The Rudolf Steiner Archive

59

Edith Maryon to Rudolf Steiner

Sculptor's studio, Goetheanum
Feb. 16, 1921

Dear and esteemed teacher,

I am now back at work again. I stayed at home for three days to finally get rid of a cold, and now it has improved considerably. I have also organized the food a little better.

I hope you have not caught a cold? I am thinking a lot about the work in Germany and sending my best wishes that a great deal of good will be achieved there – I am also hoping for good success in Holland. But I am envious of those who traveled there yesterday! I would have liked to have gone too.

Today they are finished with the electrical work (a bit late with this change), and half of the scaffolding has already been taken down, there is a lot of dirt, but you can already see Lucifer and the creature quite well from the ground.

I am told that it is terribly cold in Holland, no hot water in the room, only two blankets on the bed, unheated rooms and corridors, lecture hall, etc., so that one must be very careful not to catch a cold. I hope you took the eucalyptus with you.

With best regards,

Edith Maryon

18. I can only send this letter from the post office now.

61

Edith Maryon to Rudolf Steiner

Sculptor's studio, Goetheanum
Feb. 26, 1921

Dear and honored teacher,

I received a letter from Miss Felkin asking me to write to you and tell you that a meeting of her friends is taking place next Tuesday at 6 p.m., and that things seem to be going quite well, it seems to be resolving itself – and she would like you to think of her at this time. (She is coming back here for a short time.

It would probably be just as well if it came to an end, wouldn't it?

This week, we received some rather unpleasant news: a dramatic sketch, performed by students in the evening at the Basel Casino, caricatured (under pseudonyms, of course) the Anthroposophical Society. It was very detailed, not funny but very, very mean, and at times even verging on blasphemy. But it was very much to the taste of the Basel audience, who gave it great applause. Some things were quite cleverly and devilishly conceived. (Mr. I, Dr. Boos, Beatrice and others were present. I hope you bring back better news from Holland, and that the people there are less coarse than the ones here.

I am dealing with a box full of dolls and plaques for St. Gallen.

I am thinking of your birthday tomorrow and send many greetings again.

Edith Maryon

Greetings from Miss Geck for tomorrow.

62

Edith Maryon to Rudolf Steiner

Sculptor's studio, Goetheanum
[presumably shortly before February 27, 1921]

Dear and esteemed teacher,

I am writing this letter as a warm and best greeting for the 27th, with my very best wishes for you.

Here the work is progressing, everything is in order again in the large studio, and Lucifer and the creature look really quite beautiful when viewed from the floor, although they are of course too far away in perspective. The workers are in the second studio today, and I am dealing with the casting of plaques for the time being.

It won't be until next week before they can move into the small houses, the workers are not yet ready.

When do you think you will come here again? Will you be here Sunday in 8 days? So far no one has received any news from Holland, I very much hope that the work there has been quite successful.

I am now recovering and feeling better.

I hope you have not caught a cold?

With warmest regards and wishes

Edith Maryon

64

Edith Maryon to Rudolf Steiner

Sculptor's studio, Goetheanum
March 19, 1921

Dear and honored teacher,

I hope that during your stay in Stuttgart you will be able to straighten things out a bit. I think about it a great deal and hope that people in the right places will see how terribly mean these attacks on you are and how they go against all truth. They are unbelievably disgusting. One really wonders where the truly insightful people in Germany are, and whether there is a complete lack of those with a broad horizon.

I received a letter from Mrs. Drury-Lavin. Do you remember she once wrote about an admiral? The one who studied your books for many years without knowing that you were still alive; and on the bridge of his ships, when he had to keep watch, he always carried excerpts of books in his pocket to read. Now he has become a member, is coming to the Easter course, and is bringing his young daughter with him because he says she should at least hear something sensible before the world talks all kinds of nonsense into her head! He has also created a book for her – excerpts from your books, and she reads this every evening. He hopes to have a few minutes' conversation with you, just to thank you for all he has learned through anthroposophy.

I hope that the voice is doing well? And that you are not overtired?

With warmest regards

Edith Maryon

66

Edith Maryon to Rudolf Steiner, sculptor's studio, Goetheanum, 14 June 1921.

