Mary Egerton, Denmark Hill, to Mrs. Andrews, Isleworth, [Tuesday], 2 November [1790].

My dr friend,

   Extraordinary as it may seem to you, my journey to Town was not accompanied with feelings half so pleasant as what I experienced on my way to Isleworth – I was dull & stupid & oppressed by the Cold & discomfort – think how much my gloominess increased on meeting John in Grov: Place, who told me that his father was extremely ill, with the Asthma!  –  

   I found Mr S. in a situation that gave me much anxiety indeed – the means prescribed by Mr P. freed (without having the desired effect) given him a a violent cold – & add to which the extreme discomposure of his Mind had been such the preceding Thursday that a continuance of it would inevitably endanger his Senses or his Life – In this extremity he called on Mr Pearson, who had behaved to him with uncommon tenderness, & who declaring he had known most fatal effects to result from similar Situations advised him strenuously to protract matters no longer than he could possibly avoid –    

   It may easily be supposed I could form but one Resolution in such Circumstances – Mr Ford calling the same morning to tell what related to pecuniary concerns, I agreed on Thursd. next to what I had before hoped to have deferred for a few Weeks more – Thinking the safety of a Person I so much esteem far beyond every other consideration, Mrs Barber came to dine  < > nothing could well exceed the kindness of her behaviour –  She assured me that whatever she had thought before concerning time, the distress & honor of Mind in which she saw Mr S. on Thursd. made her wish for an immediate Conclusion – I came here with her in the Evening, to a delightful House, where there is every accomodation that can be desired – but my Mind was overpowered with a depiction not easily to be dispelled – the ill Health of Mr S. the consequences likely to result from the event in question – my own languor and agitation conspired to occasion in me an almost sleepless night – Yesterday however was better than I could have expected – I was enabled in a great measure God be praised to attend without distraction to the duties of the Day –

   We went this morn, in the City, and called on our return on Chapel St. – Mr S. was extremely ill Yest: but much better to day, in consequence of an Emetic – He still persists about Thursd: & Mr Pearson who called there concurs with him – My Cousin is much displeased that any human being should be acquainted with the Money concerns between him & me – He also expressed his fears lest this hasty step shou’d injure Mr S. but all the religious People to whom it has been mentioned are of one Mind – The Lord who hath all Earth in his hand grant Mr S. may in no wise be injured to his blessed gospel he knows the rectitude of the Principles on which it is undertaken, & with him, all things are possible – Remember me on Thursd: my dr friend – if anything particular intervenes it will probably be a Day of much importance to me. 

   I thought Betsy seemed a little queer, but looks better to Day – John is quite satisfied and seems disposed to welcome me under the Title of Mama as well as that of Miss Gedgery – We go to the Bank Tomorrow – Mr S. & Mr Ford dine here on Weds:  Mrs B. accompanies me on Thursd: in the manner I proposed & afterwards spends the Day with us – thus are things intended to take place, if the Lord knows no hindrance in the way –  

   The darkness of the Aft: forces me to conclude as well as the want of room – Adieu then, my beloved friend – accept my thanks for all your kindness – let me have an interest in your prayers and believe me to be with much sincerity

                                 Yrs affectionately

                                             Mary Egerton

Remember me tenderly to my Sisters, and direct for me as Miss E in Chapel St.–

Text: Reeves Collection, Box 14.8.(h.), Bodleian Library, Oxford. Address: Mrs Andrews | Isleworth | Middlesex. Postmark: 2 November. Egerton would soon return to the home of Thomas Scott, this time to live there as his second wife. His first wife died on 8 September 1790, only a short time before the above letter. On Thursday, 4 November 1790, two days after this letter, Mary Egerton married Thomas Scott in Westminster, greatly abridging the accepted time of bereavement before remarriage. The sudden marriage created some anxiety among their friends, especially given the fact that Egerton had been living in the Scott home in Chapel Street assisting in the care of the children, which included three sons, John, Thomas, and Benjamin, who would all become Anglican ministers. John Scott (1777-1834), the eldest, is mentioned in the above letter.