|
The furniture and pictures here are largely
English and 18th century. The painted open armchairs are
worth particular attention and the room is hung with family
portraits.
| |
The Ladies
Withdrawing Room |
|
 |
|
| |
The beautiful Ladies Withdrawing
Room with it's 18th Century furniture and pictures. |
| |
|
|
Note
the pastel drawings of the two wives of the second Thomas
Duncombe. His first wife, Diana, daughter of the Fourth
Earl of Carlisle, is shown holding a harp. Their daughter,
Anne, married Robert Shafto, MP for Durham and otherwise known
as Bonnie Bobby Shafto who went away to sea with silver
buckles on his knee. When he came back from sea he married
Anne Duncombe and spent her fortune. He is thus not regarded
here with quite the same romantic glow as he appears to inspire
elsewhere. In Lord Feversham's opinion the countless lovely
young ladies whom he jilted on his return from his travels
enjoyed a lucky escape. The other pastel lady is Thomas Duncombe's
second wife, Anne Clarke, and the pastel child their daughter,
Frances, mother of the First Lord Strathnairn. The peculiar
door in the corner leads on to the China Cabinet.
The walls above the
book cases are covered with a 19th century wallpaper simulating
leather. The portrait over the fireplace is of Sir Charles
Duncombe, the great Restoration banker and purchaser of the
Helmsley Estate.
|
 |
|
| |
The fascinating library with
a good selection of unusual books. |
| |
|
|
The shelves contain
many interesting and unusual volumes including such personal
favourites as The Unexpurgated.
Case Against Woman Suffrage by Sir Almroth E. Wright
and Dangers to Health or Sanitary Defects by J.
Pridgin Teale (also one of the late W. H. Auden's favourite
books). After leaving the library, visitors may take the
stairs to the second floor to view some bedrooms. The large,
17th century Dutch landscape hanging in the stairwell is
by Jan Both. |
