Showing 45 results

Hollycroft, Cavendish Avenue, Cambridge. - Is glad that Trevelyan's wife is as well as can be expected [after the death of their son Paul]; asks if they are in Holland. Has been staying with [Hugh Owen] Meredith in his new house; goes tomorrow with Mrs Barger to join a party in Wales. Is reading "L'Iles des Pengouins" [sic: "L'Île des Pingouins", Anatole France] but is rather disappointed.

Postmarked Abinger Hammer. - His mother hopes to have F.B. [Florence Barger?] to lunch on Tuesday: Forster asks if he can fetch either or both of the Trevelyans in the car as well.

W[est] H[ackhurst]. Monday. - Not important, but if she does 'look in tomorrow', asks if she can lend him the second and third volumes of 'Tovey's Beethoven Sonatas'; will return the first volume, which he found 'very interesting', to her in any case. Tries 'not to upset myself - one is so unpleasant to oneself and to others if one gets fussed' and occasionally, 'through keeping quiet and cheerful, one can help people'. Sometimes of course 'precisely the same conduct irritates them; no reliable recipe exists'.

His mother is 'very depressed'; was taking her to London for three days but she has decided not to go, 'perhaps wisely. Next week. ...?.... I should go to the Bargers'; will stay one night at Wallington on the way home. Adds a postscript saying he will be in all day tomorrow (Tuesday)

Edinburgh. - Very sorry to hear of the death of Bessie's sister [Abrahamina Röntgen]: hopes she was not long ill. Is still in Edinburgh, and expects to be for some time since there are soldiers in Hedenham Lodge. Nurse Monks is nursing for the Air Force; she wrote from Reading but expected to be moved. Clara misses her very much: has 'quite a nice young woman' to help her, but she is not nearly as good as Nurse Monks. Her brother is still with her, which she is glad of as she would not like him to be at Kew. John [Tovey] is 'very busy carting munitions': was in camp in Worcestershire, but has moved into billets for the winter. Molly Grierson is carrying on the work of the Chair of Music: wishes they would appoint her Professor, as it will not be easy to find someone 'so suited all round for both the degree work and the Orchestra'. Believes there is an intention to make no appointment until the end of the war, but hears Professor [Oliffe Legh?] Richmond is looking for someone and fears he will 'fix on some quite impossible person'; the Court are responsible for the appointment but she does not think the members knowledgeable about Music. Is sorry about Mrs [Florence] Barger; hopes her house is not 'damaged past repair'. Miss Weisse still in Edinburgh: supposes she thinks it safer than Knap Hill or prefers it. Molly Grierson has started Reid Concerts with 'what can be collected of the orchestra', fortnightly on Saturday afternoons; she is also continuing the Historical Concerts. Clara gets around very little as the wet weather does not suit her, and cannot think of travelling. Is glad Bessie's house is 'still whole', as many of her friends in the South 'seem to have no glass in their windows' which cannot be easy in this weather.

W[est] H[ackhurst]. - Has been trying to ring, but was 'told "Urgent Calls only", as he just wanted to find out how everyone was. Also wanted to ask if he could come over and see her today; now cannot do that, but could come most days after their lunch, as long as the one o'clock bus keeps running; supposes she is 'mostly in'. On Monday 23rd should go to the Refugee Committee in Dorking.

Has 'nothing specially tragic to report. No, thank goodness'. Went to London last Sunday to broadcast but has not been since and feels 'much cut off, but that is the common lot'. His mother is 'calm & cheerful, so even is Agnes [their maid]. Florence [Barger] has been for a brief visit; she is 'busy and well'. Forster's pamphlet [Nordic Twilight, published as a Macmillan War Pamphlet] is out, but he cannot get any extra copies of it

W[est] H[ackhurst]. - Thanks 'dearest Bessie' for her letter; was waiting for Bob's to write, as she said he was going to send one, but perhaps had better write now; though as he has been shopping all morning in Dorking, he doesn't 'feel much on the spot'.

Agrees that he should have 'made the reference to Versailles [in a broadcast or pamphlet?]' and wishes even more that he had 'referred to our mistreatment of refugees: this would have diminished the feeling of smugness, and the feeling that England, unlike Germany, is always right'. But does not think that 'this apology - which I make to you both very gladly' brings them into agreement, as his 'main theme would still be that Hitler, being what he is, would destroy our culture, such as it is, and I don't want this to happen: both for personal reasons and because I think it has value to the world'. Does not at the moment see 'any way of saving it except by shooting down his aeroplanes and sinking his barges and smashing his communications'.

