71, Queen Street
                                                            25th. Octr- 1810

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My Dear Sister,
      The death of Mr. Dickenson
, though it could not surprise, at
his Time of Life, yet the loss of a Parent
must be felt, happen when it will,
and it is most natural that Louisa
should be distressed at the Event. This
occurrence may probably make some
alteration in your Arrangements. I
think, I have heard You say that,
You never would live at Birch Hall;
but, perhaps, it may become your
Summer Residence, at least, till You
have fixed on a more agreeable
situation.
      When I last wrote, I was
setting out on a little Tour with my
Daughters Anne & Sophia, during
which, I carried them round a Circle
of above two hundred & seventy Miles,
through a beautiful Country, made
more so by the richness of a most
abundant harvest, and performed
in the finest weather, I ever remember

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to have seen. Not a drop of Rain,
except one Evening after it was dark,
when we were safely housed at Carlisle
. We went first to Peebles, which
is a neat Town on the Tweed. We then
followed, or rather traced up the Banks
of that beautiful River to its source;
then descended into the Vale of Moffat,
where there is a small well built Town,
resorted to by Invalids, for the sake of
two medicinal Waters, of different qualities.
Eight miles from Moffat, Lord Hopetoun
has a fine Seat called Raehills, which
he succeeded to, as heir to the late Marquis
of Annandale. We spent three days
there; then proceeded to my Nephew Hunter's
at Barjarg on the Nith, then to Dumfries; then to Annan;
then to Sir Amilius Irvings, Robgill Tower;
then through Gretna Green & Longtown
to Carlisle; back again to Robgill; then
to Langholm, where the Duke of Buccleuch
has a very pretty place; then
to Hawick, where we explored every inch
of our former Residence at Wilton Lodge,
then to Mr Douglas's at Cavers; then, through
Jedburgh to Mr. Rutherfurd's at Edgerston,
within three Miles of the Cheviot Hills; then,
down from the Mountains to Mr. Ogilvie's
at Chesters, on the Teviot; then to Dryburgh
Abbey (Ruins) on the Tweed; then to Melrose

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Abbey (Ruins on the Tweed) then to Selkirk;
then, crossed the Ettrick, reached the Tweed at Yair,
mounted up the Banks of that River,
till we again got to Peebles, and from
thence we returned to Edinburgh. Now,
if You have good Maps, & a little ingenuity, You
may travel all this over, in less time
than we took. The spirit of motion did
not cease, on our reaching home, for in a
very few days after, my two travelling Companions
went to Lord Haddingtons, at Tynninghame
, in East Lothian, where they
still remain. Being in a gracious mood,
my Wife & I have paid a Visit to the
      Cathcarts, at Saltoun Hall,
      fourteen Miles from Edinburgh,
      where we permitted them to
remain unmolested, for nearly three Years,
nor did we then go, till his Lordship wrote
expressly to fix a Time. The visit proved
pleasant enough, as the Cathcarts laid
aside their fiddle-faddles. Since this, I
have paid a visit to Mr. Dundas at Melville
Castle, & tomorrow Rib & I, propose going
to the Duke of Buccleuch's at Dalkeith House.
All these expeditions are performed, with
Nightcaps.
      This days post has brought me
a Letter from my Son William, at Lisbon,
dated the 6th. Instant. He is well on board
the Kent. I had four first Cousins Napier's,
in the late action in Portugal, three of
whom were wounded. Lady Sarah's eldest

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Son Major Napier, severely; her second Son
Captain George, slightly; her third Son Captain
William escaped unhurt; but Captain Charles
Napier of the Navy (my uncle Charles's eldest Son)
who was there as a Volunteer, got a slight
knock for his pains. Major Napier had arrived
at Lisbon, when William wrote, and his
wounds were doing well. By this time, there
must have been another Battle, or Massena
must have retreated.
      With my best Love to Mr. Dickenson
Louisa & yourself, & best wishes to my Countrywoman
I ever am, My Dear Sister
                             Your Affectionate Brother
                                                         Napier

Edinburgh, Twenty Fifth
                             October 1810

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      Mrs- Dickenson
      Mrs- Carill Worsley's
            Derby
Napier.