Harriet Frances Ryland, Salisbury, to Maria Saffery, Bratton, [Friday], 18 January 1811.

Salisbury January 18th 1811

         I rejoice that it is in my power to communicate such intelligence of the well-being of those around me, as will call for your received acknowledgement of distinguishing kindness from that Hand which has always done us good.  The two little ones whom you left recovering, are, I hope, still proceeding in a gradual manner tow.ds perfect restoration – Carey is more decidedly better since y.r departure than Sam; but I think I can perceive some amendment in the latter, as to general Health, notwithstanding a Cold – which, however, is quite of the common Kind, unattended with Heat, or increased fitts; last night we bathed the feet, supplied a B. P. Plaster to the Chest, to prevent uneasiness there.  Jane continues quite well, & now & then prevails upon Carey to join her in some of those Sports she love so well; I sincerely wish he were more disposed to exercise & be exercised.

         I hope dear John took no Cold in journeying on Tuesday, I feared much for him as I watched the descending Snow, from Mrs Robinson’s Windows, at whose House we passed the whole day in consequence of the very tempestuous Weather. By this means we had much more of our Aunts’ Society than we expected, & much more of Mrs R’s than we desired – who was distressing polite. From the former we heard far more of the inhabitants of les Jardins Savages[2] than I can possibly relate to you by letter; and enough to make me very very sad – if I had not been so already. And Lucy had an Epistle from Archer yesterday,[3] which I think precedes a Storm – (It is our unspeakable mercy that it will not beat on unprotected Heads) – I may however be mistaking the matter; but when you see the letter, I think you will conclude no human Being w.d so far mistake the plainest dictates of conscience & of common Sense without some particular end in view – God has overruled & restrained the Wrath of Man in many Instances persuant to my recollection; & I feel past confidence that He will now make straight paths for our feet, & mercifully prevent our falling into any Snare which the policy of old Heads may Spread for us.

Friday evening late – I am just returned from the Close, where I have been detained these two Hours by the delay of the Chairmen. – Lucy is gone to bed – better I hope for two small Blisters she applied last Eveng to her Head – the dear Children are much the same as this morng. – The only letter arrived since you left us is an acknowledgement from Nott Leo. – I am as well myself as an excessive depression partly produced by contemplating mere Women of the World will allow me to use – Oh! what a mercy to be saved in any measure from such follies & such Sins.

         Adieu, pray for me that I may be enabled to cleave closer & closer to Jesus &c & believe me to be in his Hands

                                             Your very sincere

                                                         Harriet Frances Ryland

Text: Timothy Whelan, gen. ed., Nonconformist Women Writers, 1720-1840 (London: Pickering & Chatto, 2011), vol. 6, pp. 303-04 (annotated version); Saffery/Whitaker Papers, acc. 180, A.3. Address: M.rs Saffery. | P. Whitaker’s Esq.r | Bratton Farm | Our united love to all – .  No postmark. "les Jardins Savages" is French for ‘Savage Gardens’, the name of the Rylands’ residence in South London.  Reference above also to Archer Ryland, younger brother of Harriet Ryland, Jr., and Lucy Ryland.