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surrounded by blatherers, and always impregnable—the perpetual coming of immigrants—the wharf-hemmed cities

all climates and the uttermost parts—the noble character of the young mechanics, and of all free American

enterprise—the perfect equality of the female with the male—the large amativeness—the fluid movement of the population

," &c.** "For such the expression of the American poet is to be transcendent and new."

Alexander Wilson (1766-1813) and John James Audobon (1785-1851) were both acclaimed ornithologists and

Alexander Wilson (1766-1813) and John James Audobon (1785-1851) were both acclaimed ornithologists and

If I were to suspect death, I should die now.

I knew a man…he was a common farmer… he was the father of five sons…and in them were the fathers of sons

…and in them were the fathers of sons.

and visit him to see…He was wise also, He was six feet tall…he was over eighty years old…his sons were

where I was born, Well-begotten, and raised by a perfect mother; After roaming many lands—lover of populous

pavements; Dweller in Mannahatta ‡ , city of ships, my city— or on southern savannas; Or a soldier camped

probably had in his pockets while we were talking.

that men and women were flexible, real, alive! that everything was alive!

To think of all these wonders of city and country, and others taking great interest in them—and we taking

republican egotism: "What very properly fits a subject of the British crown, may fit very ill an American

Sure as the heavens envelop the earth, if the Americans want a race of bards worthy of 1855, and of the

only one man…he is the father of those who shall be fathers in their turns, In him the start of populous

Leaves of Grass," of the Brooklyn poet who describes himself in one of them as: "Walt Whitman, an American

spite of all the freedom which has budded and bloomed since that year 1616, when his sacred ashes were

before introducing us to his poetry, to enlighten our benighted minds as to the true function of the American

The Americans of all nations at any time upon the earth have probably the fullest poetical nature.

peace is the routine out of him speaks the spirit of peace, large, rich, thrifty, building vast and populous

statistics as far back as the records reach is in you this hour—and myths and tales the same; If you were

backtop, The faces of hunters and fishers, bulged at the brows …the shaved blanched faces of orthodox citi

We were aware of this, and expected in an American poet some one who would sing for us gently, in a minor

And to explain it evident and sufficient causes were producible, and were produced.

The splendour, picturesqueness, and oceanic amplitude and rush of these great cities, the unsurpassed

but such a picture only represents the worst side of the life of great cities.

Only I will establish in the Mannahatta, and in every city of These States, inland and seaboard, And

the woman of the Indian tribes, are represented in the "Songs of the Sierras" as never before in American

American poets, and the clear reflection of national scenery to be found in their works.

We traced the rise of American poetry, and passed briefly in review the writings of Mrs.

Poe's early effusions, however, were fully of promise, and Mr.

Unitarian minister, and at one time discharged the like office with his father in Boston, his native city

American Poets Part 2

Here, our latter-day poets are apt to whine over the times, as if Heaven were perpetually betraying the

the most amazing, one of the most startling, one of the most perplexing, creations of the modern American

with which Walt can paint the unhackneyed scenery of his native land, we subjoin a panorama:— By the city's

publisher's name, and, if the reader goes to a bookstore for it, he may expect to be told at first, as we were

Walter Whitman, an American,—one of the roughs,—no sentimentalist,—no stander above men and women, or

if our colors were struck and the fighting done?

Only three guns were in use.

only one man…he is the father of those who shall be fathers in their turns: In him the start of populous

does not prevail throughout the volume, for we learn on p. 29, that our poet is "Walt Whitman, an American

That he was an American, we knew before, for, aside from America, there is no quarter of the universe

of these states that they are to hold sway over physical objects, over armies, navies, wealth, population

Hudson's 'Thoughts on Reading,' American Whig Review, 1 (May 1845), 483–496, which he clipped and annotated

Hudson's 'Thoughts on Reading,' American Whig Review, 1 (May 1845), 483–496, which he clipped and annotated

or allusion to them whatever, except as they relate to the new, present things—to our country—to American

