Maria Grace Saffery, Brixton, to Jane Saffery Whitaker, Bratton, Monday, 16 September [1844].

Brixton Septr 16th  Monday afternoon

My beloved Jane,

         I am still an Inmate on Park Terrace; and most cordially entertained by the widowed friend – her Brother too, is very kindly attentive and pleasantly companionable. Yet still I am longing to leave, and to make further arrangements for returning home. I had indeed determined on proceeding to Kingsland towards the close of last week – just before dear John and his Jane took their little holiday trip into Berkshire, but they are gone; while I am something like a captive here and if the plain statement must be made, not quite a willing one. The truth is, that on Tuesday morning last, about 4 o’Clock, I left my Bed to draw up the Blind for the purpose of admitting a little light through the window that might the place of the candle, which had not lasted the usual time. On returning to my resting place in the dark I made a wrong move toward the pillow and came down from this very lofty Bed, on steps which are generally used to ascend it. Now you have my adventure faithfully related. I may proceed to comfort you by the assurance that I was mercifully saved from serious or lasting injury – the first shock was somewhat severe and the stiffness is yet very inconvenient arising from the pain caused by the intercostal muscles since the blow inflicted on the Ribs. You know I am afraid of adopting professional language, so I will only in simplest terms that my medical attendant Mr Wright seems perfectly satisfied, with the progress I am making under his daily care – there is no inflamatory action – nothing that indicates internal injury.  Dear Samuel looks in upon me when he can. He is still considerably engaged at the Office, tho’ it is the Holiday Season a letter will find him at the Villas No 2 Kingsland perhaps you will ask him for a Bulletin.  Let me also be refreshed with tidings from Bratton. How I should like to be under my own sweet < >  but the God of our mercies is the ever present Friend. On Him let us cast all our cares knowing that “He careth for us” – give full expression to my changeless love in each dear kindred < > and believe me that which is so deeply true, to thee and thine, from thy Mother and thy Friend

                                                         Maria Grace Saffery

Dear Mrs Whitchurch begs to be affectionately remembered

Tuesday Septr 17th

Text: Timothy Whelan, gen. ed., Nonconformist Women Writers, 1720-1840 (London: Pickering & Chatto, 2011), vol. 6, p. 445 (annotated version); Saffery/Whitaker Papers, acc. 142, I.B.5.c.(9.), Angus Library. No address or postmark.