71, Queen Street
                                                            11th- Juner- 1814

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My Dear Sister,
      If you have ever
condescended to think, or speak of
me, or mine, since I left London, I
have no doubt that it had been to
abuse me, for not writing. If so, You
have been most unreasonable, for You
must have known, that my Royal
Occupation's would not admit of my
scribbling. They, happily finished ten
Days ago, and I have outlived the danger
of dying in an Alderman like manner,
from overeating, and overdrinking.
As sitting never agrees with me, I felt
some little inclination in my Legs,
to refuse to do their Duty, when I
began to walk again; but, I have now
convinced them, that they are no longer
to consider themselves as Royals, and
that I insist on their performing
Plebeian functions, properly, as usual.
      It is now time to enquire
how You, your better half, and your
excellent Daughter, find Yourselves

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amidst the Bustle of Emperors, and
King's in London. How shocked I am,
that Great Men will not be truly Great,
but will expose their frailties to the
Vulgar Eye. How can any Man conceive,
that by degrading his Wife, he does not
cast a Reflection on Himself? The Letters
which have lately appeared in the Newspapers
vex me. Who are the Advisers, or
whether there are any Advisers in the
business, I know not. But, at a time of
rejoicing, for accommodating our differences
with Foreign Foes, our domestic
Squabbles should be allowed to divide the
public Mind is much to be lamented.
      My Son William was made
a Post Captain in his own Ship the
Erne, on the 6th. Instant. He is gone from
Heluvet to Bourdeaux, with Money for
the Troops; and, from thence, he proceeds
to America, without coming to Britain
I believe. Francis, has left the Snake,
and is on board Admiral Brown's Ship,
(the name of which, I know not) at Port
Royal, Jamaica. At least, so I am informed
by Admiral George Hope, who had
a Letter from Admiral Brown, dated
the first of April. The Youth, has not
been pleased to announce this change

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in his Situation, to me, so that I am quite
ignorant of the Cause of it. My Sons are apt
to think that if they know what they
are about themselves, it is unnecessary
to inform me, unless they want Money, and
then indeed, they do condescend to put Pen
to Paper. Charles, is in high preservation.
At present, he is in the Country, waiting on
one of our Staff General's, Sir John Dalrymple
. I expect him back on Monday, what
his fate will be, I have still to learn. I
wish His Royal Highness the Commander
      in Chief, would let me into
      the Secret.
            When I went to London
I took with me the Plans of my House
at Thirlestane, for your Edification,  ------ 
for that of my Son William. Neither of You,
took the trouble of looking at them. To
punish him, I have a great Mind not to
finish the House, though all my Doors, Windows
& Window Shutters, have been made for
it, during my Absence. I did not expect this,
and was much surprised on finding they
were ready to be sent to Selkirkshire. Next
Week, they will be sent off, and some Weeks
hence, I may go to Thirlestane to look how
the Plasterers go on.
            Adieu, My Dear Sister. Give
my best Love to Mr. Dickenson & Louisa,
but, take none of it to Yourself. My Rib &c send
her Civilities & their Civilities. Ever Your faithful
Friend & Affectionate
                             Napier

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Edinburgh, Twelfth June 1814

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      Mrs- Dickenson
      32, Devonshire Place
            London
Napier.