Whitman reworked some of those ideas on ornament and they appear in the poem "Says" in the 1860 edition

Whitman reworked some of those ideas on ornament and they appear in the poem "Says" in the 1860 edition

. ix).; Whitman reworked some of those ideas on ornament and they appear in the poem "Says" in the 1860

for ornaments nothing outre can be allowed, / And that anything is most beautiful without ornament" (1860

Edward Grier notes that the handwriting of this manuscript "suggests an early date, possibly before 1860

Edward Grier notes that the handwriting of this manuscript "suggests an early date, possibly before 1860

.— All that there is in what The enti What men think enviable, if it were could be collected together

princely youth of Athens—cross-questioning—his big paunch—his bare feet—his subtle tongue— These pages were

These pages were written by Whitman in the early to mid-1850s.

The notes on American character relate to ideas expressed in "Song of Myself," most directly to the line

True noble expanded American character is raised on a far more lasting and universal basis than that

Every American young man should carry himself with the finished and haughty bearing of the greatest ruler

Perhaps it is everywhere on water and on land." (1855, pp. 51-2). whose sides are crowded with the rich cities

till I point the road along which leads to all the learning knowledge and truth and pleasure are the cities

loosely to ideas expressed in the poem "A Song of Joys," first published as "Poem of Joys" in the 1860

the Crossing the Fulton ferry to-day, I met an old acquaintance, to-day whom I had missed from the city

took hold of some scheme or claim before upon the legislature, and lobbied for it;—he helped men who were

: "If I and you and the worlds and all beneath or upon their surfacees, and all the palpable life, were

the fourth poem in the 1855 Leaves; and "A Song of Joys," which appeared as "Poem of Joys" in the 1860

Lines from the notebook were used in "Song of Myself," a version of which was published in the 1855 Leaves

the fourth poem in the 1855 Leaves; and "A Song of Joys," which appeared as "Poem of Joys" in the 1860

.— Lines from this passage were revised and used in the poem eventually titled "The Sleepers," which

strong and solid arguments against slavery—lawyer—practical man—arguments addressed to the great American

crops fail—to forego all the flour and pork of the western states— to burn the navy, or half the a populous

town were less to lose, than one of his great sayings to lose.— Each word is sweet medicine to the soul

Mean as they are when we have ascended beyond them, and look back, they were doubtless the roads for

I know a rich capitalist who, out of his wealth, built a marble church, the most splendid in the city

intended to scare away unrest The genuine m M an is not, as would have him, like one of a block of city

The first several lines of the notebook (not including this line) were revised and published as "My Picture-Gallery

" in The American in October 1880.

See Holloway, "A Whitman Manuscript," American Mercury 3 (December 1924), 475–480.

See Holloway, "A Whitman Manuscript," American Mercury 3 (December 1924), 475–480.

One passage seems to have contributed to the 1860–1861 poem that Whitman later titled "Our Old Feuillage

"If the general" and "If you are happy" in the untitled third poem of the "Debris" cluster in the 1860

—What real Americans can be made out of slaves?

not equally interested in the preservation of those states or cities—or that portion was degraded form

first printed in the second (1856) and third (1860–1861) editions.

Whitman revised the text on leaf 23 verso to include a rather long passage that exceeded the space available

edition of Leaves of Grass but that the notebook also contains material clearly related to things that were

first printed in the second (1856) and third (1860–1861) editions.

Whitman revised the text on leaf 23 verso to include a rather long passage that exceeded the space available

the back of this leaf likely contributed to "Song of Myself" (1855) and the poem-cluster "Debris" (1860

the back of this leaf likely contributed to "Song of Myself" (1855) and the poem-cluster "Debris" (1860

supplied last two lines on the recto, starting with "I see you and stand before you driver of horses," were

supplied last two lines on the recto, starting with "I see you and stand before you driver of horses," were

This manuscript is written on the back of a City of Williamsburgh tax form.