Bessie, when they talked, seemed in one way 'more bellicose' than him, appearing to suggest that after that was done England 'must proceed to liberate the continent'; Forster does not think himself that 'we still have either the power or the moral integrity for such a task'. His 'best hope' is that this struggle will end in 'a mutual exhaustion, out of which some good, at present unimaginable, will spring. All action at present is a choice of evils. Withdrawing into oneself is good, dispassionate recording is as you say also good, but neither of these has any practical influence on the course of affairs'. Has had a 'very nice letter rather on the same lines', which he will enclose if he can find it; thinks the writer is a pacifist.

Florence Barger is here, and 'making us her home, to our great joy'; forgets whether Bessie knows Florence's home has been 'made uninhabitable by a land mine'. Neither she or her maid were hurt; her furniture was 'only very slightly damaged' has been put into storage. Florence is 'in very good form', and looking forward to seeing Bessie. Mrs Mawe is also back with them; his mother is 'a bit fatigued by the fidgety unselfishness of the two sweet ladies', but does a little of that herself, and seems all right.

Was 'grieved at [Nathaniel] Wedd's death'; wrote to Rachel but has not heard from her. Wonders if Bob has had any news. Will write to him about his poem, which he enjoyed.

52 Elmwood Avenue. - Masood has left; he has written on Urdu poetry for the "Athenaeum"; Forster gives his address. Received Trevelyan's letter at Edinburgh; he and Mrs [Florence] Barger, when on a walk in the Pentlands, found an arrangement of stones forming the initials 'G.M.T' which they altered to 'R.C.T'. Hopes Trevelyan had a good time in Spain; will be at West Hackhurst at some point so may see him. Caught the Glasgow boat to Belfast to stay with [Hugh Owen] Meredith, though fears 'the birth of god will be disarranging the traffic' on his return.

West Hackhurst, Abinger Hammer, Dorking. - Thanks Bessie for her 'kind letter'; meant to ring, but has been in bed for the last three days with a cough and cold. Is now better and out of bed. Expects to stay with the Bells at Charleston at the beginning of May. Clive says there is 'little "private news" [about Virginia Woolf's suicide], except that she was threatened by a return (it would have been the fifth) of her terrible illness. Understandably, she could not bear the prospect'. Leonard is 'as always reasonable and stoical', and so far Vanessa has not 'broken down' as she did at [her son] Julian's death. He himself has of course been 'much upset', and her sympathy is welcome; he 'found it so repulsive to get letters and telegrams from no less than six newspapers wanting me to do articles at once'.

Had meant to write on a happier subject: his 'delightful call upon G. M. T[revelyan, recently appointed Master] at Trinity', who was very pleased with [the Master's Lodge] 'and all sorts of improvements were in full swing'. Had 'the kindest of greetings'. Asks why Bessie doesn't pay them a visit.

Everyone in his house has colds; Florence [Barger] is 'nursing hers with special care, as she goes to Manchester on Tuesday'. Sends love to Bessie and Bob. Adds postscript: saw May Dickinson and her sister Hettie Lowes at Cambridge, and Sheppard 'as usual'.

W[est] H[ackhurst]. - His cough is much better, and he has been to London a couple of times. Did 'not hint to the Master and Masteress [of Trinity, George and Janet Trevelyan, see TRER/ADD/38]' that they should invite Bessie, but 'merely mentioned your name in passing as that of an esteemed acquaintance'; did not mention Miss Simpkins 'at all. So there!'. Hopes she will enjoy the visit and have good weather; May Dickinson and others will be 'delighted' to see her.

Florence [Barger] has 'now left Manchester for Durham'; they 'long for her to come back'. The Rede Lecture [at Cambridge] is a single one; Forster has been asked to give it on Virginia Woolf, on 29 May. Augustus Daniel gave it last year on 'Some Approaches to a Judgment in Painting'.

W[est] H[ackhurst]. - Thanks Bessie for sending on a letter [from an unknown writer], 'how nice and warm-hearted she is'. Has received two copies of the book and sends one to Bessie; asks if she can post it to Sig and Ruth [Waley] when she has finished with it. It is the 'sort of book' he finds 'impossible to read' in his present mood: 'yet another of those "recipe books" which the earnest and uninfluential continue to turn out on both sides of the Atlantic'.

