Northlands, Englefield Green, Surrey. - Apologises for not writing sooner to thank Bessie for her kindness to Donald [Tovey]; hopes she has heard from him in the meantime. She is still in 'agony' about his symphony; there is an 'obstinate place in the "Second Subject"' and she would find it very interesting to see him 'wrestling with it' if she were not so worried about the date; he has gone off cheerfully to Aachen again 'with the fragment of Symphony in his hand'. They had an 'enchanting little visit to [George] Henschel at Aviemore'; encourages Bessie to come to the concert at Northlands on 23 October when Henschel is singing. Has had a 'rather heartshaking correspondence with Guilhermina Suggia' who says that she and [Pablo] Casals have parted on good terms; she was in England all August and September, and very much wanted to come to Northlands but 'that could not be', though she has not lost her 'tenderness and anxiety for her'. Told Suggia plainly that 'Donald is ready for friendship with Casals' and her 'lies and the way in which she broke up the friendship between the two men' means that 'Donald is quite unapproachable for her'. Wishes very much she had not let the matter be 'taken out of her hands' as she did.
Northlands, Englefield Green, Surrey. - Asks Bessie to help her 'by preventing even a single word more about the Casals business' [the quarrel between Donald Tovey and Pablo Casals about Guilhermina Suggia]. Insists that Donald is ill; wishes she had known some things sooner; telegraphed for permission to read 'a huge fat letter' from Amsterdam before sending it to him at Hewell but was 'rather snubbingly refused', but if she had known even a little of the 'Münchhausiaden [tall tales]' in it she would have put it on the fire. Feels all their friends, with only two exceptions, have done 'the most injudicious things' and thought they could judge the matter better than she could with the result that she knows almost nothing of what has been happening. Donald has 'poured the whole story out everywhere', even to her old friend Eugenie Schumann at Interlaken and her two sisters [Marie, and Elise?], 'whom he has never much liked', and she has received a long letter from Eugenie today 'greatly excited by Donald's "wrongs" and very disapproving' of her. Everything makes it very difficult to welcome him back and give him 'the love and care he needs if he is to be safe'. Was so anxious about him going to Vendrell, even though she knew nothing of what had happened in Vienna, that she wrote to Lady [Evelyn] de Vesci for details about a hotel in the Pyrenees where she might stay; felt ashamed of her 'anxiety and distrust' and returned to Germany but wishes now she had gone to Spain. Asks Bessie to write to the Röntgens asking them never to mention the quarrel with Casals to Donald again. Must now try and patch up the concerts, though she hates the thought of them.
Northlands, Englefield Green, Surrey. - Just returned from seeing Mr [Willi] Strecker in London, a visit she found difficult due to her recent heart trouble; they tried to see what could be done to 'save something from the wreck of the Chelsea Concerts' but this is not much. Her 'poor Donald [Tovey]' is undoubtably ill'; begs Bessie not to speak or write to him about the Casals [Pablo and Guilhermina Suggia] and not to discuss her or repeat anything she has said if possible. Asks her to send back the note about 'what took place in Mr [Hugh] Godley's office on the 1st of November'. Godley's 'conduct towards Donald this year... is inexplicable'; can only imagine it is somehow 'connected with Adila v[on] Arányi'; 'he has done his best to ruin Donald', working skilfully to 'detach him from Casals'; now he has 'shown his hand' and declared he will have nothing to do with the Chelsea Concerts. There is 'also Mr [Murray Coutts?] Trotter's sentimental stupidity'. Donald should not have seen a word of Guilhermina's 'ridiculous romances', nor been told 'he would have to bring a lawsuit against Pablo lest P. should think him weak'; is very sad Professor Röntgen showed Donald her 'piteously anxious telegram to Vienna'. Asks if everyone is 'against her' in her 'efforts to guard' Donald, and whether they know 'what the dangers are'; fears she will have to write to the Toveys' 'little solicitor', who appeals to her to help him 'prevent Duncan [Tovey] from robbing Donald' to asks if she can prevent 'Duncan from having the custody of his brother if he should become worse'. Donald keeps writing letters 'full of the foulest language about the Casals' and towards her; he has also written such a letter to Mr Strecker, saying her telegram to Röntgen showed she did not believe in 'his freedom from crime'. Has only written the letter to Donald of which Bessie has seen a copy [8/78] and another saying she 'can receive no more such letters' and will never mention the Casals again. Willy Strecker only mentioned his letter to prove Donald is ill. Donald says he will not return unless she joins 'in abusing Casals and praising [Donald's] every act - and Hugh Godley's'. Wonders Casals did not 'shoot him there and then' if Donald behaved even a fraction as badly in Spain. Hopes to get him well again, but only if the few friends she can trust, amongst whom she numbers Bessie, will help her.
