Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland. - Very interesting to hear about Mr Tovey [see 8/147, letter from Duncan Crookes Tovey to Robert]; suspects that Macaulay was quoting Pope directly. Glad to have Robert's account of the [Apostles'] dinner, and that he spoke; thoughts on preparing for speeches and speaking ex tempore. His finger is improving. Gave Robert's message to Aunt Annie [Philips], who is well and looking forward to her tour of Italy and Sicily. Glad Bessie likes his "Greek War" ["An Ancient Greek War", a piece in his "Interludes in Verse and Prose"]; at least the 'extreme elaboration' of the piece differentiates it from the rest of the considerable literature on those times. Pleased to hear of a measure condemning Boriell's [?] Bill at a large meeting at Smithfield being defeated 'by an enormous majority' after an 'excellent speech by Mr Harper'
Postmarked Oban. Sent to Trevelyan at the Shiffolds but forwarded on to Central Post Office, Marlborough. - Has finished Act I [of "The Bride of Dionysus"], leaving a blank space for Minos' new lines. It lasts an hour and twenty minutes, so unless the long speeches of the rest of the play go quicker than this 'very chopped up' act, the opera will be over four hours long: 'quite Wagnerian'. Asks if [Trevelyan's] "Sisyphus" could be called an 'Operatic Drama', implying 'a play tinged with operatic extravagance (if not one that might be set to music)'; if there was classical precedent for calling a play a fable, 'Operatic Fable' might sound well. Would be good if they could run through the first act together more than once: would like Marie Joachim to hear it, and to play it to his parents at Worplesdon, and to Paul [Trevelyan's son?]. Asks Trevelyan to forgive his 'rude remarks about the pied fawn skin' - the line is beautiful, but will not be set to music.
A list of the books that he is sending from his father [Duncan Crookes Tovey]'s library.
Northlands, Englefield Green, Surrey. - Thanks Bessie for all her kindness: she is a 'true friend'. Donald [Tovey] has gone to Wales; they few days he spent with her were 'very quiet' with 'no sort of discussion'. Has not yet got the new programmes for the [Chelsea] Concerts. Donald kept saying 'how valueless [Pablo] Casals had always been to him'; this was very hurtful, as it reminds her of his parents, but she said nothing. Donald 'seemed a little better'; hopes he will not talk in Wales and that the subject will 'recede in his mind'. Sends love and best wishes for Christmas to Bessie, Julian and Bob, whom she wishes 'safe back home soon again [from the East]'. Encloses some 'Dutch pence' for the mending of her chain; Julian should 'play with the little silver box' until she finds him a toy she likes. Sends love to the 'kind Röntgens'. In a postscript, urges Bessie to bring Julian 'for a little Christmas tree on the 30th'; Donald could take her back next morning, and perhaps go straight from hers to Aachen on the 2nd. Work is 'the only cure' for Donald; wishes he had practised his concerto.
Letters dated 28 Nov. 1896 - 14 Aug. 1906.
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. - 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, 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.
bei Frau Aumer Medenwaldt [?], Von der Heydtstrasse 1, Berlin. - Sends his latest suggestions [for the libretto of "The Bride of Dionysus"]. Asks if the opera could be divided into three acts instead of four: sets out his ideas for altering the time of Act II from morning to evening, and the advantages this change brings, including for lighting and scenery. Thinks that the whole opera will be about as long as [Wagner's] "Tristan und Isolde"; fears Ariadne's part in the last act will be 'more than any mortal singers can hold out' but will consider what can be done when he gets there. Someone has raised doubts as to whether it is 'too late-Roman to identify Iacchus with Bacchus'. Seems to suggest an anti-Stratfordian view: referring to the' sea-coasts of Bohemia', he supposes 'Bacon would have been careful about his geography if he had to write a Twelfth Night for an audience of Drakes and Raleghs'. His father wishes for a long 'o' in the scansion of 'Minotaur', but he 'evidently can't always get it'. Asks for assistance with 'the taurophone': thinks the only way to make this non-comic would be for a human chorus to 'bellow the death-cries' and wants these to be some syllables 'that wouldn't be Greek to Jebb' but would sound so to the audience; wants there to be some suggestion of humanity. Proposes "The Bride of Dionysus" as the title. Asks about moving the song about Pan; worries about the amount of chorus in the opera. Has opening phrases for Ariadne, Theseus and Minos and other themes.
