A countrywoman’s notes

THIS morning, two letters arrived in the post. The writer in the first is offering me a ‘personal treasure’: a collection of COUNTRY LIFE that dates back to 1980. I have to admit this is not the first such offer that’s come my way. Over the years, I’ve been offered collections that go back to before The Queen was The Queen, when historic architecture was black and white, articles were twice as long and Frontispiece girls were Christian virgins in pearls on the eve of matrimony.

The writers are always polite. They enquire if I would like to purchase