Hotel Hirschen Gunten. Direkt am Thunersee, Berner Oberland. - Has enjoyed the unexpected pleasure of having Donald [Tovey] here with her; the weather has been beautiful and he has got on very well with his work, getting through 'a slow movement which had stuck for months'. He has brought over twice as many clothes as he needs; John [his adopted son?] has packed them all beautifully but she asks Bessie to have his soiled underwear taken away, and exchanged for the clean he has with him. Also asks if she could insist on his going to his tailor's in London to be refitted, as nothing he has fits and he 'looks as if he were trussed' which is also bad for him. He has his mother's figure and 'could look very fine and majestic' if his clothes only fit properly; is eating simply and drinking little. John [Wellcome Tovey] is going to Bern with him and Andrew Fell tomorrow to set them on their journey; Donald will stay the night at Karlsruhe, dining with Sophie Weisse's cousin, then depart for London. His skin is a 'nightmare' for her: its 'unsightliness... shocks many people', but she also fears erysipelas and resulting serious illness; a 'rheumatic climate like Hedenham is the worst possible for him', along with his lack of exercise.
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. - 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'.
Is newly anxious about Donald [Tovey]. As often before, is 'full of great gratitude and admiration for Dr Mary Grierson', with whom she has had no communication for a long time but who has seen as clearly as she has 'the evil and danger' of Donald's life in Hedenham, though she has 'not realised the evil effect of John [Wellcome Tovey]'s being there too for himself and for Donald. Has heard from John today that, in spite of her mother's bad health and other family trouble, Dr Grierson has gone to Hedenham and persuaded Donald to return to Edinburgh as soon as possible. Donald should never have let himself be persuaded to take a term's leave from work. John says that they wish to travel by motor, and he wants to drive them; they have 'a craze for motoring' and each time they have done it before Donald has been ill, 'once with a month of pneumonia'; they should take a warm first class carriage in the through train from Harwich.
Thanks Bessie for her 'kind and cheering note'. Cannot do justice to her feelings of trust in and gratitude towards Mollie Grierson, who has acted just as she would expect. The 'great cheap house in Royal Terrace in Edinburgh was the worst possible house for Donald', as she always knew; she wanted him to live opposite her in Professor Nieck's old house, but his first wife [Margaret Kerr Cameron] wanted to live 'more in the country'. Remembers how Grettie 'after a visit to London returned with the baby John [Wellcome Tovey] and two white rabbits', travelling through the night, without having taken 'a drop of milk for the baby'; she was a '[p]oor mad thing' but 'very honest and entirely honourable', and the news that after her suicide 'Minnie Wallace had written to Donald, then in California, and proposed to marry him' appalled Sophie Weisse. Bessie's note brought much more cheering news. Does wish the excellent Swedish nurse who is treating her own sciatica could treat Donald's hands. Thanks Bessie for returning the book, and now her mind is 'relieved of the fear of John's motoring plans [see 8/130]'; hopes ' a change of weather or John's having been called up will make them impossible'. Longs to see John but he has been at Hedenham all summer. Hopes in Donald's absence 'a nice little enemy bomb will fall on that evil little house'. Is sending Donald a few letters at a time to try and 'amuse and interest' Donald: some from Sir Hubert Parry to her, some from Sir George Grove, who 'describes himself as [her] "slave," when Donald was Sir Hubert's pupil'. Has 'some beautiful letters too from the Master of Balliol [Sir Edward Caird]' and his wife: there 'was never a student so much loved'; it may please Donald to read then. A postscript says she has heard Donald does not now have a secretary; the 'one who came here in pursuit of John was an evil little creature'.
18 Buccleuch Place, Edinburgh, At the Sign of the Edinburgh Review. - The only thing in her mind, apart from the fear of John [Wellcome Tovey]'s being sent to France 'instead of attending to innumerate lorries in Dunfermline', is Donald [Tovey]'s illness: he is 'very ill' and two days ago his death seemed inevitable. However, though he now mostly sleeps, it is an 'easier sleep' and he is taking some food and very occasionally making a 'Tovey joke'. Thanks Bessie very much for the young nurse [Jean Monks] she sent, who is clever, 'as it were sure footed', and harm. She herself minds very much being old; '[s]o much harm' has come to Donald as he has grown older, like 'the awful tragedy with his hands'; and now there is the 'incredible war'. Last night there was a 'monstrous travesty' in Edinburgh, when 'brutes' set upon the many Italian ice cream sellers in Edinburgh, 'wrecked their little shops and neat barrows and ill used the people'.
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. - 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.
"Etona", 2. St. Margaret's Road, Edinburgh. - Very kind of Bessie to remember her birthday: is delighted with the Japanese picture of the rabbit. Is very sorry to hear what Julian has had to go through; wonders 'what causes all this modern necessity for operations'. 'Baby' [John Wellcome, the Tovey's adopted child] is flourishing; Don is 'missing so many things about him'. Wishes she could see Julian in his wigwam, and wonders if he plays at the Pearl Tree. Has three 'very nice boys' staying in the house; their mother is a 'Mons widow' and is acting as housewife caretaker. The boys have greatly improved the garden, and take charge of the rabbits, of which they now have fourteen.
On University of Edinburgh headed notepaper - A great pity that Johannes [Röntgen] is missing the only concert with a modern work he does not know, Bantock's "Sappho" [performed by the Reid Orchestra, March 4, 1920] 'which is worth six times the best of Mahler', and was the main reason Tovey did not advise the Röntgens to send Johannes to Aurog [?] for the rest of the spring. Will try to arrange lots of interesting private chamber music, and give him 'plenty of orchestral exercises on paper'. Thanks Julian for his letter; hopes he has recovered. 'Mr N.N.' [Nimble Niceman, pet name for John Wellcome Tovey] has whooping cough, and Grettie has rheumatism; Tovey is 'on strike for a 48-hour day as usual'. The local press criticise the public for not giving the Reid Orchestra better audiences, but should instead point out that attendance is double last year (though this still is not enough).
