1795 May 30 (Anne)

Anne Andrews, Salisbury, to Maria Grace Andrews, Portsmouth, Saturday, [30 May 1795].

Saturday morng

   I have risen somewhat early this morng with an intention to scribble a few lines to my beloved – We did not reach home till about five the past eveng & after meeting I felt too much fatigued to attempt writing –

   I am sensible one of your first enquiries will be how I have been entertain’d on the preceeding days & I feel desirous of informg you but think I must defer it till I shall enjoy the pleasure of personal intercourse – let it suffice to declare that there was no allay to the most refined delight but that whh arose either from the weakness & infirmity of nature or the treachery of my own heart oh if we should ever join the general Assembly & Church of the firstborn whose names are written in heaven there shall be nothing to restrain our ardour nothing to embitter our joys – as the Poet sweetly says –

No Sin shall clog our winged zeal

Or cool our burning love.

I find it is near Seven so must close however unwillingly – do remember me with the tenderest affection to dr Mrs Saffery tell her I should be glad if time permitted to answer her kind & welcome Letter – but as it is hope she will excuse it – Mrs Marsh who is return’d from Lymington in consequence of the late awful Providence whh you will learn by Mr Saffery begs love to Mrs S– & yourself other friends would be remember’d our Hannah in particular 

   Affectionate respects to Mrs Horsey &c

         Yours affectionately

                                 A Andrews

Text: Timothy Whelan, gen. ed.,  Nonconformist Women Writers, 1720-1840, 8 vols. (London: Pickering & Chatto, 2011), vol. 6, p. 99; Reeves Collection, Box 14.1.(k.), Bodleian Library, Oxford. Address: Miss Andrews | favor’d by M.r Davis. No postmark, no location.