Does not know how long he will be in Berlin. Joachim is dying but he cannot see him so as not to over-excite him. Joachim is very happy that Harold [his nephew] is engaged to [his daughter] Liesl.
Letters, from both scholars and members of the public, regarding W. Aldis Wright's editions of Shakespeare (including collaborations with W. G. Clark) as well as notes on the texts and suggested emendations. Some letters with no addressee may have been written to W. G. Clark. Correspondents include E. B. Cowell, F. J. Furnivall, C. M. Ingleby, H.A.J. Munro, W. W. Skeat, Duncan Tovey, and the 8th Duke of Devonshire. Some notes by Julius Lloyd and Lionel Booth.
Wright, William Aldis (1831-1914), literary and biblical scholarTwo letters.
S.Y. Zingara, off Ryde. - Thanks Trevelyan for the alterations [to the libretto of "The Bride of Dionysus"]; tells him that wherever there is a choice he will take the shortest possible. Lists readings which he is adopting at present, with further suggestions; reminds Trevelyan that he wants as little real alteration as possible, just 'a saving word or clause here and there'; and that at 'critical situations... simple & few words have most weight'. Is on a yacht with Hal Goodhart Rendel off the Isle of Wight, letters will be forwarded to him from Northlands. In a postscript, says that he would like to get Dionysus' new speech before writing Minos's, as his overture 'will be an instrumental version of it' and this in turn affects the beginning of the first act. Requests 'a vigorous emphasis in D's treatment of the world' so that there can be a contrast between the overture and the first chorus, and between Dionysus's two speeches; rather wants Ariadne's 'version of the Androgeos theme to be a climax'.
Kirsch's Hotel, Bad Nauheim. - It is good of Bessie, when she has Julian to take care of as well [to look after Donald Tovey so well?]; thanks her for writing; thinks it will not be safe to try the Sanatogen for a while but to keep with the brown tonic, which contains quinine. Wonders if he is going to [Augusta and Douglas] Freshfield next Sunday; wishes she were at home, but supposes it is necessary if she is to be fit for next term. Has told Herbert to send more of Donald's tonic; tells Bessie to open the box of apples which will arrive from Shoolbreds as Donald was to offer them. A postscript notes that there may be 'great trouble brewing from Worplesdon' [home of his family] again, and asks Bessie to 'watch over him if he seems excited'.
Northlands, Englefield Green, Surrey. - Was at Worplesdon yesterday and read 'Adney' [Ariadne, i.e. Trevelyan's first draft of the libretto for "The Bride of Dionysus"] to his parents: was delightful to see his father relish its 'classical spirit and detail' and get excited at each point where a 'fine spectacular or dramatic effect' can be imagined'. He confirmed Tovey's feeling that Minos needs to be 'filled out & prevented from an abstraction of ogre-dom', but also inclined him to think that many of his other scruples may be 'meticulous'. Further thoughts on Phaedra in the third Act, and on Minos' speech at the entrance to the Labyrinth; suggests the addition of a reference made by Ariadne to the tears shed for Androgeos by his sisters. Note on the back of the envelope saying how pretty Tovey finds the Satyr, and asking if Trevelyan could make him 'lead a Maenad chorus'.
Northlands, Englefield Green, Surrey. - Is sorry Donald [Tovey] has been so vague: he is to be with the Coopers and Hal Rendel from 4 January, when the Northlands guests, leave till the 10th; Neville Lytton is here and thinks Donald then promised to go to Crabbett, this could be altered but she must find out from Mrs Lytton; is 'ground to pieces' by Christmas after the 'heaviest and most anxious term' she has ever had; still has to write some programmes to write for Donald before the post. Expects the Trevelyans will not be sorry if Donald does not get to them before April, but he may have time after the 12th before going to Scotland to play on the 14th. His father is spending next week here. Asks Bessie to give her love to Bobbie and say how glad she was of their 'friendlike talk'; is thinking 'constantly' of Bessie [in her pregnancy]. Donald ought to write himself, but he is 'in retirement... with a violin sonata'.
