Did not see W., but he sent proofs to house with this amusing highly-wrought note: Horace here is the proof—I have kept the copy as it will be needed in the second proof—(will send it back when I send that 2d). Am not satisfied with the type-setting job—it is horribly slow & lally-gagging, & the foreman seems to have put some inferior 1/3er on it, & slow & bad at that—damnable proof, and little at that—(sh'd have put two good men as I requested). I do not agree with him. Ferguson was frank from the first to tell us that on starting out we would have to go slow.
Clifford writes me this about Lippincott's matter: Thursday Night. My dear Traubel: Mrs. Clifford has just read aloud to me the piece in Lippincott's. I had no idea how much of a writing it was from the glance I took before. I do not see how any criticism should be passed upon it. Very glad am I that the call came to you to say this word fitly chosen. These are, I suppose, fore-speakings of the Book that is one day to put Walt's record as it is before the world. I look for a task then to be done once for all. These little slips are sent not for any worth, but because I happen to have them here at hand. These Gtn. newspaper men have always treated me with kindness according to their estate, and for that I am never disposed to deny their friendly invitations. All well here now. Mrs. Clifford came back Monday much repaired, so that I hope to see her hold a stronger way from this on to the Summer. My man after all did not come Sunday night, and we might have had another hour. As ever yours, John H. Clifford