Have had a pretty bad day—ab't one of the real bad spells (except no really definite spell such as that special Monday)—but giving out the last 6 or 8 hours most physical & moral energy—no action at all of bowels or water works—no eating—have just risen and eaten three or four mouthfuls—(Baker's2 strong advise)—am now sitting here in the chair (3.40 P M)—At this moment indicates rain shower—Y'r letter rec'd—I hope Eng. ed'n "Dem Vistas3 &c" will come yet safely—it is the best specimen of typographic make & binding (for modest expense) yet turned out there—Suppose you've got the further proofs to page 704—mail'd them yesterday—Shall have some little mendings, changings &c. to plates.
Later Thursday—9½ p m—I am less uncomfortable—Horace Traubel5 has been in for a short visit, & to bring the latest print proofs &c:—All things go on & I am satisfied so far (I have just paid him, Ferguson, $50)6—have just swallowed a calomel powder preparatory to go to bed—we have had a slight rain—the quiet in comparison of the last three days & nights is very helpful to me—
Noon, Friday, July 6—No particular change in the situation—I am appreciably better—bowels voided—temperature &c. very fine—am sitting up quietly this moment—heavy rather dulness & pain head—suppose you are up to your neck with work & responsibility—well I rather envy it all, supposing & the feeling & ability & physical plus—
Love to you all— Walt WhitmanCorrespondent:
Richard Maurice Bucke (1837–1902) was a
Canadian physician and psychiatrist who grew close to Whitman after reading Leaves of Grass in 1867 (and later memorizing it) and
meeting the poet in Camden a decade later. Even before meeting Whitman, Bucke
claimed in 1872 that a reading of Leaves of Grass led him
to experience "cosmic consciousness" and an overwhelming sense of epiphany.
Bucke became the poet's first biographer with Walt
Whitman (Philadelphia: David McKay, 1883), and he later served as one
of his medical advisors and literary executors. For more on the relationship of
Bucke and Whitman, see Howard Nelson, "Bucke, Richard Maurice," Walt Whitman: An
Encyclopedia, ed. J.R. LeMaster and Donald D. Kummings (New York:
Garland Publishing, 1998).