Henry James
During an extended visit to the United States in 1910 and 1911, author and Cambridge native Henry James sought the advice of physicians Joseph Collins and James Jackson Putnam for methods of losing weight and also the treatment of his "evil times"—what possibly now would be diagnosed as depression—following the death of his brother, William.
In this letter, written in the wordy and elliptical style characteristic of the author of The Golden Bowl and The Ambassadors, James describes his dissatisfaction with the recommendations of Dr. Collins and his physical and mental improvement following the treatment prescribed by Dr. Putnam and a return to London life.