Letter from Lady Catherine Ashburnham to Rupert Gunnis

Discusses clearing up after Christmas. The pictures that RG has mentioned are not those at Ashton Court. William Ash[burnha]m there is an exact replica of 'ours here' and he is obviously not 70. The pendant at Ashton is a full length of his wife, Lady Marlborough. There is a bad portrait, supposed to be Anne Ash[burnha]m, wife of Sir Hugh Smyth. There is a pretty portrait thought to be Eliz (Betty) Ash[burnha]m, her sister, who died unmarried, and another half length which is thought to be John A[shburnham], quite young with fair hair. The only ones CA is sure of are the pair of William and his wife, but Miss W[illiams] believes that the inventories, which go back a long time, are correct. She told CA that Ashton is in a terrible mess, the old lady is 'gagga', and the pictures and deeds are dispersed or sold. Believes that the family portraits are still there, however. RG's account of the Kings Weston portraits from Bigland tallies with the account from Dugdale that RG sent a long time ago; mentions that RG's first stay at Ashburnham was December 1943. Lord Bathurst had [a portrait of] William A[shburnham] in 1819. Would like to trace these pictures and see the Jansens one. Has visited Kings Weston twice, but did not look at the pictures with any particular interest because she did not know of the relationship. Does not think that they are still there. Was delighted by RG's visit with his charming brother [Nigel Gunnis]. Is amused by RG's encounter with the widow of Ned and wishes that she had not settled at Penshurst [Kent], having returned from Yorkshire, and cannot think why Ned married her. Enie [Evelyn Bickersteth] is a pusher, and Dick [John Richard Bickersteth] is very careful not to give the young heir [John David Bickersteth] carte blanche to shoot at Ashburnham without permission. Ralphe Burton has met RG and Nigel; the last thing CA heard was that he was working in connection with transporting pictures from various hiding places during the war. Is sorry for the family, who has no money. Cecil, the eldest, was the former captain of the Yorkshire cricket team and is games master at Downside [School]. CA went to [RH] D'Elboux's party; met the authoress DK Broster, Joan Whistler (daughter of the late Lord Ashton of Hyde), and Sir Alan and Lady Moore. The D'Elboux family gave CA an old blue Delft Dutch cottage, meant for a biscuit box, for Christmas. Describes Christmas celebrations at Ashburnham Place. Aunt [Mary, widow of Sydney George, 2nd Viscount Knutsford]'s pictures never turned up. Dick is 48 or 49 on the 12 Feb, but does not look it. Discusses RG's brother [Nigel] and his marriage.