Comments on the 'bitter cold': they have frozen and burst pipes, but since they have 'so little water at any time' the 'results are in no wise tragic'. Has been to London and brought back his aunt Rosalie to stay, so they are 'now a nice quartet'. Florence [Barger] is 'slowly recovering from her cold'. They hope that Bob and Bessie are keeping well.Adds undated postscript: is starting [Flaubert's] L'Education Sentimentale; wonders whether he will ever finish it.

Another postscript, dated 28 Jan: has received her letter, and is very sorry about Bob's cold; 'We must all take care'. Confirms that her 'Tovey Beethovens are safe here and have been much enjoyed and played', though he has not been playing the piano at all recently. Can send them whenever she wants.

West Hackhurst. - Thanks Bessie for her kind letter. His 'contusions swelled to exaggerated proportions' at Cambridge; he 'fell on [his] nose at the Wings for Victory Garden Party' and also bruised both wrists, but 'carried on as usual afterwards, and no bleeding'. Had not heard Max [Beerbohm?] 'nearly tumbled'. Wishes he had seen his lecture: has just been sent the proofs from Cambridge and 'as reading, it is rather flimsy'.

Has just had a letter from Moya Davies; she asks him to tell Bessie that she is 'very anxious to know about Leo Hubrecht and her children, especially Julie'; thinks they 'were at Switzerland just before the war, the younger children at school in Holland'. Also has a 'dear friend in Burma, Carola Toennies' and another in Italy, and has not had a word from either since the beginning of the war; supposes 'it is the same with everyone'. Gives Moya's address as 'Killadreenan House, Newtownmountkennedy, County Wicklow, Eire' in case Bessie wants to write direct, or he could send a message for her if she prefers. Richard [Moya's son] has a new wife 'in the place of Ann Stephen, who has got someone else [Richard Synge]'.

Is very pleased with the new Abinger Chronicle; 'not entirely carrried away' by his own contribution, but Bob's is 'very good'. Asks whether she agrees that they are generally *much more comfortable and vigourous [sic] on our own'; found S. S. [Sylvia Sprigge] a 'most enervating editress'.

His mother is 'fairly well, though she hasn't been up to her former level since illness at the beginning of the year'; she is enjoying the garden, which is 'lovely'. Hopes that Bessie will be able to visit soon, though next week he will be away a great deal. Went to see Florence [Barger] yesterday, who 'seems very well and is on yet another committee - reforming London University'; gathers Edith Mathews is staying with her. Margaret is 'cheerful, but no better, whatever Florence says or thinks or pretends to think'; would be better if she went to an institution, and she will have to one day as it is 'too much for Florence and Harriet'.

Sends his and his mother's love.

W[est] H[ackhurst]. - Thanks Bessie for her letter and interesting enclosures, which he returns: a 'nice letter of Mrs Clausen's: it is a shame we cannot get up more interest in Adamic [?] and in his actually seeing President Roosevelt - Rhea is much more real' to him, as he 'has stroked her'.

Visited Florence yesterday in her new house; she has had a cable 'about - though not from - [her son] Evert'. Is glad that Bessie has Julian in this country, and that Gordon Luce is also here. Sends love to Bob; hopes he will manage to get to the [Apostles'] Dinner on the 20th. He himself will be there, as will Sebastian Sprott, and he hears 'from an authoritative source that there will actually be WINE (a little)'.

Hopes to come and see her soon. 'Is not the cold appalling? But are not the flowers in the garden beautiful, and are not the gooseberries welcome?'. Adds Florence's address and telephone number as a postscript: 102 Hampstead Way, N.W.11; Speedwell 7833.

W[est] H[ackhurst]. - Thanks Bessie for her letter about The Celestial Omnibus [an adaptation of his short story broadcast on BBC radio, see TRER/ADD/45], with which he 'disagree[s] pretty completely!'. Acknowledges that 'one can pick holes in the production, as in everything', but thought that it was generally 'intelligent and in good taste, and the boy, with his unpriggishness and unsophistication couldn't have been better'. Asks if he is 'being nasty now'. Encloses Florence [a letter by Florence Barger]; his mother and aunt [Rosalie] agree with her, as does Kathleen Kennet, 'who started listening with the utmost hostility' and 'Mr Herbert E. Gibbs, otherwise unknown'. He will, with his 'noted fairmindedness' forward Bessie's letter to Florence and 'extend this salutary disquiet'.

