Your postcard of the 13th1 came to hand last ev'g. I was, and am, much concerned to hear such poor accounts of your health but a good deal relieved to find that the worst symptoms had passed off for the present—hope they will stay away for awhile. Shall look out for Feb. N.A. Review.2
I have some bad news to tell you. I have been in court the last two days (all Wednesday
and Thursday)—an action was
brought against me for slander by a discharged employee
(a young woman) the case has gone against
me—verdict is: "For Plantiff—Damages $500." Remains to be seen what stand
the government will take—whether
they will support me and how far—there may be also
question of appeal. What I did & said was done
and said entirely as Med. Supt. and my judgement and conscienece
still tell me (as they told me all
along) that my action has been what it should have been
loc_zs.00233.jpg
and must have been under all the
circumstances—this being so I am comparatively indifferent
as to what
happens as consequence. Show this to Horace,3 I
shall send you the newspapers in the case and show them to Horace too. We are
all well—my arm (shoulder) no longer gives me
any pain or much annoyance.4 Am comfortable, have a good appetite and feel
hearty—all well at house—all goes well with meter5—I am
not uneasy but that every thing will turn out well.
Dear Walt—if this bladder trouble returns and is bad will you not send for young Mitchell6 (Dr) and take such steps for relief as he advises? I wish you would—I know his advice will be good and that you will obtain relief by following it
With much love R M BuckeCorrespondent:
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).