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, discussing his family. Napier titles the letter <i><i>Baby Gazette Extraordinary</i></i>. He informs Hamilton that his two-year-old girl can now walk as well as her mother and repeats anything that anyone says and is able to hold a conversation. The young 'master' of the house is described as a 'prodigy'. He is only ten months old and already has six teeth and has walked alone. Lady Napier is leaving Axwell Park for Edinburgh to prepare for her confinement.</p><p style='text-align: justify;'>Napier writes that it would please him if Hamilton and her family could visit Edinburgh and notes that he would enjoy seeing the 'two mothers, viewing each others productions'. The letter is also concerned with financial business that Napier has and with a book that John Dickenson has enquired about. Dickenson wondered if Napier's brother-in-Law was the author of a book [title not included in the letter]. Napier is happy that his sister Harriet no longer lives with the Hunters as by doing so it prevented her meeting people as Mrs [Mainie-Schaw] Hunter rarely went out as her health is very precarious.</p><p style='text-align: justify;'>Dated at Greencroft.</p>