STOURTON and GASPER HISTORY

Dear Stourton

Thank you very much for your letter, and for your kind renewed invitation.

I would much like to come to lunch with you any of Wednesday or Thursday the 21^st or 22^nd or the following Thursday, and if one of these days suits perhaps you could let me know at 37 Fleet St where I shall be from Tuesday to Thursday next week.

You will be pleased to hear that the Stourton Helmets are with the Armourer at the Tower of London, having been brought up from here about a fortnight ago.

Now about secret passages. We had an aerial photograph taken of Stourhead and its surroundings in 1955 but these show absolutely nothing as far as underground passages are concerned - perhaps becuase they are so old.

We have however had Dowsers at work and they claim to have found several underground passages leading eventually to the Church, and I will get hold of the information which they have left and give it to you when we meet.

I have been very interested in trying to find out the exact location of old Stourton House, and I will bring up that information also. Incidentally there is going to be an exhibition at the Tate Gallery at which the art of landscape in Britain during the period 1750 - 1850 will be presented.

Included in the exhibition will be estate maps of Stourton dated 1722 and 1785 respective and I think that the former makes it clear where Stourton House stood.

Looking forward to meeting you

Yours Sincerely

Rennie Hoare