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Lincoln and celebrating ill contain the Russell Lowell election from , state papers and lett to inclu My

Commemoration Ode," which has often, since its publication, been contrasted with Whitman's own tribute, "O Captain

My Captain!" For further information on Whitman's views of Lowell, see William A.

Milwaukee, July 14th 1888 My dear Walt I was very very glad to get a letter from you yesterday.

that you are gaining again—I was very sorry that I could not get back to Camden—but I had to go with my

Sentenced to death after serving as captain of engineers in the Parliamentary Army during the revolution

Whitman's housekeeper, took care of both Harry and Warren after the death of their father, the sea captain

Traubel writes: "Changed his cover design at McKay's [at] my suggestion.

I keep it among my records" (Monday, November 26, 1888).

On July 31, he wrote John Burroughs that he had "finished (sent all copy) my little Nov: Boughs."

reads, in its entirety, "The two songs on this page are eked out during an afternoon, June, 1888, in my

No word yet from Wm Gurd in re meter—I shall not be able to fix the time of my going East untill until

On October 20, 1888, O'Connor had written Bucke that "a month ago my right eye closed, and the lid had

Earlier that year, January 23, 1888, O'Connor had described one of his attacks for Bucke:"My state of

I sat down to dinner, suddenly felt a curious still feeling, pushed back my chair, and became perfectly

The room was lighted, and four doctors were around me, and my wife and a couple of neighbors.

It was a tough of apoplexy, incident to my malady the doctor said, and a small blood vessel in my head

to-day —he sends me the enclosed little slip from O'C —the condition is bad, & I feel pretty gloomy ab't my

of this last attack—I only wish I could feel so, or even approximate it—But any how thank God so far my

thoughts & mental power are entirely within my control—I have written a short letter to Critic (by their

request) on the "poet" question (wh' they may print) —My sister—George's wife —has just paid me a good

K. is in Boston at a Symphony Concert and a precious ½ hour for my soul being at my disposal I feel a

strong inner impulse to pour out here in the evening solitude, my heart to you in a genuine heart-letter

O'Connor to Bucke on October 20, 1888 mentioned that "a month ago my right eye closed, and the lid had

My friend Carpenter —one of your best friends—has sent me a copy of his "Songs of Labour"; containing

I cannot express my feelings in this Commercial language, when writing to people I love, and do not try

Whitman, late in life, said to Horace Traubel: "[I] take my Ruskin with some qualifications."

Whitman: "Because you have, as it were, given me a ground for the love of men I thank you continually in my

been very bleak & cold here but better & sunny to day—I am quite unwell, but keep up & around & eat my

meals in moderation—(an old fellow who comes here said to me as I was eating my supper "No extremes

On January 13, 1888, Burroughs wrote: "My domestic skies are not pleasant & I seem depressed & restless

Indeed I am thinking strongly of selling my place. I am sick of the whole business of housekeeping.

volumes of Horace Traubel's With Walt Whitman in Camden (various publishers: 1906–1996) and Whitman's "My

lines of greeting in Munyon's Illustrated World, combining as they do the cradle and evening song of my

My brother writers have been very generous to me and I heartily thank them for it" (see also Horace Traubel

Commonplace Book added a few details: "He will sell me the plates of Spec: Days for $150—he gives consent to my

Days for my complete works edition—500 or 600 copies." (Whitman's Commonplace Book; Charles E.

date & name of magazine & if so I will tell you—Your letter came last evn'g—Have had beef & onions for my

Whitman referred to Rossetti's edition as a "horrible dismemberment of my book" in his August 12, 1871

them)—I enclose Ernest Rhys's letter, just rec'd —also two letters for you—I believe they still print my

Ralph Waldo Emerson, Ellen Emerson, and Sanborn: "There was a general agreement with my position."

'88 Thanks dear Kitty, dear friend, dear girl, for the beautiful photo—it is indeed beautiful—give my

On December 17, 1888, Katherine (Kitty) wrote to "My dear Uncle Walt": "We have once more made a nest

Whitman referred to Rossetti's edition as a "horrible dismemberment of my book" in his August 12, 1871

Camden 10½ a m Dec: 20 '88 Am getting along—more favorably turning than the other—relish'd my mutton-broth

Dante's filmy ghosts, rushing by with mere gibberish)—yes it is mainly all autobiographic environ'd with my

they are strengthening me & I wish to send you these few words of thanks & gratitude for the sake of my

dead love & my living grief.

