Correspondence with Edith Maryon 1912–1924

GA 263 — 6 July 1919

Letter from Edith Maryon

Edith Maryon to Rudolf Steiner

Villa Rosenau
Arlesheim near Basel, July 6, 1919

Dear and esteemed teacher,

I am sending you the last photograph of the Christ head, which is also the best so far. I would also like to know whether I can use the title of the book “The roots of the social questions in the vital needs of the present and future”. “Germs” is not liked; it sounds a bit humorous and nobody is happy with it. I am now waiting for an answer from Messrs. Routledge (instead of National Labour Press, they have no office in London and Miss Franklin has turned to the other publisher).

I am truly sorry that the work is so much more difficult with so little understanding. Dr. Boos was here today and seems very satisfied with the progress in Switzerland. A very nice letter has arrived from a lady in England who seems to understand the matter and offers to do the translation. An American woman, now an Englishwoman, was introduced to me today by Dr. Boos and she promises financial and other support. She was very nice. She would like to win Bernard Shaw and H.G. Wells for the cause if she could, they could achieve a lot for the cause. This week the last blocks are coming into the studio, everything will then be arranged, only the work longs very much for the first sculptor, especially for the Christ figure.

There is a terrible housing shortage, many houses have been sold. A rich Swiss woman offered double for the room of Miss Clason, more than triple for the service, etc., so Miss C. is now on the street. My stay here will probably be short as well, they are already charging double for heating, etc., and I have already been asked whether it would not be better to find other rooms! But I will stay a little longer (for now). I have now talked to Mr. Bay a lot about whether it would be possible to build small houses and rent rooms for around 30-35 francs, and now he is looking into the question. I thought that maybe my mother could lend me the money for a three-room apartment if it were possible to rent land near the canteen or the office (for a water pipe, etc.). Mr. Bay thinks that some wealthy Bernese members would be happy to build such houses. But I'll wait for your opinion until you come. The plan is for 2 rooms and 2 kitchens, but I would like 3 rooms and 1 kitchen and thought it might be something for Kisseleff, Clason and me, if the price is within the range of possibility. I also need to know your opinion about this; we'll wait until you come, just hoping that the wait won't be too long. The last corrections to the book are taking a long time; the head seems to have become a little tired!

In England, a small committee is being formed to work on the social question. Dr. Boos suggests that I should travel to England and give slide lectures about the Goetheanum!!

There is also a lot of work here; Stuttgart has already had a great deal.

With warmest regards,

L. Edith C. Maryon