Fredson Bowers, have generally assumed that Whitman used the Williamsburgh tax forms from 1857 to 1860

The city of Williamsburgh was incorporated with Brooklyn effective January 1855, so the forms would have

been obsolete after that date (Whitman's Manuscripts: Leaves of Grass [1860] [Chicago: University of

At least two of the tax forms Whitman used were dated 1854 (see, for instance, "Vast national tracts"

This manuscript is written on the back of a City of Williamsburgh tax form.

Fredson Bowers, have generally assumed that Whitman used the Williamsburgh tax forms from 1857 to 1860

The city of Williamsburgh was incorporated with Brooklyn effective January 1855, so the forms would have

been obsolete after that date (Whitman's Manuscripts: Leaves of Grass [1860] [Chicago: University of

At least two of the tax forms Whitman used were dated 1854 (see, for instance, "Vast national tracts"

A father A mother as well as father, a child as well as a man; A N ot only an American, but an African

rings expand outward and outward Several phrases of this prose were probably later used, in somewhat

: "The best I had done seemed to me blank and suspicious, / My great thoughts, as I supposed them, were

and vaccination, gunpow der and spinning-jennies; but are our people half as peaceable and happy as were

tuition, or amusements, can much longer permanently elude the jealous and passionate instinct of American

or amusements or the costumes of young men, can long elude the jealous and passionate instinct of American

Edward Grier dates the manuscript after 1857 because it is written on the reverse of a City of Williamsburgh

The city of Williamsburgh was incorporated with Brooklyn effective January 1855, so the forms would have

At least two of the tax forms Whitman used were dated 1854 (see, for instance, "Vast national tracts"

or amusements or the costumes of young men, can long elude the jealous and passionate instinct of American

Edward Grier dates the manuscript after 1857 because it is written on the reverse of a City of Williamsburgh

The city of Williamsburgh was incorporated with Brooklyn effective January 1855, so the forms would have

At least two of the tax forms Whitman used were dated 1854 (see, for instance, "Vast national tracts"

or amusements or the costumes of young men, can long elude the jealous and passionate instinct of American

The interior American republic shall also be declared free and independent. . . .

Where is the vehement growth of our cities?

Where is the spirit of the strong rich life of the American mechanic, farmer, sailor, hunter, and miner

Lines from this manuscript were used in the preface to the 1855 edition of Leaves of Grass.

Lines from this manuscript were used in the preface to the 1855 edition of Leaves of Grass.

composition, but it was probably written before or early in 1855.; Sentences from this manuscript were

The genuine miracles of Christ were such miracles as can always be produced.

and limitless floods," was used, slightly revised, in "A Song of Joys," which first appeared in the 1860

and limitless floods," was used, slightly revised, in "A Song of Joys," which first appeared in the 1860

and limitless floods," was used, slightly revised, in "A Song of Joys," which first appeared in the 1860

In the 1860 edition, the line reads, "O the joy of that vast elemental sympathy which only the human

dreams, Nothing happens, or ever has happened, or ever can happen, but the vital laws are enough, None were

or will be hurried—none were or will be retarded; A vast clear scheme—each learner learning it for himself

The first lines of the notebook poem were revised and published as "My Picture-Gallery" in The American

Transcribed from digital images of the original that were posted to Sotheby's website.

.; ✓; Transcribed from digital images of the original that were posted to Sotheby's website.; On the

1 American literature must become distinct from all others.

—American writers of must become national, idiomatic, free from the genteel laws— America herself appears

ideas in this manuscript came from an article entitled "Thoughts on Reading" that appeared in the American

Whig Review in May 1845 ("Notes on Whitman's Reading," American Literature 26.3 [November 1954]: 352

American literature must become distinct

ideas in this manuscript came from an article entitled "Thoughts on Reading" that appeared in the American

