Maria Grace Saffery, Holcombe, to Jane Saffery Whitaker, Bratton, [Monday], 27 February [1843].

Flint House.  Feby 27th

         Again beloved Jane, I am permitted to cheer you with a good report – Robert continues to improve; and does not appear to suffer languor or even depression from the chill Eastern blast, with the gloom it imposed on the face of Nature – We are all too, mercifully preserved from any material share of a participation in that gloom: though I confess when I watched the fog-like rain upon the Mendips after I rose this morning, I might have feared companionship with the discontent, assumed by its aspect of mingled stupor and distress: – but enough of this. My thoughts wander to the innocent sufferers on Salisbury Plain – How are the Lambs? I hoped to hear of them on Saturday by some communication with the dear Master of the Flock, at Warminster. There was, however, very slender, or rather indistinct intelligence from Mr John, and to day there is no letter. You will readily imagine that my solicitude is not especially, or exclusively, directed to the Fold – no I want to hear of the little Ones that day by day are committed to the Great Shepherd’s care. The Lambs that I trust He will lead to the “green pastures, and beside the still waters” – How are dear Annie and the Baby Brethren?

Tuesday morng 28th

         Your comforting letter arrived just now; and I hope will be succeeded by speedy announcements of convalescence from the Hill, and pleasant tidings of still deeper interest from the Valley.  Need I say how much my tenderest thoughts are dwelling there.

         I received a letter from our dear Mary on Sabbath day, all was pretty well at Rose Cottage; but on reaching Peckham she found poor Carey suffering from a pain in the face, which he had endured for many days and nights, and which, from its violence &c was pronounced to be Tic! The carbonate of Iron was mentioned but Mr F– said the liver in this would not bear it – the quinine was tried, and with some effect but the remedy so disordered the Stomach, that the dear Invalid was obliged to desist.  Another medicine is now prepared and I am longing to hear of its success – It has been suggested by dear Anne that this attack may be an indication of increased vigour in the constitution and the more alarming symptoms of disease, are certainly subsiding. Tell me what you think – Tic, it appears, succeeded the cure of Hemorrhage in Candy’s case.

         A birth day letter from the daughter is going to the Farm and with it, go my prayers, and for mercies multiplied to attend on the glad remembrance of the morrow.

         Adieu my Jane. When am I to get home to thee? – The weather makes it difficult to arrange any plan for journeying. I wish you were here to help my decision; but when do I not wish for thee!

         Present every true and tender expression of my love, and friendship to the dear Husband and fond greetings to the little “house Lambs,” with suitable regards of sympathy to the sufferers in “our” village from

                                 the Friend and Mother

                                                         Maria Grace Saffery

Text: Timothy Whelan, gen. ed., Nonconformist Women Writers, 1720-1840 (London: Pickering & Chatto, 2011), vol. 6, pp. 439-40 (annotated version); Saffery/Whitaker Papers, acc. 142, I.B.5.b.(1.), Angus Library.  Address: Mrs Joshua Whitaker | Bratton | near Westbury | Wiltshire. Postmark: Bath, 28 February 1843.