of 'a possible complete recovery' if Donald is patient and stays away from his work long enough, and does not want him to return to Edinburgh in London. Hopes that Bessie and Mrs Röntgen [her sister] can come to stay as long as they can.
Hotel Black Barony, Edleston, Peeblesshire. - All has gone well: they came to Edinburgh on 7 Feb, and Dr Thin saw Donald on Wednesday. He was disappointed with the progress he had made since September, though Dr Basden always said Donald's progress surprised him. Dr Thin saw him again on Thursday and Friday, and said the 'exertions on Thursday' had done no harm. They came to Peebles on Friday afternoon and like it; Donald is walking in the hills, and composing again 'in full swing', as he has not done for years; she thinks the long rest has done him good, however his heart is. Hopes Bob had a good winter in Italy.
Hotel Black Barony, Edleston, Peeblesshire. - Is very sorry to hear of Lord [Clifford] Allen's illness. Donald is about the same, but she cannot tell from Dr Thin whether he is still improving or is at a standstill. He is very busy composing, which makes up a little for being forced to do so little; is now allowed to go to Edinburgh once a week, so is going in for rehearsals on the weeks there are no Reid Concerts. They will return to Hedenham at the end of the month and spend a quiet summer there. Dr Thin and Professor Ritchie agree that Donald is not well enough to go to Budapest, as he wanted. The composing helps Donald to stay cheerful; she hopes it will go on and that he will come to care less about the other things. He finished scoring the first movement of his Cello Concerto yesterday, and seems very pleased; wishes she understood more about such things.
39 Royal Terrace, Edinburgh, 7. - Knows that Bessie will be glad to hear that Donald got through the winter very well; the mild weather was a great help. The Toveys had meant to leave Edinburgh yesterday, but Rugby broke up early due to illness and John came back with influenza (though not measles) so their departure has ben delayed; they hope to get away early next week. They are going to Barcelona, where Donald is playing on April 11; thinks they will go to Sussex in May as Donald is very interested in the new opera house at Glyndebourne. He is also playing at Belfast and Oxford, and his doctor wants him to take the waters somewhere as he is getting too heavy, which is bad for his heart. Tells Bessie not to send them 'any valuable manuscripts' at the moment; she will write when they are settled somewhere, or perhaps see each other when the Toveys are in Sussex. Bob will be glad that Mr [Hubert] Foss has been for nearly a week and has left with 'all the Essays ready to go into page proof' [Tovey's "Essays in Musical Analysis": she hopes they will be published in the autumn.
Hedenham Lodge, Bungay, Suffolk. - Donald's heart is bad again and his doctor will not let him go to Glyndebourne; he is very disappointed, and longing for friends to speak to, and she asks if either or both of the Trevelyans could visit. Hopes that all has gone well with Bessie and that her eye is better.
Hedenham Lodge, Bungay, Suffolk. - Thanks Bessie for her letter; Donald is unfortunately much worse and she does not know when he will be able to see friends.
18 Buccleuch Place, Edinburgh. At the Sign of the Edinburgh Review. - Clara Wallace has agreed to marry him: 'there will be a great renascence of old connexions, and no more breaks'. Has received Bessie's letter, and is indeed 'writing to Gaudeamus - so there!'. Asks if Bob has 'become a fruity & porty Tory since the Dear Old Spectator went into raptures over "Thamyris [or : Is There a Future for Poetry?"'], or if he will be shocked that Tovey agrees with it.
Hedenham Lodge, Bungay, Suffolk. - Thanks Bessie for her letter; she would very much like to have her here, but must say no for the moment. She had to let Miss Weisse know [about Donald's illness] on Friday but has managed so far for her not to come; she will 'of course' soon and a room must be kept for her. They have a very good nurse from the London Hospital who takes night duty and stays into the morning to settle Donald. He has no pain, just excessive weakness, and is very patient; has made more progress in the last two days than she dared hope. It will be a long time before he can do anything, and she knows she will have to call on the Trevelyans to 'come and cheer' them. With the nurse, and Miss Morah [?], and Clara having to sleep in John's room, the house will be quite full when Miss Weisse comes.