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.â
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 didnât see that terrible little piece in the Evening Standard entitled âLove among the Picturesâ. Elizabethâs already gone to America and I leave on the Queen Elizabeth in ten days â 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. Weâre 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 Iâve 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 donât give it a thought. But write your charmingest letter to say how sorry you were that when you came to say goodbye he wasnât there, and that youâre 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 wonât 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 donât you say for wedding presents credit at John Hewett, 76 173 New Bond St W1? Father Murray 77 is a real treasure and weâre 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,
Iâm in a vile mood today. I went to Hugh and Connieâs 80 party last night, drank champagne and feel lousy and lonely. Connie is really quite a dish, isnât 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