Harriet Frances Ryland, Winkfield Row, to Maria Grace Saffery, Salisbury, [Friday], 3 June 1808.

Winkfield  May, I mean June 3d 1808.

My very dear Mrs Saffery,

   Notwithstanding the many heavy charges I might bring against you for Silence, if not for neglect, I wil scribble you a few lines expressive of our unchanged regard for you & yours’: And tho’ we cannot make ourselves quite happy without the assurance of your continued well-being, we < > to please ourselves with the hope, that you [are] enjoying very many Blessings. My dearest Salter is quite well; I really think I am in some respects improving in health myself – Most certainly the Expectation which so distressed you is very much decreased, I anticipate indeed its’ entire removal shortly – My general Debility, however, I am sorry to say, is to the full as past, & I have an almost constant Sore throat – last week when I wrote to you I had as many as five small Ulcers in it which disappeared but to make room for two more, which now tag me sadly.

   I have succeeded in procuring a Wetnurse – we agree very well indeed – She gives me Milk – as most wetnurses do – and hands me her Back to ride upon – you would have laughed & dear Mr Saffery would have been almost convulsed to have seen me today – supported in Style – Salter rushing after the little Fool – who persisted in going the wrong way – & Jenny – of course would follow him – after much pushing & hissing & laughing we < > a nice ride – & intend riding again tomorrow.  I continue drinking my wine – & have had some bottled Porter served me – which was acceptable – as you know I cannot drink Ale &c –

   You will excuse my speaking so much about myself – I know you are anxious to hear of me – & I flatter myself a letter from hence would be of comparatively small value to you if it not detail my feelings &c If I am not much mended ere I return to you I will apply immediately to Dr Foster – which I sometimes regret not having done previous to my Journey.  I entreat you to write to us speedily  the post comes here every day – So you should not delay. Have you heard from poor dear Lucy? I have not. What did my father say to the Bills &c?

   My Salter & myself are very comfortable here we want but you & our own dear Meeting, to make us happy – Give our very best love to Mr Saffery & Mason – to Mrs Long, &c &c – We hope the dear Children are well and are particulary anxious to hear how Samuel is – and whether the “affair” with the Wool is settled – We shall [surely] take it very unkind if you do not write soon as we cannot forget you for a moment, we cannot but be solicitous to hear from you   Oblige us then – and accept for yourself our united kindest love

                                 and believe me

                                             Your very most obliged

                                                         & sincere friend,

                                                                     H F Ryland

Text: Timothy Whelan, gen. ed., Nonconformist Women Writers, 1720-1840 (London: Pickering & Chatto, 2011), vol. 6, pp. 268 (annotated version); Saffery/Whitaker Papers, acc. 142, II.D.5.b.(6.), Angus Library. Address: For | Mrs Saffery | Castle Street | Salisbury | Winkfield Row, June 4th 1808.  No postmark.