My domestic skies are not pleasant & I seem depressed & restless most of the time.

Indeed I am thinking strongly of selling my place. I am sick of the whole business of housekeeping.

volumes of Horace Traubel's With Walt Whitman in Camden (various publishers: 1906–1996) and Whitman's "My

Whitman: "Because you have, as it were, given me a ground for the love of men I thank you continually in my

Camden Tuesday Early PM July 17 '88 Pleasant weather warmish but not hot—my body strength & head grip

Mitchell suggested it yesterday afternoon—I feel better I suppose as I sit here, but my head is thick

to 92 inclusive proof sheets, those are all the printers given me to date—I am still sitting up—have my

Burroughs was still depressed: "I try to keep absorbed in my farm operations.

this mn'g from NY Herald, from J G B[ennett] himself ask'g me to write for the paper —I have just had my

Kossabone"; February 27, "Mannahatta"; February 29, "Paumanok"; March 1, "From Montauk Point"; March 2, "My

"Life"; April 16, "To Get the Final Lilt of Songs"; April 23, "To-day and Thee"; May 2, "Queries to My

Jan 10 '88 Am sitting here by the fire alone early afternoon & will write you a few lines—have had my

machine—After a dark storm, (with snow,) nearly a week, the sun is out this afternoon & there is a half-thaw—My

Nothing delights me more—my limitations are so many.

names, sometimes Southerners, sometimes Western or other writers of only one or two pieces,) deserve in my

Camden March 15 '88 Everything continuing on ab't the same with me—was out to dinner at my friends the

here—the throat trouble still—otherwise well—O'C[onnor] is taking massage treatment —the H[erald] has paid my

Whitman occasionally referred to Stafford as "My (adopted) son" (as in a December 13, 1876, letter to

Camden Wednesday Evn'g: Aug: 22 '88 Still keeping in my sick room.

My brother Eddy that was at Moorestown is now at Blackwoodtown. Is well.

Whitman occasionally referred to Stafford as "My (adopted) son" (as in a December 13, 1876, letter to

Camden 3rd Jany. 188 8 Your card of 24 th Dec. came two days ago, not a little to my relief.

He lives in the next street to Cowley St. from which by the way I may have to move shortly as my sister

this at the Reading Room of British Museum, & must end it rather hurriedly having to run off to meet my

Whitman: "Because you have, as it were, given me a ground for the love of men I thank you continually in my

My dear Sir, Yours of 27 January, and Leaves of Grass, received.

I hope that you did not consider my request for your photograph impertinent.

and therefore my allusion to it.

that I did my best—however—perhaps I soared too high—in addressing Barbarians.

I had told Dowden of my not having received any reply to my cards or letters and my apprehension that

My dear friend, Again a few lines to you.

The past summer & fall have laid me up again, & I am now entering the sixth month of confinement in my

I have also a big 900 page Vol. nearly ready, combining all my writings, last revisions, &c.

If so I send him my affectionate remembrances—I am sitting by my oak-wood fire writing this (cold but

Love & thanks to you, my friend, & best best regards to my Irish friends all.

Belmont Mass Oct 20 '88 My dear W.W.

Mrs K. is in Boston at a Symphony Concert and a precious ½ hour for my soul being at my disposal I feel

We are rolling out 90–100 books at once, & every page must pass under my eye twice & receive my fecit

before it goes out,—my guarantee.

I must stop & copy a page or so (my daily stint) of my Whitman bibliography (sawdusty job rather, but

letter came in the noon mail & I will write a few lines—Glad to hear little Susie is well & send her my

bring the chicken for me—it will be acceptable—Herbert was here this forenoon but did not come up to my

(painting most likely) on the carpet—at any rate I tho't he looks hearty & well—I am still kept in my

I almost doubt if I ever will—weakness extreme—I have sold the mare & phæton—I sold her for a song—my

and one big 900 Vol. to contain all my works—you shall have them, when ready—Harry too—I send my love

Whitman occasionally referred to Stafford as "My (adopted) son" (as in a December 13, 1876, letter to

here is this old Africa & very unhappy send a message to you in America who are helping me to bear my

They were among the last things we ever read together but a few weeks ago in England when my life seemed

I am reading your poems now again alone & in the bitterness of my heart in this place to which I have

come to struggle with my sorrow.

dead love & my living grief.

