Item 75 - Letter from Sophie Weisse to Elizabeth Trevelyan

1 item

Northlands, Englefield Green, Surrey. - Is in great distress; sends Bessie 'these miserable things' firstly because she fears that Donald [Tovey], under cover of 'high spirits... is suffering from a depression which amounts to madness' and may end most terribly, and secondly as she is increasingly convinced [Julius Engelbert] Röntgen 'may be doing a grave injustice to his friendship with [Pablo] Casals' by only believing Donald's account [of the quarrel over Guilhermina Suggia]. Originally enclosing letters to her from Donald written at Vienna and Hewell which do not relate to anything she has said or done since there was no discussion of the matter on the day he left, and a telegram which is 'his only comment... on Casals' sad little note send him by Mr Strecker'. Has not yet written, only sent books and money as requested. Encloses the letter she plans to send [see 8/78 ?], not so Bessie can 'be a judge' between them, but so she can know her mind in case she can help care for Donald. Has had letters and speech like this from Donald before, and '[m]orally speaking' he should have left her after the first occasion, when he was at Oxford. But since she knows 'the tragedy of the circumstances of his origin' she has been willing [to forgive] 'unto seventy times seven' in order 'to save him'. Wishes his friends would help. Asks Bessie if she can send a word to Professor Röntgen, which might help, or perhaps not. Would listen 'to any advice or suggestion'.

8/78: Copy letter from Sophie Weisse to Donald Tovey, 2 Dec 1912.