Han2 improving still. We feel no anxiety, yet are watchfull —Dr Brigham3 attends her solely, he so much
resembles in person and deportment her old and revered friend Dr Thayer4—who allways felt and displayed, practicaly the warmest sympathy for her—Dr Rutherford5 had
insisted on my employing a murse, to dwell in the house with us, but Brigham assured
us that it was not required; that she would improve in a few days, and a very kind,
sisterly neighbor duk.00408.002_large.jpg
Mrs Leach,6 volunteerd to come in daily and personaly arrange her bed, and administer to her comfort, in other ways. I assure
you, Walt, that at one time I was cast down—therefore you will excuse me for
appealing to you, as I have done—Han injoined me strictly not to inform you
of her sickness that it would worry you, but I consider her in extreme danger, and
felt it to be my duty to let her friends know, and I am [illegible]
you would have censured me severely, in event she had [illegible]
recoverd—But she must not yet know that I have written you, she will be
uneasy, as to its effect upon you—Address to me, therefore, care of Post
Master Beckwith7—I think she will gain speedily, with
caution. The climate at present bad—
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).