Dear and esteemed teacher,

I am actually still sitting at home while a workman is fixing the “stinking pipes”; it is very boring work that should have been avoided. I will probably be able to give the sketch to Mr. Bay today. The weather is cold and unfriendly. Yesterday, Miss Vreede gave a lecture on the development and history of mathematics - quite interesting. Afterwards, Wachsmuth, Storrer, Pfeiffer and Mr. Stadtlin asked questions. Wachsmuth talked about sound figures, while Pfeiffer wanted to know to what extent the ancient Egyptians based their astronomy on mathematics. He does not speak badly, but too monotonously. Quite a few members were present, despite the heavy rainy weather, unfortunately only three or four outsiders perhaps. Dr. Boos was not there, I did not see him at all; his mother and his wife were present at the lecture on Saturday, I have no news. I received a letter from Miss Franklin, she is inviting me on a little trip again, maybe that would be the cheapest way for me to have a little vacation if only it could be arranged while you are not here.

Rosenkrantz wrote to me and sent the summer program; I sent three more to you and hope you have already received them. Prices in England for electro-galvanic images are even more expensive than in Switzerland, so I will try out how the man in Locle works. The samples I saw were flawless, but very expensive.

I often think about the work in Stuttgart and wish I could be involved. I hope the eurythmy performance was well received there? I am very interested to know how things are going there, the work and the hostile attacks. I hope that your public lecture has improved the situation somewhat; such a success should win over a number of people.

If only you didn't have to exert yourself so much, I would think of that.

With warmest regards,

Edith Maryon

67

Edith Maryon to Rudolf Steiner

Sculptor's studio, Goetheanum
Dornach near Basel [probably late July 1921]

Sunday evening.

Dear teacher,

The studio seems very empty to me; it has taken on a different character since you left. Today Princess Mallandani and I spent the whole afternoon visiting our new clients. It was amusing to see how each had furnished her room quite differently, sometimes in a very characteristic way. All were very friendly. We wanted to check the number of lamps, plug sockets, etc. by name, because Elektra Birseck had made several mistakes in the pink booklets it gave us. For example, it moved the bathroom to the middle house instead of leaving it in our house, where it is actually located. Ms. Kisseleff was the only one who paid her rent right away. Each of them tried to convince us how little electric light they used – so we are bound to experience our first difficulties when the time comes to calculate the electricity used and distribute the costs.

After so many visits, we were tired and went to have tea in Mr. Rauch's dining hall; afterwards we visited the three new houses - they are truly awful, no room is well-proportioned, almost every one has all kinds of nooks and crannies and so many superfluous nooks and crannies everywhere - the house is even worse, even on the outside, like the others. It's a shame.

Otherwise, I did various things, made a second chocolate lady sketch – but it caused me a lot of grief. The designs could be used for a charity work or as decoration for a school, but the content is so meaningless; what can you make out of a lady who gives chocolate?

I do hope that you had no further difficulties or unpleasantries upon your arrival? I do hope that you are using the eucalyptus every day? And that your voice will hold out for Wednesday; I shall be anxious until I know that this evening has passed off happily and that you are not too tired. I shall think about it a great deal.

With best regards,

Edith Maryon

69

Edith Maryon to Rudolf Steiner

Hotel San Salvatore
San Salvatore, Lugano
[probably end of August 1921]

Saturday afternoon on the mountain.

Dear and esteemed teacher,

I have not received any news from Stuttgart today and would like to know how things stand with the hand wound and the voice? It is uncertain whether we will stay here beyond next Wednesday or not, but in any case I will make sure that I get letters at the post office. If we don't find anything better on Sunday or Monday, we will stay here. The food is excellent; I have never found better vegetarian cuisine anywhere.

Mrs. Mackenzie writes me from London with all kinds of thanks for you for the hospitality, etc. Dr. Mackenzie speaks very enthusiastically about his stay in Dornach, he will also write to you in 14 days, when you arrive in Dornach, and send a book. They both feel wonderfully refreshed in body and soul. Now she is preparing her Christmas plans.

Miss Franklin seems to be getting more interested in Dornach again, she is taking a long walk in the area as I write and think of the excursion to Stuttgart today. We want to drink tea outside, but I don't know what she will say when she comes back and discovers that we have both forgotten the water for tea. I dare not go to the hotel and get water because the cows are wandering around and will surely eat our cakes.

Mrs. Mackenzie has translated some of Hegel's speeches, they are at the end of her book. She has also translated Fichte's speech and wanted to have it printed at the beginning of the war, but at the time everyone said that no one would read it, so she waited with it, and now it will probably finally be printed: It seems she prefers my translation to Wedgwood's after all; she finds the latter more like a reproduction of a book that has been read than an actual translation, so perhaps mine wasn't so terrible after all! Although of course I don't think it's first class, I know only too well that it can't be. I hope no plans have been made for the time of the Theological Course and the Christmas Course and that you will take vacation for the Voice from Sept. 7 on??? It will certainly be necessary. How are you doing with the Voice now? And, are you too tired? Or are you trying

maybe to get a little rest each day? Goodbye!

