Pièce 189 - Letter from Donald Tovey to Elizabeth Trevelyan

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Northlands, Englefield Green, Surrey. - Asks if he could visit before Friday, when Mrs Weisse and his 'precious Nimble Niceman' [John Wellcome Tovey] come south. Had already written to Johannes Röntgen that he thought his 'prospects at Edinburgh very good', not because of anything he himself could do (will 'do lots', but cannot make it pay financially) but because of the friends Johannes has made there of his own accord. If he wins his counter-claim Grettie will 'get her freedom' in any case. Has to pay the costs of both sides. The case should come on at the end of this month or the beginning of June.

Pencil annotation giving the year. Note on the back of the second page reads 'D.F.T. [inserted] & Lady T to [inserted] Mr & Mrs Trevelyan, 1922-1940'. Is now less anxious: the legal people think well of his case, which he must defend as he may have to appear as a witness even if he does not, and his wife would still be likely to lose it, plus the attack on him is 'so vile that only a clear proof of its pathological origin can save [his] poor wife's reputation. The finances of the Reid Orchestra are still not secure, but 'there are good schemes being mooted'. If Julian still likes Jules Verne, will bring some over.