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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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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 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

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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."

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.

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.

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.

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.

though momentary view of them, and then of their course on and on southeast, till gradually fading—(my

Moreover, just as his one successful lyrical poem, "My Captain," is enough to disprove all his theories

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

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

Camden N J Dec 9 '83 A young workingman & engineer, Edward Doyle, (brother of my dear friend Peter D.

Camden 1883 March 31 noon My dear friend I send you the second proofs—look over carefully for technicals

on L of G Leaves of Grass , & on certain primary & spinal literary laws—so assuring a pedestal for my

Despite Whitman's praise, O'Connor, on April 1, felt "dreadfully at the prospect your letter opens, of my

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

My opinion that the book is a success (in the most important requisites) is to-day more decided than

Did you see my article in Critic of Nov. 24?

reprint "Encyclopædia Brittanica"—I send you by express a little package of books—the three Vols. of my

me—mainly because it satisfies me best, upon the whole —What you say about Mrs Spofford's say lubricates my

Camden Aug 29 Have finished my Germantown visit & am back here.

Ritter —have indeed not sent copies to any except my sisters and neices nieces . Mrs.

New York City, has translated many of my poems in German, & published them.

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

English—he pays well, when suited—he always paid me well & gave me lots of taffy besides—but balked at my

I have been looking through the G[ood] G[ray] P[oet] as Dr B sent it in his copy, & it comes to my soul

In the margin of a copy, however, Whitman wrote: "my guess (at random) is that John Swinton is the writer

Camden March 16 '83 Noon My dear friend Yours of 14th & proofs of 1883 Letter rec'd received —All y'r

country, house, large library, garden—the family (they too special friends of mine) all away at Newport—my

Camden April 14 My dear friend I wish you would apply to the Librarian of Congress's office for the copyright

I am just starting for two or three days down in my Jersey woods retreat.

Camden June 13 '83 Evn'g Evening My dear friend The corrections you specified have been or will be made

on—not unfavorably at any rate—I am well as usual— W W I wish you would in your next tell me ab't about my

In 1888 Whitman observed: "Jeannie's death was the tragedy of their history—and a tragedy in my history

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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.

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

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

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