Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Letters
  3. Correspondence
  4. loc.02247

Mrs. C. S. Haley to Walt Whitman, [21 September 1888]

About This Item

  • Title: Mrs. C. S. Haley to Walt Whitman, [21 September 1888]
  • Date: [September 21, 1888]
  • Creator(s): Mrs. C. S. Haley
  • Whitman Archive ID: loc.02247
  • Source: The Charles E. Feinberg Collection of the Papers of Walt Whitman, 1839–1919, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. Transcribed from digital images or a microfilm reproduction of the original item. For a description of the editorial rationale behind our treatment of the correspondence, see our statement of editorial policy.
  • Contributors to digital file: Ashlyn Stewart Jeannette Schollaert Stefan Schöberlein Caterina Bernardini Marie Ernster Stephanie Blalock
  • Cite this page: Haley, Mrs. C. S.. "Mrs. C. S. Haley to Walt Whitman, [21 September 1888]." The Walt Whitman Archive. Gen. ed. Matt Cohen, Ed Folsom, & Kenneth M. Price. Accessed 11 May 2025. <http://www.whitmanarchive.org>.
  • Source File: loc.02247.xml (TEI)
 loc_as.00152_large.jpg Mr Whitman1—

Although a stranger to you I wish to say through the medium of my pen that I have become interested in your welfare through your writings which for years I have clipped from papers. I also have a woodcut of your face. And as I have recently learned by the Press, of your ill health, I would with your permission offer you tenderest sympathy.

Mrs C. S. Haley Dalton Mass.  loc.02245.002_large.jpg
 loc.02247.001_large.jpg

Human–Life

Human life is an enigma; Who himself can understand? Everything that has existed; Came by some mysterious hand.2 Here we are on life's great ocean; Tossed about by winds and waves; Soon like millions gone before us. We shall sleep within our graves  loc.02247.002_large.jpg  loc.02247.003_large.jpg Like rare pearls in deepest caverns, In the heart, deep hidden, lies Sad regrets and thoughts to sacred To be seen by mortal eyes Thus we live; misjudged and censured; While the bursting heart and brain Strive to bear with cheerful faces, All this bitter woe and pain. Will there be a grand unfoldment; Will these mysteries be made plain? When man dies, who can tell us; Will he he rise to life again? [Chloe.]  loc.02247.004_large.jpg
 loc.02247.005_large.jpg see notes Jan 14, 1889  loc.02247.006_large.jpg

Correspondent:
As yet we have no information about this correspondent.

Notes

  • 1. This letter is addressed: Walt. Whitman | Poet | Camden, N.J. It is postmarked Dalton | Sep 21 1888 | Mass; NY | 9-21-88 | 8PM; Camden, N.J. | Sep | 22 | 6AM | 88 ] Rec'd. On the left side of the front of the envelope, Haley has written: "If not called for in 10 days return to Mrs C.S. Haley—Dalton Mass." [back]
  • 2. The word "OVER" is written in the bottom right corner of this page. [back]
Back to top