Northlands, Englefield Green, Surrey. - In answer to Tovey's letters, states 'categorically' that she has never thought, nor 'led any other creature to think' she thought, nor feared anyone ever thought, that Tovey had said or done anything that anyone 'from Guilhermina Casals outwards could interpret' as being wrong 'from any man to any woman, let alone any woman who was the wife of his friend [Pablo Casals]'. Even the first 'angry frightened lines' she sent Donald, which he regards as 'so foul an insult', show this, and she would have written the same if the three of them had been men, as she does feel his 'host and friend had reason to feel himself neglected and ridiculous'. Is not afraid of 'gossip or even slander' either for him or for herself. Mr Strecker showed her Donald's letter to Casals written at Liverpool, from which she expected the reply, though not its 'gentle and dignified' tone. They will 'not allude to the matter' when they meet. Does not understand about [Adolf] Busch or what she has done, but since Donald says he has not told him about Casals, hopes there is no harm done. Tells him to come home or not as is best for him.
Northlands, Englefield Green, Surrey. - Thanks Bessie for all her 'kind words'; thinks she had better read the enclosure, which is 'practically' what she has written to Donald [Tovey] then burn it. Donald must be 'very hardworking and very humble and courteous' if she is to continue 'making a home for him'. This business [the quarrel with Pablo Casals] shows him to have been 'a self righteous arrogant goose' and 'that young woman' [Guilhermina Suggia] has 'sized him up'. Donald writes 'gaily' that she should write and ask Enesco to find another cellist. Wishes 'he had run away with Guilhermina - she might have prevented such follies and made him work'. Intends to ignore the existence of the concerts, though has already given fifty pounds towards them. Is sorry for Willy Strecker. Thinks Donald's letter to Casals 'odious'; told her brother he should never have let Donald send it; he agrees and was amazed at 'the moderation and dignity of Casals' reply'. Donald should have left the 'London gossip' alone, which would have denied Guilhermina the opportunity of 'poring out all her amusing venom'. Casals denied to her that he had accused Donald of anything other of being 'too assiduous in his attentions'; she is very sorry for him. Wrote and telegraphed Donald warning against his friendship with Guilhermina and urging him to come home to see his sick father. Told Henry [her brother] that he was 'the fourth Oxford man to have been a fool about this business'. Is very worried about Donald as these 'bouts of loss of self control' are becoming more frequent and more violent; the 'Speyer business' was bad enough. He needs to work hard, and 'earn his Vienna ticket now by two articles in the Times'. Thanks Bessie about Christmas; Donald says he ought to go and see his aunt in Wales. In a postscript written after she has read Bessie's letter again tells her not to say 'how well in health and sane' Donald is since the 'only excuse for his behaviour is that he is ill, which makes him 'just like his father'. Has just received 'another horrible letter from Donald', enclosing Hugh Godley's letter. Godley 'wished Donald to break with Casals' and wishes him to break with her. Is telling everyone who asks that Donald's health alarms her. Her brother agrees it was very wrong of him to go to Vendrell after 'the Vienna episode', which she herself had not known of.
