Maria Grace Saffery, Salisbury, to Anne Whitaker, Bratton, Thursday, [25 September 1823].

Salisbury Thursday Eveng

My dear Ann,

   Our letters have passed each other and mine which last night was intended to convey an inquiry may be perhaps a sufficient reply to yours which answers my former letter – you will learn from it at least that I am prepared to listen to the plea which may invite me to the house of Mourning – as soon as it is urged, I shall require no further arrangement for leaving home when your Messenger arrives, unless difficulties arise that are not now predicted.

   O that you may all have the companionship of the great comforter! Of Him, who was promised to compensate the pang of hearts that were filled with sorrow in an hour of dread anticipation.  Tell the dear youthful Mourner this he will one day think with a sweet and tender triumph upon Sarah’s grave tho it is hard to think of her there unmurmuring now –  “So young and in her bridal hour.” Yet the hymeneal garland looks lovelier on the tomb than sullied or withered on the brow of discord or distress.  Adieu I can only add that I make your griefs my own & that my heart is as tender < > remembrance of Maria – Everybody thinks kindly here.

Your Bror is at Portsea I expect his return to morrow –

Text: Timothy Whelan, gen. ed.,  Nonconformist Women Writers, 1720-1840, 8 vols. (London: Pickering & Chatto, 2011), vol. 6, pp. 391-02 (annotated version); Saffery/Whitaker Papers, acc. 142, I.B.3.(22.), Angus Library.  Address: To | Mrs Whitaker | Bratton Farm | nr Westbury | Wiltshire.  Postmark: Salisbury, 25 September 1823.