The Rudolf Steiner Archive

146

Edith Maryon to Rudolf Steiner

Sculptor's Studio, Goetheanum, Thursday
Dornach near Basel [, 9 August 1923]

Dear and esteemed teacher,

There is little to report from yesterday. I achieved the minimum of work and the maximum of laziness! The only event was that a completely unknown gentleman suddenly appeared in the stairwell and claimed to be the brother-in-law of Mrs. v. Wassmer and wanted to see her room in House III! However, she has left and naturally one could not fulfill such a request. Was it not a cheek?

It gets hotter every day, although there is a bit of a fresh wind. Today was the 4th welcome letter, the Harwich letter came Monday, the Ilkley letter Tuesday. I am now writing my 5th. The 4th was especially for “snow” [snuff].

Yesterday was such a beautiful sunset. The background was turquoise or gold, and there were light pink clouds everywhere, ranging from a very pale light pink to a strong red, but they all looked so luminous and shimmering, quite wonderfully beautiful.

I am very sorry that so few men came to Ilkley, but without special efforts men are hard to get in England. They come for a lecture at the British Institution because everyone else goes, or for a football match or other sport. Apart from such events, they are afraid of anything new, they think people might think them strange. Even some well-known men have privately admitted to Mrs. Mackenzie that they are just cowards! They do not want to appear outside the ranks of the ordinary. I find them quite hopeless, the women are a little better; but one must reach the men somehow.

Penmaenmawr always seems to be shrouded in mist, so I am curious to see what surprises await us there! I hope for the best.

I am sending the very best thoughts and greetings.

Edith Maryon

147

Edith Maryon to Rudolf Steiner

Sculptor's Studio, Goetheanum
Dornach near Basel, 10 Aug. 1923

Dearest and most esteemed teacher,

Today a great joy! Two clippings from the Yorkshire Post, 6 and 7 August, the second a report of your lecture on Monday, the other something about Miss Mellifant's speech. The first lecture is again seen from a different point of view; they will be so interesting, I envy the audience! Hopefully the Yorkshire Postman is sitting diligently at every lecture! I am not sending the cutting, because I am sure you have the whole paper. Countess Hamilton received a postcard, and she lent it to me. What a curious thing it is! On it there is a hideous locomotive painted black, green and red, and at the top the inscription “Just arrived in Ilkley”. There is a slit at the bottom, you open it up and out of the monster's belly it spits out a long strip of paper with 12 small pictures of Ilkley printed on it. So now I know a little bit of what you see every day. Unfortunately, I had to give the beast [postcard] back.

What is it like in Ilkley now? As hot as here? And are the rooms and food satisfactory?

Here you pick the blackberries from the hedge, a number of people are busy doing this and you can hear vowels in all keys as the strong blackberry thorns defend their fruit. Even Erbsmehl's son has left a piece of his “bottom” on the thorns and it looks a bit strange.

On Friday it was much too hot, even worse at night. On Saturday morning there was a small storm, and then it got a bit cooler, so that one could recover from the heat. Today, Sunday, it is cooler and very nice. No news since the letter from Thursday. Mrs. Finckh was very nice and sent me two newspaper clippings.

I hope you are well? Are you very busy? Please let me know how you are.

Today I had a strange dream, I have written it down and will show it to you when you return.

With my very best thoughts and wishes,

Edith Maryon

Has The Snow finally arrived?

150

Edith Maryon to Rudolf Steiner

Sculptor's studio, Goetheanum
Dornach near Basel, August 14, 1923

Dear and esteemed teacher,

Today you have a very busy day. Hopefully many audiences and successes for eurythmy.

Yesterday was very nice weather, I sat in the garden for a long time, reading, sewing, and also drawing [eurythmy] figures – but all in minimal doses! The lecture in Bingley made me think of American “quick lunches”, only of a spiritual kind. There have probably never been so many spiritual substances compressed and concentrated into such a short period of time. Were there so many aunts in the audience again, or were there also uncles?

