Maria Grace Saffery, Kingsland, to Jane Saffery Whitaker, Bratton, [Thursday], Saturday, 26 September [1844].

De Beauvoir Villas Kingsland

Saturday Septr 26th

My dear anxious Child

         Sweetly soothing to the absent Mother, is the language of your filial sympathy; yet I gladly prepared to change the tone of its expression from solicitude to praise. I am indeed mercifully permitted to comfort you with the assurance of my improved condition. At a late hour last Eveng I received your letter dated the 26th on my return with Samuel from the City, whither I had accompanied him in the morning; and from whence I proceeded to Lincoln’s Inn fields – all was pleasant there except Edward was not at home. I dined with Emily and six of her eight happy Children, after which I met Samuel in Bucklersbury and took tea with dear Mrs Bourgan & her interesting Husband this too quite “enfamille” – Samuel left me early this morning promising to write from the City by this post – for your immediate satisfaction.  I have thought it best however to supply my possible lack of information on his part, by this added testimony to our Heavenly Father’s, gracious answer, to the prayers you have offered for

                                 Your Friend and Mother

                                                         Maria Grace Saffery

I scarcely expect the return of dear John and his Jane before next week – on their arrival I intend leaving for Kingston – Your letter for Samuel is just arrived I will get it forwarded this afternoon.

Adieu in haste, that seems to forbid the expression of the many many, true and tender remembrances due to those around; and fully felt, supply the words from your own Sympathy.

Text: Timothy Whelan, gen. ed., Nonconformist Women Writers, 1720-1840 (London: Pickering & Chatto, 2011), vol. 6, pp. 446-47 (annotated version); Saffery/Whitaker Papers, acc. 142, I.B.5.c.(10.), Angus Library. No address or postmark.