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Walt Whitman to John Burroughs, 16 January 1877

I have been over here with the Gilchrists for a week1—go back to Camden this afternoon or tomorrow—I have a nice room here with a stove and oak wood—everything very comfortable and sunny—most of all the spirit (which is so entirely lacking over there in Camden, and has been for more than three years)—

We often speak of you—I received your letter of the 7th. . . .2

Love to you and 'Sula. Walt Whitman.

Notes

  • 1. Walt Whitman's increasing dissatisfaction with life in his brother George's home (see Walt Whitman's letter to Mannahatta and Jessie Louisa Whitman on December 20, 1876) is apparent in the frequency of his absences. He was with the Staffords from January 6 to 10 and January 18 to 23 (Whitman's Commonplace Book, Charles E. Feinberg Collection of the Papers of Walt Whitman, 1839–1919, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.), and he stayed with the Gilchrists from January 10 to 16 and January 25 to February 2. [back]
  • 2. This letter is not known. [back]
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