& my works' future—the backward & contemporary reference.

less evidences of gradual physical deterioration —but spirits good—appetite &c fair—& you know I begin my

70th year now in ab't two months—thank God indeed that things are as well as they are & that I & my

fortunes (literary & otherwise) are—Rainy & dark & raw here all day—I was out yesterday four hours to my

friends the Harneds —was taken & bro't back in my phæton —a lull in my Herald contributions —I send

My dear father-confessor, I feel a strong desire to be clasped closer to yr your breast, to know my friend

—Well, there, my eye lights on my memorandum of it.

I have not time to copy out my translation. affec. as always W.S.

I offer my congratulations in advance.

that item about my reading proofs) before I give him the MS.

My dear Sir : I should like, if I can do so without impertinence, to send you my grateful thanks for

You have, through them, infused into my life and into the lives of many others, a fresher, healthier

I send you a paper which I read in October last in Warrington, Lancashire, and let my sincerity and enthusiasm

be my excuse for the utter inadequacy of treatment of a subject I both love and revere.

I remain, my dear sir, with grateful thanks, Thomas Tylston Greg.

March 7: '88 I was really astonished to hear my quondam college mate—young Henry Norman —was the one

I was in the first flush of my enthusiasm for you; had just read you for the first time, & after a while

matter increases my esteem.

Charity, charity, man, I keep saying (& think of my own grievous sins).

I send you a Transcript marked, and also send you my love in unlimited quantities.

Mebbe Maybe no, & mebby maybe yes," quoth my Italian. I sent Mrs.

Davis the Register with report of my modeling in the church.

I fear my hero belongs to an impossible age.

What 'hinders my going over the whole country?

My health is "boss," & I feel like raging about. Keep so, so.

I am afraid you will think my promise to write to you was not sincere but I have had very little time

to myself for letter writing but now that I have set about to redeem my word I hope it will be welcome

To begin at the beginning of my visit I spent nearly three weeks in New York with Mr. & Mrs.

my visit so far very much.

about and turn my face once more towards Burlington.

Whitman Camden Dear Sir I trust you will pardon me for intruding upon you—after you read my letter—I

I am oh so very glad—but not so with me—on the contrary I am gradually growing worse—my case is called

I was first attacked in my right eye last Oct. it passed off and in April it again showed itself in the

side of my face roof of my mouth tongue & throat—I can only swallow liquid food. my speech is badly

better or strongly—the bowel movement is just right (a great favorable point daily or every other daily)—my

you Pearsall Smith's note wh' is favorable & you will want to know—the remains cool & pleasant to-day—My

My dinner is just here & I relish it— W W Steamship Aller June 20th. 1888.

My dear Friend — It was with much regret that we felt compelled to leave you in your sickness last week

Our passage across the whole way has been nearly as smooth as a duck pond, and my health has been very

summer—the serious attack warded off again—but extreme weakness of legs and body remaining—Keeping me in my

sick room so far—yet my usual mentality & good heart continued— My little new 140 page $1.25 booklet

I am to have all my books printed & bound in one large 900 page Vol. too, ("Walt Whitman Complete") soon

ready—I am sitting in my room writing this, body almost paralyzed— Walt Whitman Walt Whitman to Karl

Belmont My Dear Walter (as poor Emerson wd would say) I some weeks ago devised a cunning scheme for getting

I took up the idea & having my time at my disposal, I am going to work you up a lecture.

Do you think you will be able to come by that time, my dear friend?

I have never heard you either read or lecture & shall be a thousand times repaid for my trouble. aff—

"Last of Ebb" is my favorite. William Sloane Kennedy to Walt Whitman, 28 August 1888

I am still kept in my sick room, (but no worse)—My book printing goes on smoothly—My "Notes," such as

they are, on E[lias] H[icks] among the rest—the bunch of golden rods on my table as I write— Walt Whitman

Louis, Mo., Jan. 26th, 1888 My dear Jessie My darling girl , I enclose you a check for $50, hoping it

before you leave Burlington I got home from Ark yesterday, after a pretty hard time—I had to abandon my

I suppose I shall be gone about a week  Mr Smith of Leavenworth was at my office on Monday last and came

to—No I must make the best of what is wanted now—I presume I shall have lots of time after awhile— Well my

place—and if he does I would like to have you go Nothing new with me—I am feeling fairly well—except I have my

Law Offices JEROME BUCK, 206 BROADWAY, NEW YORK, October 16 188 8 My dear Sir, Please accept my lasting

I sought only thro' through Tom Harned a line from your hand to place in my copy of 'Leaves of Grass.

