[Literature & Art] James, Henry. (1843–1916). Autograph Letter. A vivid and effusive autograph letter from the important author, showing his capacity to decline an invitation to tea in perhaps the most magnificent writing we can imagine. 34 De Vere Gardens. W. Undated. 3.5 pages. In full:

"Dear Miss Phillips. Please believe in my great regret at having to murmur in your ear, with such unsocial erudity (inspite of my confidential tone) that - to my intense humiliation & distress - I have been definitely condemned to forswear the sweet custom of going out to tea - to expunge it, as it were, from my life & pluck it up by the roots. I am not just now able to accept any invitations: strange fate for a London creature at this festive time. It's incongruent - it is comdemnable: but no one is more conscious than myself of the sorry figure I cut. I try therefore to steal past[?] unperceived - & yet I linger long enough in your charmed circle, dear Miss Phillips, just to ask you charitably still to consider that I am always yours & your brother's most truly Henry James".