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The article you sent Nelly
I wonder if young William Allingham wrote it.
Anyhow it's good and I shall put a great deal of it in.
If, ever since I have been here, I had not had the worst cold I ever had in my
life—a cold which has made me really sick and spoiled the pleasure of my
visit—I should doubtless have ere this sent off the MS to Curtis.
On my way through New York I enquired at Harpers for Curtis
and found he was out of town. So I brought the MS with me
up here. Then came Curtis' answer; of which I
I really did not expect so much from Curtis. I relied on his literary chivalry, but did not look for the rest. As George would say, he has "elements."
I have written to him saying that I want him to endeavor to find me a publisher and
mentioning Hurd & Houghton: also saying that in a few days I shall send him the
MS.
I wish you could come
I am staying here Leaves of
Grass. The first thing she read in the book was Enfans
d'Adam, which she cordially liked and wondered how anyone could mistake its
atmosphere and purport. She is a very particular friend
I shall probably leave here about the twenty fifth and go to Boston. Then, home.
Spite of dear friends and respite from the treadmill and the superb October scenery,
I have had considerably of a bad time, chiefly owing to the horrible cold I have had
and
Now I hope to be able to announce to you that the MS has a
publisher. But oh, Walt, the literary shortcomings of it oppress me. It is not the
thing that should be said of your book—not the thing that it is in even me to
say,—as I feel.—However.
Good bye. I will write you again.
Here, up among the Autumn hills, I get your interesting letter of the 20th and you may be very sure that I will do all I can to redress the wrong of which you speak.
The task you undertake is not easy, as you know. The public sympathy will be with the
Secretary for removing a man who will be considered an obscene author and a free
lover. But your hearty vindication
Personally I do not know Whitman; and while his "Leaves of Grass" impressed me less
than it impressed many better men than I, I have never heard anything of him but what
was noble nor believed anything of him but what was honorable. That a man should be
expelled from Office and held up to public contumely, because of an honest book which
no candid mind can truly regard as hurtful to public morality, is an offence which demands exposure and censure.
I know Carleton but he has several times asked of me favors which I could not grant
and I do not believe your offer would be strengthened if made through me.
It was very pleasant to see your comely chirography again, altho' I wish I could think of you as having had some vacation. We have been here for two months, far from railroads, telegraphs and gossip and are just going home. My wife returns your friendly remembrance and yours, I hope, has not forgotten me. I should be glad, too, if I thought you felt as cheerfully as I feel at the real gain in the Good Fight made by the war. Andy may Tylerize, but the country will not. The wave may be lower, but the tide is rising.
Good bye. Let me hear as soon as you will. You