Maria Grace Saffery, Salisbury, to Anne Whitaker, Bratton, Monday, [15 March 1819].

Salisbury Monday Eveng

My dear Anne,

   Tho’ it seemed impossible to write even by a very agreeable Ambassador this morng necessity compels me to employ the Post to night, to correct the mistakes of a certain grave-looking traveller that left our house to day in company with your son & your Cousins not one of whom was exactly acquainted with the character, or the pretensions of the companion – This demure vagrant was I dare say quietness itself during the journey, and would if examined produce a friendly aspect as if inclined to comfort and shelter associates in distress.  This propensity however terminated within doors nothing can well be less attractive than the whole deportment there and yet there is a close intimacy, not to say friendship maintained with a fellow Traveller, of remarkably social habits, whose parlour countenance is I believe pleasant enough to you – Now pray understand that I am speaking of Saffery’s Great coat for I am tired of my Enigma.  Oh yes it went to day instead of Mr Stapletons which was to have gone six weeks ago!  Will you send it back by the Westbury Carrier or by Coach with a wrapper round it and precisely directed to prevent more wanderings – It must be returned speedily to save further vexations if you please  dr S– is expecting to go [to] Town shortly and was in utter consternation on detecting the little garment which poor Hannah had left to supply the place of his own.

   I will take care to have Stapleton’s forwarded safely.  What a length of apology will be wanting.

   Adieu my long loved friend – Philip will tell you the news but perhaps he cannot tell how much I have been pleased with him.  He is quite a pleasant boy, & promises to be an interesting Man.  Again Adieu I am half afraid of the slightest sentimentality for I am dull enough to be guilty of John Gilpin, but gay or pensive I remember you with tenderness & gratitude and prayer.  Yours ever

                                 M. G. Saffery

Anne bore Philip’s departure very well  The box enclosing the hats &c went in this day’s coach.  Write very soon or rather come.

Text: Timothy Whelan, gen. ed.,  Nonconformist Women Writers, 1720-1840, 8 vols. (London: Pickering & Chatto, 2011), vol. 6, pp. 376-77 (annotated version); Saffery/Whitaker Papers, acc. 142, I.B.3.(15.), Angus Library. Address: To |Mrs Philip Whitaker, | Bratton Farm | nr Westbury | Wilts.  Postmark: Salisbury, 15 March 1819. References above include Joseph Stapleton of Bradford; and John Gilpin, a legendary (though real) character whose exploits formed the basis of William Cowper’s poem, The Diverting History of John Gilpin (1782).