[Sir William Fergusson, Scottish surgeon.] Autograph Letter Signed ('Wm. Fergusson') [to F. A. Bulley],

4pp., 12mo. Bifolium. On aged and worn paper with small spike-hole to one leaf. The letter begins: 'A hare and a pheasant delivered here the other day with F.A.B. Reading upon the parchment card - the initials, I immediately concluded of my old friend Mr. Bulley and the first information that he still lives after a certain bloody deed performed upon him many months ago. [from the context a reference to an operation performed by Fergusson] Concluding that you are still on the face of the earth and that it is to you that I am indebted for the polite present I have to offer you my best thanks in return.' The letter continues in friendly and playful tone: 'And what in reality, my dear friend, is the cause of your safety and good looks, and I may add my own reputation were so much at stake, you could not imagine that I lost all interest regarding you when hyou were out of sight?' He continues in the same vein, ending with personal news, including the statement: 'I mean to astonish the surgical world one of these days with a paper on cleft palate, which is to be read at the Med. Chirurg. Society on the 10th. of Decemr. next - Something perfectly new, and such as I imagine will be pronounced good.' From the papers of F. A. Bulley of the Royal Berkshire Hospital.