5 Virginia was Philip’s wickerwork rabbit. Eva has enclosed a cutting: ‘BUNNY’S GRAND OLD LADY: On Wednesday of last week Mrs Parker of Rancliffe Cottages, Bunny (where she has lived for the past 56 years) was 90 years old. And on this memorable event she received 35 greeting cards and a telegram.’
12 January 1964
21 York Road, Loughborough
My very dear Creature,
How can I thank you enough for all the kind remembrances of my 78th birthday. The nice long letter, the beautiful flowers, with their card of good wishes and the very sweet birthday card. I think the wishes on this are so different from what one usually finds on such cards. “To wish you joy, to wish you fun, and when your ‘Happy Birthday’s’ done, To wish you luck and joy and cheer for every day throughout the year”.
Previously I have felt rather flat, and sad to think that it is all over for another year, but after reading this message I don’t feel like that at all, rather full of hope, and a desire to get all the best out of the few ‘borrowed years’ which lie before me. (I hope.)
Now about the birthday itself. Cards from Kitty, (a lovely view of Lichfield Cathedral) Rosemary, and Mrs Slater, arrived first post. I have slept here since Christmas, with one or two exceptions,1 so when I got up early on Friday, I silently wished myself a happy birthday, said ‘Rabbits’ for luck and went downstairs and made myself a cup of tea. O, I have forgotten A. Nellie’s card, a lovely one which when opened discloses a cluster of pansies and heartsease, and has a sweet perfume. As the folks at 53 were coming to tea I went out early to buy cakes and cress and do the usual week end shopping. On the way I met Mrs Coleman2 and asked her if she would mind answering the post for me if it should come again before I returned. When I got back she knocked on the wall, so I opened the front door, and she handed me a lovely lot of flowers. She said Miss McNicol had called with them. They are beautiful, daffodils, tulips and two bunches of freesias, the scent of those last named fills the room, and is very pleasant. As Mrs Coleman was speaking to me the postman called with your letter, and before I could get upstairs to put my coat and hat away, your lovely flowers arrived from Simpkin & James.
This page is crumpled, due to it being so difficult to tear off the pad.
Your flowers are two bunches of daffodils, a bunch of irises and a bunch of anemones. Really, the dining room looks as if Spring is here. How excited and happy I felt!
After this, I had to get down to preparations. Nearly all afternoon I spent making sandwiches, tongue and egg and cress, whipping cream and laying the table extra specially nice. I had a chocolate layer cake of Fuller’s as my birthday cake and when I was buying it the girl at S. & James said “Have you ever had their ginger cake?” She told me it was gorgeous, the ‘King’ of ginger cakes. Do you like ginger, Creature? If you do I would get one the next time you come. (Just had a sleet shower). I accidentally heard a bit of the forecast at lunch time, ‘snow in seventeen counties in the South but not so cold in the North!’ Strange!
Kitty & Rosemary arrived about 5 p.m. bringing their gifts which we sat and opened before tea. Walter could not come (pressure of business!) but he sent me a linen cloth for the tea wagon. Kitty brought me a pretty cream jug and also two tea towels, very unusual. One, The Sunday Times Colour Guide to herbs, most interesting, the other, characters from Shakespeare. I think they are too nice to use, except on special occasions. Rosemary presented me with a gilt covered notebook and [—]3 pencil attached.
They seemed to enjoy the tea, and I sent Walter his share for supper when they left.
After tea we played Newmarket, and I found that some of the coppers which you left came in very handy. Rosemary won, and we had a lot of fun over the game, and the queer hands we got. During the evening they drank my health and we all drank to the absent ones, Philip & Walter. By the way Mr Cann didn’t call, but when out shopping I met Mr Bacon from Cromer! They are over to help Mrs Bacon’s sister May as Maggie (the other sister) is not at all well. I also met Mrs Welsh (next door).
How I laughed over your sketch of you, wondering whether to buy me a basket, or not.4 It is so good of you to me. I think I would delay giving me the basket until I feel that it is an urgent need. I shouldn’t feel very happy crossing busy roads with it. Thanking you very much for the beautiful flowers and the card and letter.
All dearest love. Old Creature.
Will answer your letter more fully on Tuesday. Did you get my letter card on Tuesday morning?
