The Rudolf Steiner Archive

149

Rudolf Steiner to Edith Maryon

Ilkley, Hillside
August 12, 1923.

My dear Edith Maryon!

This evening I gave the second “special address” of its kind. It was similar to the one I gave in the chapel at Oxford. Yesterday was the sixth regular educational lecture. Now there are five more to follow. Today a number of teachers – actually female teachers – from the course came to see me as a deputation; they wanted to discuss the plan of a real Waldorf school. The committee that was once formed to transform the King's Langley School now consists only of Mrs. Drury-Lavin; everyone else has resigned. They consider the plan to work with Miss Cross to be hopeless. She is very saddened by this. But it seems as if some people are now showing commendable energy. The current lectures seem to be contributing to an understanding of many things.

Otherwise, things are going really well here. I hope that this is also the case for you and that your health is improving. I am grateful for the letters I receive. I will write down the address again for later: Penmaenmawr Grand Hotel (North Wales).

Please do not worry that difficulties might arise because of the sad news now coming from Germany. Careful arrangements are being made for the return journey, and no delays are expected. So please do not worry about that and do not be anxious. But on the other hand, what is happening is unspeakably distressing. Unfortunately, it could have been foreseen; no one wanted to believe it.

Warmest regards

Rudolf Steiner

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

152

Rudolf Steiner to Edith Maryon

Ilkley in Wharfedale (Yorks)
Hillside, August 16, 1923

My dear Edith Maryon!

So far, everything has gone well. Thank you very much for your letters. But the assumption that the lecture reports will be written in a way that a journalist can understand is quite unrealistic. Baroness Rosenkrantz is doing it with Dr. Wachsmuth, and the journals are then accommodating and taking them up. Today was the penultimate (tenth) lecture. I have just come from it. This afternoon there will be a presentation of eurythmy. It seems that the first presentation of eurythmy was well received after all. Those of us who were sitting among strangers said that the strangers were particularly enthusiastic. I will talk about the eurythmy figures that have already been set up tomorrow, when people will have seen the eurythmy again.

I try to give a vivid picture of Waldorf school teaching in my lectures. And it seems to me that the understanding is good.

Now I hope that the health situation there will continue to improve. In this expectation and sending the warmest thoughts,

Rudolf Steiner,

I have just received a message from
Dr. Wegman
that Miss Günther has died.

Address later:
Penmaenmawr
North Wales Grand Hotel

I still do not have a program.

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

157

Rudolf Steiner to Edith Maryon

Penmaenmawr, North Wales
August 23, 1923

My dear Edith Maryon!

I am doing well here. My lectures are daily at 10:30 in the morning. In these lectures I can speak purely in terms of anthroposophy; in Ilkley I used a system of speaking about education to say something to people that would not irritate them too much at the beginning, in order to teach them anthroposophy indirectly. This is what a group of our friends consider to be the right approach. I myself am of a different opinion. I know that our education is only understood when people first receive anthroposophical concepts. That is why I am actually glad when the events take on a character like here in Penmaenmawr. To achieve this character, Dunlop has made every effort. I did not understand why he was actually attacked a little tactlessly by Miss Groves yesterday at a discussion evening. She, who was the chairwoman, asked him in front of the whole assembly, which was doubled up with laughter, that is to say, some individuals: why he had chosen Penmaenmawr, why he did not want eurythmy here, why he had come here two days before the start and so on. Now he was the one who wanted the eurythmy from Dornach, while the others thought the extremely naive performance of the Kings Langley children was sufficient. In reality, everything went well. The lectures, which could be quite esoteric, were followed attentively. The first eurythmy performance, which was on Wednesday evening, was a great success. The program was as follows: my lecture in the morning, In the afternoon rehearsals, in the evening at 8 o'clock discussion. During this discussion I answered questions the previous days; today (Thursday) Dr. v. Baravalle and Dr. v. Heydebrand spoke about educational matters, which were very well represented in the context of anthroposophy, in addition to the less tactful things of Miss Groves.

I understand quite well that when our people work as they do, unfortunately we will have to go to the periphery for a long time to come. It is clear to me that Dunlop does not learn much from Dornach about what Miss Groves, Collison and so on say about it here in England.

There is no printed program. Everything is being decided on the spot over the next three days. Only my lectures are scheduled in advance. Dunlop, for his part, speaks elegantly and advocates anthroposophy in such a way that, if he had other intentions, he would be a poor representative of them and of anthroposophy. The fact that the hotel is not particularly comfortable (but it is the “best” here) is counterbalanced by the fact that the spiritual legacy of ancient Druidism is everywhere in evidence; this gives a very esoteric atmosphere. And so I lack nothing here, except dear Dornach. I would always like to be there. (There is no reason for any anxiety.)

I now hope that her health continues to improve and send my warmest thoughts,

Rudolf Steiner

Thank you very much for the letters that arrived.

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

165

Edith Maryon to Rudolf Steiner

Sculptor's studio, Goetheanum
Dornach near Basel [probably September 13, 1923]

Thursday

Dear and honored teacher,

I hope you had a good journey and arrived in Stuttgart in the early hours of the morning without too much delay.

