Title: the most definitely
Creator: Walt Whitman
Date: 1855
Whitman Archive ID: duk.00945
Source: Trent Collection of Whitmaniana, David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University. For a description of the editorial rationale behind our treatment of manuscripts, see our statement of editorial policy.
Editorial note: This fragmentary manuscript was almost certainly written in 1855, probably around or just after the publication of the first edition of Leaves of Grass. It appears to be part of a draft of a review essay by Whitman titled "An English and an American Poet." Whitman published the essay anonymously in the American Phrenological Journal in October 1855, and he also printed and included it with other reviews in some copies of the 1855 edition of Leaves of Grass. He printed the review yet again in a section of reviews called "Opinions. 1855–6" at the end of the 1856 edition.
Related item: A prose note is written on the back of the manuscript leaf. See duk.00154.
Contributors to digital file: Nicole Gray and Ken Price
[cut away] the most definitely [cut away] for p polished [cut away] [cut away] his poetry [cut away] is not indifferent does not ignore [cut away] of men, [cut away] dandyfied forms.— [cut away] and American [cut away] the last first degree, [cut away] through nature, [cut away] them in the [cut away]erence which [cut away] repeatable terrible license [cut away] not take the [cut away] in its secondary [cut away] universe. The [cut away] landscape painted [cut away] men and women [cut away] [mannies?] and [cut away]ays, with heroism [cut away] is in print.— [cut away]te best they can that poetry [cut away]e of the universe [cut away] —painting [Copies?], [cut away] weeping after [cut away]