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Meltonsville, Al
[illegible] 1875. Mr. Whitman—

[illegible] was received a few days ago. I had [illegible] [examined?] [that?] writing for a while [illegible] [correspondence?] except my son in [illegible] I would [wait?] a good long spell, I [illegible] to learn how much of purely [spontaneous?] [illegible] you do [fear?] in the (of choice) humble [illegible] strange manner living down here in [illegible] also was curious to see if you would [graciously?] be sending me and little Walt the new volume which you are to bring out this summer. But getting with yours the picture of [John?] Burroughs, I suppose it will be perhaps [illegible] [enough?] to write [now?]. ☞ I have no faith in [Physiognomy?] Physiognomy as a practical [illegible] if in any way, but the [illegible] the book seem [fully?] indicative of talent [illegible] tho' perhaps [illegible] strongly expresses [illegible] than an [illegible] greater share of [illegible] which I glory in [illegible] trust in [illegible]. Perhaps tho' he is [illegible] way. [illegible] sometimes doubted this [illegible] some[thing?] [illegible] well, he is too [illegible]", [other?] times "well, he is [illegible] very [honest?]."—However, if [illegible] now, or about to be [illegible] "on the banks of one of the [noblest and most?] fruitful rivers" ([poetical?] [illegible] namesake of our old [illegible] son) there is a [illegible] ["similarity?] [illegible] and J.B.—I had the honor [to say?] [illegible] introducing fine [Apples?] and [Pears?] [illegible] backwoods county. [illegible] Bartlett, [illegible] Lucrative, and L.B. [illegible] Jersey [illegible] unknown 'till [Williams?] came to the [illegible]. Ah! Those fine fruits were the only [illegible] I could have for some years after the end of the war. They and "Leaves of Grass" have stood alone in making me Jubilant. My [interest?], profit and pleasure have been much [distracted?] by fruit-rotting so generally [illegible] years. But memory's pleasures can [illegible] some degree.

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But getting [illegible] you and me, dear comforter [illegible]ughs hints at you [illegible]ing to [illegible]low, whenever you [illegible] go, and [illegible] [meetings?] with friends [illegible] or letters [illegible] or sights of "show [illegible] [(Centennial ?] [illegible] or what not) or [illegible] [illegible] sort or source—to [illegible] you still [illegible] [and?] can yet love [illegible] that [illegible] case for between [illegible] this [illegible] while I earnestly and [illegible] you [should?] take no interest [illegible] that [which?] cause you one bit [illegible] [or?] anxiety if bad luck should [befall?] [illegible] [in any?] way— [illegible] still, myself, children [illegible] my not [enthusible?] and mostly [illegible] wife are delighted, flattered, and feel ourselves highly distinguished any time we get anything of any sort from Uncle Walt or big Walt Whitman as the children say. (My & Wife's dreadful "tempers" may wreck us any time—so care not much for us. We are doing finely in all [our?] farming operations. Health [tolerably?] good. Little Walt came to us after [illegible] about twice the usual [illegible] [may?] have [helped?] some, but mostly [illegible] lingered over so long and [illegible] caused us all to [illegible] [threefold?] pride and [illegible] of what [illegible] had to get over—the [illegible] [and?] a "back-heart [illegible]—

If I [shall not?] write much again for a good long time, please excuse me, and [illegible] [on the other?] hand (looking at the [illegible] be so foolish as to write too much (which I hope I shall not) then excuse that, and your [illegible] shine conspicuous.

J.N.J

Since writing the above, I first notice the red chalk mark alongside the lines where Burroughs invites "George" (who is "George?") to come there [and?] look at a [illegible] that is for sale. Knowing how some of [you?] northern people wish to [run?] from [your?] [illegible] winters, I will say is "George" [illegible] of a Southern [illegible] as a [illegible]? I would not recommend my section [illegible] for a Northern man to [illegible] a fortune [except in?] raising clover or other [hay?]. But a Whitman would find many friends and fine [illegible] nothing very or extra healthy [illegible] striking in scenery.