Northlands, Englefield Green, Surrey. - Originally enclosing [?] letters which are 'reassuring though very maddening'. One of 'the "poky prigs" is Sir Walter Parratt' who passed the offer to go to Vienna on to Donald [Tovey]'. Assures Bessie that, if she think's [Pablo] Casals' leter was cold then Donald's was 'icy in its egotism and priggishness and tactlessness'. If Casals does not give concerts in London on 'those very dates' [previously agreed for performances with Donald] it will be 'a miracle of generosity'; she agrees with Willy Strecker that Casals is the 'most aggrieved party', which she could prove from Donald's own letter to her; it is 'disgraceful that he should use such foul language of them [Casals and Suggia] now'. Knows what trouble Casals took to interest [Franz] Schalk in Donald. Wants Donald to be a good man, which does not simply consist in obeying the seventh commandment [do not commit adultery]; lists the virtues which he can lack: 'Industry, humility, loyalty, candour...' Pities Casals. Her brother [Henry] told her 'some of the lies Guilhermina [Suggia] had concocted about Donald'; cannot help admiring 'that young woman's invention'. In October, Donald 'nearly threw a dinner plate' at her and 'dashed out of the house' when she said something in Suggia's conduct when they were in Paris needed explaining. Is sorry and very disappointed about the concerts, as is Mr Strecker; does not know what is to be done. As Fanny Davies and 'every sensible person' said, the 'only answer to the esclandre [scandal]' was to keep to the Chelsea Concerts programme, and it is Donald alone who made that impossible. He will have to lose money and reputation this year. Is relieved he seems better; fancy him having 'two terrific quarrels in one year', she herself has never had one on her own account.
Northlands, Englefield Green, Surrey. - Is in great distress; sends Bessie 'these miserable things' firstly because she fears that Donald [Tovey], under cover of 'high spirits... is suffering from a depression which amounts to madness' and may end most terribly, and secondly as she is increasingly convinced [Julius Engelbert] Röntgen 'may be doing a grave injustice to his friendship with [Pablo] Casals' by only believing Donald's account [of the quarrel over Guilhermina Suggia]. Originally enclosing letters to her from Donald written at Vienna and Hewell which do not relate to anything she has said or done since there was no discussion of the matter on the day he left, and a telegram which is 'his only comment... on Casals' sad little note send him by Mr Strecker'. Has not yet written, only sent books and money as requested. Encloses the letter she plans to send [see 8/78 ?], not so Bessie can 'be a judge' between them, but so she can know her mind in case she can help care for Donald. Has had letters and speech like this from Donald before, and '[m]orally speaking' he should have left her after the first occasion, when he was at Oxford. But since she knows 'the tragedy of the circumstances of his origin' she has been willing [to forgive] 'unto seventy times seven' in order 'to save him'. Wishes his friends would help. Asks Bessie if she can send a word to Professor Röntgen, which might help, or perhaps not. Would listen 'to any advice or suggestion'.
Northlands, Englefield Green, Surrey. - Is very unhappy, as Donald [Tovey] did not keep his promise to send Willy Strecker his letter to [Pablo] Casals [about the quarrel over Guilhermina Suggia] before posting it; when he found that Casals was also in Liverpool he wrote him 'sheets and sheets of the most vain priggish arrogant stuff', in reply to which Casals wrote 'the sad little dignified note' she encloses a copy of [see 8/142]. Donald should have seen Casals, or at least have let him know they were in the same town. Donald sent Willy Strecker a rough copy of his letter after he had sent the original to Casals, and Strecker has sent it to her. The concerts will be ruined and she feels she can not show her face in London again. Knows Donald did not give 'so much as a breath of offence to Casals as a husband', but does not doubt 'he was very disloyal to him and made him very unhappy as a host and friend'. Is anxious in case Donald's 'too violent friendship with young [Adolf] Busch' ends sadly as well. All too like his father. Donald seemed very depressed so she has telegraphed to Professor Röntgen; his reply perhaps originally included. In a postscript, asks Bessie to send Willy Strecker's note on to Röntgen, and the copy of Casals' letter back to her.
