Item 29 - Letter from Antonia Speyer to Elizabeth Trevelyan

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Ridgehurst, Shenley, Herts. - Has been asked to try and help a Betty Schwabe-Francken, who is in the Netherlands in the Hague or Amsterdam, find some pupils. She was a pupil of Joachim in Germany and won the Mendelssohn Prize twice; remembers hearing her name in the Schumann house in Berlin, but no more about her. She 'seems to be in great need'; wonders if Mrs Trevelyan would be able to help by writing to her friends. Mrs Schwabe is 'very anxious to join an orchestra', of possible. Mrs Schwabe has written to [Karl?] Klingler in Berlin; has a copy of his answer which she could send. 'Poor Klingler seems to be in a very sad state, as all his activities as a player have been taken from him' and he is obviously in a 'very precarious' state of health. Comments on 'How much sadness there is in the world now!'. Was sorry not to be near enough to greet Mrs Trevelyan at the Queen's Hall; hopes she is feeling well; tells her to let her know if she comes to town, and perhaps they could meet at her club, 49 Dover Street.