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Walt Whitman to the Editor of the New York Daily Graphic, 16 December [1874]

Your notes1 inviting me to write about Spiritualism reached me during a late severe spell of illness, which will account for their not being answered at the time. I thank you for your courtesy, but I am neither disposed nor able to write anything about this so-called Spiritualism. (It seems to me nearly altogether a poor, cheap, crude humbug.)

Walt Whitman

Notes

  • 1. When this letter was printed on December 19, 1874, the newspaper item stated that Whitman had been sent a circular and an "accompanying letter." The Daily Graphic had printed in other issues comments (mostly sympathetic) on the subject. This letter was discovered by Professor Harold W. Blodgett. [back]
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