Northlands, Englefield Green, Surrey. - Thanks Bessie for her kind note; wishes she could 'just ship Donald [Tovey] off to Amsterdam', but he is going to play in Leeds then representing Oxford at the centenary of the Gesellschaft der Musikfreunde in Vienna. He is much better again, though things are 'still very difficult' for her. The gossips in London say Hugh Godley declares 'he will not rest till he has detached Donald' from her; 'whatever is really best for Donald' will be best for her and she is not afraid as long as he 'remains his own good self'. Wishes he could go and stay with the Röntgens and Bessie; he is with Neville Lytton at the moment. The Klinglers [Klingler Quartet] are coming to Northlands when they will have more of his music, and [Adolf] Busch is going to put on his music in Vienna, so she hopes 'proper appreciation is in sight at least'. Wishes Ariadne ["The Bride of Dionysus"] were finished. Donald has shown her a letter from Guilhermina Casals [Suggia] written in Munich, which he says 'was exactly like the one to Madame Röntgen'. Is convinced the letters were not written by Guilhermina but by Pablo [Casals]: they are not at all in her style. It is 'the most frightful tragedy': she believes Guilhermina still values Donald 'rightly', but love Casals and had to write the letters or 'be thrown out into the street again' so she has betrayed Donald. Asks if she can have Guilhermina's letters to her back; Donald took them but said she ought to have them. Has also received a letter from 'old Madame Casals', asking her to write her a 'bonne lettre'. Thanks Bessie for seeing to her 'poor little chain'. Has sent Donald Bessie's letter at the Lyttons.
Northlands, Englefield Green, Surrey. - Thanks Bessie for her kind note, which has 'calmed Donald [Tovey] very much'; they need this as he has 'turned on' her as he did after his mother's death four years ago 'and the other horrors at Worplesdon'; he is behaving just like 'his unhappy Father', involving her in quarrels with her 'nearest friends' and 'doing nothing all day long'. Is very tired and finds it hard to take care of him, and cannot send him to the Trevelyans. He 'watches every post'. Everything has gone wrong since Hugh Godley 'began to meddle and insist on Donald's "refuting" [Pablo] Casals' slander' [about Guilhermina Suggia]; as if his own in the summer 'was not far worse'. Thanks for the chain, and for bringing Donald's things. Hopes to hear 'the results of Prof. Rontgen's kind endeavours soon' though she does not feel very hopeful.
Northlands, Englefield Green, Surrey. - Originally enclosing some brown thread giving 'the length for the chain'; they could perhaps also supply a few opals if there are some missing. Is very tired after 'these anxieties and agitations' and very worried about Donald: he is showing the strain by behaving towards her as he did four years ago which makes it 'difficult to take care of him', and she has 'no dear Bob and Bessie to trust him to'. The 'affair itself threatens to end in bathos': she has had a 'rapturous' letter from 'the wife' [Guilhermina Suggia] saying how glad she is to be with her Pablo [Casals] again. Wishes Professor Röntgen could force Pablo 'to unsay all the wicked nonsense he wept out to all and sundry here'. Sends her love to all six Röntgens; they will be very grateful if Bessie's brother in law [Julius Engelbert Röntgen] can tell them what should be done. Regrets the loss of twenty-six pounds on Thursday's concert.
Northlands, Englefield Green, Surrey. - Will be delightful to have Bessie to stay tomorrow; tells her to come as early as she can, as [Adolf] Busch is here, and the Arányis and Percy Such are coming early tomorrow afternoon. Donald [Tovey] will give her news of Holland;he fled there on Saturday to tell 'his strange tale of the Casals to the dear and kind Röntgens' and came back yesterday 'much comforted'.