Five days ago, a Wolfram Deventer arrived in Leipzig – I think he was a boy – but maybe you already know about it. I am pleased that you can use the eurythmy figures in a lecture as in Oxford – hopefully Baron Rosenkrantz will arrange them quite artistically for this purpose, I think he will be happy to do so.

Miss Bauer tells me that from the current discussions of Schl.'s disengagement, it is clear that both sides actually imagined the matter somewhat differently. She thought she could change some things in him and lift him up a little more, and then discovered that it was not possible at all. On his side, he thought she should only work as a housewife, which she didn't like. I think both are happy to have learned this before it was too late, at least that's what people say. Personally, I don't know.

Ehrsam is doing better again, he is going to Davos for three months in the near future.

It is terribly dry here, no rain, vegetables and fruit are drying out and falling off prematurely.

Will it be possible to celebrate a Michaelmas festival? Or is it still too early?

I hope everything goes well and send warmest regards

Edith Maryon

151

Edith Maryon to Rudolf Steiner

Sculptor's studio, Goetheanum
Dornach near Basel, Aug. 15, 1923

Dear and esteemed teacher,

Today it is very hot again, in the afternoon there was a lot of wind and maybe a storm will come. It is Friday and very quiet.

This morning Miss Günther left. She has had a lot of pain in the last few days and was (according to Miss Stolle) often absent; around 5 o'clock in the morning she gently passed away. Stolle was with her. Dr. Mitscher told me that Sister Johanna should arrange everything for her. It is probably a relief for her after such a long illness. Dr. Wegman and Mr. Steffen are dealing with what needs to be done later, I now hear. Miss Bauer is feeling better; she was even in town. I am a little better, only the great heat is a little trying for the heart, so I do as good as nothing until it cools. Hopefully it is not too hot in Ilkley? Soon the first half of the long time will be over.

Thursday. The storm came, but was not very great, but today it is considerably cooler and fresher.

The letter was delivered this morning because no one collected anything from the post office yesterday, which was a holiday. I am very glad that everything is going well. I heard from Miss Wilson (about Miss Lewis) that it was cold and wet in Ilkley last week. I hope you complain if there are not enough warm blankets in the room, as it will probably be necessary at Penmaenmawr. It is often very fresh there, and hotels often don't take enough care of it, and I have some mistrust regarding the current course instructors - I mean their ability to have everything in order at the right time. Please complain and don't catch a cold, please don't forget to check what is available in the room. This letter should also arrive on Saturday. I haven't seen the program yet.

Yes, the news from Germany is all very, very sad, one can only be sad.

But I am pleased to hear that some enthusiasm, understanding and energy can be found among the course people. If they could just get a proper school going, you would be a bit rewarded for all the effort. Miss Wilson writes some details about the strong impression the lectures make, but it all depends on the personality of the people; Miss Cross was unfortunately unable to get anything done.

I don't know when you will give your lectures if there is no program; will they all be improvisations, including the eurythmy?

Warmest thoughts

Edith Maryon

153

Edith Maryon to Rudolf Steiner

Sculptor's studio, Goetheanum
Dornach near Basel, Aug. 17, 1923

Dearest teacher,

It seems that the brief thunderstorm on Wednesday did a lot of damage in Basel, and also in Arlesheim due to hail, but not here. There is no news today. I am a little worried about the return journey. I don't agree with travel romanticism. When something like this happens on the outward journey, one is uncertain about the return journey. Also, I don't understand how both gentlemen had so little presence of mind that they both continued their journey comfortably instead of at least one of them getting off at the right moment. With me that would not have happened.

So far I have not received a Penmaenmawr program from anywhere, is there still none available? Hopefully the journey there tomorrow will go well. Are you satisfied with the Ilkley conference? I think you are now in the middle of the last lecture there.

Sunday. Yesterday was windy and stormy, and today the sky is cloudy. The welcome Thursday letter arrived yesterday evening. Some of the newspaper articles could well have been written by Baroness R[osenkrantz], but I had hoped that some were independent. Too bad if they are not understood in English. It really seems like an insult to me that you still haven't received a program; it's very inconsiderate when everything is done without courtesy and order!

