Anne Whitaker, Bratton, to Alfred Whitaker, Salisbury, [Thursday], 17 April [1806].

My dear Boy

   Altho you have not answer’d my last Letter I am willing to dispense with etiquette and address you a second time particularly as I am disposed to think the subject of my Epistle will be vastly agreeable to you it is no less than to fix a time for our long projected visit to Salisbury which in the present state of your Aunt’s Family is a very necessary preliminary – we wish her to be inform’d that we hope to be with her the middle of next week –

   I desire much to see you, but still more to hear a good Character of you, and to observe a visible improvement in your manners, and disposition – I am glad to find you anticipate the meeting with your Brother with so much satisfaction, the exercise of the social and relative affections, must ever constitute a principal source of our happiness – to love and to be loved, is the great privilege and blessing of our existence – Wealth and talents without this may give us importance but cannot impart felicity – You are highly favor’d in having so many kind friends who love you and who claim from you a return of the most lively and grateful affection in which I trust you will never appear deficient.–

   Your Brothers and Emma are all well  Joshua is very fond of going to School, and is very exact to his time in the Morning frequently looking at the Clock that he may not be too late – he much enjoys the thoughts of seeing you and is perfectly reconciled to his intended continuance at Salisbury –

   Tell Fanny I am very glad to hear she is so much recover’d and hope she will be able to nurse Emma without inconvenience –

   Your Papa sends love to you, he is considerably indisposed with a Cold – your aunt Jane has been extremely ill and obliged to keep her room, but is now better.–

   Adieu my dear Alfred may God bless and preserve you and give me soon to see you in health and peace – till then believe me    

         Your affecte Friend & Mother

                     Anne Whitaker

Bratton Farm – April 17th

Text: Timothy Whelan, gen. ed., Nonconformist Women Writers, 1720-1840 (London: Pickering & Chatto, 2011), vol. 6, p. 215 (annotated version); Reeves Collection, Box 21.4.f.(v.), Bodleian.  Address: Master Whitaker | Rev.d M.r Saffery’s | Castle Street | Salisbury. No postmark.  "Aunt Jane" above is Anna Jane Whitaker of Bratton.