Mrs. Leuzinger has just come to me with a strange story. She says she has received a check from London, from two unknown ladies from the local branch - signed by Miss Maryon! and another whose name she does not remember - (unfortunately she did not bring the check and letter with her). The amount was for about 380 francs and was half of what she (according to the accompanying letter) had spent for the ladies for the passports and the trip to England; the other half of the money would be sent in a few days. Only, said Mrs. Leuzinger, she has not spent anything at all and does not understand the matter at all, but has asked everyone what this was all about, and finally she came to me. I advised her either to send the check back to the two ladies and say that she had nothing to do with the matter, or to wait for Mrs. Mackenzie's arrival in a few days and discuss the matter with her. It was not exactly easy to understand what had happened, because Mrs. Leuzinger was not very clear on some points of her account; and she did not make a move to get the letter, which might have made something clear. I also don't know if the matter is complicated by the price of the eurythmy figures. They must be very careless in London to make something like that. Perhaps you or Frau Doktor know something about the story!

I have to write rather hastily, otherwise the letter will not arrive at the post office.

It is very boring here, I wish I could travel to Stuttgart! I need new thoughts very much - perhaps one learns them at Dr. Unger's lecture on Monday!

I feel much the same, just a bit of pain in a place where it shouldn't be, but it will pass.

I hope my time in Stuttgart won't be too exhausting and disgusting.

With warmest thoughts and greetings

Edith Maryon

166

Rudolf Steiner to Edith Maryon

[Stuttgart
, presumably September 13, 1923] My dear Edith Maryon!

The journey went well. We arrived around 1 a.m. In the morning I went to the school, then at 10 o'clock to the meeting. The meetings with the discussions last from 10 to 6 with a lunch break. In addition, there are the evening lectures. So for the few days it is taken care that one does not walk around too much idle.

The Stuttgart group has high hopes for this conference. But despite their good intentions, little of value will come of it. This “good will” is not the spiritual power of the will, but the illusion that one has the will. These personalities have great abilities - this can be seen, for example, in Waldorf teachers; they are even ingenious in many ways - but only the “idea of will”. And so they say to themselves: we have the “good will”, but we do not understand what we are supposed to do. But the truth is that they should say to themselves: we understand as well as possible what we are supposed to do; but we do not want to.

Yes, the truth is only just behind the illusion.

I hope it is all right there; I am looking forward to being there again soon. For today, my warmest greetings and thoughts

Rudolf Steiner

173

Edith Maryon to Rudolf Steiner

Sculptor's studio, Goetheanum
Dornach near Basel
November 15 [13] 1923 (afternoon)

Dear and honored teacher,

I hope you have now arrived safely in The Hague, without any adventures on the way, and that you will be given some time to rest before you are expected to work again! I don't understand how someone can be expected to give a lecture straight after such a long journey; it always seems strangely inconsiderate to me! I am a little better here, the chest pains have stopped, the “morning freshness” has been a little troubled, only I am a little weak and tired, this morning I was so lazy - I just slept, and only now am I writing; then I will paint and read a little, and think about the evening lecture. Please don't forget to tell me when you are coming back; the trains to The Hague are not listed in the Swiss railway guide.

Kalähne went out to play for the guards, and just now Clason came to visit me! She was very pleasant, though. Mrs. Geheimrat [Röchling] came yesterday; she is always very kind and I like to see her. Please give Dr. Zeylmans my regards, his wife and, if you see his parents, van Emmichoven, give them my regards too. I once lived there and they were very kind to me.

Now Miss Kuterova must take the letter to the post office.

Warmest regards

Edith Maryon

6

Edith Maryon to Rudolf Steiner
[Translation]

58, Grove Park Terrace

Chiswick London 30.3.13 Dear

Dr. Steiner,

I think I should let you know that I have decided to leave England for good in May and, with your permission, to tie my fate completely to the Anthroposophical Society. If I am a little further on, I hope it will be possible for me to do some work in these contexts. Dr. Felkin is coming back on April 13th and I will tell him about my decision then. He has been very good to me and I fear he will not be very pleased, as he assumes that I am only going away for about a year. I wanted to tell you about this first, as he will undoubtedly bring it up when he meets you in London. I would like to devote the first few months in Munich entirely to my studies. It bothers me terribly not to understand German; it makes you feel like you're being a burden to others. When I go to Berlin - unfortunately I have no means of supporting myself - I will have to look for work, but I don't want to worry about that unnecessarily, because I feel that I have made the right decision and that a job will come along at the right time.

You may have been a little surprised that I did not end up doing anything for Nevill Meakin, and I would like to explain. Dr. Felkin told me several times that he was unavailable during the first six months and that any attempt to contact him might harm him. I did not understand how anything I did could be harmful to him, but, assuming that Dr. Felkin knows much more than I do — that he has concrete knowledge — I have been content to do no more than send him some helpful thoughts and prayers — especially on Fridays. I don't think Dr. Felkin really understands me or the situation, though I know he thinks he does, so I am now going to do what I think is right. You may have thought that we [Meakin and I] were engaged, but we were not, and we would never have married, even though I would have done so at his request, because I thought he might live longer if he had someone to look after him.

I read to him every day now and I told him that if he knew of anyone who would like to listen, he could bring them, provided they could understand me; I'm not sure about the possibilities.

I forgot to ask you if you received my letter addressed to Banka-Straat, but it contained nothing but my thanks for all the help you gave me. I would have liked to have told you something else the other day, but it was too long and too difficult, and I didn't want to say it in front of others either. The thought of coming to Germany makes me very happy.

See you in England.

Yours sincerely,

L. Edith C. Maryon

I tried to find out from Mr. Schuré what you meant by “Knowledge is a metamorphosis of death”. Although he spoke quite interestingly about the meeting between the higher and the lower self, he did not give me a proper explanation of the meaning of your sentence, and my own understanding of it is too vague.