Autograph Letter Signed ('W J Prowse') from the English humorist W. J. Prowse [William Jeffrey Prowse] to the solicitor Edward Draper, written as he sets out for France to convalesce during his final illness, regarding a legal action against him.

2pp., 16mo. 22 lines of text, closely and neatly written. In fair condition, on aged paper, with small pinholes and a spot of glued paper from previous mounting. The letter begins: 'My dear Draper, | I sail early tomorrow morning. | Enclosed is a ten pound note, and the summons referred to. - I cannot help thinking that a compromise might be effected it it were shown to the summoner by a "lawyer" that I have left England, have no house or furniture of my own, and that the most valuable of my books are gone with me. You will deeply oblige me if you will see whether this can be done'. He has 'met with a great disappointment by the refusal of an accommodation which I thought my "spirited proprietors" would have given me'. If Draper can settle the matter for less than ten pounds, he is to 'let Miss Ashenden, here, have the balance'. Otherwise Prowse will 'at once remit the odd shillings' over ten pounds. He gives his address as 'Villa Garin, Cimiès, Nice, France'. A 27cm newspaper cutting of an obituary is laid down on both sides of the second leaf of the bifolium, and a small engraving of Prowse, with facsimile of his handwriting ('Nicolas | Always thine | W J Prowse') is also present; lightly-aged and with traces of mount on reverse.