Kindest regards

Edith Maryon

70

Edith Maryon to Rudolf Steiner

Villa Eugenia, Ruvigliano
Presso Lugano (until Wednesday, then Dornach)

[presumably after August 30, 1921]

Dear and honored teacher,

I am pleased to hear that the hand wound has healed, and I send all good wishes for the voice. I am pleased that you are not being deterred from your work in Dornach by the many demands for lectures; they are always endless, and one must still keep time in between when one can breathe a sigh of relief, especially after such exhausting work as has taken place over the last three weeks; otherwise the voice will really be completely ruined.

Yesterday we changed our lodgings; the view from here is just as beautiful, it is not as high up and is a little less grandiose, but still wonderful. In the afternoon we are taking a trip to [Ponte] Tresa by steamer; today is warm and sunny, it should be quite pleasant on the lake. I am recovering quite well! There are very few strangers in Lugano, the “season” seems to be quite poor with the exception of Monte Generoso, where hundreds of guests have fled from the great heat of July-August, but now they are all gone. So far I have good news from Dornach, hopefully it will continue like this until I return, yesterday I sent mountain flowers to Geck and Kucerova.

Miss Franklin is in very good humor and seems happy and enjoying herself here. She will probably never become an anthroposophist, although I try to explain where I can and where it is possible. Her outlook is still too narrow and small-minded. It's a shame! She works well in the areas she understands.

I hope this letter will arrive in Stuttgart at the right time, because I assume you will be traveling to Berlin no later than Saturday morning. Otherwise you will probably have no time at all to make the correction, and I know how urgent this is!

I send you my warmest thoughts

Edith Maryon

72

Edith Maryon to Rudolf Steiner

Hotel Pension San Salvatore
San Salvatore near Lugano
[probably after September 5, 1921]

Dear and kind teacher,

The letter arrived and I am very happy to hear that the hand wound is healing and I hope to hear more news about it soon. I also wish you all the best for your voice; do you always use eucalyptus twice a day? I would like to know if anything else is being arranged for the Christmas period and I especially hope that this will not happen 10 days after the teacher training course. Are you leaving Stuttgart on the 8th? Any chance of a bit of rest for the voice somewhere?

It is gloriously beautiful here, right at the top, with sun, warmth, peace and fresh air - I already feel refreshed. In Dornach I have taken a few small measures that might perhaps help to keep things in order there, so that everything goes well.

Miss Franklin sends her regards, she is very happy here, but maybe we will only stay here for a week and then go somewhere in the surrounding area. I will send more details with the address the day after tomorrow; but you can still send me a message or two here.

We are going to take the funicular to Lugano and make a trip to Tesserete to take a look around the city. Goodbye, I hope you take a little time to rest every day.

Kindest regards

Edith Maryon

73

Edith Maryon to Rudolf Steiner

Pension Eugenia
Ruvigliano, Lugano, Sept. 12, 1921

Dear and esteemed teacher,

On Wednesday I will travel back to Dornach. I think my stay here has done me a lot of good, and Jeannette's nerves are improving too. It has become quite hot again, but not as oppressive as before. I have not heard when you will arrive in Berlin, but I hope it is on Sunday, because of the corrections etc. What will be the date of your arrival in Dornach? We need you very much in the studio. From Monday, before the start of the theological course, because then you will be so busy that everything else must take a back seat. I will prepare for Monday, in the hope that you will come.

We have made all kinds of little excursions in the area, and I have been quite lazy, thinking that this should be a good preparation for a lot of work during the winter. Mrs. Mackenzie writes to me that she is preparing her plans for the teacher training course at Christmas. Has anything been said or done in Stuttgart in this regard? I am very curious to see if this time it will be possible to generate more interest in the cause. I do have some hope that this could help us find some suitable helpers, who we urgently need. If we had them, things could snowball and spread.

I am sending all kinds of good thoughts and wishes for success on Thursday and for your voice to get better.

Jeannette has a friend who has made various interesting discoveries, including a machine that enables the blind to hear printed words: they sound. Another machine rings when a person's shadow falls on it. She will send me the article he wrote about the first machine.

Is there anything printed about the research of the scientific work in Stuttgart that I could send him?

With warmest regards

Edith Maryon