38, St. James's Street
                                28th- February 1805

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My Dear Sister,
      You have been pleased
to call my last a laconic reply.
In its being so, I conceive, consisted
its principal merit, in as much,
as both You & I were saved much
trouble. The one in writing, the
other in reading. But, it seems You
will not be satisfied without my
giving a more particular account,
of what I do, what I see, and what
I think. If that is the case, and I
must obey, don't be shocked when
I tell you that I lead a Life of
the most regular stupidity. From
the time I have breakfasted, I walk
for my health, till some Committee
leads me to the House, where I
remain till it rises, & then go to
dinner. I have not seen Young Roscius,
nor been at Concert, Opera, or Ball.
At Ten at Night, I am always in
my Lodgings, & between that hour
& Twelve, I am to be found stretched

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out in my Bed, from which I extract
myself about Eight in the
Morning. Could the ancient Virgin
who prepares my sitting Room be
persuaded to rise earlier than She
does, I should do so too. The Drawing
Room grows daily more intolerable.
Good breeding is entirely forgotten, &
rudeness reigns triumphant. The Queen
looks old. She was very civil to me,
hoped all my family were well, &
did not put that teasing Question,
Will you never present a Daughter
of yours to Me? The King, was occupied
with his Ministers in deep, &
secret consultation, and so, could not
make his appearance. I am told that
he is in perfect health; but, not having
seen him for two Years, till the
day I went up with an Address from
the House of Lords, I thought he
looked thin, and when he walked,
bent forward in a manner, I never
saw him do before. I understand,
that he enjoyed the Fête at Windsor
very much. On that subject I cannot
speak from personal knowledge,
as I was not amongst the number
of the Invited. Don't suppose, that

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I felt any mortification on the subject,
as I never supposed I could be thought
of, never having at any time of my
Life been honoured by admission
to the Queens parties. All my great
connexions, Atholls, The Countess of Mansfield
&c. &c. were there. By the bye,
I have only seen the Countess once, &
then only for a few minutes, having
been engaged when invited to dine
with her. The same thing occurred
when the Portland Place Mansfield's
      wished for me, at which,
      I presume, they were
      much disappointed. I
      have, however, graciously
promised them to eat their Mutton
on Monday the 11th. of March. Whether I
shall have an appetite, on that day
or not, is doubtful, as I expect on it to
receive accounts of Wilton Lodge
being sold, or rejected, by the Public.
      You are quite right in saying
that I have the best Wife in
the World; but, whether Mr. Dickenson will allow
that he has been as fortunate, I should
very much doubt. I pray, You may
not call on me for a Character, as I
shall certainly speak Truth, and then,
You know what You have to expect.
      I beg Louisa may get quit

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of her Cold, without delay, and that
Mr. Dickenson may not break his Neck after
the Harriers, not feeling that I am in
the humour to write Epistles of Condolence
. So, I desire that Miss may get
well, & Mr. Dickenson take care of himself
. A Forest near Alloa!!! It may be so. The
Clock has struck Eleven. Good Night.
Best Love to all. Ever Your faithful
friend, and Affectionate Brother
                                                         Napier





London, First March 1805

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      Mrs- Dickenson
          Leighton House
              Leighton Buzzard
                             Bedfordshire
Napier.