Richard Ryland, London, to Maria Grace Saffery, Salisbury, [Tuesday], 30 June 1807.

London 30 June 1807

Dear Madam

         I am much obliged by your kind acquiescence in my wish as to my Daughter, indeed I should be entirely at a Loss without it, where to procure for her that Change of Air which she herself seems to think so essential to her Restoration, & which is so in part because she thinks it – for Opinion has certainly no small Power in such Cases – I am persuaded she will take some Pains to render her abode in your family as little inconvenient as possible & I hope to make herself of some little use in it where she can. She is certainly better & I have no doubt able to perform the Journey – but to my Regret I find Mr Saffery left Town this morning –

   Perhaps you know or can learn of some one soon going to Salisbury from here – some female Friend – or if of the other Sex some elderly Person who would do me the favour to take Charge of her by the Coach – if not, I will send one of her Brothers with her – as I have never been accustomed to let any of the female part of my Connections go any where unattended.

   I beg my best Respects to Mr Saffery & am Madam

                                 Your obliged Friend & Servt

                                             R Ryland

Text: Timothy Whelan, gen. ed., Nonconformist Women Writers, 1720-1840 (London: Pickering & Chatto, 2011), vol. 6, p. 239 (annotated version); Saffery/Whitaker Papers, acc. 142, II.D.5.a.(10.), Angus Library. Address: Mrs M G Saffery | Salisbury.