Hopes that later in the month, after the 20th, she might be able to visit them 'unsupervised by Molly [Trevelyan?]' for coffee and tea. Postscript conveying his mother's love.

W[est] H[ackhurst]. Note at top of letter reads 'FOR BOB OR BESSIE', but it is addressed to 'Dear Bessie'. - Does not think she need worry about Florence and Margaret; when he saw Florence recently she was 'comfortably in bed', and when he rang on Tuesday Harriet said she was much better. Believes that Margaret's x-ray was satisfactory; she is 'now in the non-danger ward, and quite bright'. Expects Florence will write to Bessie later; she is resting as much as she can, and Harriet deals with phone calls.

His mother has been ill with 'cold, weakness, etc'; she has now recovered but is 'by now means the better for her illness'. Has concealed from her the 'extremer side of Margaret's trouble: said it was just a tumble'. Feels 'sick of everyone's health, including my own'.

Turns to 'a different kind of nuisance', which he was going to write about to Bob. Asks whether he has any news of Hugh Sykes Davies, who is 'giving a lot of trouble to the London Library'; he has books out worth over seven pounds, and 'won't answer letters'. Forster thinks this has been going on for over a year'. Wrote to him at the Committee's request via The Shiffolds about six months ago, and received no answer; the Committee have also written 'fruitlessly through their solicitor, and are contemplating prosecution, though they hate the idea'; Ilchester [the President] particularly has been 'very nice about it'. If Sykes Davies would 'only write, and acknowledge his existence and his whereabouts they would probably calm down'; wonders whether Bob could 'have a try at him', and fears that he is 'one who, when in trouble, always runs deeper into his hole'.

If his mother keeps well, they hope Bob will visit; he has 'already favoured Molly'.

W[est] H[ackhurst]. - They are 'most concerned' to hear about Bessie's 'crisis' [seemingly regarding household servants], and keen for further news; his mother 'asserts that an old father is sure to be dirty', but Forster agrees with Bessie in 'considering him as an asset as a [?] pin'. Hopes that she will anyway 'send the Packs packing, and that they will encounter the discomforts which, by their vulgarity and their unkindness, they have done their damnedest to deserve'. If they had first given notice, so that they and Bessie could 'look about' at the same time, 'one would understand and sympathise, but this discreet preparation is unpardonable'.

Has not read his Where Angels [Fear to Tread] 'for a long time'. Is now reading Illusions Perdues, and 'liking it much better than other works by that master [Balzac]. It sometimes equals Proust in social atmospherics, and of course is his superior in dramatic bustle; also most amusing here and there'.

Florence [Barger] is staying with them for a few days and joins them 'in love and sympathy'; they trust Bessie will 'pull through the crisis'.

Their letters crossed; returns Sykes Davies' letter which 'is gay and charming, and doesn't suggest that much is wrong with him'.

"Lady, you said a mouthful" might be your reply to Moya's epistle, but I don't expect will be'. Has also had a letter from Moya recently; thinks she is lonely, and that 'letters of any sort... should cheer her'. Would very much like to see Bessie, but it cannot be this week; will be in touch.

Is lunching with Florence and Evert [Barger] in London tomorrow; Evert 'seems in good form, and has achieved his purpose in coming to England'. Though Forster has been 'told several times', he is unsure what this is, and 'dare not ask again'. Margaret was 'safely conveyed by Florence to Bristol'.

His mother is 'fairly well, though rather depressed because she has made some chutney which hasn't turned into proper chutney. It is delicious, but what is the use of that?'. Very sorry to hear about Sturge Moore's health; fears he 'can't think of anyone who could give any substantial contribution'

West Hackhurst, Abinger Hammer, Dorking. - Asks Trevelyan to date the enclosed [perhaps letters from or to Goldsworthy Lowes Dickinson, whose biography Forster was writing] and return them; thinks the Jubilee was that of 1897 rather than 1887. Much enjoyed the visit. Florence [Barger?] has now left. Does not want the Békássy poem back; perhaps Grant Watson might like it.

