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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

My dear Walt Whitman, I have just been reading your lines in the "Herald" for this morning, which hold

My adventures since leaving you have not been very startling, but they have been full of everyday life

Yesterday my good friend Cyrus Butler, a kind & wealthy old gentleman, took me quite a round of studios

Bucke's place on Wednesday, where I will look to send you a further note on my doings.

I have good news of my brother at last, & so am free to sail for England in a fortnight.

constipation, & bad kidney tribulation, day & night—but I am up & dressed & sitting here by the fire, & my

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.

Sometime when you are sending you can return me the article for my collection.

I keep up my spirits as well as I can, but find it all pretty depressing.

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

Sunday noon April 8 '88 It is very pleasant & sunny to-day & I am going out in the rig abt 1 o'clock to my

champagne—I enjoy everything—Nothing new with me—there seems to be some hitch in the Herald's publ'ng my

My health though poor is "the same subject continued"—I enc: K[enne]dy's letter from Wilson —(not important

cold cutting true sea brine)—I have not heard a word of the Worthington suit in N Y —not a word from my

Kennedy had written to Whitman: "Rhys continues his schemes on society's pocket-book, & demoralizes my

Camden Aug: 14 '88 Sunny & cool to-day—nothing new in my case—bowel action—my lines on Sheridan's burial

were printed in Herald Aug: 12—(I am beginning to keep my bits & contributions, poetic spurts &c. again

out still undecided—not before than October anyhow—I still have the design of making a 900 page Vol. my

memories to you—for I have them always for you—Was prostrated down with ab't the sixth recurrent attack of my

paralysis again and iron-bound constipation early last June & have been kept ever since in my sick room

Boughs" wh' I send a copy to you same mail with this—Also am finishing a big Vol. comprehending all my

ready for binder—I am still at 328 Mickle Street—have not been out doors for over six months—hardly out my

here & see me Friday noon, Dec: 7 I am up, had a partial bath, a bit of breakfast & am now sitting my

I used it at my talk last week. Think I shall put up another for my own use.

I find I can co-operate with them & do my work on common ground.

My exhibition will include a variety of things.

I am going to send for my Cleveland statue & your bust.

I felt like doffing my hat to old Dame nature.

is always welcome—John's good letter was rec'd this forenoon & is cheery & hospitable as always—Yes my

—I may come to New York & see you all—We will see how the cat jumps—I still remain in my sick room—tho

—This week so far the temperature has been just right here—My little booklet November Boughs is ab't

disjointed paper on "Elias Hicks" —the publication will be delayed yet a number of weeks—I am sitting up in my

My dear Uncle Walt: I thought you would like to see your little Kittie's face so send my photograph wishing

(from my dear friend, Little Kitty (14 yr's old) daughter of my friend Johnston the jeweler—with very

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

I bear your messages of love and remembrance to your many many friends in London, who without my privileges

Alys, my faithful secretary, joins me in the expression of the hearty affection with which I am always

afternoon & all last night—dont seem any improvement in strength or vim —dont yet get out at all of my

literary matters by a sort of trustee-board, yourself, Harned & Horace Traubel —& assigned all [of] my

worldly possessions to Ed, & to my sisters —the "Nov.

sufficient frequent bowel movements—had a very slim day all yesterday —a little easier to-day—but slow, slow—my

dark wet day—raining hard outside as I sit here by the window—am feeling pretty well—have just had my

unawares—invites to swell dinners (or societies &c) invariably declined—Am idle & monotonous enough in my

weeks & life here—but upon the whole am mighty thankful it is no worse—my buying this shanty & settling

D[avis] to cook for me, might have been bettered by my disposing some other way —but I am satisfied it

1888] I am about the same—Strangely somehow I don't get any more power in my body or legs—I feel pretty

as before—I have not left the room up stairs yet (now nine weeks)—the Doctor thinks it not best yet— My

all, & thought it best to hurry it done right off—But at present I am much as of late years, except my

few lines from Jeff (in St Louis)—I am now sitting in the big chair—Spend most of the day here—had my

Sunday Evng Sept: 2 '88 Your good letter just rec'd & here I am sending word back—still imprisoned in my

sick room—non-rehabilitated yet but middling well for all that—my booklet November Boughs ab't finish'd

—& a large vol. comprising all my stuff begun —I am here just at sunset—Love to you all old & young—I

especially such as this one: I was sitting at breakfast yesterday morning, when the lines came into my

longing to send you a word, but you can't imagine how hard it is for me to rouse myself to write, in my

my wretched lameness prevents me from exerting myself as I want to.

Despite my illness and inanition, I am all agog for the result.

"O for the light of another sun, With my Bazra sword in my hand!"

Heyden's "The Last Words of Al-Hassan" contains the lines "O Allah, for the light of another sun, / With my

I went first of all from Brooklyn to Washington to nurse some of my friends.

