Walt Whitman to Richard Maurice Bucke, 28 December 1890
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Camden1
noon Dec: 28 '91
Middling—no palpable belly ache or the small pain dots (spasms) I spoke of for four days now—appetite fair—bowel voidance this forenoon—
Sunny weather—sharp cold—hot cakes & tea for breakfast—sitting here as usual in 2d story room—quiet Sunday—have been lying down half dozing to while away the time —have to keep up good fire
Walt Whitman
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Correspondent:
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).
Notes
- 1. This letter is addressed: Dr Bucke | Asylum | London | Ontario Canada. It is postmarked: CAMDEN, N.J. | DEC 29 | 730 AM | 90; LONDON | PM | DE 30 | 90 | CANADA. [back]