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lines unpublished in Whitman's life, but which appeared in other manuscript drafts with lines that were

The lines that appear in this manuscript were published posthumously as part of a poem titled "Supplement

Joel Myerson (New York: Garland, 1993), 2:624; and Major American Authors on CD-Rom: Walt Whitman (Westport

lines unpublished in Whitman's life, but which appeared in other manuscript drafts with lines that were

The lines that appear in this manuscript were published posthumously as part of a poem titled "Supplement

Joel Myerson (New York: Garland, 1993), 2:624; and Major American Authors on CD-Rom: Walt Whitman (Westport

ings meanings unknown before, Subtler than ever—more harmony—as if born here—related here, Not to the citys

city's frescoed rooms—not to the audience of the opera house, Sounds, songs, trills, wandering strains

The name and address written in pencil were added later, likely in 1881, when Whitman visited Boston

Although Whitman also visited Boston in 1860, John Soule's photography studio did not move to 338 Washington

The name and address written in pencil were added later, likely in 1881, when Whitman visited Boston

Although Whitman also visited Boston in 1860, John Soule's photography studio did not move to 338 Washington

upon the angry bull, the majority of cultivated minds begin to see that Walt Whitman is the most American

of poets and one of the brightest lights of American literature.

Without attempting to argue the point it may be said that were all records of America destroyed and Walt

Dire were the grimaces of the mourners in high places, and dire are their grimaces still.

There were plenty of criticisms to make, even after one had finished crying Oh!

THE FIRST AMERICAN POET .

In the year 1860, we published a literary paper called "The Fireside," in which we devoted a page to

Moreover he is a genuine American man, the most original and truest Democrat of his time.

Westminster Review 74 n.s. 18 (October 1860), 590. Moncure Conway, Dial (August 1860), 517-19.

The First American Poet

Westminster Review 74 n.s. 18 (October 1860), 590.; Moncure Conway, Dial (August 1860), 517-19.; "Marco

Bozzaris," poem about the fighter for Greek independence by the American poet Fitz-Greene Halleck; "

You Russians and we Americans;—our countries so distant, so unlike at first glance—such a difference

great community, so vehement, so mysterious, so abysmic—are certainly features you Russians and we Americans

They were translated into all languages; he was ranked with Homer and Virgil; Goethe and Napoleon Bonaparte

were his warm admirers—and the collections of English poetry do not now include a line of his composing

If these were merely the mouthings of individual pride, they would inspire deserved disgust.

Few American authors have the reputation abroad which Whitman has attained.

received all your Papers, Whitch which you sent me, and also seen your New Book, Is for sale in our city

As to the poems, Emerson long ago said they were poetry; Tennyson, Swinburne, not to speak of vapid critics

Much every day were there room to say it. Short and clear let the words be.

We answer, that what these all were to the distinctive spirit of their generations, though in utter contrast

or affecting in the words, or title, Sobbing of the Bells, (you know you sent to Boston Globe), we were

Wilkins, two students of Trinity College, Dublin, were the first to draw my attention to your poetical

I have ordered my book to be sent to the American papers you mentioned.

: in the second edition (1856) as "Poem of the Proposition of Nakedness" and in the third edition (1860

One of the hints of the "riddle" were the "two words": "Two little breaths of words comprising it, /

In his volume all the objectionable passages which were the cause of so much complaint at the time of

range and diversity—always the continent of Democracy; Always the prairies, pastures, forests, vast cities

Their eulogies, however, were rather on the thoughts and sentiments of the author than praise of his

Milton and Goethe, at their desks, were not more truly poets than Phidias with his chisel, Raphael at

Phidias and Raphael and Beethoven were judged in accordance with the merits of what they produced.

by irrational things, I will penetrate what it is in them that is sarcastic upon me, I will make cities

(Democracy, while weapons were everywhere aim'd at your breast, I saw you serenely give birth to immortal

The "proof slips" were sent to William Michael Rossetti, Mrs. Franklin B.

of Walt Whitman, who, some will have it, is by preeminence of art and nature our representative American

deepest ethical instincts of a great multitude—we should certainly hope the vast majority of those American

Would it were as clean! In form he reminds us of Martin Farquhar Tupper.

