Letter from Lady Catherine Ashburnham to Rupert Gunnis

Describes the horror of visiting the cellar to disinter 'family Argenterie' with Leslie and Josephine. Describes the decayed containers and the silver, which had been damaged by the damp, and regrets that she was such an ass, but it was all done in a hurry when she thought that she would be turned out. Is glad to have Leslie back; Amy [Mason] is radiant with Fuller, and Josephine [Crimmings] and Ellen [Bowman] are also happy. Miss W[illiams] told CA that Kings Weston was Anne Ashburnham's dowry given by Sir Hugh Smyth, when she was at Ashton Court. Is interested in the Smyth forgery. Went on a long walk over Creep Wood and dug up a number of wild lily of the vally roots to plant in the new little circular garden. Practiced revolver shooting with Dick [John Richard Bickersteth]. Dick agrees that the well is medieval. Asks RG to congratulate Lord de Lisle on his furniture discovery.