Richard Ryland, London, to Maria Grace Saffery, Salisbury, [Saturday], 28 May 1808.

London 28 May 1808

Madam

   Enclosed you have Bank Post Bills for the amount £55.15 I mentioned in your favour of yesterday.

   If Wine is really necessary for Harriet’s Health, I can have no wish but to give it her, but I really thought her the worse here both for strong drink & for surgical application – the latter I am quite convinced did her much harm.

   It is singular to me what can produce this encroachment on a Constitution naturally so strong, & unimpeached almost by any illness for 20 years together – however I am well persuaded she has your kind Care, and Superintendance, and Sympathy –

   Lucy seems at present to make herself very comfortable & very useful here, it is in her power to do so to a very high Degree – and I hope it will continue – the little Girl is very well, & Mrs R. continues to nurse her with great Success, further than that the Effort rather lessens her Strength  & sympathizes all her time.

                                 I am Madam

                                             Your mo. obed. Servt

                                                         R Ryland

Text: Timothy Whelan, gen. ed., Nonconformist Women Writers, 1720-1840 (London: Pickering & Chatto, 2011), vol. 6, p. 267 (annotated version); Saffery/Whitaker Papers, acc. 142, II.D.5.a.(21.), Angus Library, Regent's Park College, Oxford. Address: Mrs M. G. Saffery | Salisbury | May 28 / 8. Postmark: 28 May 1808. For an annotated version of this letter, see