Autograph Letter Signed ('Alexr Chalmers') from the biographer Alexander Chalmers to James Perry, commenting humorously on an attack of gout.

1p., 12mo. Bifolium. Seventeen lines, closely written. Good, on lightly-aged paper, with thin strip of stub adhering to margin. Addressed, on reverse of second leaf, to 'J. Perry Esqre | Tavistock Square'. He will dine with Perry with pleasure, 'after a five weeks confinement with the Gout, a disorder of which I never before had any personal acquaintance, but which, I suppose, I must, in some unguarded moment, have treated with contempt. I cannot otherwise account for so severe an attack having been made upon me who have very little funded property, no land, & holding no high official station - It is in vain therefore that my friends congratulate me, & vainer still that they assure me that whoever has the gout will have no other disorder. A man must be very unreasonable who wants any other.' He hopes to meet 'those experienced gentlemen' at Perry's table, 'who may instruct mee how to behave on a first appearance'.