Well, I went just like that: I went 'on my own hook.'

"From Long Island I went with my parents and settled at Brooklyn.

For my part, I said, I thought Mr.

Gladstone's policy; and my wish, my desire, my animus, would certainly be on the side of the just, wise

serene as ever & getting on comfortably—had a present of some plump sweet partridges —& half one for my

American sent last night—I believe the books, printing &c. are going to eventuate satisfactorily from my

point of view & plans—no cyclone of success—but no special mishap—wh' is a great victory considering my

I send you the Transcript with my notice of November Boughs —hastily pencil-scrawled bet between jobs

on my proof desk.

I asked Traubel to tell you that Wilson (Glaswegian) had written me my book. cordially yrs yours W.S.Kennedy

Dear friend I am still here neither worse nor better—but keeping in my sick room & in the big old chair—have

had something to see to in printing my books & it has probably done me more good than harm—& it all

everything—George & Harry, as far as you know—& how are you yourself—I am sitting here alone up in my

room, writing this—Mrs: Davis has been an hour or two ago out to the City Hall to pay my taxes (over

It has been my effort not to grow querulous in my old age, but to have more faith and gayety of heart

Several of the poems I wrote there if left out of my works would be like losing an eye.

Sometimes I think my Western experiences a force behind my life work.

I think it due to the fact that my work was divided equally among both opposing forces and my poetic

I think I combine that with the spiritualistic inseparately in my books and theories.

Saturday morning, 1st December 1888 My dear Walt, I want to introduce to you my friend Edward Pease of

When my dear mother was initiating "The Free Will Offering" in London Edward Pease was the first to render

Camden noon Nov: 19 '88 Dear Lou I continue getting along pretty well considering—Eat my rations & sleep

for—have not written myself)—Coolish, dark, rainy here to-day—I am sitting here yet by the stove in my

The big book (all my writings collected complete) will be done in ab't a fortnight—I shall send you one

It is that part of my endeavor which has caused the harshest criticism and prevented candid examination

Still I have gone on adding, building up, persevering, so far as I am able to do, in my original intention

"I am not embittered by my lack of success.

My last volume is in response to the interest of my friends abroad."

My dear Sir: Would you be willing to entertain a proposition to cross this Autumn to England and deliver

From facts in my possession I am quite sure that you would be very successful for the cultured class

My friend and yours, R.

My friend, Jules Laforgue (who died only too prematurely) has already given to the public two of your

In expectation of your kind reply, Sir and dear poet, permit me to assure you of my sympathy in art and

of my profound admiration.

For my own part I have just had a glorious dinner of roast turkey and plum pudding and feel well!

My great anxiety now is to put meter matters in such shape that I may get to Phila and see yourself and

Traubel and see with my own eyes how things are with you.

New York Sunday 11/3/88 My dear Mr.

Whitman: You will remember my calling a few weeks back when I remember that I do so as a friend of Earl

I am as you know Wellesley Sayle an Englishman & am proud to be one of many thousands of my fellow countrymen

I shall most likely call at Phila on my way where I hope to have the pleasure of seeing you again.

My dear friend: I have just heard from Kennedy that your illness continues.

so glad that you have to help you so devoted a friend as young Traubel, and through you I give him my

hand and my thanks.

In these days the glorious words you have spoken about Death comes up in my mind, and I feel much as

INSANE, LONDON, ONTARIO London, Ont., 15 June 188 8 Since reaching home Wednesday evening I have had my

I wish I could drive you about them—the weather is charming here—I have in front of me, on my desk, here

in my office an enormous bouquet of snowballs, peonies, sweet flag &c Love to you RM Bucke I have gone

My opinion (not that it is worth any thing) is that this book of yours ought to have a sale and I think

Whitman on December 21, 1883, sent "A Backward Glance on My Own Road" to The North American Review and

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

My present woe is a festered pen finger, sore as death, and preventing me writing.

It is one of my afflictions, though without pain.—I will try to write soon.

Your book, a gift always to be handed down & treasured by my clan, reached me on my 55 th birthday, and

made me wonder that your November Boughs still hang so rich with color, while my October Leaves are

Camden pm April 26 '88 If it sh'd be quite pleasant weather Sunday my present intention is to drive down

No special news in my affairs—things much the same old way—Joe has stopt by the window a few minutes.

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

Camden Saturday Night Jan 14 '88 Have had my supper (some rice pudding & a cup of tea) & am sitting here

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

ab't our dear O'C—eagerly look for word —Matters so so with me—good bowel clearance to-day—word from my

friend Linton from Eng[land] to-day—he is well—Shall have some oysters for my dinner ab't 4—made my

On October 9, 1888, O'Connor wrote: "My eye is now under battery treatment (assault-and-battery treatment