Edinburgh 13th: Novr- 1780.



     On Monday next I propose
leaving this agreable City, but
have not the smallest intention
of paying my respects to You in
person 'till the next Birthday,1
so that you must at last suspend
your joy at the idea of seeing me
'till that distant period. You pretend
to be very much occupied with attend=
=ance on the P. R. I can aʃsure you
I am no leʃs so, in preparing for my
departure; and as I think it not impro=
=bable that I may visit the West
Indies before my return to Scotland,
I have given up my house and have
been and still am occupied|very| busy arrang=
=ing my Affairs. Upon my arrival at
Welwyn I shall write to you, but 'till
I do so shall not expect to hear from

Notes:

1 It is probable that Napier is referring to the King's birthday (4 June), the birthday, without specification, being used for ‘the anniversary of the day the British sovereign was born, marked by public celebration and a formal dinner and ball at court’ (OED s.v. birthday 1b. Accessed 17-09-2021).