Maria Grace Saffery, Salisbury, to Anne Whitaker, Bratton, Friday, 13 July [1810].

My dear Anna,

   I am still at home, and still talking about my journey respectg wh I have suffered some discouragement.  The Coaches travel at awkward hours, especially if I make dear John a fellow Traveller and this you know I greatly desired on various accounts. I know not yet how I shall proceed, but it is probable as that I (at least) shall leave him early in the next week.  When will you join me?  Saffery set out for London Tuesday afternoon. I have heard of his safe arrival; and from this mercy placed at this moment at the head of many others.  I am I hope very thankful. Indeed I look at and after every thing, that may prove an antidote to the severe melancholy with wh I have been oppressed. I think there are many days in wh I should be less suspected of this tendency than heretofore.  Lucy Salter and the children are the weather allowed for tolerably  one is acknowledging the sorrows of absence.  The other perhaps as sensibly feeling them.  The latter personage begs you will write or come very soon indeed.

   Sarah & Samuel reached home in safety, Wednesday to dinner.  I send a few things for dear Mary. The new Chemise that is made, is a mere experiment on a pattern recommended by Mason wh I do not very well like I wd rather have the other made in the usual way.  The Stay shd be cut down like those she has on.  We cd not manage to do this so well after she was gone. I hope this beloved child will make herself happy by being good. I send her kisses of tenderness she may not yet understand, and these await also every lovely cousin.

   Adieu ma deuce Amie write and come speedily, be assured that every good bestowed on you empowers the prayer, and is a cordial to the heart of, again in the ties of sweet remembrance & of precious hope

                                 Maria Grace Saffery

Love to my dear Brother. I am deeply interested for a certain elegant friend and exquisite Sufferer.  Let me I had almost said, tis then ..........

very late on Friday night July 13th waiting the arrival of Mr Shoveller

Text: Timothy Whelan, gen. ed.,  Nonconformist Women Writers, 1720-1840, 8 vols. (London: Pickering & Chatto, 2011), vol. 6, p. 295 (annotated version); Saffery/Whitaker Papers, acc. 142, I.B.4.c.(14.), Angus Library. Address: Mrs Philip Whitaker. No postmark.