The Mary Hamilton Papers : Letter from Francis Napier, 8th Lord Napier, to Mary Hamilton
Napier, Francis Scott, 8th Lord
The Mary Hamilton Papers
<p style='text-align: justify;'>Letter from Francis Napier, 8th Lord Napier, to Mary Hamilton. He light-heartedly admonishes Hamilton for her complaining about him not writing and calling him an 'ungrateful wretch, naughty Brother & such like', noting that such phrases are hardly proper for a 'Tewin Beau'. [Napier was writing from the Tewin Water estate in Hertfordshire.] As a sign of his good breeding he will submit to the commands of a lady and proposes 'the most profound Bow & in obedience to' Hamilton's commands he wishes her joy and gives her permission to say as many 'pretty things' in his name to Mrs Jackson [see <a target='_blank' class='externalLink uom-purple' href='https://archiveshub.jisc.ac.uk/manchesteruniversity/data/gb133-ham/ham/1/10/2'>HAM/1/10/2</a>] as she thinks necessary.</p><p style='text-align: justify;'>The Dowager [Lady Cathcart] thanks Hamilton for her news on the Stormonts but Napier asks from 'curiosity' when the '31st April will be forthcoming' as he is unable to find such a day in his almanac. [Hamilton had mistakenly given that date in a letter.]</p><p style='text-align: justify;'>Moving on to a new subject Napier mentions that he has heard that 'the little God Cupid has been dealing about his Darts in the neighbourhood of St James's. But who the Adonis can be, is far beyond my dull Genius to discover'. Napier writes the initials of four possibilities. The letter ends with Napier thanking Hamilton for the books that she had sent him and he notes that he expects to receive a letter by Saturday evening's post that he will receive by Sunday breakfast.</p><p style='text-align: justify;'>Dated at Tewin Water [Hertfordshire].</p>