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'.
Elton Hall, Peterborough. - Is attracted by Trevelyan's Rothbury plan and will join in if he can, but there are factors which may prevent him. Miss Weisse went to Germany the Sunday before the British declaration of war; the Noordewiers [Aaltje and Michiel], who have just returned to Holland, heard from her a week ago and she is safe in Hanover. She can get money from the Streckers at Mainz there, and he has 'no special cause for anxiety' at the moment. His brother [Duncan] is in the London Scottish Regiment and has just left on active service, so his family at Worplesdon may want help. He also left all his opera score at the Shiffolds. Whatever his own prospects, and whatever becomes of Fritz Busch, he has to try to work as if nothing has changed. It is 'awful' working on his symphony, 'every note of which is Fritz's private property' but if Fritz comes through the war he could not face him unless the work were perfect. He and Trevelyan must also carry on with the opera: 'German translation & all'. Must not let himself merely subside into his Edinburgh professorship, but must also make 'a striking and solid success' of his first term's work there. Will have a few 'rather vulgar sham-organization-&-efficiency bullies' to cope with, and needs to win the support of people of 'real culture' through efficiency. His timetable is in print in the University calendar; has decided to get a secretary for office-work, and asks if Trevelyan knows of a candidate, though he must be 'an Edinburgh sort of librarian's bottle-washer' and it wouldn't be a good move for Rupert Leigh [Rupert Lee?].
Thinks it best to complete his time at Elton Hall: 'Victor [Hely-Hutchinson]'s talent is a thing of immense importance' and he must be saved 'from the appalling bad musical taste of his people'; they are not 'bad and vulgar' but 'good and kind, in spite of many British limitations that are beyond caricature' and their 'impenetrable satisfaction with the precise stage of culture they happen to have drifted into', which makes things difficult, but he thinks he will succeed. Hal Goodhart-Rendel is an example of 'what bad feeding can do for the finest material in the world': both he and Victor had 'more talent, better health & stronger brains' than Tovey had. His sister [Natalie] must had had a quite useful talent and her violin-playing could have been useful to Victor, but 'it is now so unspeakably bad' and she plays 'such vile stuff' to the delight of her relations that it is bad for Victor to play with her. So Tovey feels he should stay until the other tutor comes on the 20th.
Would be an 'honour & delight' to meet Trevelyan's parents again, and sees it would be good for Trevelyan to be north; however, it may be better for Tovey to be near Northlands, Worplesdon and the Shiffolds. Leaves the decision to Trevelyan.
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'.
The Shiffolds, Holmbury St. Mary, Dorking. - Is glad to hear Booa is better; hopes she will soon be out of bed. All well here, 'except for Paul's Vaccination arm'; this should be 'at its worst' in a couple of days, though Robert does not think it will be particularly bad. Cycled over to the Rendels' house near Guildford [Hatchlands] 'as the only way of finding out about Tovey', and met him going for a walk with [Hal?] Rendel. Arranged that Tovey would come this Saturday for a few days; thinks that is what Tovey 'had really been hoping to do all along, though it is not in his way to write'.
Fry is coming down tomorrow to look at the Manor Farm at Abinger, belonging to 'Mr Evelyn of Wotton'; it is currently to let and may suit the Frys. Mrs Fry is recovering, 'perhaps sooner than on other occasions'. Sorry to hear that Charles has 'a bad cold or influenza'; hopes he will recover before his 'debate on the corrupt Companies comes on again'. Hopes his father is well, and will finish his book [Volume III of The American Revolution] soon.