Eric Sams/Nieves Hayat De Madariaga Mathews: Letters 1987-2003   previously unpublished; © the estate of eric sams and beatrice cazac (Mrs.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

11.

27 January 1988

Dear Hayat,

Special greetings and wishes, on Mozart's birthday.

   The rest, if not quite silence, is less auspicious. I rang Colin Haycraft twice and announced myself to his secretary: but he has not rung back. The first time was at about 4.30; his secretary said, conspiratorially, "not back from lunch yet: you know how it is: he meets chaps and gets chatting". I do indeed know how it is. I'll try again in due course in case he's just being uncommunicative and not actually incommunicado. If he has lost interest (as they sometimes do) perhaps I might offer some alternative suggestions. But I trust it won't come to that. Don't you have a contract?

   Yes, do please send me the Conclusions I'm never too busy for whatever is congenial and kollegial.

   Charles Hamilton would I'm sure be approachable, and very responsive, so long as you agree with him. [...]

   I'm sure Honigmann is worth reading. He has a knack o getting things wrong in ways which help one to see what is right.

   We're looking forward here to Diana's recital on 9 February.

   Farewell for now,

   warmest good wishes, as ever,

   yours Eric