Harriet Frances Ryland, Salisbury, to Maria Grace Saffery, Bratton, [Wednesday], 20 July 1808.

Salisbury July 20th 1808

   I trouble my dear Mrs Saffery with a few lines just to remind her of a promise she made me, & which I fear has escaped her recollection. She will be aware however of the Necessity of fulfilling it, when I remind her that next week Mr Corse will arrive here with all possible expedition, unless he is informed that his Visits are to be dispensed with in future. To speak more seriously, & perhaps more properly (excuse my freedom!) I entreat you to write him a few lines – & forward them with much speed – there is now no time to lose – I believe I shd have done it myself – but that I know how much better you are able to perform the task – We were very glad to hear of your welfare from Laury who came here, somewhat fatigued, on Tuesday Morng.  I hope you continue well – & that we shall all be mercifully preserved till our next & then be disposed gratefully to acknowledge the goodness of our God –

   The dear little ones are well   Carey continues to bathe with encreasing courage – and is, we all think much improved by the operation – I saw Fowler on Tuesday – I did not mention Carey to him; – as he was better, I thought it needless – I continue much as usual. My stomach I fear is still more enlarged & the pains in it are more acute & more frequent – Fowler seems to think this complaint the most alarming – the only one he told Salter – wh. excites his apprehension – & of this he does not know what to make. I rejoice that my Spirits are tolerably good – & pray that I may be enabled to endure what ever awaits me as “seeing him who is invisible” – Oh! may I glorify my Saviour in my Life – & Death! What a miserable wretch shd I have been had I continued to live without God in the world – & how can I sufficiently adore that distinguishing Grace wh. “warned me of the abyss, wh. drew me from the dangerous Seas – & bid me seek superior bliss?”

   Dear Salter is well & desires her kind love to you & yours – Accept mine also & believe me

                                 Your very affectionate

                                             & sincere friend

                                                         H F Ryland

I hope you will write to Corse

Text: Timothy Whelan, gen. ed., Nonconformist Women Writers, 1720-1840 (London: Pickering & Chatto, 2011), vol. 6, p. 271 (annotated version); Saffery/Whitaker Papers, acc. 180, A.3.(a.), Angus Library. Address:  Mrs Saffery | Philip Whitaker’s Esqr | Bratton Farm | near Westbury, | Wilts.  Quotation above taken from Isaac Watts's ‘Parting with Carnal Joys’, in Hymns and Spiritual Songs, Book II, hymn XI, p. 160.