Writes “The Jolly Corner” and The American Scene (published 1907). Writes eighteen prefaces for the New York Edition (twenty-four volumes published 1907–9). Visits Paris and Edith Wharton in spring 1907 and motors with her in Midi. Travels to Italy for the last time, visiting Hendrik Andersen in Rome, and goes on to Florence and Venice. Engages Theodora Bosanquet as his typist in autumn. Again visits Edith Wharton in Paris, spring 1908. William comes to England to give a series of lectures at Oxford and receives an honorary Doctor of Science degree. James goes to Edinburgh in March to see a tryout by the Forbes-Robertsons of his play The High Bid, a rewrite in three acts of the one-act play originally written for Ellen Terry (revised earlier as the story “Covering End”). Play gets only five special matinees in London. Shocked by slim royalties from sales of the New York Edition.

1909

Growing acquaintance with young writers and artists of Bloomsbury, including Virginia and Vanessa Stephen and others. Meets and befriends young Hugh Walpole in February. Goes to Cambridge in June as guest of admiring dons and undergraduates and meets John Maynard Keynes. Feels unwell and sees doctors about what he believes may be heart trouble. They reassure him. Late in year burns forty years of his letters and papers at Rye. Suffers severe attacks of gout. Italian Hours published.

1910

Very ill in January (“food-loathing”) and spends much time in bed. Nephew Harry comes to be with him in February. In March is examined by Sir William Osler, who finds nothing physically wrong. James begins to realize that he has had “a sort of nervous breakdown.” William, in spite of now severe heart trouble, and his wife, Alice, come to England to give him support. Brothers and Alice go to Bad Nauheim for cure, then travel to Zurich, Lucerne, and Geneva, where they learn Robertson (Bob) James has died in America of heart attack. James’s health begins to improve but William is failing. Sails with William and Alice for America in August. William dies at Chocorua soon after arrival, and James remains with the family for the winter. The Finer Grain published.

1911

Honorary degree from Harvard in spring. Visits with Howells and Grace Norton. Sails for England on July 30. On return to Lamb House, decides he will be too lonely there and starts search for a London flat. Theodora Bosanquet obtains work rooms adjoining her flat in Chelsea and he begins autobiography, A Small Boy and Others. Continues to reside at the Reform Club. The Outcry published.

1912