Scope and Content
"Here is Christmas already, and I haven't answered your letter of Sept. 21st! Do forgive me. These last few months seem to have melted into each other: my mother used to say that when August Bank Holiday was over, Christmas seemed to be here in no time. I used to regard it as a fancy of hers, but now I see what she meant! I think it must be the fact of getting older that accounts for it. "When one is young, There's plenty of time to spare" - that, by the way, is the refrain of a song in "Expresso Bongo" now running at The Saville Theatre in London, a skit on Tommy Steele, if you know who he is, and very good too. Referring to your letter, Ralph and Pearl Stavert came here on Sept. 13th. It happened to be one of the finest weekends of the year! Patricia, my god-daughter, came last month for a week when she and her mother were staying a month at Leamington Spa with an aunt. She was wonderfully efficient in the kitchen: far more so than Anne and Christine, my Yorkshire relatives! I just sat back and acted the part of helpless undomesticated male. She is a very charming and intelligent girl, and seems to have read everything. Her one idea after coffee was down after dinner was to get me on the piano, so I could play to her, as I did to her papa at Oxford, when he was her present age (21). He was always one of my best audiences. Now he is back in Pakistan for another year.
I did not go to Italy, as you probably guessed, since I usually send postcards when abroad if I have time. I had so many visitors in Sept.-Oct. and when it got to Nov. I thought it was too late this year. S.John the Divine, Kennington, was re-dedicated on Sept. 27. having been rebuilt at last. Biship Howe Browne came all the way from Cape Town, and there were bishops on all sides. I saw many people I had not set eyes on since 1933 when I came to Ampthill. I only hoped I had not aged as much as they had - though I fear I have!
Your father seems to be suffering from the same sort of trouble as afflicted poor Florence Eagles in her latter years. But in her case, the power of concentration seemed to go altogether. She would begin a sentence, but could not finish it. I only hope, for your sake, his mind does not cloud over as hers did. Is Aunt Eva in Bedford County Hospital? I ought to send her a card.
I saw the enclosed some time ago in "Country Life." Isn't it the house in Dunstable St. where Sir John Cunningham's wife's brother (or was it her sister?) lived? I wonder if it has gone - and to whom?
Does the Professor still hang out that notice saying the Council are responsible for the lamp-posts?? Or has he given it up as a bad job? I see Mrs. du Sautoy had gone, so now there is not an Eagles, a Du Sautoy or a Wingfield in Ampthill.
I am enclosing my Christmas card, which is reproduced from an old print in the British Museum. I think a Christmas card should have a religious note, but people say they look forward to getting these old pictures of the castle. I think I gave you the history. The 14th century castle was reduced to ruins in the Civil War. When Henry Fox, 1st Lord Holland, built the big house facing the sea in 1740, he used the castle ruins as stables. Gradually the castle was rebuilt until it became eventually the seat of Lord Avebury. Then it had a short career as an hotel: and now it has 32 owners! I hope you will be able to come for a day next year. You must stay a couple of nights in London, so that you don't have to hurry off.
I am going up to my cousins on Tuesday for Christmas. Frank is going with me. The four of us return here on the 29th. for the castle ball on New Year's Eve. Frank (who is unemployed at present but does not seem to be worrying about it) and the girls and another young man are off to the winter sports on Jan. 5th. but I shall not join them, as I have engagements in London and elsewhere. I may go later, but only for a few days, as in April I plan to do a motor tour of Spain with my old friend Dick Hughes, Vicar of Bovey Tracey in Devon. We hope to take a month over it and I am looking forward to it very much as Spain (apart from San Sebastian in the north) will be new ground to me. I am already ransacking the local library for books, and reading up the history of Spain. I must also buy a copy of Cervantes' "Don Quixote" which is I suppose to Spain what Shakespeare is to England.
It is most kind of you to offer to knit me a pullover. The one I am wearing at the moment was knitted by Anne last year and is a very good fit. Shall I send it on to you for measurements? You could return it when you have taken them. This one is blue, a ribbed pattern; I was rather struck by the enclosed "Radio Times" pattern: I kept it by me in case anyone offered to knit me one!!! I don't know how expert you are (VERY, I expect!) but this looks to me a very elaborate business. I don't want to make excessive demands on your ingenuity: but I thought in navy blue it would be an ideal yachting jersey. Don't hesitate to say if you think it is rather off your beat. I will be more than pleased with a simple, straightforward effort! The only other pullover I have ever had knitted for me was by the first Mrs. Cole. I still have it, a white sweater with a cable stitch: I think she did it in 1937, so it is 22 years old! Dear, dear - how many people we know have gone! Fortunately I have not lost any of the intimate friends of my own generation yet: when they begin to go is really a sad time. Of course, one may always go first! - life is uncertain.
I expect you were interested in the report on children and T.V. ("Panorama" last night). Have you noticed any difference in school? I must say I find my "magic window" a great joy in life, though I turn off all crooners, most "funny" men, and many Yankee films. My "betes noires" are the Beverly Sisters, Wilfred Pickles, Perry Como - and you can have Miss Vera Lynn, though she seems to be a nice person in herself. I have always like Lady Barnett, and I am afraid I enjoy the boxing when we don't have too much of it.
I am wondering how your father is now. With best wishes to you and your family for Christmas. I always think of Ampthill church on Christmas morning, the Crib and your silver stars on the trees!
Yours sincerely,"