Esther Maud Tuke (1727-1794) letter to Martha Routh,(1743-1817) 15th of 11th mo 1792

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          From Esther Tuke to Martha Routh
  My Dearly Beloved Freind          York 15th of 11th mo 1792
     Thy cordial which I rec'd at Scarborough not only refreshed & revived me
  beyond the Sea breezes or medical waters, bu hath often done it since, being an ad=
  =ditional Testimonial of that Love, which will Live beyond the Grave; & tho' this re=
  =mains whether we speak or are Silent, yet a little communication now & then
  as dear Tom Hunt once expressed, "renews teh notes, & strengthens the Cords of pure
  Celestial freindship"  Thou knows it is the eve of Life with me, when Fig trees
  in earlier time, have Ceased to blossom, or Fruit to be gathered, from pleasant
  vinces etc; & the Journey so near accomplish'd, that I sometimes think it may
                      but 
  be safest to Salute ^few by the way as possessing nothing but a state
  of dry emptiness, tho' I hope Cleanness; yet being revived at times by
  fellow Pilgrims, I feel desirous of making some small acknowledgments.
     Thy Communication respecting (W Rotch) & his Son
  BR & visit at Dunkirk was particularly comfortable.  I doubt not but 
  thou often visits them, as my mind dith in near Sisterly affectionate Sym=
  pathy, with desires that the everlasting arm of all sustaining Help, may
  not only continue underneath, as in similar Tryals, but that it may be
  often made bare when the south of the Terrible, may be again permitted
  as in former times to beat against their peaceful dwelling.   Sure that
  veenrable head WR is singled otu like that faithful servant Job, to
  be tried beyond others, because superiorly strengthen'd to bear them  
  & bring more honour to the great name, & his Cause. And tho he
  has assuredly made an Hedge about him, yet there may be times when this head
  may have feelings in some degree Similar, to the above Servant & the great
  End may be hid from him.  that we cannot but deeply feel with him
  & very much for those within the enclosure of less experience.  But when
  our hearts have meditated Terror, & perhaps enter'd further than is pro=
  =fitable, therein, we must leave it to him "who has his way in the whirl=
  =wind, storm, & think Darkness & endeavour to gather near to the place
  of Defence, the "Munition of Rocks" by answering the description to whom
  the defence was promised for verily Tryals as great, seem near break=
  =ing out in our own Borders: perhaps before it ~ thou may be wasted to
  the Land, called the Land of Liberty, where the Sword is now Sheathed: &
  my Spirit to a permanent rest gathered by him, who knows my weak=
                                                                =ness