West Hackhurst, Abinger Hammer, Dorking. - Tells Bessie to 'keep the Boswell for Beethovenian cycles'; is glad that Bob is reading aloud from it. Pleased they had 'such a nice visit from [their grandson] Philip. I expect and hope that he cried on the chord of C because a chord is too much of a good thing at once, whereas a scale is just a lot of nothings-at-all in a row, and he could deal with them severally'.

Asks if she has heard how Hsiao Chen is; he wrote to Forster after Dr Bluth took him for an x-ray, and 'was hoping to avoid an operation'. Afraid Margaret's operation 'though not making her worse, did not do her any good'; does not know what arrangements Florence [Barger, her sister] is making for her. Understands that 'Evert and his Molly [Mollie Sinton, who married Evert Barger in Jan 1944]' are being very helpful.

His mother is 'fairly well and sends love'. Forster fears they have 'now left it too late and date in the year' for Bessie to visit; looks forward to coming to see her and Bob at the Shiffolds. Now has a copy of Trilling's monograph', and could lend it to her if she likes. It is 'an intelligent but almost overwhelmingly serious piece of work. It praises me for my seriousness; then censures me for my lack of seriousness... but when summing up it suggest that my very absence of seriousness may imply a seriousness far more serious than superficial seriousness'. Was 'rather difficult to know how to thank the author', but he is 'pleased with the book, and tried to say so'. His mother 'cannot read it for nuts [?]'. Has had 'several letters from America, and some tins of food'.

W[est] H[ackhurst]. - Is signing the card 'After some indecision... with a slight modification of its text'; though there are 'some weighty arguments against it', he feels it is 'a good thing to testify to the possession of compassion and a heart, when one has or things one has them. Everyone is or is pretending to be so hard'.

After he visited Bessie, 'a cloud, then no bigger than a man's hand, turned into the shape of an aeroplane', and now it really seems he will fly to India in ten days for a [P.E.N. ] conference of writers at Jaipur. Can 'hardly believe it, and of course there may be last minute hitches'. Hsiao Ch'ien has lent him a 'wonderful cane suitcase', which he can 'carry with one finger' when empty. Is only meant to be away for two months, and the household 'hopes to limp through' in his absence, with the help of Florence [Barger], Aunt Rosalie and others. Agnes [Dowland] 'has been very sweet about it, her only objection being that I am sure to crash'.

His only companion will be Ould, the secretary of P.E.N., who is 'pleasant and easy to get on with'; they hope to fly via Karachi to Delhi, where Forster will stay with friends [including Ahmed Ali], then to Jaipur for the conference, then he thinks to Calcutta and Bombay. He may of course 'be turned off the plane at the last moment if a V.I.P. (official phrase for Very Important Person) wants my seat'. Looks forward to going, 'despite the unhappiness and the politics which I am certain to find there'; will be 'such a change', though he fears he will be 'in a daze for at least a fortnight, and lose Chi'en's suitcase during it, with all my clothes therein'.

[No signature - incomplete?]

W[est] H[ackhurst]. - Must send thanks to ‘Dearest Bessie’ for her wire, which did not reach him until ‘too late’, and letter. Thinks he would rather see her ‘a little later’. The death [of his mother] leaves him ‘very tired, but there have been no regrets’. Florence Barger left his morning and now his aunt [Rosalie] is here, ‘very nice, and “saving herself”’. He had to be in Dorking at 8.30 this morning to register the death, and the funeral is tomorrow. Agnes ‘was and is spendid: helpful, deeply moved emotionally, but never pretending that she and mother cared for one another: two bossers [?] naturally couldn’t’. Does not yet know whether she can be ‘left alone at night’, on which his ‘immediate movements’ depend; would like to see Bessie and Bob, but as far as ‘staying away is concerned’ wants to go either to his flat in London, ‘or “right-away”, if there is such a place or state’. Confirms that his mother was ‘very fond’ of Bessie; signs himself ‘Your affectionate (and sleepy) Morgan’.