So they managed a London eurythmy performance after all. Dr. Wegman was here, she is leaving on Monday but will stay two days in Paris and two in London before arriving somewhat late in Penmaenmawr. We say: why have a center in Dornach if you always work in the periphery? After this all-too-long period, there is the eternal round of Stuttgart, Holland, Vienna, Stuttgart, the north and so on! America is probably next.

Nevertheless, I am glad that you think the first eurythmy performance went well, but even more so that there seems to be some understanding of the lectures. I only hope that something practical could grow out of it, that somewhere in the world it could be a little more beautiful. The ugly news and sounds from everywhere are so depressing and distressing.

I have received a lot of newspaper clippings, but I think you probably have them all.

I am trying to work through my old papers, but I haven't got very far. I see I have to pull myself together more and wipe out bad moods.

Now that I know absolutely nothing about Penmaenmawr, I must think and hope the very best.

Warmest regards

Edith Maryon

155

Edith Maryon to Rudolf Steiner

Sculptor's studio, Goetheanum
Dornach near Basel, 21 Aug. 1923

Dear and esteemed teacher,

Everything at Penmaenmawr seems shrouded in fog; it is the fourth day and no news has reached us. It is unlikely that anything can be sent from here either; nothing is happening except that the weeds are being cleared from the garden today! A number of newspapers have arrived, but they all stop with the 17th – I mean the news.

I have read Meyrink's “The Golem” and am now reading “The White Dominicans”. The double issue of “Anthroposophy” has also arrived. Then I try to delve into my old notes from 1917-19, etc., I sew a little and lead a cloistered life. The window sill in the room has become full of woodworms; Liedvogel had to remove it; every morning there were piles of little white mounds of wood there, piled up by the worms during the night.

There is already a strong autumn feeling here, beautiful sun, but the feeling of withering and dying can already be noticed, and in the morning the air is fresh and cool. You can see what a quiet little life you have to lead here!

I often think: are there lectures today or not? Or are there lectures all day long? You never know anything!

My health is improving very slowly, although I still have a tickly throat, unfortunately. If only it wasn't like that, I could be a bit more active, but it's not possible for the time being.

I hope you are in good health? Not too much work and exhaustion?

Warmest regards

Edith Maryon

156

Edith Maryon to Rudolf Steiner

Sculptor's studio, Goetheanum
Dornach near Basel, [probably August 22, 1923]

Wednesday.

Dear and esteemed teacher,

Today a letter from Penmaenmawr finally arrived, and it gives me great satisfaction to know that everything is going well there. I am also glad that you find the area beautiful. Will the course be better attended than in Ilkley? I am always pleased when there is a large audience, because then at least I can hope that the effort of the lecture will be better rewarded, but I know full well that the number of listeners is less important than their quality.

There is still a long time to go – years! Today I had a visit from Mme Ferreri, who has been taking a cure in the mountains for several weeks and now plans to stay at Grosheintz until you return and lectures resume.

Thursday. There was a very favorable review of Steffen's book “Kleine Mythen” in Wednesday's paper.

The weather is very fine again, and I am sitting in the garden. Why does Dunlop make such a strange programme arrangement? It must make things rather difficult, and one can hardly offer anything to the outside audience because of the short time. It really goes to the other extreme like most of the programmes. Here it almost always remains the same. Nothing to report, the activity is entirely in Penmaenmawr.

With warmest thoughts and greetings

Edith Maryon

Miss Bauer would like to send a greeting.

158

Edith Maryon to Rudolf Steiner

Sculptor's studio, Goetheanum, Saturday
Dornach near Basel, [25 August 1923]

Dear and esteemed teacher,

Today the weather is a bit grey and cloudy outside, and also inside.

I was disappointed not to receive any news from Penmaenmawr today, and no letter since Monday – perhaps there is much more work to do than in Ikley? Hopefully everything will go well there. Here I am moving forward like a snail, only I am not sleeping very well.

A number of young men from the gymnastics festival in Dornach have now brought a wagon full of sawdust from above and now they are running past my window – as horses for the wagon – they didn't bring a real horse with them. I wonder if they will arrive safely in Dornach. Now the guard is checking the sawdust room.

