[Benjamin Harrison, Treasurer of Guy's Hospital.] Autograph Letter Signed ('B Harrison') to Alexander J. G. Marcet, Senior Surgeon at Guy's Hospital, regarding candidates to a post there, including Peter Mark Roget.

See the entries on Harrison and Marcet in the Oxford DNB. 2pp, 4to. In good condition, lightly aged and worn, and folded twice, with thin strip of paper from mount adhering to the reverse. Marcet is not identified as the recipient, but the item comes from his papers. It relates to an election to a post at Guy's Hospital, with reference to Peter Mark Roget (1779-1869), author of 'Roget's Thesaurus', whose father came from Geneva. The letter is written in a difficult hand, and the following transcriptions are tentative. It begins: 'My Dear Docr | Your letter has been forwarded to me – the enclosed to Fletcher I have taken the earliest application of returning to Guys – had it fortunately been directed to his house it would have found him yesterday.' He did not answer Marcet's letter as he had assumed they would meet 'in [?] Street on friday […] I am sorry to find you are still a prisoner – After a full show of health last week I was glad to return to my friends on Saturday'. He will be back in London on the following Monday. 'With respect to [Sr Thos?] I must explain that at the time you wrote to me I knew nothing more than the printed letter informed me. Of the candidates I have only seen Dr Back, who appears to me a person – Dr Elliston I believe I may once have seen on a former occasion'. He is not aware of ever having met 'Dr Williams & Dr Roget – [...] I however had determined to support Dr Williams on that occasion I said & may even have repeated the same that I certainly should not oppose their wishes - Altho there were Guys people [last two words underlined] as candidates – so much for my peaceful patience & genial support in favor of another candidate - to the alarm of your friend Dr Roget – who altho I have not the pleasure of knowing – I have often heard him most highly spoken of'.