Northlands, Englefield Green, Surrey. - Asks if Bessie can visit for a night or two next week; say the 29th to stay for the concert on the 31st. Wants to talk to her: 'poor Donald [Tovey] has indeed been in deep waters this summer' [a reference to the quarrel with Pablo Casals over Guilhermina Suggia].
Hôtel Bellevue, Bad Nauheim, Hessen. - Is sending a letter from Bobbie [Trevelyan] to Donald [Tovey] at Pablo Casals' in Vendrell; wishes she herself could have news of the Trevelyans. Regrets that she was too exhausted the day after Donald's party to see them again. Still feels tired and depressed. Regrets that Ariadne ["The Bride of Dionysus"] is 'so far our of Bobbie's hands' that it does not keep him and Donald together and that she seems to see Bessie less; invites her to visit soon when they all return, and hopes Bobbie will not yet have 'scrambled off to the Antipodes'; it would make her very happy to see Julian again. She frets about Donald getting 'sunstroke and cholera and yellow fever' but trusts the Csaals are looking after him. Asks how the 'dear Röntgens' are. Is just booking the winds to perform [Julius Rontgen's] serenade at the first Chelsea Concert. Postscript says she hopes they were pleased with the "Times" review [of "The Bride of Dionysus"; Donald was, and so was she 'on the whole'. Asks if Donald mentioned that she read "Ariadne" with her girls this term.
Is as sorry as Donald [Tovey] must be that his trip to Spain has been put off, even though she would have been anxious about the heat; they must now wait for [Pablo] Casals to write. She had just written to Guilhermina [Suggia] with Donald's time of arrival when the telegram came. If she were a 'fairy Godmother' she would get them to join Donald at Vernet les Bains, which Lady [Evelyn] de Vesci says is 'heavenly'. Casals has been 'wildly anxious' about his mother for some time, or it might be cholera. She will not go to Paris now, but have another couple of baths [at Nauheim?] then return via Flushing [Vlissingen] and Folkestone. Ought to be at Northlands by Saturday morning, but has promised to go to Worplesdon. If the Trevelyans have Donald a few days longer, at least there will be more time for Ariadne ["The Bride of Dionysus"], then he must have a little more holiday. An enclosure [now no longer present] may interest Bessie. Discussion of the weather: it has been raining in Chile.
Brack's Doelen Hotel, Amsterdam. - The Trevelyans must come to Englefield Green when [Julius Engelbert and Abrahamina] Röntgen are in England; they arrive on 7 May, asks if Bessie could look in a Bradshaw [railway guide] to see how they could best travel from London. Hopes that they will all be able to entertain each other, as she will be 'absolutely distracted' by work and they have been incredibly kind and hospitable to her; hopes the Casals [Pablo and Guilhermina Suggia] will be staying too as he is playing on the 10th and 11th. Some of them can stay at the Wheatsheaf at Virginia Water, and they can use the concert room as a sitting room. Wishes the 'new Toveum' was built. Is sorry that she 'wailed' at Bessie about Ariadne ["The Bride of Dionysus", see 8/53] but it is 'almost tragically disquieting'; thinks the 'fearful pull in another direction' [Tovey's feelings for Mary Kelly?] which is 'helping to lame the poor fellow', though he has just written some beautiful songs. Will have no peace until the opera is totally finished, and at least Tovey's symphony written, but does not know when that will be, while Donald lets his career slip away. He should have gone on writing for the "Times" and done some teaching. Is however no longer anxious about his playing. The Arányis will probably also be at Northlands, so there will be a real 'Musikfest'. Regrets that she has not been to the Hague: as it is she has done more than suits her, but Bessie's kind Schwager [brother-in-law: Julius Röntgen] played her the Beethoven G major concerto with Donald 'as orchestra'. Donald is staying to hear Rontgen's new symphony and is staying with them; she is kindly asked to meals, and was taken yesterday to Volendam, which was not what she planned when she came out with her 'faithful "Annie"' [her maid]. Is finding Amsterdam very picturesque and interesting, though it seems 'surprisingly new'. Hopes her 'much admired Julian' is well.
