Anne Whitaker, Bratton, to Maria Grace Saffery, Salisbury, [Saturday], 16 August 1828.

My dear Maria

   Notwithstanding the heavy rain I found my gig waiting at Warminster and reached home without any material inconvenience from the weather except the fatigue of holding the umbrella – I found I had been out in my calculation and that George was expected the same evening who arrived accordingly not accompanied by dear Edward as I expected but by Mr Tilney who intends visiting Salisbury to see his little girl  I do not imagine you will see him before the beginning of the next week but I thought you had better be apprized of his visit though the child I believe he wishes to take by surprize.

   Edward had delayed his journey till the end of this week but it is now I fear indefinitely adjourned by Mr King’s indisposition who intends himself to leave [home] for a few days as soon he feels sufficiently recovered. – My dear George is looking exceedingly well and is observably grown so has Mary – I found all pretty well here – Alfred had returned leaving Kate here  – she appeared better and is quite good & tractable here – I felt better than might have been expected after my journey excepting a very severe fit of the cramp in my Stomach after Tea –

   We have here an incessant rain – things out of doors are indeed gloomy; but infinite wisdom is at the helm and it becomes us to submit unrepining – there were fourteen sheep killed at one of the Deverill’s by the Storm which so excited our fears on Tuesday.

   It is probable Anne and Mr Tilney will come up together but it is impossible to foresee any proceeding in such weather as the present – pray think as little as possible about any of the party but endeavour to take care of yourself. –

   I cannot now enlarge on any topic or find leisure for sentiment or reflection.  I can only say what I hope you already believe that I am

                     very affectionately yours

                                 Anne Whitaker

Bratton

Augst 16th 1828

Text: Timothy Whelan, gen. ed., Nonconformist Women Writers, 1720-1840 (London: Pickering & Chatto, 2011), vol. 6, p. 405 (annotated version); Reeves Collection, Box 20.2.(d.), Bodleian. Address: Mrs Saffery | Castle Street | Salisbury. Postmark: Westbury. Alfred Whitaker remarried in 1828, this time to Catherine Mary Woolbert (‘Kate’).