Showing 6 results

On headed notepaper for West Hackhurst, Abinger Hammer, Dorking, 'as from' Heytesbury House, Wiltshire [home of Siegfried Sassoon]. - Was about to ring her on 'a matter of slight public importance, when a private disaster overwhelmed' him: Agnes has given notice, as she 'doesn't like the cooking'. His mother has 'borne it better' than he has so far: he does not see how they can stay on at West Hackhurst. Will talk it over when he returns from the long weekend with Sassoon already arranged. If Bessie is 'driving alone' near his mother, knows she would like to see her. Must post this letter (in Dorking) and board the train.

Tells her to look at the Times, he thinks from last Saturday, announcing that the Dorking town councillors 'propose to cut a chalk cock on Box Hill in honour of the Coronation!'. Wonders if she could contact 'eg some V[aughan] Williamses, find out whether it is true, and join in a protest if it is'.

The White Gates, Dorking. - Thanks them for their 'dear letters'; they and Hervey [his brother, who lived at Leith Hill Place near the Trevelyans and had recently died] were 'lucky in [their] neighbours' and realised that, for which he is 'very glad'.

The White Gates, Dorking. - This letter is 'dictated for legibility's sake!'. Has offered Leith Hill Place to the National Trust; thinks they will take it, but they 'must let the house and the immediate surroundings' for an income to keep up the estate. Therefore to him and the Trevelyans 'as neighbours' to find a tenant who is both 'desirable and rich'. Would prefer an individual to 'some form of community' since they would probably be 'more human in their relations with the cottagers and workmen'; wants to 'keep up the great tradition in that respect' of his grandfather, mother, and [brother] Hervey. The house will be let partly furnished; he will take 'the valuable pictures china and furniture', but a good amount of '"utility" stuff' will remain. A few desirable tenants have 'already nibbled', but nobody has yet taken it.

The Shiffolds, Holmbury St. Mary, Dorking. - Thanks her for her letter; the 'sausages were very much appreciated, especially by Julian': thinks he had 'one for breakfast on three mornings'. Also thanks her for the Times [Literary] Supplement; will send it on to [Edward?] Keith. Is very sorry to hear how ill Booa [Mary Prestwich] is; has just written to her, and will try to get Julian to write as well. Bessie and Julian are well, and Bessie's cough now seems to have gone. The weather is still 'frosty', but generally less cold, with sunshine; however, they are 'very tired of the frost and snow'.

Is going to London tomorrow for a night, and will return on Tuesday afternoon with Mrs Gibson and the baby. Hopes to see Charles, as he has not done so for 'some weeks'. Bessie will write soon about Julian's birthday present. Hervey Vaughan Williams, the 'eldest son at Leith Hill Place' is engaged, and they are 'all very pleased'. Does not think his mother knows him: he is Margaret's brother, 'a very nice fellow, of huge size, and rather slow (not stupid) at talking and thinking, and slow at getting married too'.

Furzen Wood, Abinger, Dorking. - Sends a bill for Julian to pay, and asks him to return the small one she sent him so that she can deal with it as she proposed. Glad to get Julian's letter, as she wondered how he was getting on since her departure. Hopes the furniture he is bought from the 'marché de Puce [flea market]' really is 'puceless'. Uncle Charles has resigned office [as Labour minister for education]; though his reasons 'must have seemed imperative to him'; she and Bob think it 'very unwise', and his political career is now at an end. His criticism of the Government was also 'rather unfortunate' when they were 'doing so well over Indian settlement & Naval agreements'. Charles may well lose his seat; it would be 'disastrous if he did not have Wallington estate as his absorbing interest'; she thinks he and Molly are 'doing splendid work there'. Has been reading Will Rothenstein's memoirs ["Men and Memories"]; Julian should look at it if he can, as it is about artistic life in Paris in the 1880s and 1890s, which would amuse him. Still struggling with her 'cold and lumbago' and will not go to London until she has got rid of it. She and Bob had to meet [Kenneth?] Cross at the Shiffolds, and Bob 'made great strides in settling abt his shelves and cupboards'. The attic, with 'its big dormer to the front' is now a 'splendid' room with a fine view; it will be 'the nicest room in the house'. She then had tea with Mrs [Margaret] Vaughan Williams, who 'kept saying jokingly' that she was not allowed to do or have certain things, 'as if Constance [her daughter in law] was hectoring her'. Constance and Hervey came in later; they are 'kind, but C is bossy of course, but then Mrs V W is very independent'. She wanted to know all about Paris and Julian's flat. Bessie is very glad Julian is eating more, so 'will avoid the transparency of the Eiffel tower'. Asks who cooks 'that beautiful breakfast'; longs for 'those epinards [spinach] aux croutons', as 'England is entirely devoid of decent vegetables' at the moment. Asks to be remembered to [George] Reavey.

[Constance Vaughan Williams was run over by a car at] 'the gates of Leith Hill Place, and is still in great danger'; it does not seem likely she will recover. The car did not stop; 'Cook's boy', who was on his bicycle, was also hurt, but not too seriously. A 'bad business'; fortunately 'old Mrs V. W.' is 'taking it well so far'. He is very sorry for Hervey, and Bessie is 'rather upset'. Sends love to 'you both' [Julian and Ursula].