Anna Hatch to Walt Whitman, 4 November 1891

 loc_tb.00068.jpg Walt Whitman,1 Dear Comrade:—

Conventional etiquette would compel me to say "Mr Whitman" but to me it would detract from your greatness hence I persist and address you as Walt Whitman  loc_tb.00071.jpg  loc_tb.00070.jpg Whom I wish to thank for 3 things.

First—for being born just when you were, 2nd for having the courage and manhood to write and "cast upon the waters."—"Leaves of Grass"—

I have long wished to take the honest hand  loc_tb.00069.jpg  loc_tb.00072.jpg and look in the honest eyes, of the man who was possessed of knowledge courage & persistence sufficient to write and publish such thoughts;—But increased invalidism has prevented my meeting the wisest man of this age—one  loc_tb.00075.jpg  loc_tb.00074.jpg who has shown that nought​ in nature is base or vile, only as we make it so, by base uses—That the "Soul of Things" must be reached through the channel of nature—We must have our feet planted (so to speak)  loc_tb.00073.jpg  loc.02260.005_large.jpg in the soil in order to touch heaven with our souls—

Thirdly & last, though not least, I must thank you for preserving your cheerfulness serenity & kindly spirit through it all—I  loc.02260.006_large.jpg am writing (or scratching rather) for my good, to satisfy my own soul—So pardon me & I trust the reading of this will not weary you

With kindest thoughts and regard Truly Mrs Anna Hatch Nov 4 1891 Shepard Franklin Co Ohio  loc.02260.007_large.jpg  loc.02260.008_large.jpg Anna Hatch Shephard

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Notes

• 1. This letter is addressed: Walt Whitman | Camden | New Jersey— It is postmarked: SHEPARD | NOV | 8 | 1891 ; CCAMDEN, N.J. | NOV 1[illegible] | 91 | REC'D. [back]