1 Eva still customarily slept at her daughter’s house, a short distance from her own in York Road, Loughborough.
2 Next door neighbour.
3 Illegible.
4 See Philip’s letter of 8 January 1964.
26 January 1972
Lettercard1
21 York Road, Loughborough
My very dear Creature,
This will only be a very short letter just to say that I am sitting up in the bedroom and have just had my breakfast. I am much about the same. Dr Rainey came last night and prescribed some new tablets, to deaden the pain, which has been aw/ffoul every time I moved. O dear! I forget how to spell. The weather doesn’t help, chilly and
The Circle of Silent Ministry sent me a lovely lot of flowers yesterday. I still have yours’ [sic] dear Creature.
I had a very long letter too, from Eva.2 They are very worried about A. Nellie – she keeps sinking into unconsciousness. Eva too is not very well. George is the main stay.3
Dr Rainey said I had bruised the muscles of my leg. Dr de Villeniss4 has given Kitty the address of a Nursing Home, I think she said at Woodhouse Eaves. Of course I cannot do much for myself. Takes me ages to put on my stockings.
I hope Mrs Holmes continues to come. She was marvellous yesterday. Mrs Coleman, too has been to see me.5
Of course this last6
1 Bowl of flowers in colour.
2 Nellie’s daughter.
3 George Sutton, husband of Nellie’s daughter Eva.
4 A guess. Eva herself seems uncertain of the spelling.
5 Eva’s next door neighbour in York Road.
6 The sentence is incomplete. Kitty has written at the end: ‘I am sending this letter to you as I know you would like it, / Love Kitty.’ Kitty addressed the envelope, postmarked 27 January.
11 June 1973
Postcard1
[Berryfield Nursing Home, Syston, Leicester]
Don’t put on such warm clothes now that Sumemsumer [sic] is coming is. You will be a mornin more comfortable comcomfortable comfortable creature. I find it too hot to write a long letter so please excuse me. Really it is awful! I had a visitor yester day afternoon. She brought me some chocolates and several other od oddments. Oh dear, more mistakes. I don’t think I shall ever write properly. It was nice of you to send me such a nice letter. Really I have now no decent notepaper, nor a decent pen. The visitor was was Mrs Stubbs. How busy you are, just now.
Hope it will not be too hot tonight. The sun has gone in now for a time. By the way it will be nice to see Philip you receive your prize? – Will Monica be there? Worr[y]ing time she has with the birds!
Excuse all mistakes. Much love to you both. Mother.
Hoping to see you both. Mother
I have neither pen, paper or decent ink. The last-named keeps slipping. Thank you for your nice letter about the duck.
Perhaps some day I shall be able to write again.
1 The postcard, addressed by Eva, is without a stamp. It is contained in a stamped envelope addressed in an unknown hand and postmarked 11 June 1973.
17 May 19741
[Berryfield Nursing Home, Syston, Leicester]
Sunday
Dearest Creature,
>
Oh it is such a horrible day not a tree moving. Really, I shall have a job to write to you.
I mustn’t give way, though, considering considering what a lot you have to do. I have just tried to wash my hands and find that neither of the taps will function. Strange!
It has suddenly gone very quiet – I wonder why.
I wonder if Kitty will pay me a visit/ I don’t think so, it is too cold.
I wonder how you are getting on? Still, you will be able to take your time over getting straight. Perhaps Mrs Oates will come back soon.
I find it difficult to write a decent letter. I have just been into the toilet and was pleased to find one tap, the in in/ use the cold water tap!
The birds are flying to and fro’
Whatever can I write about now. It all seems so desolate outside. There is not a person outside, plenty of doors banging inside. I should think it will soon be time for lunch!
There are two cars outside one, looks like the doctor’s. Still, I don’t think he will call here.
There is are/ only two chairs now in my room.
I expect the lunch will soon be coming in.
Whatever shall I/ be writing about now. Oh! Nurse has just set set my tray for dinner. I should like to go out but it is not suitable.
The flowers in the window are in bloom specially the the black and white and the white.
Effie McNicol[l] has asked Kitty if she can come to see me? She says she can come, and would like to come.
There isn’t a soul about, I do wish there was.
They winter jasmine is about all to be seen.
