Vita's death
Sir: A. N. Wilson's article on death (The facts of death', 2 November) was rather depressing: may I tell you of one death (since it had to be) not so: I was secretary and gatekeeper at Sissinghurst when Vita Sackville-West was, after fruitless opera- tions, dying of cancer. I asked that if a trained nurse was on duty at night (and always on the premises) her great friend, Edie Lamont, and I, could take turns in being 'on watch' during the day: I could not have believed that human loving could so mitigate inhuman sorrows.
It happened to be my turn on watch when she died. Coward that I was I had prayed many times I need not be there then. In the event it looked so easy! I opened the casement window that looked over the beloved Weald, and stood by her in case she woke and was afraid. She did not wake — only sank deeper and deeper asleep. It was some minutes before it seemed all right to leave her and call to Quinlan, their very nice butler, to tell Harold Nicolson and Nigel.
I don't know whether this is more cheering than A.N. Wilson's article! Ursula Codrington
la Alexander Buildings, Grosvenor, Bath
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