Today I am visiting the studio again, I have not been there for days.

Sunday. Today I hope for post tomorrow. The sun is gracious, I sit in its rays a lot and hope for mental and physical improvement! Miss Röhrle arrived yesterday and is staying with Ilona; she brought a little news from Ilkley — but of course nothing from Penmaenmawr.

Are you going to travel directly back to Dornach – or visit that dreadful Stuttgart again? I'm glad it's the last week of Penmaenmawr! I hope London won't be made any longer!

Kindest regards and thoughts

Edith Maryon

160

Edith Maryon to Rudolf Steiner

Sculptor's studio, Goetheanum
Dornach near Basel, 27 Aug. 1923

Dear and honored teacher,

Today is a gloomy rainy day, but I am very happy to receive so much news from Penmaenmawr. I am also quite pleased that you find the esoteric atmosphere there so favorable. I can well imagine that in a Celtic country like Wales something spiritual could still be found. The people still cling to the remnants of their old Druidism, their language and old singing - the “Bards”. I hope you will be able to see a bit of the old customs on occasion; the Eistedfod was last week, I don't know how long it lasts. I sent pictures of it.

It is a pity that Miss Groves (I will call her Miss Grob!) made such an unforgivable and tactless attack on Mr. Dunlop; maybe she doesn't like him, but she should not do such a thing. Unfortunately, I have heard several times how she has annoyed people who are well-disposed towards our cause by her lack of tact. I don't see why the events should continue to have such an outwardly educational character. I thought something like Oxford was only necessary as a post-war measure, which is no longer necessary. Of course, if you were to say that you would now prefer to have a purely anthroposophical setting in the future, everyone would be happy to follow this hint. Oxford may have made her a little unhinged. Perhaps D.N. Dunlop will now be more inclined to visit Dornach himself and see what it really looks like there. Miss Groves is certainly a poor mirror, and Collison is no better in his way.

The sunset was so beautiful despite the rain. Dark grey above, but a broad band of gold on the horizon, it remained quite light there for hours.

Tuesday. Baron Walleen was run over by a bicycle, but he is not badly hurt. His wife bandaged him at first, and now he is at home. Dr. Bockholt is visiting him. There is so much wind today that I won't be able to go out. This morning it was as if a breath of the lecture blew over, the atmosphere was so beautiful.

Mrs. Bögel has arrived; otherwise there is nothing to report. I hope you won't catch cold in the wet cold at Penmaenmawr? Liverpool and Manchester are very close, where you can buy all kinds of warm clothes.

Warmest regards,

Edith Maryon

I don't have an address in London.
Where will the eurythmy take place?

161

Edith Maryon to Rudolf Steiner

Sculptor's studio, Goetheanum,

Dear Teacher,
Dornach near Basel,
Aug. 29, 1923
What a wonderfully beautiful sky tonight: blue at the bottom, then various shades of gold, above countless white golden little clouds, then later the gold turned reddish gold, with a large red fish with a long pink cloud tail. Quiet, beautiful atmosphere. The mountain walkers are returning, Steffen is passing by, lost in a poetic dream. I really liked the little sketch of the view from your window, but I wonder why you don't have a sea view? Usually the best rooms are on this side. Is it one of the inconveniences of the hotel that the better rooms are given to other guests?

Oh, how I would love to be in Penmaenmawr so that I too could feel this old Druid atmosphere! But I am very happy that you can have these experiences, they must be extremely interesting and valuable.

Thursday. There was a lot of windstorm during the night, so I didn't get much sleep. I kept thinking about the strange Druid experiences you are having there now; I hope to hear more about them later.

I don't understand why people there have to argue about the school question and behave badly!

I am sending this letter to London – I think you will probably be there on Saturday evening. I would like to know when you plan to arrive here? Hopefully Stuttgart will be left out this time after such a long absence.

Please don't romanticize the journey and don't catch a cold. Thank you very much for the letter. I send

my warmest thoughts

Edith Maryon