Richard Ryland, Savage Gardens, London, to Maria Grace Saffery, Salisbury, [Sunday], 28 June 1807.

Savage Gardens 28 June 1807

Dear Madam

   If you have heard from Mr Saffery he has perhaps told you that Harriet tho’ she is much better from her late severe Illness, and what the medical People call quite convalescent, is still very weak & low & poorly – among other things I think she perhaps wants change of air & removal from Town, which having now no house in the Country & being entirely confined to it by Business myself, I have no means to procure her – unless, when I very much wish, and which is very much her wish also – you can again recieve her at Salisbury & give her an Asylum in your family as before.

   As Mr Saffery is still continuing in Town, it has occurred to us that perhaps you might be able to recieve her directly, which considering the great Heat & Faintness of the weather would be very desireable – and that she might even return with him – this has occurred to me partly since Mr Saffery did us the favour of dining with us on Friday – and seeing him Sunday early at Meeting for a few minutes, I did not like to trouble him about it there – neither should I have now written about it on this Day, which is what I believe I have not done three times in 10 years past, only that if I can get your Answer written from Salisbury Tomorrow – I very suitably have it in time to settle with Mr Saffery on Tuesday her Return with him – I have no fear of her being able to bear the Journey & of her soon recovering Strength under your kind love – She has always thought of her abode with you with extreme Satisfaction & with the truest Respect & Affection personally of yourself.

   Mrs R. is but poorly & in a very precarious Situation as to her going on comfortably to the right period – fatigued of Course with so large a family & not well adequate to encounter it – [send] a few lines immediately – and your friendly Compliances will be much a favour to Madam

                                 Your obliged Friend & Servt

                                             Richard Ryland

Text: Timothy Whelan, gen. ed., Nonconformist Women Writers, 1720-1840 (London: Pickering & Chatto, 2011), vol. 6, pp. 238-39 (annotated version); Saffery/Whitaker Papers, acc. 142, II.D.5.a.(9.), Angus Library. Address: Mrs M G Saffery | Salisbury.