TLS A 25.4 x 20.4cm typed letter, one page double-sided, on personal "34, De Vere Gardens, W." letterhead, signed in black ink by Henry James. In the letter, dated 15th June 1897, James writes to his friend Mrs. Watson: " ( ) Forgive my rudest of delays in following up by a note my too meagre telegram. Immediately after despatching the latter I went into the country and, much overdone with literary composition - in a particular state of collapse, in short - succumbed so to the influence of the heat and of some old friends who kept me drivelling on garden benches and under tall trees, out of reach or 'touch' of ink and postage stamps ( )". With small separations along horizontal fold and some light creasing, otherwise a unique signature in good condition.