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consideration is swallowed up in the consciousness that you like what I have written—that you feel that my

My principal corrections—the ones I feel specially desirous to have made are as follows: I.

Bucke sent me my foot-note, and I have made the change (Page 100.).

to think of anything—in fact, I have been in too much trouble to think effectually—that is to give my

Dear Walt: I have been so ill, and so burdened with the office charge, being scarcely able to hold my

of Bacon's Promus —a strong anti- Shakespere Shakespeare document—which hurt the book immensely, and my

Walt Whitman (Don't forget to return my Times article sometime.) William D.

I am in great mourning that I can't get my reply to Richard Grant White on the Bacon-Shakespeare matter

I hope, therefore, my paragraphing may be permitted by the benignant printer.

I was horrified to learn that my footnote about Lowell was set as per copy.

The note, I guess, will have to stand as it is, for I am at the disadvantage of having left my annotated

My name is Promptness. Good printer-man, thou, too, be not obdurate, but grant me a revise!

I am rummaging my memory for an epigraph for the appendix, as you requested.

I am rejoiced at what you say of my contribution, but feel dreadfully at the prospect your letter opens

, of my paragraphing being changed.

I could bear with equanimity anything but that—especially the breaking up of my running account of the

Besides, you told me I was to have my way. I will write you again after I get the revise.

never been translated) and send you a version of some of his splendid sentences; and when I collect my

I am afraid, too, that the Doctor overstates my proficiency in Elizabethan letters.

As I read it, my main thought was whether it would do good or harm, and I am still in dubiety on this

Shouldn't wonder if the book, and especially my share in it, would make an enormous row!

The title page is very handsome, and the Lucretian motto delights my soul.

Dear Walt: I have sent you the MS of my letter to Bucke.

The collection of my anti-Comstock letters has been positively prevented up to date, by simple lack of

I was thinking of you when I wrote the first and third of my three reasons against transfer.

Do you see my dilemma?

I aimed, also, in my contribution to the volume, to add to its interest and attractiveness.

If anything happens to prevent my leaving on Monday, I will let you know of my detention.

Bucke writes me that you like my Introductory. Faithfully W. D. O'Connor. Walt Whitman. William D.

struck out half a dozen absurd lines at the end of the Properly speaking, I suppose I ought to retain my

A line has been dropped from my reply to Lanman.

If the appendix is wholly composed of my compositions, and if Dr.

, but we writing-fellows think no small beer of ourselves, and I don't propose to be singular among my

The Nation this week (I have just seen it) does not print my reply, which may have come too late, and

getting the Critic of June 16, for which Brentano sent for me, and find that the item I copied into my

"A horse, a horse—my kingdom for a horse!" WDO'C William D.

I wish you would see that the printer puts all names of books into italics , as my copy indicated.

One thing I must beg, that you will restore to its place in the text so much of Emerson's letter as my

It is absolutely necessary to my point on Cook that the letter should stand right up there and face him

entirely to my taste.

It is probable that my state is reaction from the severe work of the winter at Washington.

I am getting better, and hope soon to be myself again—A bandaged hand prevents my writing, and everything

As soon as I get the free use of my hand, I will write to him, as you suggest.

Nothing will ever please me like knowing that my Bucke letter stands as it does with you.

"Well, then," rejoined the other, "I think your sister is the ugliest girl I ever saw in my life."

want the to appear as it was in the pamphlet, a form which always pleased us both, and you will see by my

with a carefully transcribed printer's copy of the pamphlet, and it is evident that the galoot has had my

My Good Gray reads really well in the new version. I had no idea it was so good!!

If I get a revise, I will correct: if not, you please have an "s" put on to my "lightning"—it is more

My lameness is very bad, and I am very exhausted before many hours pass each day.

My special trouble now is what they call schlerosis —an induration of the lower part of the spinal cord

I have never been troubled with costiveness in all my life, but now, like yourself, I have a partial

paralysis of the bowels, and must, under medical orders, resort to artificial means, and this is my remedy

I also enclose a press copy of my reply, and of the note I subsequently addressed with the MS to the

Montgomery wrote me a very kind note, saying that the editor wouldn't print my article for "professional

I was quite ill and weighed down with lassitude when I wrote it,—spurred only by my indignation.

Upon its return from the , I had a vague wandering notion of sending it to the Critic , as my blue pencil

a heavy cold on the chilly Sound boat in returning from Providence, which increased seriously after my

return, and developed into a bad attack of erysipelas, with which my head and face were well covered

He was so pleased with the epigraph, and so particularly pleased, as it seemed, with my enthusiastic

for Comstock, and shows that he is on the descending plane, down which I hope, and indeed heard, that my

He took my dare beautifully meek, I must say.

