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Charles L. Heyde to Walt Whitman, 25 November 1884

About This Item

  • Title: Charles L. Heyde to Walt Whitman, 25 November 1884
  • Date: November 25, 1884
  • Creator(s): Charles L. Heyde
  • Whitman Archive ID: duk.00397
  • Source: The Trent Collection of Whitmaniana, Duke University Rare Book, Manuscript, and Special Collections Library. Transcribed from digital images or a microfilm reproduction of the original item. For a description of the editorial rationale behind our treatment of the correspondence, see our statement of editorial policy.
  • Contributors to digital file: Alex Ashland Stefan Schöberlein Ian Faith Nicole Gray Kyle Barton Amanda J. Axley
  • Cite this page: Heyde, Charles L.. "Charles L. Heyde to Walt Whitman, 25 November 1884." The Walt Whitman Archive. Gen. ed. Matt Cohen, Ed Folsom, & Kenneth M. Price. Accessed 15 January 2025. <http://www.whitmanarchive.org>.
  • Source File: duk.00397.xml (TEI)
 duk.00397.001_large.jpg Van Ness and American Hotels,  
  BURLINGTON, VERMONT.  
 The "Van Ness House" has a Safety Hydraulic Passenger Elevator, Fire Escapes, Etc. 
  Fine Views of the Lakes and Mountains from all parts of the House.  
 U. A. WOODBURY, Proprietor.  
 L. S. DREW, Manager.  
 H. N. CLARK, Clerk.  
 VAN NESS HOUSE Burlington, Vt. 25, Nov 1884 Bro​ Walt.

Han1 is improving although very nervous: I suggested a dress: common, cheap calico one ready made which cannot be procured here: She has two or three cut: one late last spring: others years ago: She is unfortunate, proceeds so far with one, then puts it aside: no service to her now—She managed to wash an old one a few days ago: put it on: She has a craze for painting old woollen table covers, for effect in her small parlor: procured  duk.00397.002_large.jpgsome vermillion for her and gave her a brush: mixed the paint: she covered her arms and hands with it: body of her dress, and some on the skirt: daubs chair backs, and things generaly: I must humor her: her mind must have occupation: I put down her winter carpet on Sun. She is much pleased: retoned her oil cloth: shall black and put up her stove: then I shall run two coal fires constantly. Weather pleasant at times—then furious, blustering—freezing hard.

C. L. Heyde

Correspondent:
Charles Louis Heyde (ca. 1820–1892), a French-born landscape painter, married Hannah Louisa Whitman (1823–1908), Walt Whitman's sister, and they lived in Burlington, Vermont. Charles Heyde was infamous among the Whitmans for his offensive letters and poor treatment of Hannah. For more information about Heyde, see Steven Schroeder, "Heyde, Charles Louis (1822–1892)," Walt Whitman: An Encyclopedia, ed. J.R. LeMaster and Donald D. Kummings (New York: Garland Publishing, 1998).

Notes

  • 1. Hannah Louisa (Whitman) Heyde (1823–1908), youngest sister of Walt Whitman. For more, see Paula K. Garrett, "Whitman (Heyde), Hannah Louisa (d. 1908)," Walt Whitman: An Encyclopedia, ed. J.R. LeMaster and Donald D. Kummings (New York: Garland Publishing, 1998). [back]
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