39, Royal Terrace, Edinburgh. - Is glad Trevelyan had a good time in Vienna. Donald would like to see him as soon as is convenient: he hopes to go to Dresden for a few days around February 20; will be back on the 24th. Got Trevelyan's letter enclosing the one from the [Edinburgh Opera] Company, after it had gone to New York and back despite being clearly marked 'Inghilterra'. Is very glad Bessie is well again. [Guilhermina] Suggia 'has put herself off again'; they hope she will be here for the 24 March concert; the programme arranged for then will be given on 11 February .
University of Edinburgh. - Thanks Bessie, and asks her to thank [her sister] Mrs Röntgen for taking that trouble. Thinks everything is clear, except for 'two little places' which will wait until he gets back to Holland. The Röntgens seemed very well; Franz [Frants] was ill when he arrived, but was soon recovered. The Trio [Julius Sr, Julius Jn and Englebert Röntgen] has been having real success, received enthusiastically by 'audiences of 1500'. Englebert has developed 'most strikingly' in style and tone; Tovey felt 'as if something like the Joachim Quartet was still alive & young'. 'Der Papaselbst' [Julius Englebert Röntgen] is well, although sad about the state of the world, and has been writing some 'most beautiful unaccompanied choral music: Psalms against war'. He took Tovey to a beautiful neighbouring swimming bath and proved himself a good swimmer.
Will send Bessie a letter for G.B. [Grete Busch?] soon, though would be 'ashamed' to make much of his news since she 'so thoroughly sees how unenviable is the [position of a man who is out of it all'. Dreads Miss Weisse breaking bad news to him so is very glad he knows from Grete that she wants to get bad news before it reaches Tovey. Miss Weisse is in 'a very nasty state of mind... peculiarly inhuman pro-Germanism' which he would mind less if she were still in Germany or 'didn't do her duty to England with the savage energy of a District Visitor of the most ruthless kind'. He himself cannot hate anything as she does everything English. However, he is with his 'saintly & dear old aunt', who has much of his mother's wit, and returns to Edinburgh on the 2nd. Is concerned that Miss Weisse may accede to Lady Lewis [Elizabeth, Lady Lewis?]'s request to give Guil[hermina] Suggia an engagement at Northlands. Also, in a letter she sent enclosing Bessie's 'which she thinks contains Dutch criticisms', Miss Weisse urges Tovey 'to join some military organisation' which will benefit him 'both morally & physically'. Will not do so until he has finished his work in Edinburgh, in March, when he will probably join something in Surrey or Berkshire. Thinks Miss Weisse wishes to make his position in Edinburgh 'untenable', as she wants him to do more concerts in Holland as soon as Augustin offers, and knows he could not manage all three. Says in a postscript that he saw the Hubrechts at Utrecht: Mrs Hubrecht [Maria? or Johanna Maria?] took him to tea and he met Paul, and saw photographs of Jan dressed as a yound lady 'so exquisite' that he had to 'strike a Tamino attitude'. Professor [Ambrosius] Hubrecht was better than he expected, and joined fully in the conversation.
