The Mary Hamilton Papers : Letter from William Napier, 7th Lord Napier, to Mary Hamilton

Napier, William, 7th Lord

The Mary Hamilton Papers

<p style='text-align: justify;'>Letter from William Napier, 7th Lord Napier, to Mary Hamilton. He writes of being ill and confined to bed, and of the deaths in quick succession of his father and of one of his greatest friends. In response to an enquiry Hamilton had made about a report of the engagement of one of Lord Cathcart's daughters, Napier replies that he does not believe there is anything in the rumour, as he has not been told of it, but as she is 'a very fine amiable Young Lady' he would be more surprised that she was not getting married 'should a proper match be proposed'. He continues on the subject of his nieces and their accomplishments, and of other members of the Cathcart family. Napier asks Hamilton why she seems to know very little about her Uncle Cathcart's family, and why they seem to know as little about her. He asks if there is any 'dryness' between them, or does she not write to them about herself and her mother? He can see 'a little reason for your dryness with regard to Mr F. [Frederick] Hamilton & his family but that can be nothing to My Lord & Sir William that should make a shyness between them & you'.</p><p style='text-align: justify;'>Napier ends his letter by asking Hamilton to let him know what has become of John Hope and where he is.</p><p style='text-align: justify;'>Dated at Canterbury.</p>