EDITH RUSSELL TO AMETHE VON ZEPPELIN, 27 JAN. 1960
BRACERS 135542. ALS. McMaster
Transcribed by Nicholas Marlowe. Proofread by K. Blackwell

<letterhead>
Plas Penrhyn.
Penrhyndeudraeth.
Merioneth.
27 January 1960

Dear Amethe,

The two little books have come and give us such pleasure! Especially the inscriptions. The latter strengthen us and set us up against the prospects of the “horrid” universe of which you write to Bertie. I think you are second only to him in the matter of apt quotations. The one you have written in my entirely charming book is quite perfect. In fact the Spanish Riding School delights the whole family, both us and the grandchildren, one of whom has a passion for horses. I confess that Zwicky’s lucubrations mean less than nothing to me — but Bertie is very glad indeed to have them. We both think it awfully good of you to send us such to-be-treasured gifts when you are so busy and beset by ills. You seem to us one of the very few good arguments for the preservation of the human race!a

It is beginning to feel spring-like here — snowdrops and crocuses, and even a few primroses, coming into bloom — although we woke to glistening white icyb hill-tops this morning and the valleys are flooded. We very much hope that you, too, in Vienna are beginning to feel spring coming again, and warmth and sunlight, and will be restored soon to better health and cheer. We do not like to think of you and Michelangelo being ill, and it seems worse in the dark cold of winter. We send you both, always, our very best wishes, With love, and again, many thanks from us both,

Yours affectionately,
Edith Russell

Textual Notes

• a

  You … race! Underlined in red and blue.

• b

  icy misspelt icey