Maria Grace Andrews, Salisbury, to Anne Andrews, Isleworth, Saturday, 14 July [1792].

Saturday July 14th

   If your interest my dear Anna, in the sweet bosom of Sophrosine, hath reach’d so far, bid her send me by your hand, a chaplet of fair flowers; gather’d in the sunshine regions of Good Temper. –

   I see you smile with a deserved contempt, of my commission, “you who have shiver’d the guardian lane to fragments; pretending to her honors”!!! Yes, but permit me votive daughter to introduce my claim; and see if the dark agency of Spleen, have not assail’d me with a Charm, far more sovreign than a brundy Peach.

   When I concluded my last long Letter I rejoiced in the tender gaiety of hope over an answer Love would make my day and in a late more gloomy season dwell in idea on the gentle Consolation; first consider me beloved companion, in my Joy or Sorrow; attending the sick Bed of one Parent in the absence of the other; our maternal Friend was indeed very seriously attacked about five day’s since; but is now considerably better; we had medical advice with good effect, in those hours with duty and tenderness devoted to her care, I started at a semblance of the fast full easily imagined.  But I lose sight of my case &c when at my Grandfathers return, my Cheek received your kiss; and my Soul breath’d thanksgiving for your welfare. I enquir’d for that more copious message of the heart unfolded in your Letter  I govern’d my impatience the short time delay’d in opening the Trunk where it was once carefully deposited; but the cruel Herald bribed by some enemy to love had deserted his post; & the rich banquet of affection was ravished from me.  Nay surely Spleen has been ye Pirate is he not perpetually cruising on the rich Seas of Hope – now if I sat for the Picture of Serena, am I not entitled to another Zone?  but after all there is I fear no great reason for triumph; since its pressure would doubtless have reproach’d my palpitating heart; my Grandfather’s chagrin was so great yt I was obliged to counsel mine; he begs my Father would enquire at the Inn for a Letter dropt by the Salisbury Gentleman; but as for me I can only appeal to your sympathy; and solicit your compassion: may your pity direct the one to a charity worthy of the other.  I must lose nothing of the original you may enlarge a little upon this text; and I have yet no congratulation on my former triumph; I prohibit Liliput Paper.

   The trifling turn of this Letter, forbids all alarm on my Grandmothers account; and will say for me yt I am tolerably well. – but as “Hope defer’d maketh ye heart sick” you will hasten the healing medicine.  We all salute you with the tenderest recollections:  I would be duteously commended to my Father; Mr Harding presents ye Ladies with whom he is much pleased best respects; in which I join him gratefully. Adieu.  Say no more; my Eyes which have been infected with a blight; are weary; but my heart is full of that love with wich [sic] I do in truth ever profess myself, your devoted Friend and Sister –

                                             Maria Grace Andrews

do not I intreat you delay writing – 

Text: Timothy Whelan, gen. ed.,  Nonconformist Women Writers, 1720-1840, 8 vols. (London: Pickering & Chatto, 2011), vol. 6, pp. 34-35 (annotated version); Saffery/Whitaker Papers, acc. 142, I.B.4.a.(5.), Angus Library. Address: Miss Andrews | Mr Andrews’s | Isleworth | Middlesex. Postmark: Salisbury, 16 July.