I have no idea of going abroad—couldn't do it anyhow—as I am very lame & find it difficult to get about here, even small distances—Otherwise I should have been on to see Alma2 and you—for my wishes have been with you both—My general health however is very fair. loc.02564.002_large.jpg I am getting along here better than you think for—for very little suffices me—
As I write it is beautiful weather—temperature perfect—Love to Alma & all—
Walt Whitman loc.02564.003_large.jpg loc.02564.004_large.jpgCorrespondent:
John H. Johnston (1837–1919) was a New York
jeweler and close friend of Whitman. Johnston was also a friend of Joaquin
Miller (Horace Traubel, With Walt Whitman in Camden, Tuesday, August 14, 1888). Whitman visited the Johnstons for the
first time early in 1877. In 1888 he observed to Horace Traubel: "I count
[Johnston] as in our inner circle, among the chosen few" (Horace Traubel, With Walt Whitman in Camden, Wednesday, October 3, 1888). See also Johnston's letter about
Whitman, printed in Charles N. Elliot, Walt Whitman as Man,
Poet and Friend (Boston: Richard G. Badger, 1915), 149–174. For
more on Johnston, see Susan L. Roberson, "Johnston, John H. (1837–1919) and Alma Calder," Walt Whitman: An Encyclopedia, ed. J.R. LeMaster and
Donald D. Kummings (New York: Garland Publishing, 1998).