Counting One's Blessings

by William Shawcross

  Dear Mr Hughes

  I am so delighted with the enchanting little book† that you have so kindly given me.

  The paper is so rich & rustling, and the printing so fine and clear, just right for the beautiful poems that are contained in this really fine edition. I do want to thank you most warmly for giving me something so precious, and it is giving me such pleasure.

  It is lovely to have the poems that I know so well all handy in this book, what a treat! Thank you also for your letter, with its thrilling description of landing a fish in such wild & stormy conditions. It must have been too exciting for words, & I felt an envious thrill myself when reading of the battle with the fish and the wind and the rocks.

  Thinking about fish, I shall be up at Birkhall from May 9th for a fortnight, and if you would care to come up to the Dee for a few days, it would be very nice for us, but, alas! I must tell you that our river is getting less and less fish each year.

  But there is always the odd one, and with luck, a sea trout!

  With again my thanks for the book, and my deep gratitude to our Poet Laureate, I am ever yours sincerely

  Elizabeth R

  PS I think that the notes at the end of the book are splendid, and most helpful to the young minds.

  5 February 1992 to Queen Elizabeth II

  Clarence House

  My Darling Lilibet

  I can hardly believe that 36 hours ago we were walking past John Chinaman* to pick some hamamelis! It is here in my room, smelling delicious and reminding me of incredibly happy days at Sandringham. I do think that it is really wonderful of you & Philip to have me for such a long visit. It is such bliss to settle down and really do nothing except visit the horses and the neighbours and play a soothing game of patience in the evening.

  I don’t think that I could battle with life, unless I had this glorious January. It is better than ten bottles of tonic or twenty bottles of Arnica.†

  I do hope that you too feel rested and relaxed after those weeks of open air & much exercice – how do you spell it?

  London is looking particularly damp and dismal, and at this moment there is a maniac lady screaming outside my window.

  Later

  I never had time to finish this letter in London, so I am now writing at Royal Lodge. Absolutely nothing out in the garden, it is strange how very late everything is this year.

  Darling Lilibet, I do wish that I could find adequate words to tell you how much I loved my visit and how sad I was to leave. But I am very very grateful, for your loving kindness and care (I have brought the stick!)‡ and for everything else, honestly I have never been so well looked after and with very much love

  I am your very loving

  Mummy

  22 February 1992 to Nigel Jaques

  The Royal Lodge

  Dear Mr Jaques,*

  I was so deeply touched to receive your charming letter of remembrance on Feb 6th, and I do want to thank you with all my heart for writing as you did.

  I was so interested to see that you used the words ‘affectionate respect’ in describing the boys’ feelings on that day, especially as nowadays one feels that the press, radio and television are sadly lacking in any respect for our institutions and traditions. Perhaps the schools can make up for this lack.

  Your letter gave me much comfort and pleasure, and I am ever, yours sincerely,

  Elizabeth R

  5 June 1992 to Ted Hughes

  The Royal Lodge

  Dear Mr Hughes

  I wish that I could find some elegant and suitable words to convey to you the immense pleasure that your beautiful Picnic poem† has given me. When I read it, here in Windsor Park, I find myself transported at once to my beloved hills, and to the ‘steep frowning glories of dark Lochnagar’ (Lord Byron!!), and to the birds and the deer and the elusive salmon and the dear creaking pines. It is such a wonderful and loving poem, and I send you my most hearty thanks for giving us something so special.

  Much to my annoyance, the moment you left Birkhall, the water warmed, the snow in the Cairngorms melted, and the fish were encouraged to attempt the long haul to the higher stretches of the river. If you will come again next spring, I think that you should stay a little longer, and catch the river in all its moods.

  In the village next door to Sandringham there is a much revered Pub called The FEATHERS – So, perhaps when we have our Mushroom Beano, we might discover there, in darkest Norfolk

  THE GREAT WHITE LIGHT

  There are always ancient goings-on in Norfolk, so we must Beware.