Northlands, Englefield Green, Surrey. - Thanks Bessie for the letter and photographs, which have just reached him after going astray in Aachen. Miss Weisse has tried twice to get a 'recantation' from G.S. [Guilhermina Suggia] and given up; thought she 'quite understood' until she showed Tovey Suggia's letter, in which Suggia quoted 'some highly emotional remarks' of Tovey's without mentioning that they came from a letter to Casals when Tovey left Spain, which Suggia could not have known of until after her reconciliation with Casals. Thinks this changed Miss Weisse's view of the business greatly, and amused her. Suggia does not lie 'if she can possibly help it... [s]he merely selects her truths'. [Murray Coutts ?] Trotter's insistence that Tovey should not admit to acting at any point 'with other than Ideal Wisdom' is justified. Regretted last autumn the 'drastic note' to Casals which Trotter and [Hugh] Godley compelled him to write, but now sees it was necessary; even hopes Casals may someday see so too. Thinks Miss Weisse is right that Suggia is 'in many ways fully as much sinned against as sinning'; Casals should not 'have taken her back while vilifying her to all Paris'. Hopes she will 'make a great career as a musician' and that Casals will soon recover from his attempt 'to educate a person who is twenty times cleverer than himself'. Is also sorry for 'that poor little Common House-fly' Horzowski, who is 'rather a genius as a player'. Sends love to Mrs Röntgen, and says Bessie must bring her to Northlands: they have the 9th Symphony for two pianos [Beethoven arr. Liszt?]. A postscript on the back of the envelope says that the cello solo sonata is out and [Willi?] Strecker 'is going to use it as a life-buoy'.
Wien. - Miss Weisse 'probably infuriated' by a clause added by Tovey saying that this was his last word on the subject [the quarrel with Casals]. His letter was 'considerably longer' than the one Bessie saw, out of a wish for clearness, and to choose words meaning the same in French as in English where possible. Each point he made, including the last, agreed between Tovey and [Willi?] Strecker. Henry Weisse saw the letter as it went to Casals, and thought it excellent. The letter was 'greatly improved both in friendliness and accuracy' by the changes. But thinks Casals got the letter on false pretences, saying to Strecker that he would 'consider the Chelsea question' if Tovey made a friendly move, but explained he could not retract his slander as that would mean 'choosing between [Tovey] and his wife'; thinks Casals wanted 'some indiscretion' in Tovey's reply which he could twist to justify his accusations. There could then have been 'peace of a kind' between them: Strecker perhaps does not know Tovey well enough to see that he 'wouldn't touch it with a pair of tongs', and Miss Weisse would accept it as 'she more than half believes in G.C. [Guilhermina Casals]'. Explains why he could not have seen Casals in Liverpool. Will write 'pretty vigorously' to Strecker: is not angry with him, and grateful for all of his help, but is not sure if he is 'quite sound' in his view of Tovey's time in Spain. Has written to [George] Enesco asking him to choose a cellist to replace Casals, sending it to Miss Weisse to fill in the dates and address. Asks to be remembered to Sir George and Lady Trevelyan, and to Julian. [Julius] Röntgen returned to Amsterdam the day before yesterday; he has to write to Casals to thank him for playing in his concerto (a great success). Tovey's 'extra print... sets him free to say anything he likes' and it is 'not his business to keep P. and G. together'. Was delightful being with Röntgen in Vienna. Will stay over Sunday as [Franz] Schalk is going to 'undergo an operation of Ariadne' ["The Bride of Dionysus"]. A postscript recommends that Bessie ask Miss Weisse to show her Tovey's letter to Casals.
Northlands, Englefield Green, Surrey. - Apologises for not thanking Bessie sooner for her invitation to come and work on Ariadne ["The Bride of Dionysus"] at 'the House of the Peeled Birches' [the Shiffolds?] but concerts and travels have prevented him. Bessie's sister [Bramine Röntgen?]'s letter is 'beautiful' and though it may not succeed in 'making silk purses out of sow's ears' it has, more importantly, made him feel at ease 'that the thing that had to be said, & could not be said by [him], has been most accurately and clearly said for [him]'. No longer very keen on his 'theories on G.C. [Guilhermina Casals]'s behalf': her letter to him is 'full of lies that can only have been inspired by him [Pablo Casals]', but he has just received from Casals a letter 'full of lies that can only have been inspired by her'. Is scathing about both of them. It 'sickens' Tovey to think of Casals' friendship: he is 'immensely susceptible to friendship', and responds to 'such frank and simple admiration as Casals showed' by becoming 'absolutely uncritical' and returning it 'with the most intimate confidence'. Not the first time he has wasted 'affection on a cad', but the first and he hopes last time he has done so on a 'scoundrel'; now knows 'what touching qualities of simplicity and self-deception they can have'.
