Autograph Card Signed ('Herbert E Ryle') from Herbert Edward Ryle, Dean of Westminster, to 'Mr. Johnson', explaining to him the consequences of his missing lectures at Queens' College, Cambridge, because of the 'flu' ('that detestable "pestilence"').

On both sides of a card with a mourning border. Good, on lightly-aged grey card. If Johnson does not miss more than two lectures he will be in no danger of 'losing a certificate through failure of attendance'; if he misses three, 'it becomes a serious, but not hopeless question. Four absences would certainly disqualify'. Ryle will put a note against Johnson's name, 'that you have been made captive by the "flu"', and trusts that he will 'soon be released from the grip of that detestable "pestilence"'.