Yet the prevalent tone of his verses is curiously Asiatic, as though he were an incarnation of Brahma

and were not.

rearrangement with reference to the sub-titles and to each other, leave them, we are told, as they were

If all poets were in the habit of using this recitative rhythm as a vehicle for their thoughts, what

valued them for the "barbaric yawp," which seems to them the note of a new, vigorous, democratic, American

to keep that mark fresh and deepening for seven-and-twenty years, is no little achievement for an American

"Were it the will of heaven an osier bough Were vessel strong enough the seas to plow."

The clear recognition and pathetic portrayal of the home affection in the Americans, not less than their

The book deserves study even as a metrical anomaly, were it not entitled to consideration upon much higher

A Perfect Poem-Picture of American Democracy. The Hermit Thoreau's Opinion of Our Good Gray Poet.

Walt Whitman is, par excellence, the poet and priest of democracy—the American type of democracy; the

In "Leaves of Grass" Walt Whitman has personified—or rather, idealized—the genius of American democracy

It is the Kosmos as viewed from the standpoint of the American idea of democracy—the sovereignty of each

On the whole it is to me very brave and American. We ought to rejoice greatly in him.

to his old habit, the poet spent an hour or more on the ferry, swinging pendulum-like between this city

The publishers were capital fellows.

I like the city itself exceedingly, and I think it will in a short time become a cosmopolitan city such

Don't ask me to class Philadelphia with Boston, New York, or the wide-awake Western cities.

I cannot class it with other cities, and you must not compel me to talk about it.

It if were possible to see the genius of a great people throwing itself now into this form, now into

In that city they have had a Philosophical society for some years, and now Griggs & Co, the principal

The papers in the volume were chiefly written in Canada since Mr Smith has lived there, and several of

They were collected into a book in Canada, but subsequently taken by the publishing house of Macmillan

The American features are not all that the æsthetic fancy craves, but they are not so hopelessly lost

If it were possible to see the genius of a great people throwing itself now into this form, now into

unknown be- fore before , Subtler than ever, more harmony, as if born here, related here, Not to the city's

all to the front, Invisibly with thee walking with kings with even pace the round world's promenade, Were

This letter bears the address: John H Johnston | Jeweler | 150 Bowery | New York City.

The publishers were capital fellows.

I like the city itself exceedingly, and I think it will in a short time become a cosmopolitan city such

I cannot class it with other cities, and you must not compel me to talk about it.

No copies w orth me ntioning were sold of any issue.

"You have eliminated, then, none of the lines which were deemed objectionable?"

Pieces that were evidently written later, and intended to be eventually put under Leaves of Grass now

Hence, at one time, our admiration for orators that were ornate to the verge of inanity.

Dire were the grimaces of the mourners in high places, and dire are their grimaces still.

There were plenty of criticisms to make, even after one had finished crying Oh!

A cardinal sin in the eyes of most critics is the use of French, Spanish, and American-Spanish words

Osgood & Co. of this city. Mr.

All who came in contact with the venerable poet were charmed by his cheery kindness, his wit and humor

Subtler than ever, more harmony, as if born here, related here, Not to the city's fresco'd rooms, not

what joys were thine! Mr.

three or four copies here (see above)—please mail one to E C Stedman 71 West 54th Street New York City

of the leading publishers of the United States is a literary event, for through it the greatest American

I rubbed my eyes a little to see if this sunbeam were no illusion, but the solid sense of the book is

Though these words were afterward somewhat taken back—a little Galileo-like, through fear of the New

He looks exceeding well in his broad hat, wide collar and suit of modest gray.

is already established as a popular American classic.

