| Content Description | Addresses her as 'My dear Lou'; has been to production of 'Cavalleria Rusticana' [by Pietro Mascagni, 1863-1945, Italian composer] and 'Pagliacci' [by Ruggiero Leoncavallo, 1858-1919, Italian composer] by an Italian Opera Company in Croydon; admires their natural performance and compares Italian opera in general with 'our old charades'; displays a contempt for Wagner [Richard Wagner, 1813-1883, German composer] and Debussy [Claude Achille Debussy, 1862-1918, French composer]; believes he is 'as emotional and impulsive' as the Italians: 'It's the damned climate and upbringing...that make me cold-headed as mathematics.'
Has transcribed the 'Legend' story, which is 'jolly good'; will let her have the proofs if Austin Harrison [of 'English Review'] accepts it; promises to send the ['Odour of] Chrysanthemums' for her to make a copy.
Tells her of his sister's [Ada Lawrence] misery: 'She's dipped into disbelief'; believes she must be left to work through her sorrows and 'find in the emptiness a new presence'; promises Louie he will never disturb any of her faiths; describes an arrangement of flowers that he has and mentions the violets she had sent; hopes to take a trip into the countryside; has no verses for her, and reports that 'The Egyptians have lost interest for me'; mentions their forthcoming meeting at Loughborough; has been playing with the Jones' children [Hilda Mary Jones and Winifred Jones].
Recalls motto often cited by his mother: 'Blessed is he that expecteth little, for he shall not be disappointed'; has more understanding of it now; refers to their differences and hopes that in the end 'our separate lanes will debouch to an amiable, grassy camping ground'; admits that he is 'a wicked tease'; signed 'D.H.L.'
Postscript in top left corner of f 1r reports expected marriage of Agnes Holt in August, and his hope they will visit her in Ramsey; mentions his sympathy for Holt and her poor health. |