Anne Whitaker, Bratton, to Maria Grace Saffery, Salisbury, [c. November 1809].

My dear Maria

   I cannot think of sending away the things without a line or two yet I greatly fear their sole recommendation will consist on the date they bear as I feel not only a dearth of intelligence but what is far worse of sentiment yet I am aware that in acknowledging this I publish my own disgrace since to be destitute of sentiments while writing to you certainly argues a very undesirable state of the heart and affections but you must and will forgive it, when you recollect how often this alas! is the case in an intercourse vastly more interesting & sublime where infinite obligation on our part, and infinite excellence on that of the object, concur to heighten the guilt of indifference –

   I have every thing, of a domestic kind that is satisfactory to communicate I am on the whole better than when you were here – my shay being returned I am free from anxiety on this account and indeed am surrounded with great & unmerited mercies, but I want and I trust earnestly desire an enlarged participation of those spiritual blessings by which temporal favours are best enjoyed and by which alone they can be improved to the glory of the giver.

   I am sorry to hear that our dear Brother is yet troubled with gouty symptoms  I hope he has before this time used means for their removal.

   The dear little ones I hear have coughs I would advise you to try the vinegar syrup for them adding a small quantity of opium if their coughs should prove obstinate.

   I am much pleased with the continuance of good news from Cheltenham  O that every thing in future respecting that interesting person may be agreeable to our wishes, to our hopes. – Health & prosperous circumstances combine to form the touchstones the application of which to her character I contemplate in prospect with no small anxiety – with such a number of melancholy instances of self-deceptions such a fear should not I think be considered – Paul knew what it was to be jealous over some with a godly jealousy– and I trust what I feel is of this nature. –

   I will thank you to get me a yard of decent cambric for boys shirts – don’t forget to forward the Bibles – Adieu & believe me

                                 Yrs tenderly

                                             Anne Whitaker

Attached to the above letter is a letter from Philip Whitaker to John Saffery, from the same date.

Text: Timothy Whelan, gen. ed., Nonconformist Women Writers, 1720-1840 (London: Pickering & Chatto, 2011), vol. 6, pp. 289-91 (annotated version); Saffery/Whitaker Papers, acc. 142, I.A.10, Angus Library. Address: Revd J. Saffery | Castle Street | Salisbury.  This letter can be dated by the references to Harriet’s visit to Cheltenham.