  Once again, my heartfelt thanks to our splendid Poet Laureate, for the pleasure his lovely verses give us, and with many messages to Mrs Hughes I am, ever yours

  Elizabeth R

  3 February 1993 to Queen Elizabeth II

  Clarence House

  My Darling Lilibet

  How can I ever thank you enough for my heavenly weeks at Sandringham. It is something that I look forward to the whole year, and this year it was all just as perfect as ever. Somehow one always feels safe in that dear old house, surrounded by family and loved familiar objects. It is so happy, and I wallow in it! In fact, I wallow too much, and having done nothing but enjoy myself, for the whole of January, I find it extremely difficult to get back into London routine.

  I do hope that you feel rested and relaxed after all the ghastly happenings of last (& this) year.* I do think that you have been marvellous, & so does everybody.

  Oh how I miss the lovely air, and especially the chats round the card table, & a chance to talk.

  With a million thanks darling Lilibet, & very much love from your grateful and hopping lame

  Mummy

  21 April 1993 to the Duke of Edinburgh

  Clarence House

  Dearest Philip,

  I am returning the ‘Edinburgh Relations Table’* with many thanks for letting me have it to peruse. What amazing research.

  I found it most interesting and it will of course be very useful for reference.

  With so many thanks & my love from your affec Elizabeth M

  21 June 1993 to Queen Elizabeth II

  Clarence House

  My Darling Lilibet

  I think that this must be a slightly unusual letter to thank you for an Ascot week at Windsor!

  Considering that I spent it hunched over the television instead of leaping in and out of carriages & rushing off to the paddock did make it a little different, but, all the same it was wonderful to be at Windsor, and thank you simply a thousand times for all your loving care and thought for your still slightly dizzy*

  Mummy

  18 July 1993 to Ted Hughes

  Clarence House

  Dear Mr Hughes

  Please forgive me for being so long in thanking you for your charming letter and for the enchanting Verses. We have lately been battered by tragic happenings† and I found it hard to put pen to paper.

  But the saga of Miss Dimsdale has given me such great pleasure that I feel greatly restored. I only wish that I could find suitable words to show my gratitude for such lovely and amusing verses. Thanks to you Miss Dimsdale has surfaced and I enclose a short note of thanks [from her]. She is obviously thrilled.

  I hope that all goes well with you and that we shall see you when spring comes.

  I am ever yours

  Elizabeth R

  [Enclosure in Queen Elizabeth’s hand]

  Dear Poet Laureate

  Thank you with all my heart for finding me.

  I never knew who I was.

  Was I the deep pool in Polveir or the snow on Lochnagar, or the sad call of the curlew, or the dark encircling Pines or just a Dream –

  But now I know who I am – & thank you,

  I am your grateful

  Emily Dimsdale

  14 August 1994 to Lord Wyatt of Weeford

  The Castle of Mey

  Dear Lord Wyatt,

  I am so delighted and thrilled with the two delightful books that you have so kindly gi
ven me, and I send you my warmest thanks for the most enjoyable of birthday presents. […]

  I was especially pleased to see ‘Colonel Bramble’* again, for I struggled through it, many years ago, and having totally forgotten the story I shall now have the immense pleasure of reading it in English!

  I have just been watching an old film of our visit to Southern Africa very soon after the War, and the Queen’s speech from Cape Town in which she dedicated her life to the service of her Country.

  This was when she came of age, & even Mr Murdoch† couldn’t deny that this is just what she has done.