Another on page 74 (very bad) where my sturdy "I vaunt it and I stand by it," is spoiled by being rendered

Philadelphia —( Pub'r Publisher of my books) I will send you one soon as it is out—I am well, for me—have

Camden May 31 '83 The publisher having placed a few advance copies in paper of Dr Bucke's WW at my disposal

I mean exactly what I said in my last. W W Walt Whitman to William Sloane Kennedy, 31 May 1883

26: "I am glad to . . . go to battle in a good cause, but I am not exultant about it, I have made up my

I suppose look ab't about the same—(perhaps grayer & redder)—though young enough in spirit & now in my

My two books bring me in a moderate income —I am satisfied with very plain living—& bless the Lord I

am likely to have enough for that as long as I need— Tom, give my best regards to your wife, for all

am well as usual—always glad to hear from you—hope we shall be together again one of these days—give my

United States, in their present devouring relations, controlling and belittling everything else, are, in my

not finding me at McKay's come right over here, as it is only 20 minutes to get here, & the cars pass my

door—look'd for you all the afternoon—the sorest pinch is I feel now it is all my bungling fault.

anecdote of Lady Dilke too pleased me) — Every thing goes on pretty much the same with us here in Camden—my

sister quite up to her standard of health—not plus , but not minus either—my brother a little on the

My books doing—L. of G. sales have been good— Specimen Days not so good yet, but I am satisfied.

I have been a reader of your writings for the last ten years or so and have in my humble way done my

(Indeed I have evinced the sincerity of my belief in you by going farther in its expression than most

Not in the slightest degree do I regret taking this step for I look upon you as one of my teachers and

as such owe you my debt of gratitude)" (The Library of Congress, Washington D.C.).

431 Stevens Street Camden, New Jersey Nov. 23, '83 My friends I am puzzled considerably—Nov 12 I sent

Chew on what I said in my last —the position you occupy in your printed books is just what it should

a visit to very kind Quaker folks, particular friends of mine —had a good time—good grub—a horse to my

I am well as usual—nothing very new with my affairs (but the last six or eight months has kind of gone

You left out my remarks on 'Children of Adam', I believe they were good but I acquiesce—your additions

credit than the Author—I am really surprised at the tact and judgement you have displayed in putting my

stay here perhaps the ensuing week—The family, (& a fine one they are) are at Newport for the summer—my

combination of character from any you ever saw—& one I am sure you would like—And then the father himself, my

am only middling well—seem to be getting clumsier than ever, more loguey —rheumatic & other ailments—My

living near a railroad— —I am well as usual— WW London Ont Ontario Canada, Nov November 28– 83 1883 My

I am up in my little room writing this while my patients are sadly pacing up and down the hall.

Have 42 men in my charge. Will have to close for the present so good-bye.

I returned to-day from a three days visit to my Quaker friends at Germantown—they have tip top horses

—Sometimes I think you must be sick— —I am about as usual—I am writing this after 9 at night up in my

cooking—Otherways I have been here in C. all the time, have done a little work writing, but nothing much,—My

little talk—did me good to meet them—I dont don't think Jersey has two nicer looking boys—I was on my

got there I found the elder A. was dead & buried —so I have just had to write the sad intelligence to my

431 Stevens Street Camden New Jersey March 6 '83 My dear Stoddart I have rec'd received your letter enclosing

Camden New Jersey December 18 '83 Yours of 17th with the pay ($10) for my piece has come safely to hand

with the right direction so you can write to Harry London Ont Ontario Canada Dec December 17th 83 1883 My

Haven't heard from home directly but once since my arrival.

Evn'g Evening Dear neices nieces I have received the beautiful book-knife—Just the thing, & will be in my

In his reply on April 29, Herbert noted that "John Burroughs was very violent against my intaglio."

for the copy German rendering " Cradle Endlessly Rocking " & for all the other German renderings of my

you have sent me, & which I carefully keep, & prize—Dr R M Bucke has just published a book about me & my

poems—& having two or three advance copies (in paper) at my disposal I should like to send you one.

never mind, I appreciate them gratefully —I am well as usual this summer—nothing very new ab't about my

books or literary fortunes— I shall make a permanent move from Camden before many months—as my brother's

I have just mailed you my two Volumes, Leaves of Grass and Specimen Days —Won't you kindly send me a

He was living in what my memory pictures as almost a slum, & his bedroom was not exactly tidy.

from you quite a while ago (from Johnstown, Pa: Pennsylvania ) you mention some German translations of my

Camden Monday Evng Evening Feb 26 '83 At the breakfast table this morning we all agreed—my sister most

Or during my tedious sickness and first paralysis ( '73 1873 ) how you used to come to my solitary garret-room

and make up my bed, and enliven me, and chat for an hour or so—or perhaps go out and get the medicines

Pete, give my love to dear Mrs. and Mr.

431 Stevens street Camden N J Jan: January 25 '83 My dear friends Would "the Bible as Poetry" suit you

round—over the ferry & up Market street, Phila Philadelphia , & stop occasionally at 23 south 9th st. where my

Now that my two books, prose and the poems, are out, I hardly know what to strike for—what to look forward

republished in Scotland & L. of G. is being translated in Germany — Tuesday night 10½— I am finishing my

letter—Never mind, Harry, dear—we'll make it all right when we meet—I have just written to your mother—Well my

Camden Feb 23 p m I have just come back from my delightful Quaker visit—& find your MS roll, all right—It

Have just been looking over the "Transfer" pamphlet you sent—pages 46, '7, to which you call'd my attention

I am curious to see the Carlyle-Emerson letters—(had not heard before about my being in them) —You hit

be call'd—it was the interference, doubtless hard lying , of others—there was & is a little knot of my

I was thinking of you when I wrote the first and third of my three reasons against transfer" (see Horace