Whig Review in May 1845 ("Notes on Whitman's Reading," American Literature 26.3 [November 1954]: 352

true owner of the library Edward Grier suggests that this manuscript was probably written prior to 1860

sentiment between it and the initial line of No. 4 of the "Thoughts" cluster published first in the 1860

similar manuscripts that are numbered sequentially and probably date from around or before 1855: see "American

Edward Grier suggests that this manuscript was probably written prior to 1860, noting some similarities

sentiment between it and the initial line of No. 4 of the "Thoughts" cluster published first in the 1860

similar manuscripts that are numbered sequentially and probably date from around or before 1855: see "American

manuscript are similar to the initial line of No. 4 of the "Thoughts" cluster published first in the 1860

to own things could not at pleasure enter upon all, and incorporate them into himself or herself" (1860

grabbing the good dishes exclusively to himself , . and grinning at the starvation of others, as if it were

springing from all trades and employments, and effusing them and from sailors and landsmen, and from the city

perfect equality of the female with the male . . . . the large amativeness—the fluid movement of the population—the

peace is the routine out of him speaks the spirit of peace, large, rich, thrifty, building vast and populous

deputed atonement . . knows that the young man who composedly periled his life and lost it has done exceeding

and in them were the fathers of sons . . . and in them were the fathers of sons.

one man . . . . he is the father of those who shall be fathers in their turns, In him the start of populous

The largeness of nature or the nation were monstrous without a corresponding largeness and generosity

—As if it were necessary to trot back generation after generation to the eastern records!

perfect equality of the female with the male . . . . the large amativeness—the fluid movement of the population—the

peace is the routine out of him speaks the spirit of peace, large, rich, thrifty, building vast and populous

deputed atonement . . knows that the young man who composedly periled his life and lost it has done exceeding

opposite side, as in some very similar notes currently housed at Duke University, point toward the 1860

and limitless floods," was used, slightly revised, in A Song of Joys, which first appeared in the 1860

that in theBetween 1854 and 1888prosehandwritten1 leaf; This manuscript is written on the back of a City

Fredson Bowers, have generally assumed that Whitman used the Williamsburgh tax forms from 1857 to 1860

The city of Williamsburgh was incorporated with Brooklyn effective January 1855, so the forms would have

been obsolete after that date (Whitman's Manuscripts: Leaves of Grass [1860] [Chicago: University of

At least two of the tax forms Whitman used were dated 1854 (see, for instance, "Vast national tracts"

.00113xxx.00226xxx.00526xxx.00048[med Cophósis]Between 1852 and 1854poetry2 leaveshandwritten; These pages were

Several phrases of the prose on the verso were probably later used, in somewhat revised form, in the

: "The best I had done seemed to me blank and suspicious, / My great thoughts, as I supposed them, were

.00232Not to DazzleBefore or early in 1855number of leaves unknownprosepoetry; Lines from this manuscript were

to the belief that no "detail of the army or navy [. . .] can long elude the [. . .] instinct of American

on ornament and they appear in the poem, Suggestions, which initially appeared in Leaves of Grass (1860

See Holloway, A Whitman Manuscript, American Mercury 3 (December 1924), 475–480. See also Andrew C.

One passage seems to have contributed to the 1860–1861 poem that Whitman later titled Our Old Feuillage

The first several lines of that poem (not including the line in question) were revised and published

as My Picture-Gallery in The American in October 1880 and then in Leaves of Grass as part of the Autumn

ideas in this manuscript came from an article entitled Thoughts on Reading that appeared in the American

Whig Review in May 1845 (Notes on Whitman's Reading, American Literature 26.3 [November 1954]: 352).

American literature must become distinct

1860prosehandwritten1 leaf; Edward Grier suggests that this manuscript was probably written prior to 1860

sentiment between it and the initial line of No. 4 of the Thoughts cluster published first in the 1860

similar manuscripts that are numbered sequentially and probably date from around or before 1855: see "American

The 1860–61 edition of Leaves of Grass introduced two new poems created in this way: Poem of Many in

Whitman reworked some of those ideas on ornament and they appeared in the poem Says in the 1860–1861