Under the Sun by Bruce Chatwin Page B

of 16 College Street, Stratford on Avon and Elizabeth Margaret Therese, eldest daughter of Rear Admiral and Mrs Hubert Chanler of Washington DC and Geneseo, New York. The marriage will take place in America in August.’

To Ivry Freyberg
    119a Mount Street | London | Saturday [July 1965]
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    My dear Ivry,
    So very many thanks for your letters. Sorry that everything was still in its early stages when I first wrote. I do hope you didn’t see that terrible little piece in the Evening Standard entitled ‘Love among the Pictures’. Elizabeth’s already gone to America and I leave on the Queen Elizabeth in ten days – a good 5 days rest. We are getting married in their family chapel on their estate which is at the back of beyond in New York State near the Canadian border. We’re going to give a party when we get back in the autumn. I need your advice. Where is a good room for 350 people to dance in? 72 I’ve no idea about these things. We both send our love and long to see you. Bruce and Elizabeth

To Elizabeth Chanler
    119a Mount Street | London | Wednesday [15 July 1965]
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    My Dearest Liz,
    Please write to P. Wilson. Katherine 73 says there is a slight huff 74 about you leaving at all. Typical of course, and don’t give it a thought. But write your charmingest letter to say how sorry you were that when you came to say goodbye he wasn’t there, and that you’re horribly sorry not to have given more notice.
    The Greek head 75 arrived, and is quite incredible. I think I see how to work it all out. But we won’t be able to have much else for years. Do you mind if I divest us of the green head, because I shall probably have to? Why don’t you say for wedding presents credit at John Hewett, 76 173 New Bond St W1? Father Murray 77 is a real treasure and we’re going to have the sessions alternately in the flat and Farm St.
    May be in America sooner than you think. Having eluded the 10 journalists on Monday morning I find a P.P. 78 directive saying that my presence is required for certain antiquities in N.Y. in August anyway. Nothing happens here so I might just as well come over. What about that?
    All is love,
    B

To Elizabeth Chanler
    119a Mount Street | London | [22 July 1965]
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    My Dear Liz,
    After our telephone conversation I had a sleepless night. The real reason for my insomnia was caused by the recollection of a conversation we had before you left, a conversation of which I only just realise the horrendous implications. You said that you were going to learn how to work a deep freeze!! 79
    Now all week I have been instructed about the evils of paganism and heresy. I have learned the implications of life everlasting, the light of Heaven, the darkness of Hell, and the mist of Purgatory. But I now find myself faced with the greatest HERESY known to man, the DEEP FREEZE.
    Imagine if you were put in a deep freeze. Your outward form might remain, but where would your soul be? Flitting about the Fields of Asphodels or knocking at the Golden gate. But vegetables have no souls; they die. It is a major article of my faith never to eat dead vegetables.
    A doctor friend of mine nearly dropped down dead in Harley Street as a result of eating dead vegetables. It is a complaint known as scarlatina. So give up all this nonsense of a deep freeze, do not deprive me of the pleasure of eating fresh food in its due season and learn to make a proper apple pie and the best chowder.
    xxxx B

To Elizabeth Chanler
    119a Mount Street | London | [July 1965]
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    Dearest E,
    I’m in a vile mood today. I went to Hugh and Connie’s 80 party last night, drank champagne and feel lousy and lonely. Connie is really quite a dish, isn’t she?
    Katherine had obviously what was a catty letter from Leo, 81 and is purring. P.C.W. has gone to Lady Sarah Russell. George O[rtiz] sends his love . . . Took Gouri 82 out to dinner at the Narain. 83 This gave me fearful attack of wind which was