Miss Weisse is in good spirits and health, and 'jingo German in cork-shooting effervescence', shedding some important, if partisan, light. Was under military as well as diplomatic protection during her travels, since the 'little governess' whom she was escorting to Berlin is a general's daughter. She will probably ask Bessie to come and see her; even if not, Tovey encourages her to do so and take Bob. Not necessary to believe that 'all that is in English newspapers is false & all that is in German true', but it is interesting that there are '7 million German soldiers who have not yet begun to move', and that the [Dowager] Duchess of Sutherland, whom Tovey saw return yesterday on the same boat as Miss Weisse, 'indignantly denies the "German atrocities" stories'. Fritz Busch conducted a 'patriotic concert' on the 12th, and the Burgomaster of Aachen may 'much against Fritz's will' insist on him being employed thus 'instead of as Kanonenfutter'. De Wed-Tjeenk turns out to have been 'the Rontgens' housekeeper'. A postscript on the back of the envelope notes that Tovey's brother [Duncan] is going to the front.
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].
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.
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
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.
Has known Robert Trevelyan well for many years 'as a friend and as a literary collaborator' in his own musical work. Has therefore often had 'ample opportunity' to judge the 'strength of his convictions on matters of importance and of detail'. They do not agree on everything: Tovey himself volunteered but was 'medically rejected under the Derby scheme', while his brother, the late Duncan Tovey, was a 'very well-known member of the London Scottish [Regiment]'. Feels therefore that he is 'without bias' when he gives his opinion that his friend's 'conscientious objection to taking any part in the war is with him a genuine moral principle', which he is 'quite incapable' of altering.
Elton Hall, Peterborough. - Asks Trevelyan to help him make up his mind: the three postcards [originally] enclosed will explain themselves. Miss Weisse's friend Elisabeth Besser, who lives at the address given by the Noordewiers [Aaltje and Michiel?], has obviously recommended she use de Wed, Tjeenk & Co. [?] as a 'neutral channel'. The Noordwiers have obviously got 'far more explicit information', but Miss Weisse dares not risk anything but postcards [from Germany]: seems it is necessary to write from here to Holland in English and from Holland to Germany in German. Asks if it would be 'fair and right' to send the enclosed to the Röntgens: is 'tormented with the most childish hopes of seeing Fritz [Busch] again' and 'can neither sleep nor work'. If the Trevelyans think it is possible to send the postcard, asks them to do so, as he trusts their judgment and cannot cope with the decision himself. His brother [Duncan] will not be going abroad for a month or two, if at all, since his regiment will probably be defending the East Coast.
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.
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. - 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.
A list of the books that he is sending from his father [Duncan Crookes Tovey]'s library.