  With again much gratitude, and I shall hope to see you when I return to London, and I am ever yours,

  Elizabeth R

  10 October 1994 to Ted Hughes

  The Castle of Mey

  My dear Ted,

  I was so thrilled to receive your letter telling me of the fascinating history of the Poet Laureates’ BUTT of SACK* and I am not only very grateful but extremely touched that you should wish me to share in this lovely gift. A crate of Oloroso sounds like a dream, and a crate of Fino a glorious treat. That you should think of me in this way has given me enormous pleasure and my thanks are truly from my heart. Perhaps we should have a feast to celebrate such a delightful happening – I could invite Miss Dimsdale, and you could invite your tin man, as long as he is altogether again. I am sure that they would be enchanted to have a sip of such beautifully named nectar. I have read your letter again and again. It takes one straight out of this rather gloomy world into a world of sun and warmth and kindness, not to forget the wine that maketh glad the heart of man! It is all very exciting and makes me feel so happy. I am writing this in the dark with a very bad pen, so not very legible I fear.

  With again my most hearty thanks,

  I am,

  ever yours

  Elizabeth R

  19 October 1994 to Susan Crawford

  Birkhall

  Dearest Sue†

  I was so delighted to get your lovely letter, and the deeply touching [poem] ‘can one love a dog too much’ which of course brought a huge lump into my throat and several tears.

  I don’t think that one can love a dog too much – they give one such love and loyalty themselves and deserve all that we can give back.

  But here comes the heartbreak – and I do feel for you so much – some dogs are so special & leave one so utterly forlorn.

  Oh we do miss you here, the stags are roaring round the house, Charlie’s* laugh ringing out & no Sue. Promise to try & come next year.

  Jeremy is just leaving so I must send this with him.

  Much love from

  Elizabeth R

  10 June 1995 to Ted Hughes

  Clarence House

  My dear Ted,

  I was absolutely thrilled to receive the glorious saga of Miss Dimsdale’s pursuit of the elusive Potter all written in your own beautiful clear hand. I love every line of every verse, and wonderful pictures came into my mind of Andrew Haig† and Elizabeth Basset‡ leaping over the hills hot on the Potter trail. The end is marvellous & now, when I see the big flat head of a dog otter on the Dee, I will be reminded of the Rev Potter, and of his mysterious disappearance.§

  I am wondering now, whether the Rev. had a secret passion for Miss Dimsdale – hence the footsteps on the frosty lawn, and as they are both dream people could a dream wedding be a possibility? I can see the announcement in the Daily Telegraph – A wedding has been arranged and will shortly take place between Julia eldest daughter of Doctor Dimsdale and Rev. Cedric Potter Rector of Knoware. I wonder where the happy union will take place. Possibly on the steep frowning glories of dark Lochnagar.

  Forgive all this nonsense, and with a thousand thanks

  I am,

  ever yours

  Elizabeth R

  18 August 1995 to Ted Hughes

  The Castle of Mey

  My dear Ted,

  Your beautiful poem is giving me infinite pleasure, and I am so thrilled to have a copy written in your own hand. Your theme is so wonderful the root, the branch, the leaf the story of nearly one hundred years, it’s all so lovely and I keep on reading it, & always finding something so glorious and poetic. How fortunate I am to have a friend who is a great poet! Lucky lucky me!

  And lucky me sends you her heartfelt thanks for the best birthday present ever. I am truly deeply touched by your tender thought, and I am with gratitude and affection, ever yours

  Elizabeth R

  29 January 1996 to Simon Bowes Lyon

  Sandringham

  Dearest Simon,

  I was so deeply distressed that I was unable to get to darling Rachel’s* funeral, and I was thinking about it all the morning & almost felt that I was taking part.

  The roads were closed here & I couldn’t get through which on that particular day was cruel.

  What a blank that brave spirit will leave.

  And yet there is a great deal that will always be with us, her courage and her humour, and her great loving kindness.

  I know that when my heart fails me that I shall hear Rachel saying come on now, don’t give up. I feel for you so much as a family & send you all my sympathy & love

  & I am ever your affect,

  Elizabeth

  9 February 1996 to the Rev. Canon Dendle French

  Clarence House

  Dear Mr French*

  Thank you very much indeed for sending me a copy of your beautiful address at Rachel’s funeral. I was absolutely heart-broken that I could not get to the service, but most of the roads were closed and there was no way of getting to Hertfordshire. I could visualise it all, but I was terribly sad not to be with the family.