2 St Margaret's Road, Edinburgh. - The Toveys are sorry to hear of Julian's whooping cough, especially as it prevents her from coming: they wanted her to meet 'Mr Nimble Niceman' [John Wellcome Tovey]. They have got a room nearby for Johannes [Röntgen], and when he comes he and Tovey can 'hunt around for something more suitable'; hopes he and 'the Poet' [Bob Trevelyan] will arrive in time for the concert with the 'scene of Ariadne' [Ariadne's soliloquy from Act III of "The Bride of Dionysus', performed by the Reid Orchestra,12 February 1921].
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.
Northlands, Englefield Green, Surrey. - Asks if he could visit before Friday, when Mrs Weisse and his 'precious Nimble Niceman' [John Wellcome Tovey] come south. Had already written to Johannes Röntgen that he thought his 'prospects at Edinburgh very good', not because of anything he himself could do (will 'do lots', but cannot make it pay financially) but because of the friends Johannes has made there of his own accord. If he wins his counter-claim Grettie will 'get her freedom' in any case. Has to pay the costs of both sides. The case should come on at the end of this month or the beginning of June.
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.
Hedenham Lodge, Bungay, Suffolk. - Hopes it will be all right if they come on Saturday instead of Friday: Donald wants to attend a meeting on Saturday afternoon, and she has arranged for him to see his doctors in the morning. John does not go to Rugby until Thursday so she has lots of packing to do. They will stay at Scotts Hotel for the night on Friday. The offer to fetch them is very kind, but they will either come by train or their own car: Miss Morah [?] is visiting her sister in London and can drive them. Donald is better, but still very easily tired and reluctant to move or do anything; he is practising a little, 'driven to it by the thought of October 1st'. Thinks this is a good thing as he gets very depressed when he does nothing. Hopes Bessy is better.
39 Royal Terrace, Edinburgh, 7. - Donald 'so ill last night everyone thought he was dying', but he rallied again this morning. He looks 'dreadfully worn and thin' and 'it can only be a question of time'. There has only been one air raid, not a bad one, and Donald slept through it. John [Tovey] is at Dunfermline; leave seems hard to get and he has only got over once. Hopes Julian will not have to join up. Is not well herself: does not think the thundery weather is good for rheumatism.
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.
Hedenham Lodge, Bungay, Suffolk. - Always glad to hear from Bessie: her letters 'bring back many happy memories'. Apologises that the letter is not in her own hand: it is so difficult for her now that she hardly writes to anyone but John [Tovey]. He is on the India-Burma front, and finds the climate very trying but is otherwise fairly cheerful. The death of Donald [Charles Edward Tovey, her husband's nephew?] a 'great loss' to the family; Duncan [Tovey, another nephew?] is also unwell; Mollie [Tovey?] and family seem well, but she had hoped to see them here and a holiday and they were afraid to travel. Feels as if [Hubert] Foss has lost all interest in the biography [of Donald Tovey?] and will never finish it. Is glad Bessie has been able to have Julian and his family with her, and that the flying bombs have not been near. They have been fortunate [in Edinburgh] and quiet except for planes overhead. She goes out occasionally in fine weather, and has been on a few short drives.
39, Royal Terrace, Edinburgh. - Donald quite agrees about the London performance of his opera ["The Bride of Dionysus", for which Trevelyan wrote the libretto], and was glad Trevelyan expressed himself 'so decidedly'. Donald has been in bed for the last fortnight, except when he conducted the Reid Concert on 24 March. Has been much better the last few days, and she hopes his doctor will let him go out tomorrow and they can leave at the end of the week; they hope to go and stay with the Duncan Toveys at Worplesdon. Trevelyan's ideas for doing Donald's music in London all sound very interesting; he must discuss it when he comes. They will be glad if he comes and stays until 24 April; Eydua Liddell is coming then and Clara has invited her as John [Tovey] will be at home, so they only have one spare room, but she hopes he will come anyway. As for press seats, last time [Sir Hugh?] Allen brought [Henry Cope?] Colles up; thinks he was the only London critic and that any other English papers used their 'men up here'. They look forward to seeing Bessie when she is up. Donald is to conduct on Monday, Friday and Saturday. A postscript adds that Donald thinks it best to sent tickets for the critics 'without writing'; he particularly does not want Colles to come so perhaps it would be best to leave the "Times" alone, or to say that Colles was not wanted.
The Shiffolds, Holmbury St. Mary, Dorking. - Hopes Julian [currently suffering from whooping cough] is 'now beginning to cough less'; two nights ago he had his worst coughing fit yet, 'but that did not last'; Robert will still be glad when he has quite recovered. Had an interesting time in Edinburgh: the opera [The Bride of Dionysus, with libretto by Robert and music by Donald Tovey] 'sounded very well, and people seemed to like it'. Mrs Tovey seemed well, and 'their adopted child is evidently a godsend. It is quite a fine child, and [Grettie Tovey] seems quite sensible with it'.
Is going to Cambridge on Saturday to see the production of Aeschylus [The Oresteia, in J. T. Sheppard's Greek production]. Expects he will go abroad with [Goldsworthy Lowes] Dickinson on 15 March, ending up in Florence, and returning in early May. Bessie will soon write about her plans. Is just finishing the 'story of Abraham [from the Bible, see 46/264] with Julian'; they also read some history and poetry together. Julian is 'going to read Treasure Island to himself now'.
Sends love to his father and to Booa [Mary Prestwich].