In a letter from John Burroughs a while since he writes me that your article is to appear in To-Day2—When printed I wish Herby w'd get ten copies & send me by mail, (in two packages, five in each)—Nothing very different with me—I am full as well as common—a new & good care-taker for me here in the house, the old ones gone,3 Mrs. Davis, a sailor's widow, young & strong & good-natured, & very kind & attentive—according to indications a blessed change—I am writing a little—Shall probably add to next edition of L of G. at end not more than 30 or 35 pages
After-Songs and A Letter of Parting
the "letter" prose a sort of résumé & talk in general—The old bulk part of the book left all the same as now. I am writing this Sunday afternoon up in my room by wood fire. I suppose you rec'd the Camden Post.
Love to you, & Herb & Grace W W upa.00055.002_large.jpg loc.02155.001_large.jpg loc.02155.002_large.jpgCorrespondent:
Anne Burrows Gilchrist
(1828–1885) was the author of one of the first significant pieces of
criticism on Leaves of Grass, titled "A Woman's Estimate
of Walt Whitman (From Late Letters by an English Lady to W. M. Rossetti)," The Radical 7 (May 1870), 345–59. Gilchrist's long
correspondence with Whitman indicates that she had fallen in love with the poet
after reading his work; when the pair met in 1876 when she moved to
Philadelphia, Whitman never fully returned her affection, although their
friendship deepened after that meeting. For more information on their
relationship, see Marion Walker Alcaro, "Gilchrist, Anne Burrows (1828–1885)," Walt
Whitman: An Encyclopedia, ed. J.R. LeMaster and Donald D. Kummings (New
York: Garland Publishing, 1998).