Eric Sams/Nieves Hayat Mathews De Madariaga: Letters 1987-2003   previously unpublished; © the estate of eric sams and beatrice cazac (Mrs. Mathew’s letters)

32.

30 May 1989

My dear Hayat,

   (it's the train that shakes, not my hand. Or so I believe)

   Thanks for your letter of 21 May. It was good to hear from you. Yes, assuming that I get back safely from Germany in mid-June, which seems doubtful, considering that I'll be having the hardihood to lecture on Mörike in his home town of Ludwigsburg, and in his own tongue too, I'll be around for your July dates apart from serving a Lieder competition on 15, 16 and 17.

   And of course I'd love to meet you again. I could offer you lunch, say, at the University (pause) Women's Club, to which I happen to belong. It's so handy for to pursuit of certain studies that I can count the subscription as tax-deducible!

   I'll look out for Schoenbaum, though I balefully regard him as anything but Schoen; indeed, as the upas-tree of Shakespeare scholarship. And I'll be happy to advise on appropriate productions. The last I saw was The Tempest, with my son Jeremy's music. He made the isle really twangle.

   Other matters including mater's are less satisfactory. But I carry on (in every sense, some say). I trust you are well.

    Warmest good wishes,

    yours as ever,

    Eric