W[est] H[ackhurst]. - Wrote to Bob before going to Dorset for a week, but ‘lost the letter [probably TRER/3/26] after it had been addressed. He ‘may seem to have been indifferent to the kindness and sympathy’ of them both [on the death of his mother], but ‘this is not so’. Everyone has been ‘so kind, and Agnes is wonderful’; Ruth [Goldsmith, the Forster's old cook?] is staying with her for three days. Is going to London ‘to broadcast as usual’; when he returns, he thinks on Tuesday evening, would like to come over to see Bob and Bessie if that would suit them. Florence and Aunt Rosie ‘have alternated here’; at the moment he is ‘sustained by Bob Buckingham’. His health is ‘very fair’, and he is eating and sleeping properly.

Stayed in Dorset with ‘some young people [Pat and Joyce Knowles] who are the custodians of Clouds Hill [the former home of T. E. Lawrence]. They were absolutely charming, but the weather was poor’.

Postscript dated ’11.4.45’: ‘Even this has been left about’. Will ring up some time tomorrow.

W[est] H[ackhurst]. - Very much liked the poem Trevelyan has written about Goldie [Dickinson]: Bessie has given him a copy to keep. He shares the sentiments about Goldie: he was not afraid of death, only distressed by the state of the world as he left it. Forster is glad he has gone, particularly that he did not live to see Japan attack China. Expects Trevelyan will send a copy to May and Hettie [Dickinson's sisters], to whom it will give great pleasure. Is lending his own copy to Florence Barger. Sends greetings to Trevelyan's brother [Sir Charles]; would like to visit him again, and wonders how his plantations coped with the summer. Has just returned from Dorset, and is to 'broadcast about T. E. Lawrence's cottage there.'

W[est] H[ackhurst]. - Is going to the Beethoven mass at Kings [College Cambridge] next Sunday; if it is in one of the Tovey editions, asks if he could borrow it for a while; would be 'very grateful'; asks if it could be posted to him as soon as convenient.

She will find with this letter a sponge which he 'stole during a pleasant visit' and has been meaning to return; he 'did indeed bring it one afternoon as far as the top of Water Lane, which is a very good address indeed for a sponge', but instead it went through the Leith Hill Place woods and 'would proceed down the other hill to Forest Green and the Parrot [a pub]'.

Has finished Thomas Mann's Joseph series, and is 'rather shocked' by Bessie's 'undocumented scorn'; has also read R. K. Narayan's The English Teacher. Saw Julian 'in the distance' at a concert of Monteverdi's Vespers; hopes he 'enjoyed them as much as I did'. Adds postscript: Florence [Barger] should be back tomorrow.

W[est] H[ackhurst]. - Is glad that both Trevelyan and Bessie like the Notes [see 3/72] and think they will do for the Abinger Chronicle. R.B. is Reggie Bray. Wishes the Trevelyans had always edited the Chronicle; previously did not like the 'critical standard that controlled it' and found contributing 'uphill work'. Florence [Barger] is away with Evert; no doubt she will ring Bessie soon. Forster would like to come over too. Glad Trevelyan has seen Bertie [Russell]. The P.E.N. flyer on which the letter is written is 'an indication not an invitation'.

West Hackhurst, Abinger Hammer, Dorking [headed notepaper]. - 'So pleased' to hear from Bessie; was about to write, partly to ask whether she might like to take on 'one of our pussies' when he leaves West Hackhurst - Bob thought she might. If so, he 'would describe their characteristics and their defects - for cats, unlike human beings, are imperfect. They are of the Tabby habit'.

Looks forward to seeing her, 'perhaps next month'; will bring the 'Tovey volume' [edition of Beethoven's Mass, see TRER/ADD/71], which was 'very helpful'. Is going to Cambridge again this week, to 'make some final arrangements' about his room; his move will probably be 'in two bits, the bigger bit not till October. Much has been done here, much still remains to do'. Has recently sent 'a lorry-load of jumble... off with the Rector's wife built up in the middle of it. She is a darling'.

Glad to hear of the Trevelyans' 'revised arrangements', and hopes they will work well. If Mrs Jane [?] 'is a chatterpie, Bob has only to trot, tell him, into another room. It's a chatterpie in the same room that is so trying'. Has had an 'Excited and delighted' postcard from Florence, who much enjoyed her flight across the Atlantic, and has been 'going round New York with her sister [Margaret?] in a bus'.

Is going to Glyndebourne, 'quite unexpectedly', tomorrow with some Indian friends; he 'rather hate[s] the snobby place, however, dress clothes are out of the question now, and Britten's new opera [The Rape of Lucretia] said to be very lovely'.