Scope and Content
"It seems a long time since I wrote to you, and I see your last letter is dated March 23rd. I crossed over to France on April 2nd., and was in Paris over Easter, where we had snow, rain, blizzards - I have never seen it looking so deserted or so dull. However, my Russian friend, with whom I was staying, took me off south in his car on April 10th. and we drove down through Grenoble and the Alpes Maritimes to Nice, and then on to Mentone, where we stayed with my French cousin in the villa which was my grandmother's, then my mother's, then mine, and now his! I must say I felt so much at home at Mentone, I began to think about selling my flat at the Castle and going out there to live! I have so many friends in that part of the world, and my memories of Mentone go back more than 50 years. And the place has changed less than most places I knew in my youth! After a few days, we drove to Carcasonne (a town I have always wanted to see) and then to the Costa Brava in Spain - which, though cheaper that the French Riviera, is not so beautiful. Back in Paris, I went alone for a few days to some distant relations at Pierre-sur-l'Orne in Normandy, near Caen. And then back to Kingsgate on May 5th. Since then, I have had carpenters in making built-in wardrobes and dressing-chest in my bedroom. After delays, frustrations, and alterations, they are still here - or, rather, the painters have taken over: but it will be worth the trouble when it is finished. So now I am catching up on my correspondence again. Perton's "Ampthill News" were awaiting me, and I was really astonished to see that Sir Albert not only was not elected to the Council, but was nearly at the bottom of the poll!
My godson, Adam Stavert, by the way, is now at Sandhurst: and it happens he is coming here next weekend with his friend in the latter's sports car. His father is coming home on leave from India this summer, and they have invited me to their place at Hoscote, Hawick, in Scotland, which has been the Stavert home for some centuries. I shall be going up in July for fetch my car, so I may run up to Hoscote then. My plan is to bring the girls at Selby back with me. I am going to have a very crowded summer, as the Lambeth Conference comes on in July, and I believe Bishop Howe Browne, in spite of old age and physical troubles, is determined to come, if only for the re-dedication of S.John the Divine, Kennington (being rebuilt at last!) in October.
Yes, I was very interested in the Beds. Magazine account of the Manor Chapel. It is most kind of you to send it. Kenneth Akin wrote to tell me they are still rooted in Arlesey, though they have been trying to get out for years, and nearly accomplished it last autumn: but the house at Bognor they were buying was withdrawn. They, by the way, consists of his wife, mother-in-law, sister-in-law and two daughters. The m.-in-l. was schoolmistress of Arlesey School till she retired. the s.-in-l. is also a teacher. The two girls (10 and 11) have never been to school. Apparently the authorities agreed to recognise the tuition by m.-in-l. as adequate. Kenneth says they are far in advance of other girls of the same age. I believe the Dame Alice School at Bedford is the next idea (if they stay). He told me his mother had been ill again: also Barbara's husband.
Everything is looking very pretty here. The lanes round the golf course are lined with laburnum, and there are lovely scents everywhere. But the weather continues dull and chilly: there are no beach parties yet - and certainly no bathers!
My friend Frank Jackson and I are in process of acquiring a small yacht, not a big one like George Petrie's, but something to sail round the bay. The other dinghy was washed out to sea in a February blizzard. We shall feel lost without something, especially when the girls come, as Anne has been having sailing lessons on Windermere recently, and is somewhat expert. We have one in view - with an outboard motor, cabin, collapsible boat, and sails. We may drive down to Cowes (where it is) after Whitsun to see it. How swiftly the months pass! My next trip abroad will be Naples and Capri in September, I expect. I am reading Harold Acton's "The Bourbons of Naples", published last year, in preparation. I am also reading Churchill's History, in between times.
King's School, Canterbury (Stephen Davies) is a fine school, and it claims to be the oldest in the country: though the claim is challenged by my old school - Durham - which goes back to the monastery school at Jarrow - the Ven. Bede, S.Cuthbert etc.!
I sometimes go to Canterbury: but it does not impress me like York. And the crowdes are tremendous. I suppose, after London, it is the most visited of all English places.
I hope you and yours are all well.
Yours sincerely"
"P.S. I spotted the enclosed some time ago and remembered you asked me about it.
[Included with this letter is a newspaper cutting regarding music used as signature tunes. A section is marked with crosses which reads:-
"Perhaps the most generally liked piece of opening music has been the Prelude in E major from the Violin Sonata No. 6 by Bach which set the scene so admirably for 'Animal, Vegetable, Mineral?' - at present off the air. Arranged by Pick-Mangiagalli, it is played by the Boston Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Serge Koussevitsky."]