24 JUNE 1938, Page 6

Dr. Ralph Vaughan Williams, who went to Hamburg last week

to receive from the University the Shakespeare prize, awarded each year to the British composer whose works are of most " present importance to Germany," came back to England without it. The prize—ro,000 marks, anything from £500 to L80o according to the rate of exchange obtainable—is worth having, but the money cannot be taken from Germany. The question of how an unpre- tentious (albeit highly distinguished) resident of Dorking can spend to,000 marks in Germany to the best advantage is almost a fit subject for a problem competition. Dr. Vaughan Williams must live tb be a centenarian to take it out in holidays in Black Forest or Bavaria—or else make