  So, I am particularly glad to have a copy of your Address.

  I know that if, in the future my heart fails me at the prospect of doing something difficult, I shall hear the beloved Rachel saying ‘oh go on, I know you can do it’.

  She had endless courage.

  With again my thanks

  I am, yours very sincerely,

  Elizabeth R

  10 June 1996 to Prince Philip

  Clarence House

  Dearest Philip,

  Many congratulations and loving good wishes on your birthday, and many thanks for lending me your strong right arm at Epsom!

  Have a happy day!

  Mama E

  2 September 1996 to Queen Elizabeth II

  Balmoral Castle

  My Darling Lilibet

  What a treat it is staying at Balmoral! So I thought that I would write to you from this address to thank you a thousand times for a really heavenly weekend. Saturday was such fun – I did so enjoy going out shooting, sitting in the sun & eating a mutton pie whilst gazing at the hills. My idea of bliss. It is a rare treat for me nowadays, and took me straight back to those happy days of long ago.

  I thought that the garden was looking particularly good, and the vegetables, & I walked back toward the cricket ground, & the path had all those same bits of horse manure that seemed to belong there!

  It was so nice to catch a glimpse of some family. Today is very grey, I hope that it is better at the beautiful pile in Teesdale!*

  With so much love from

  your very loving

  Mummy

  7 January 1997 to Admiral Sir John Slater

  Sandringham

  My dear Jock†

  Thank you very much for giving me a copy of Broadsheet, it is fascinating to read, and the illustrations are brilliant and I am not surprised that this edition received an award.

  I notice that the Royal Navy is falling victim to the modern fashion of immensely long titles!

  ‘Chief Strategic Systems Executive Business Unit’ is not bad!

  May I send you and Annie my best wishes for a happy New Year, & with again my thanks,

  I am, ever yours,

  Elizabeth R

  15 February 1997 to Ted Hughes

  My dear Ted,

  I wish that I could find the
right words to be able to tell you how thrilled and delighted I was with the enchanting ‘The Prince and his Granny’.*

  First of all, the Prince read the verses to his Granny (very nicely) and since that happy occasion, the Granny has read them again and again. You must have the most observant eye in the world!

  To remember the Police Brass Band, the lemon curd, the grim guns, the beach, the picnic Lodge in the trees, the wheels on the gravel, they all make lovely memories.

  I specially love the last verse about Houghton, the ‘timeless place’ and the moonlight deer.

  They sometimes escape from the Park at Houghton, and when I see them flashing through our woods, I shall think of our revered Poet Laureate, and of the many delights he has brought to us all.

  With an IMMENSE amount of gratitude from the Prince’s Granny.

  Elizabeth R

  3 May 1997 to Queen Elizabeth II

  Clarence House

  My Darling Lilibet

  I have an extraordinary feeling that lovely Easter weekend at Windsor was all a dream! Beautiful hot days at Frogmore enjoying heavenly picnics, all so green and yellow, and that delightful baby having his lunch with us, it all seemed too good to be true, but it was, and I send you a thousand thanks for those blissful four days.

  I came away feeling a different person, all that fresh air and walking and laughing was a real tonic and great fun. […]

  With again a thousand thanks from

  your very loving

  Mummy

  26 June 1997 to Sir Antony Acland

  Clarence House

  Dear Sir Antony

  It was such a joy to come to Chapel at Eton on Sunday, and once again I found the whole Service beautiful and so moving.

  It is so refreshing and encouraging to see all those excellent boys, & one couldn’t help wondering is there a future Prime Minister amongst this throng, a Bishop, an explorer or even a Tam Dalyell!*

  The reception after Chapel was so well arranged, and one felt that one was meeting and talking to some of the really important people who made up all Eton, the river, the groundsmen, the history tutors, the classics & language enthusiasts, and you not only knew them all, but you also knew their names!