DLA037-0009  Transcription

14th September, 1936.

(Dictated 12th)

My dear Friend,

Please excuse my dictated letter, but I am unable to do otherwise, as I am not yet allowed to write myself, and I do not want to keep you waiting longer.

I am glad to say I feel very much better, but it will be a slow process, as the heart attack I had was of a serious nature. It was my own fault for not heeding the warnings I had already had, but I must be wiser in future and not over-exert myself, as I have so often done in the past. On the 18th we are leaving for the country, where I shall remain for at least a month, to get back my strength. What our further plans will be is at the moment uncertain.

I have to thank you for two letters, with enclosures, and regarding the signatures, I will be glad to do them if you will send the pages on to me in the country, by which time I hope to be allowed to write.[1] Our address there will be

Hawley Place,

Hawley,

Blackwater,

Hampshire.

When I fell ill my wife[2] wrote – at the same time as she wrote to you – to Dr Légrády and Dr. Pressly [sic]. The latter has since replied very kindly and sympathetically, but we have not yet heard from Dr Légrády. I much appreciated all his kindness in trying to find a suitable place where I could have painted the portraits so long outstanding.[3] I sent him a telegram asking him to have further patience, as I hoped

[Page 2]

to be able to make the necessary arrangements. When I was taken ill I had in fact decided that we should get back from Scotland just about this time, and I intended to come immediately afterwards to Hungary. It is very regrettable that I am so unexpectedly obliged to cancel these plans.

I must admit I am beginning to enjoy this time of enforced rest, which is such a new experience to me, and I am much looking forward to the opportunity to devote myself for a time to the writing of my book.

No more now, dear Friend, as I am getting tired.

Believe me,

Ever Yours,

Editorial Note:

 

Doctor László Siklóssy de Pernesz (1881–1951), Hungarian art critic; for biographical notes, see [111404].

SMDL

27/10/2024

[1] The signed pages were intended for Hogyan fest arcképet László Fülöp? Fordította és életrajzi bevezetéssel ellátta Siklóssy László, Budapest, 1936 [Hungarian edition of Charles G. Holme, ed., How To Do It Series, No.6: Painting a Portrait by P.A. de László, recorded by A.L. Baldry, New York and London, 1934].

[2] Mrs Philip de László, née Lucy Madeleine Guinness (1870–1950) [11474]

[3] There had been a long-standing plan for de László to paint the portraits of the lawyer and county prefect Elemér Preszly (1877–1971), Doctor Ottó Légrády (1878–1948), editor-in-chief of the Pesti Hírlap newspaper, and playwright Ferenc Herczeg (1863–1954). The plan kept being deferred because of de László’s failure to go to Hungary.