The Walt Whitman Archive
Life & Letters
Correspondence
About this Item
Title: Walt Whitman Ernesy Rhys, 11 September 1887
Date: September 11, 1887
Whitman Archive ID: nyp.00581
Source: The Henry W. and Albert A. Berg Collection of English and American Literature, New York Public Library. The transcription presented here is derived from Walt Whitman, The Correspondence, ed. Edwin Haviland Miller (New York: New York University Press, 1961–1977), 6:44-45. For a description of the editorial rationale behind our treatment of the correspondence, see our statement of editorial policy.
Contributors to digital file: Ryan Furlong, Stefan Schöberlein, and Caterina Bernardini
328 Mickle Street
Camden New Jersey U S America12
Sept: 11 '87
My dear Rhys
I suppose you got the copy I mail'd you some three or four days ago3—the additional matter (27 printed pages) for "Democratic Vistas"—I enclose herewith the MS of a little Preface. The title page ought to be
Democratic Vistas
and other Pieces
By Walt Whitman
Leave out "Two Letters" (p 315 and partly on p 316)—Leave out altogether the Appendix pieces (pp 339 to 374 inclusive)—And I should suggest to have "Notes left over" (pp 317 to 338) come last in the volume, & finishing it. Finally I give you the same privilege over the putting together of this, as my other volumes. (Is there any probability of a second edition of "Spec: Days"? Is it stereotyped?)
To the Publisher—For this Volume, the Preface, &c. I shall expect £10:10s (same as my other vols) and also 10 copies of the "Vistas" bound in roan. I wish the am't of the bill for the 50 copies "Spec:Days" (sent me three months ago,) deducted from the £10:10s and when you send the balance, send in P.O. order.
Respects & good will to all
Walt Whitman
Correspondent:
Ernest Percival Rhys
(1859–1946) was a British author and editor; he founded the Everyman's
Library series of inexpensive reprintings of popular works. He included a volume
of Whitman's poems in the Canterbury Poets series and two volumes of Whitman's
prose in the Camelot series for Walter Scott publishers. For more information
about Rhys, see Joel Myerson, "Rhys, Ernest Percival (1859–1946)," Walt
Whitman: An Encyclopedia, ed. J.R. LeMaster and Donald D. Kummings (New
York: Garland Publishing, 1998).
Notes:
1. This letter is addressed: Ernest Rhys | Care Walter Scott, Publisher | 24 Warwick Lane Paternoster | row | London | England. It is postmarked: Camden, N.J. | Sep 11 | 5 PM | 87; London E C | (?) | Sp 23 87 | (?). [back]
2. This letter illustrates Walt Whitman's careful, almost obsessive, supervision of every detail of publication. Although he granted Rhys authority to make adjustments as needs arose, in actuality he restricted Rhys's freedom. [back]
3. Whitman is referring to his letter to Ernest Rhys of September 8, 1887. [back]