The Mary Hamilton Papers : Letter from Francis Napier, 8th Lord Napier, to John Dickenson and Mary Hamilton
Napier, Francis Scott, 8th Lord
The Mary Hamilton Papers
<p style='text-align: justify;'>Letter from Francis Napier, 8th Lord Napier, written in two parts: the first to John Dickenson, the second to Mary Hamilton.</p><p style='text-align: justify;'>Napier writes to Dickenson that 'their Lordships Committee have unanimously resolved that my Right to the title of Napier is perfectly good' but the dispute has cost him £170. His misfortunes do not end here as the same Committee has found that one of Napier's voters had no claim to his title. Napier feels certain that he will now lose the election as he fears yet another of his voters will be 'turned off the Roll'. The solicitors bill for his share of the General Election will cost him three or four hundred pounds. 'So much for ambition'.</p><p style='text-align: justify;'>Napier ends his letter to Dickenson by noting (in jest) that although Hamilton may have read <i><i>The Rights of Women</i></i> [Mary Wollstonecraft's <i><i>A Vindication of the Rights of Women</i></i>, published in 1791], 'yet being a Valiant & sturdy Knight of Nova Scotia, I think myself still equal to keeping her in Order'.</p><p style='text-align: justify;'>Napier writes to Hamilton assuring her that they are all country folk in Wilton Lodge and she should be under no apprehension of meeting any bluestocking tribe there. He continues his letter on his children and on their education.</p><p style='text-align: justify;'>Dated at Wilton Lodge [Roxburghshire].</p>