Northlands, Englefield Green, Surrey. - Hopes Donald [Tovey] has let Bessie know that he proposes to be at Worplesdon from Saturday to Monday, to see his father and bring him on to the Trevelyans. Asks Bessie if she can see to a few things: Donald is not quite well, as 'his wretched eczema plainly shows', so she is sending his tonic and hair wash to be put in his bedroom; had got it under control but one result of 'the inexpressibly silly meddling early in the year' was that it was neglected; they both find it very depressing. Assures Bessie that it is not infectious, but hereditary [perhaps psoriasis rather than eczema?]. Will send one trunk packed for Germany, the other to come back to Northlands. Donald must leave for Mayence [Mainz] on 31 August at the latest, for his visit to the Streckers, although unfortunately 'the old publisher [Geheimrat Ludwig Strecker Sr] and his wife' will be absent. Bobbie [Trevelyan's] 'absurd intrusion into Mr Strecker's carriage' [see 8/25] gave the impression that Donald was 'an idle, capricious, rich amateur' who takes every excuse not to work, instead of a 'serious musician with his living to get'. Insists that the limitations imposed by his teaching and concerts encourage Donald to work, and do not hinder him. Urgent that he practises the piano regularly again in the autumn, as 'important people' tell her they have noticed a difference in his playing; he is however not well enough for her to worry him at the moment. Hopes to meet him in Munich with Percy Such for the Brahms fest. Will send Bessie her summer address when she knows it. Is sure being with Bessie will benefit Donald.
Northlands, Englefield Green, Surrey. - Very kind of Bessie to offer the Shiffolds in her absence, but [Donald Tovey] wishes to stay at Northlands until he takes his 'little tour with Mr Trevelyan'. She wished him to accompany his father on his tour of the Mediterranean;Mr [Richard Douglas?] Denman tried to persuade him but he did not want to go; Mr [Frederick] Kelly is coming to work with him. Very kind of Bessie to think of him. Hopes 'Paulchen' will benefit soon from his trip to the sea.
Northlands, Englefield Green, Surrey. - Lady Betty [Balfour] has plans for Thursday night, so he would not have a chance of seeing his family before going abroad unless he goes to Worplesdon on Friday morning on the way to Dorking. Begrudges time away from the Shiffolds, but feels he should not come straight after the concert.
Northlands, Englefield Green, Surrey. - Thanks Bessie for news of Donald [Tovey]; is in despair that he is not meeting her in London tomorrow, and 'worn out' trying to get him to answer questions with which others are harassing her. If he is ill, asks Bessie to let her know care of Miss Cunliffe at Worplesdon. The questions should mostly have ben settled before Christmas; she is 'not good at uncertainty nowadays and telegrams and fuss'. Is glad Donald is with the Trevelyans, and grateful to them for also taking his father.
c/o Miss Cunliffe, Worplesdon St. Mary, Guildford. - Labelled 'Private - please burn, for yourself only'. Hopes that Donald [Tovey] and his father will go to the Trevelyans on Monday; fears he is in 'a perilous condition of nerves' and is taking on 'the whole burden of the life ill spent and ill conditioned of his miserable father'; he is neglecting not only her but his work and urgent duties. Has not finished his string quartets, and is endangering his health to 'amuse a man who for the last thirty years... has never in any particular done his duty'. Begs Bessie to watch him for her, and to ensure he takes a 'brain tonic' which she will send for him. Is not taking a holiday herself due to a 'rather tiresome heart attack' and her wish not to be far from Donald; was dismayed when it did not occur to him to provide the 'little uplifting entertaining time' she feels she needs between terms. Must insist that Donald comes to Northlands at least ten days before the Chelsea concerts to practice, or they will be a disaster. Commonly known that things at Worplesdon are 'perfectly frightful': they will have to pay Mr Tovey's debts to get him away, and keep him at Englefield Green or nearby; asks what is to be done with Tovey's brother [Duncan] 'who will not work' and 'borrows money from Donald to pay all the tradesmen' yet is still fifty pounds in debt to the village baker. The Rectory has 'literally, not been cleaned for fifteen years' and no rooms on the upper landing are weather proof. A 'kind rich woman', previously unknown to her, has taken her in at Worplesdon; she returns to Northlands when the Toveys go to the Trevelyans.
Brighton. - Writes with the news that Donald [Tovey]'s mother died on Christmas Day and the funeral is on Tuesday. Wants then to take Donald and his father back to Northlands for a few days, then hopes Donald will still come on to the Trevelyans instead of going back to Worplesdon. Sends best Christmas wishes to the Trevelyans. Does hope Donald's brother and 'his very capable little wife' will look after Mr Tovey at the Rectory so that Donald can come to the Trevelyans; perhaps Bessie could 'urge it a little'. Fears he will not come to Scotland with her now.
