Maria Grace Saffery, Holcombe, to Jane Saffery, Salisbury, Tuesday, [9 April 1833].

Holcombe, Tuesday Morng

My Sweet Child,

         It is almost a week since we parted yet I still experience a bewildering surprise to find myself away from home, and from you. Instead therefore, of a letter, which I cannot write, I shall send you scraps of memoranda, furnished by the incidents of the last five days.

         Nobody came from Bratton on Thursday, so I escorted your dear Aunt thither in the afternoon, remained about two hours, and reached Frome between ten and eleven o’Clock at night. The travelling equipage was a Fly, the wings of which, I could not help thinking had been in the Ruffian grasp of the Mob – to speak without a figure, it was a wretched vehicle, with a broken window, a more than tired horse, and a dull driver – I was thankful that you were not like Kate, watching for my return.

         Friday Morning had almost passed before I heard any signals of good friday – there were however public Services, but I could not attend. Alfred came home to a late dinner, victorious in the cause of freedom against indecent outrage and I strongly suspect sick at heart, with contemplating, what I should call, the legitimate results of measures, adopted by the erring, but highminded men of his own party. This to yourself – I left Kate and her boys well on Saturday Morn.g – and reached this pretty dwelling-place about 2 o’Clock. There is yet a deep shade of melancholy – mingling with the gay colours of the Cottage Scenery. There is spring-light on the bower, but dark thoughts of sorrow are passing over the human brow, like clouds whose shadows sweep between the Sun-beam and the flower. I dare to hope that it will be a salutary sadness – Anne has been deeply affected and the solemn impression has been felt by others too.  I expected Joshua yesterday, and I imagine he will be here this evening – perhaps he will assist Anne, to decide on returning with me, she is strongly inclined – and so I think is Robert on her behalf – I am not to mention the day of my return, but to write again – Adieu dear one, speak the true and tender things that are speaking in your Mother’s heart to some around you. Again Adieu

                                             Maria Grace Saffery

I have had a cold but I am tolerably free from it today

The trunk came safely I met with it after Church  on Sunday afternoon. Baby Emma looks delightfully well, not so her poor dear tired Mamma

Write when you get this my anxious thoughts are hovering round the home in which among other lovely ones I imagine the soft smile of baby Ellen

Text: Timothy Whelan, gen. ed., Nonconformist Women Writers, 1720-1840 (London: Pickering & Chatto, 2011), vol. 6, pp. 422-23 (annotated version); Saffery/Whitaker Papers, acc. 142, I.B.5.a.(5.), Angus Library. Address: Miss Jane Saffery | Castle Street | Salisbury.  Postmark: Bath 9 April 1833.