We had a jolly time too—there were three hundred came & went—at 10 o'clock we had a supper—but one such

stop— Walt Whitman my address here for ten days will be Mott av: & 149 th street—Station L New York City

City.

direct to me Mott avenue & 149 th street—Station L, New York City (same as before I went on to Boston

attended a performance of Romeo and Juliet starring Ernesto Rossi, the Italian actor, who was on an American

to the report, undoubtedly written by Whitman, in the Boston Daily Advertiser on October 17, there were

Several ladies called, and a number of "outsiders," and all were received with due empressment empressement

There were over three hundred visitors in the course of the evening, some from England.

gave some times of his printer life, as a young man (1838 to 1850), and his working in different cities

In the course of the evening various little speeches were made, and Mr.

here is a New York paper with an acc't account of the great Cricket Match between the Canadians and Americans—I

According to the New York Times, the Canadians defeated an American cricket team on October 11.

U S America Boston, Oct October 5 188 1 Trübner & Co : Dear Sirs Osgood & Co: of this city, who have

me soon as possible by letter here, of the dates of my copyrights on Leaves of Grass —I think they were

in 1856, 1860, 1866 (or 7) and in 1876—but want to know exactly — Walt Whitman If you have a printed

respond within their breasts, their brains, the sad reverberations,) The passionate toll and clang, City

to city joining, sounding passing, Those heart‑beats of a Nation in the Night.

Joel Myerson (New York: Garland, 1993), 2:520; Major American Authors on Cd-Rom: Walt Whitman (Westport

Joel Myerson (New York: Garland, 1993), 2:520; Major American Authors on Cd-Rom: Walt Whitman (Westport

rec'd received —I am now back here finishing up—only stayed staid a few days in Concord, but they were

ever—more indeed than could be described—Wasn't it comforting that I have had—in the sunset as it were—so

New York in about a week—shall stay at Johnston's, (address me there Mott avenue & 149th street N Y city

there (by pressing invitation) to dinner, & two hours—a wonderfully good two hours—the whole family were

There are very few ideas in Germany about American literature, past, present, or future.

was to be expected of American literature; just the conventional praise and blame—plenty of the former

And his tone of mind is just that of his countrymen in general towards things American.

I always ask Americans about you here.

I heard you were coming to England this year—I suppose that's not true.

See Walter Grünzweig, Constructing the German Walt Whitman (Iowa City: University of Iowa Press, 1995

footnote on p. 200 of the article "Poetry of the Future" in the February 1881 issue of the North American

These were prominent literary figures of the time. J. G.

Tyrrell, Fellow of Trinity College, Dublin, and many of the contributors were present and former Trinity

John William Draper's History of the American Civil War (3 vols., New York, 1867–70; London, 1871).

We should have no objection to buying it provided it were put in order.

Daily Globe (see the letter from Whitman to Louisa Orr Whitman of August 27, 1881), and his article "City

Lewis T. and Percy Ives were father and son, both artists.

Near by were a pile of corrected proof-sheets bearing the heading "Leaves of Grass."

His ruddy features were almost concealed by his white hair and beard.

making the book is to give A Recognition of All Elements compacted in one— e pluribus unum , as it were

I have also accepted as a theme the modern business life, the streets of cities, trade, expresses, the

"Of the American poets," he said, "I would place Emerson first, then Bryant, Longfellow and Whittier.

letter from Whitman to Harry Stafford of January 2, 1881); praised Emerson as the most important American

Near by were a pile of corrected proof-sheets bearing the heading "Leaves of Grass."

His ruddy features were almost concealed by his white hair and beard.

making the book is to give A Recognition of All Elements compacted in one— e pluribus unum , as it were

I have also accepted as a theme the modern business life, the streets of cities, trade, expresses, the

"Of the American poets," he said, "I would place Emerson first, then Bryant, Longfellow and Whittier.

I was at Rockaway ( L I Long Island ) & at Long Branch (N J)—The last two weeks I have been in N Y City—So

forenoon I have been some time on the Common (an old Park of 60 or 70 acres right in the midst of the city

Price of March 29, 1860).

Mott avenue & 149th street Station L New York City —I am stopping here till until ab't about Aug: August

This letter is addressed: J L Gilder | Editor Critic | 757 Broadway | New York City.

CITY.

Ever prolific, Whitman wrote a piece about Mott Haven, entitled "City Notes in August," which he published

Mott avenue & 149th Street Station L New York City Aug: August 8 '81 1881 My dear Baxter Yours rec'd