Maria Grace Saffery, Salisbury, to Anne Whitaker, Bratton, [Saturday], 17 February 1810.

Sarum  Feby 17th 1810

My very dear Anna,

   Ryland who is somewhat of an invalid to day has given her assent, and consent to my resuming the honour of your correspondence. My cough is so much better that she thinks I shall not be tempted to dissemble, by the artful construction of a bulletin.  Winzar gave me a vitriolic acid with an infusion of red roses: since then a slight preparation of digitalis.  Now indeed the Cough is so far subdued that I have almost wholly declined the use of medicine.  I hope my thoughts have reverted gratefully to the physician of value on this occasion & that my heart is prepared to recognize his mercy in the language of yr favourite hymn –  “Tis he that heals our sicknesses” &c.

   My dear S—y thanks our good Brother for his letter (we are especially delighted with the tidings of you) he bids me say that he can adjust nothing @ his visit to Bratton.  His attendance on Bristol Fair is superseded or rather is designed to be, by an application to a friend who will transact for him the little business that was likely to require his personal attention there. He has more readily relinguished this journey because he is engaged at the opening of the new meeting at Bristol towards the close of next Month where he is also to supply two Sabbaths.  Can Mr Edminson then assist him one Lord’s day in Salisbury? The necessity of the case pleads strongly as you know whenever dear S– is from home.  He says too the number of his services at Bratton should be considered.  At all events let him know if Mr E– can favour or not without delay.  Mr S will mention the exact time when he can –

   I may as well acknowledge what will not escape your penetration if I do not, even that I am passing well.  My animal spirits are still feeble and the sublimer energies of my being have been sadly oppressed by the diversity and weight of my concerns.  I am ready to faint under responsibilities that attach to me in every character and form & combination which I only dare encounter under that invincible protection wh says “My Grace is sufficient for thee.”[4]

   Adieu and believe me Your own friend,

                     Maria Grace Saffery

Dear S– begs love as do all the ladies.

Text: Timothy Whelan, gen. ed.,  Nonconformist Women Writers, 1720-1840, 8 vols. (London: Pickering & Chatto, 2011), vol. 6, pp. 293-94 (annotated version); Reeves Collection, Box 14.4.(n.), Bodleian. Address: Mrs Philip Whitaker | Bratton Farm | near Westbury | Wilts | Feby 17th.  Postmark: Salisbury. Quotation above from Isaac Watts's ‘Praise for Spiritual and Temporal Mercies’, in The Psalms of David, Psalm CIII, p. 212; also a reference to the Bristol Fair.