I do wonder how Philip is gdting getting on with the moving. I hope you can read this.
Much love and kisses with love to Monica
1 This is the last dated letter from Eva.
INDEX
INDEX OF RECIPIENTS
Hewett, Catherine (née Larkin; ‘Kit’, ‘Kath’, ‘Katherine’, ‘Katharine’, ‘K’, ‘Kitty’), 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20; with her husband Walter Hewett, 1n
Hewett, Rosemary, 1n, 2n, 3n
Larkin, Eva (‘Mop’, ‘Mopcreature’, ‘Old Moth’, ‘Mop-Monst-haugh’, ‘Creaturely One’, ‘Old Creature’), 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29
Larkin, Sydney (‘Pop’), 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14
Larkin, Sydney and Eva (‘Pop & Mop’, ‘Mop & Pop’, ‘Mop (& Pop)’, ‘Fambly’), 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
INDEX OF CORRESPONDENTS
Hewett, Catherine (née Larkin), 1, 2
Larkin, Eva, 1, 2, 3, 4
Larkin, Sydney, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
Larkin, Sydney and Eva, 1
GENERAL INDEX
Abbeyfield Houses, 1
Abbeyfield House, Loughborough, 1n, 2n, 3, 4n, 5n, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11
Abbott and Holder, 1
Abbotsford, 1
About Larkin, 1n, 2n, 3n, 4n, 5n, 6n, 7n, 8n, 9n, 10n, 11n, 12n, 13n, 14n, 15n, 16n, 17n
Ackerley, J. R., 1
Acotts (Oxford music and record shop), 1
adexolin, 1
‘AE’ (George William Russell), 1
Ælfric, Life of King Oswald, 1
Air-raids and sirens, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
Alfred Toepfer Stiftung F.V.S. Foundation, Shakespeare Prize, 1
‘All catches alight’, 1n
All Souls College, Oxford, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
All What Jazz, 1n, 2, 3
Allendale, 1; tar barrel ceremony, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Allison, Drummond, The Yellow Night, 1, 2n
Ambleside, 1
Amis, Hilary (Hilly, née Bardwell), 1; engaged to Kingsley Amis, 1;
in Swansea, 1;
the Amises’ domestic arrangements, 1;
reaches thirty, 1, 2n;
Daily Mail article on why she married Kingsley, 1;
worked as home help, 1
Amis, Kingsley: L’s correspondence with, 1n, 2, 3, 4; editor Oxford Labour Club Bulletin, 1, 2;
visits L in Wellington, 1, 2;
returns to Oxford after war service, 1;
L stays with Amis and parents; they visit London with Ruth Bowman, 1;
L visits Amis in Oxford, 1;
engagement to Hilly, 1;
on married life, 1;
visits L in Leicester, 1;
L visits Amises in Swansea, 1, 2, 3, 4n, 5;
home life, 1;
applies for job in Queen’s University, Belfast, 1;
interviewed by Vogue, 1;
plans to visit Hull, 1;
L’s envy of, 1;
includes work by L on radio, 1;
in USA, 1, 2;
Fellowship at Cambridge, 1;
in introduction to the reissue of Jill, 1;
returns from USA, 1;
visits L in Oxford with second wife, Elizabeth Jane Howard, and Martin Amis, 1;
party in Conquest’s London flat, 1;
Lucky Jim reviews, 1, 2, 3n;
That Uncertain Feeling, 1;
in New Lines, ed. Conquest, 1;
One Fat Englishman, 1;
The Anti-Death League, 1;
Colonel Sun, 1;
The Letters of Kingsley Amis, ed. Zachary Leader, 1n
Amis, Martin, 1, 2
Amis, Philip, 1
Amis, Sally, ‘Born Yesterday’, 1n
‘An April Sunday brings the snow’, 1
‘An Arundel Tomb’, 1, 2
anglepoise lamp, 1
