Item 198 - Letter from Clara Tovey to Elizabeth Trevelyan

1 item.

39, Royal Terrace, Edinburgh, 7. - Has waited before seeing [Edward] Renton before answering Bessie's letter, and he was 'in Edinburgh a whole week and more before he came here'; believes that he was ill for part of the time, and had been ill in London; he does not look well. He has finished two acts of the Opera, 'words and translation written in'. Schotts wrote asking for a score recently 'as Adrian Bolt [sic] wanted to look at it'; the first two acts are with the BBC and Renton has started on the third act though Clara is not sure how much has been done. Is sorry not to have good news of Donald: he is very depressed, having been sick three times in forty-eight hours after a fortnight of relief. Dr Thin seemed to think him better yesterday, and advised him to do more, especially since Donald wishes to conduct part of the next Reid Concert; this morning therefore he went out for the first time in over eight weeks, for a half-hour drive, but was sick as soon as he got in. Does not know whether the doctors know what is the matter; all they have said to her is that due to bad circulation his 'digestive organs are not properly fit'; they assure her he is better but she finds it hard to believe. Well enough herself, but longs for 'a little heat and sun'. Renton did not show Donald any of his work; when Donald asked about the score he received the information above; she has not seen Renton alone and does not like to upset Donald by raising the question.

Annotation dating the letter to ''39'; another reads 'Please return ET'.