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. In reply to a letter that Hamilton had sent him, he expresses his concern that she ‘has done any thing she seems to be asham'd of’, and notes that ‘a thing Miss Hamilton cannot write me I am afraid is very, very bad indeed’. He is afraid that it is to do with a ‘love affair’. He requires more information before he is able to advise her. Lady Napier sends her best wishes to Hamilton’s mother ‘who I am afraid is not made acquainted with terrible affair’. It is not clear as to whether or not Napier is teasing Hamilton or if he has real concerns.</p><p style='text-align: justify;'>Napier continues in the letter to acknowledge that Hamilton acted correctly by refusing to act in a play as he views such actions as improper for a young woman of honour.</p><p style='text-align: justify;'>Dated at Edinburgh.</p>