Anglo Saxon, 1, 2n, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10n
Anne, Princess, 1, 2; Betjeman’s wedding poem, 1n;
picture postcard, 1
Annie Laurie, 1
Arabesque, 1, 2n, 3, 4
Archers, The (BBC radio serial), 1, 2n, 3, 4n, 5, 6, 7, 8
Archie (Betjeman’s teddy-bear), 1, 2n,
Ark, the, 1
Armstrong, Louis, 1, 2
Arnott, Winifred, 1, 2 and n
ARP (Air Raid Precautions), 1, 2, 3
Ash Wednesday, 1
Ashton-under-Lyne, 1
Askey, Arthur, 1, 2n; The Ghost Train, 1, 2n
Astley-Jones, Mr (Clerk to Wellington Council), 1, 2, 3
‘At Grass’, 1n, 2
Attlee, Clement, 1, 2, 3
‘Aubade’, 1
Auden, W. H., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7n; ‘the Auden jargon’, 1;
poetry notebook fetches £600, 1;
and Laureateship, 1;
Look Stranger, 1;
Poems, 1;
Spain, 1
‘Auntie Nellie’, see Day, Nellie
Austen, Jane, 1n, 2, 3, 4
Austin Reed, 1, 2, 3, 4
Bacon, Francis, 1
‘bag o’ mystery’, ‘bag of mystery’, 1, 2
Baginton aerodrome, 1, 2n
Bagley Wood, 1
Baily, Penelope (formerly Scott Stokes), 1
Balliol College, Oxford, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
Bambi (Walt Disney), 1
Bangor, NI, 1, 2
Banks, Billy, 1, 2n
Bardot, Brigitte, A Case of Adversity, 1, 2n
Bardwell, Hilary, see Amis, Hilary
Barlow, Norah, 1n
Barnard (in Isherwood’s Lions and Shadows), 1
Barnes, Ernest, Bishop of Birmingham, 1, 2n, 3
Barrie, J. M., 1
Bartók, Béla, 1
Barton on Humber, 1
Basic English, 1
Basil Brush, 1, 2; picture postcards, 1, 2
basque, 1
battels (college accounts), 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Bax, Clifford, 1
Bayley, John, 1n
BBC, 1, 2, 3n, 4, 5, 6 and n, 7, 8, 9n, 10; ‘Younger British Poets of Today’, 1;
Monitor TV feature, 1, 2, 3, 4;
‘Larkin at 1’, 2, 3
Beaumont and Fletcher, Philaster, 1
‘Beauty’
(Kitty’s cat), 1, 2, 3n
Beckett, J. C., 1, 2, 3
Beechwood House, Iffley Turn, Oxford, 1, 2
Belfast, 1, 2, 3; L’s lodgings in, 1n:
Queen’s Chambers, 1, 2, 3;
7 College Park East, 1n;
49 Malone Road, 1; 2,
Elmwood Avenue, 1, 2, 3
Belfast, Queen’s University, 1, 2; 3, Plate 9A, 4; honorary D.Litt., 1
Bell, Adrian, Corduroy, 1
Bell, William, 1n, 2 and n
belladonna medicine, 1
Bellingham Show, 1, 2, 3
Bennett, Alan, 1
Bennett, Arnold, 1; Journals, 1
Bennett, Mr (Wellington Librarian), 1, 2, 3n
Bennett, Rhoda (Leicester Librarian), 1
Beowulf, 1
Bere Regis, 1
Berkhamstead, 1, 2
Berrystead Home, Syston, near Leicester, 1n, 2, 3, 4
Betjeman, John, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5; reviews Lucky Jim, 1;
thanks L for comments in Listen, 1;
L sends postcard from Lincoln, 1;
BBC Monitor feature; 1;
‘much taken’ with ‘Virginia’, 1;
L favours for laureateship, 1;
declines Compton Lecturership, 1, 2n;
knighthood, 1;
on L’s suitability for the Laureateship, 1;
appointed Laureate, 1;
honorary D.Litt. at Hull, 1;
Parkinson’s disease, 1;
unveils plaque to Auden in Westminster Abbey, 1;
seventieth birthday, 1, 2;
‘Princess Anne’s Wedding Day. November 1973’, 1n;
Summoned by Bells, 1, 2 and n
Beverley Arms, 1
Bevin, Ernest, 1, 2n
Bible, 1, 2, 3, 4n, 5
Billy Bunter, 1
Binns, Alan, 1, 2n
‘Biographical Details: Oxford’, 1n, 2n, 3n
Philip Larkin Page 65