If you ever come my way I know a place hard by, where a bottle of the reddest Burgundy may be found that

I am my dear Mr Whitman Gratefully & faithfully yours Jerome Buck For Walt Whitman Esquire Camden NJ

arrangements and returned and told him all about it which pleased him very much, he put his arms around my

another room and when it got close to the wall an oven door opened and in went the rod and pan with my

friend vanishing away like a snow flake before my eyes. that thought then as well as now crowded into

These are part of what thoughts were crowding in my brain as I stood watching for one hour till my friend

Cooper vanished away before my eyes. so I felt I must tell you that there is a new Crematory built in

spell—ten days, two of them quite serious—but am somewhat better—am sitting up anyhow writing this, but my

brain is flabby—my grip weak—The doctor speaks of a pronounc'd gastric trouble, from long indigestion—No

Solitude" —have no doubt it is a total invention (not to use the word fraud wh' is perfectly proper)—my

are a good many such—it might be worth while to stamp them peremptorily in future—I have included all my

a good strong willing nurse , & good doctoring watch—I send my love & memories to Mrs: F., to Baxter,

My eye got open at last, but is still bleary and bad."

the best last news of Wm —Quite certainly I am weathering—to all appearance—this ab't sixth whack of my

war paralysis—(thanks mainly I opine to a sound strong body heredity from my dear father & mother)—I

am still keeping my room—shall attempt a mild raid soon—take no medicines—have finished (sent in all

copy) my little Nov: Boughs —Horace Traubel is a noble faithful fellow—Weather continues superb— Walt

Camden Friday Evn'g Oct: 19 '88 It is dark & I have had my dinner & am sitting by the fire & gas light—anchor'd

& tied in my old big democratic chair & room, the same as all summer, now in the fall & soon the long

winter & (if I live) probably through all—I have been occupied most of the afternoon writing my autographs—there

are to be 600 for the Edition of my complete writings—it will be ab't 900 pages, & include all —a last

I wait with anxiety—I told you ab't my dear friend John Burroughs being here—he is now back at West Park

But I have a good fire in my office, have just had a good dinner of roast turkey and potatoes boiled

Augustine Birrell), so I feel that I can defy the Pope the Devil and the Pretender—(an old expression of my

the same blessing"—seriously I trust all is going well with you—and with the big book —I hope to get my

There is nothing further from Gurd and I feel my patience wearing thin again—all quiet and going well

is a year today since our fire—hope it will be a good many untill until the next —I had a proof of my

good week so far—am either throwing off (or easying) some of the worst bad subjections and grips — My

combined, comprehended at one glance—and here it is—of course I shall send you a copy— I am sitting yet in my

sick room now in my usual big chair by the oak wood fire, & alone.

I have plenty visitors enough & good ones—my appetite & sleep are fair—I have a new helper & nurse, a

I think of you every day—& most all my friends coming here ask ab't you—I rec'd the letter last week

Wilson of Glasgow, encouraging me to go on & get subscribers for my "Walt Whitman,"— saying that I may

you be willing (I hardly dare to ask it) to send me for two yr book of addresses (sent by Express at my

(I keep up my bibliogr. record always (in the "Whitman")] I made a trip to the art museum recently to

Baxter has gone to Arizona, & left bust in my care.

Kennedy My idea is to charge $5. or a guinea for the vol. & print it in good style.

Feb 22. 1888 Richmond - Ind Dear Walt; Last night was my first real attempt at the kind of splurge we

I began by a ten minute reading as a sort of "prayer" or prelude, & then turned to my clay & modeled

I had your photos there—& many others, with my busts of Hicks, Sumner, Emerson, & my little head of mother—We

I wish I had photos of my big busts of you & of the statuette, negatives small size fit for stereopticon

Next Sunday's Register will print my opening remarks & give a account of the evening I shall send you