Jokingly claims the postcard shows 'the Shrine of St Jobiska'. Will send the 'old bundle' [of the score of "The Bride of Dionysus"] as far as the start of the symphonic interlude. Now starting the cave-scene; would increasingly like to 'set the Hecate passage after all', which 'musically as well as ethically' helps to prepare for [Phaedra's] big scene later. His hosts [Pablo Casals and Guilhermina Suggia] have just tried the first movement of a duet for two cellos which he is also working on.
c/o Casals, San Salvador, Prov. de Tarragona. - Is just copying the recapitulation of the Nereid theme which leads to the cave scene [in "The Bride of Dionysus"]. Minos was 'very troublesome', and Tovey had to rewrite the music to a speech in Act I before he could work on his farewell speech, but after than all went well. Now much happier with the Labyrinth scene, which was 'the worst part of the opera'. 'This place & house & people are most Dionysiac' [is staying with Pablo Casals and Guilhermina Suggia]; they drove to Poblet, shown on the postcard, the day before yesterday.
Wallington, Cambo, Morpeth. - Wishes she could visit and talk to Miss Weisse at once; is sending back all the enclosures as soon as she can; very sorry for all Miss Weisse's 'pain and anxiety' over the last few months. No use to go into details, and she does not wish 'to be a judge' between Miss Weisse and Donald [Tovey: see 8/75]; just wishes she could 'smooth away any difficulties there are'. Begs her not to be too anxious about Donald: seems quite natural that he would not want 'to give the least impression of being daunted or depressed' and he seemed 'perfectly sane & balanced in all his views' when she talked to him. Does not quite understand when Miss Weisse says in her letter that [Julius Engelbert] Röntgen may 'be doing a grave injustice to his friendship with [Pablo] Casals' if he only trusts Donald's account of what happened; asks if this means she thinks Casals' account, 'after having his mind poisoned by his wife [Guilhermina Suggia]]' could be at all trustworthy. Obvious that Suggia poisoned Casals' mind against Donald 'in order to clear herself', as she 'wrote one thing before the reconciliation & just the opposite after it'; hopes there is no doubt in Miss Weisse's mind about that - is sure there was none when they talked together first about the matter - and if so Röntgen will be able to 'judge quite well and generously about it'. Is sure it will 'all come right... when the angry passions have been calmed down'. Thinks she has read everyone's correspondence, starting with no prejudice against Suggia as she did not know her; thinks Casals' letter 'a "sad" but also really a very hard obstinate cruel note', when if Donald's was the same as the one he showed her the draft of, it was 'wise & generous, after all that had occurred'. Asks Miss Weisse to let her think it all over. Knows Donald 'will not dwell on it', and will be the first to try and help her forget it all. Asks whether she thinks Donald would like to spend Christmas at the Shiffolds; he might be encouraged to start work again by having to play through the score [of "The Bride of Dionysus"] to the Trevelyans.
17 Lauriston Place, Edinburgh. - Has been expecting to hear from The Trevelyans that they are 'greatly ashamed and very sorry for the mischief' made and 'influence exerted' on a 'defenceless' man [Donald Tovey]; must 'express contrition' and 'promise amendment'. Will not 'let the matter rest as it is' though she is prepared to 'resume friendly relations' once they say this, even if she cannot trust them. The 'tragedy here deepens daily [the situation with Tovey's wife Grettie]' and she holds them 'largely responsible for it'; only 'by God's mercy that Donald is not utterly consumed'. Will come south with him when he plays at Northlands this week with Guilhermina Suggia.