1794 November 25 (Anne)

Anne Andrews, Salisbury, to Maria Grace Andrews, Isleworth and London, [Tuesday], 25 November 1794.

   I scarcely know how to address my dr Grace at this time owing to the uncertainty I am in respecting your present situation or intentions for the future my almost total ignorance both of your mental and corporeal health & indeed of every thing whh concerns you cannot but be extremely painful to me this I think reflection must convince you of but let me ask you in what instance I have betray’d so much impatience or so much intemperate zeal for the execution of any one particular plan or for the accomplishment of any wishes or gratification of any desires of my own that could induce you to keep me in such a state of suspense how have I discover’d so much want of fortitude that you shd be afraid to acquaint me with your real circumstances tho’ the recital should of necessity contain some painful truth.

   If your Journey is unavoidably delay’d do you not think that a Letter as often at least as every fortnight would be a very probable means of alleviating the pain of disappointment or can you suppose me capable of such selfish feelings as to take little pleasure in hearing of your health comfort &c: &c: because deprived of the enjoyment of your society – but it is time to have done with this complaining style I have perhaps said enough already to evince the dissatisfaction I feel with your conduct in this particular –

   I shall direct these few lines to Isleworth tho’ I cannot help indulging a hope that you are in Town in whh case suppose my Father will have them forwarded to you – Neither of your last letters contain’d any request to write whh I attributed to your expectations of being soon with me notwithstanding this I have often attempted it but the perplexity in whh I am involved has hitherto withheld me I beg if you shd not be coming within a few days that you send an immediate answer to this I have recd no letter from Mrs Scott whh is a very grievous addition to my solicitude –

   I must draw to a conclusion as I really am so bewilder’d that I know not what to say – remember me to my Father – Mr & Mrs Saffery have been return’d from Bristol these three Weeks they beg love I am distress’d by the incessant enquiries whh are made about your return health &c: (tho’ I am gratified by the friendship whh dictates them) because I am unable to satisfy them – pray put this in my power – Remember me suitably to all friends particularly to dr Mrs Sansom whose safety affords me unfeigned pleasure –

   Adieu my beloved friend & believe me to be

         Your very affecte Sister

                                 Anne Andrews

excuse this scrawl as it is almost dark

Text: Timothy Whelan, gen. ed.,  Nonconformist Women Writers, 1720-1840, 8 vols. (London: Pickering & Chatto, 2011), vol. 6, pp. 88-89; Reeves Collection, Box 14.3.(l.), Bodleian Library, Oxford. Address: Miss Andrews | Isleworth (marked through and written above, ‘at Mrs Scotts @ No. 2 Chapel Street | Grosvenor Place | Midd.x | If in London | to be forwarded immediately’. Postmark: Salisbury, 28 November.