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S.S. "British Prince." 1
Voy. No.
Sep. 16th 1891
My Dear Walt Whitman
For the sake of the good your works & life have done me I should have liked to have called on you to say
"Goodbye"—as I am retiring from the sea—but—I found a family affair, which caused me some
astonishment & some pain which took up all my time.
I hope to join the friends at Bolton Lancs 2 & to hear of you from time to time
Wishing you goodbye
I am yours sincerely
L. Morrell
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Correspondent:
As yet we have no
information about this correspondent, except that he must have been at least
loosely affiliated with the "Bolton College" group of Whitman disciples in
Bolton, England. While the Library of Congress catalogs this letter under "L.
Morrell," it is unclear that the signature actually is "L. Morrell."
Notes
- 1. This letter is addressed:
Walt Whitman | Mickle Street | Camden | N. J. It is postmarked: CAPE MAY | SEP | 17 | 7
PM | 1891 | N.J.; CAMDEN N.J. | SEP 19 | 10 AM | 91 | REC'D. [back]
- 2. The "Bolton College" was a
group of Whitman admirers located in Bolton, England. Founded by Dr. John
Johnston (1852–1927) and James William Wallace (1853–1926), the
group corresponded with Whitman and Horace Traubel throughout the final years of
the poet's life. For more information on Johnston, see Larry D. Griffin, "Johnston, Dr. John (1852–1927)," Walt
Whitman: An Encyclopedia, ed. J.R. LeMaster and Donald D. Kummings (New
York: Garland Publishing, 1998). For more information on Wallace, see Larry D.
Griffin, "Wallace, James William (1853–1926)," Walt
Whitman: An Encyclopedia, ed. J.R. LeMaster and Donald D. Kummings (New
York: Garland Publishing, 1998). [back]