Worplesdon; sent to Trevelyan at the Shiffolds and forwarded on to the National Liberal Club, Whitehall P[la]ce, S.W.. - Thanks Trevelyan for the 'beautiful Drama' ["The Bride of Dionysus"]; asks when he will 'ever see it on the stage', or indeed see Trevelyan or his wife; sends remembrances to them all, including the 'dear boy' [Julian?].
Includes testimonials and printed material. Some letters have explicatory notes by Florence Image. Almost 40 letters from Henry Jackson. Several letters from or relating to: H. M. Butler (some to Florence Image), A. V. Verrall, W. Aldis Wright, W. H. Thompson, Duncan Crookes Tovey and other members of his family, J. G. Frazer, J. N. Dalton, and J. W. L. Glaisher; for other correspondents see names below. Some letters by Image himself to various correspondents, and printed material
University of Edinburgh. - Thanks Bessie for the Buchholz. The notes are Tovey's father's. Fritz Busch has two other volumes, and the rest are Miss Weisse's, at Northlands. Received a postcard from the Noordewiers yesterday saying Fritz was well on the 11th, and that he had not been wounded as reported. Knows that his brother [Duncan] has been wounded, but not seriously. Things quiet and well, and the work fun, Is reading [Jan Pieterszoon] Sweelinck, 'a very great man indeed'. Sends, as an 'Awful Example of the sacrifice of poetry to rhyme', six lines of Psalm 137 translated into French [by Clément Marot].
Asks if he and his father can come on Monday, and for Trevelyan to send a line about trains to his father so that the visit appears to have been settled long ago. Checks that it really is convenient to 'Paul & Mrs Poet' and Trevelyan. The visit also depends on the state of the roads 'here & in Calabria & Sicily'. They are 'reading the Plutus of Henry Stuffiknew [?]' as it is the only thing his father can think of that is at all like [Trevelyan's] "Sisyphus".
Northlands, Englefield Green, Surrey. - Apologises for telling her so late about his plans again: is going to see his aunt [Anna Walter Thomas], which he has been putting off for two years, over Christmas; Miss Weisse has planned something which will delay him another day; the Trevelyans cannot do before the 20th or he would have come over now. Must be back at Northlands for New Year's Eve. Bessie will have to 'say something pretty strong to Miss Weisse' soon: she is still spreading the 'dismal & (both to [Tovey] and to her) utterly discreditable & mischievous lie that [Tovey] is "in a dangerous state of depression"'. Meanwhile she holds him 'here by the leg', even organising for his father's solicitor to come here to settle his business with him tomorrow night. Will have to get away if he is to be told 'absolutely nothing but lies', but his friends should understand that because musical prospects in England are so bad, he would have to leave the country altogether. His 'fine London concert patrons' are too busy 'choosing between [him], Kelly & Grainger' to give him 'any prospects at all'; their circles are also 'far too appearance-keeping' for him to 'earn an honest living'. Should not need to keep up appearances in Vienna, but begin with a 'European reputation' unhampered by the 'handicap' which his 'ten year's service as charwoman to the C.C.S [Classical Concert Society]' now seems. Is not sure it will be any use protesting to Miss Weisse though, if the 'lessons' she has had are not enough.
Northlands, Englefield Green, Surrey. - Asks if it is really convenient for him and his father to stay next week. Hopes to get on with Ariadne ["The Bride of Dionysus"]. Will be finishing his quartets for a couple of days from Monday, but hopes to be 'excavating the 2nd Act on Wednesday'.
Worplesdon. - Asks Trevelyan to forgive his use of pencil, as he cannot write comfortably in ink when on his back. Sympathises with the Trevelyans in their anxiety: hopes 'the little one [Julian Trevelyan] will thrive'. Describes his accident, which was 'strange and sudden': he fell on icy ground when conducting a coffin to the grave, hit his head against a marble monument, was picked up but fell at once having 'severed a great muscle about the knee'. Was able to finish the service and then was helped to the vestry where he 'made the necessary entries' while waiting for the doctor. Getting into the fly to be driven home was 'a rather excruciating business' and he then had a 'night of horrors'; is now recoving very slowly. Don [Donald Tovey] came to visit just after the accident; has not seen or heard from him since, as he is very busy. Supposes the opera ["The Bride of Dionysus"] is 'rather held up for the present'. Asks when the libretto will appear. Thinks that between them Trevelyan and Tovey 'will waken up Europe'.