AU10/31/1/5

"I am much obliged by your further letter and for letting me see your photograph. In corresponding one can do it better if one has an idea of what one's correspondent is like. I am favourably impressed with the photos and you seem to have been blessed with good looks and a smart appearance and your wife must also be able to claim personal attraction. You have been lucky also in being able to get about and see different phases of life. I was at school at Harrow so knew Harrow Weald and I was once at Cromer for a while - some day I hope to argue out with you (when you come to take photos) the pros and cons of a wild or more domestic life for animals. As to showing at the palace, my Mother used to send huge horticultural exhibits long ago & took big prizes - Fruit of course & orchids. I have rather taken interest in animals and training them and also worked on the Zoological Council and the Whipsnade Committee. I dare say that in your wanderings you have ridden some animals - ponies, horses & mules & donkeys - perhaps dogs and donkeys. I take interest in the schools for training dogs for Army, Police and the blind. A big dog is as strong as a pony and can pull and carry big weights, as you have probably seen abroad & tried them. I think you said you kept cats - they are interesting animals and do not require exercising like dogs. I note that you specially admire 18th century architecture - which most artistic people do. I wonder what will become od most of them? Taxation is so high that people want small houses and cannot get servants to do the necessary in big ones. I have found a photo of myself taken a few years ago, an enlargement of which stands in the Board Room of the Bedford Prison. I was for long Chairman of the Visiting Magistrates in that place. I see you were at one time in the "Beds & Herts" - the local Regiment. I am really too old to be photographed. This must have been taken about three years ago. I also inclose a few snaps of animals taken here in old time including one of my library in the house. All good wishes to you and success in Life".

12 Jan 1945

From: 1945 To: 1945

item

Wingfield, Anthony Henry,
Matthews, Sidney H.,
Matthews, Joyce,
Wingfield, Sophia,
Pauncefort-Duncombe, Sophia

general horticulture & market gardening, Harrow School, photographs, Bedford Prison, fruit, orchids, mammals, dogs, cats, horses, donkeys, mules, Zoological Council, Zoological Society of London, zoos, social & welfare provision blind, army, police, taxation, servants, Bedfordshire & Hertfordshire Regiment, AMPTHILL, Harrow Weald, Cromer, Crystal Palace, WHIPSNADE, Whipsnade Zoo, Ampthill House