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McA. saying to me, "At my last call, just now, he hardly noticed me at all."

the end as will enable me to be there if possible.If you speak to Walt tell him he is never out of my

Said, "I have had a letter from Stoddart today enclosing a check for my poem—and he said I should hurry

I told him I could not get my piece into anything like full shape until tomorrow night—would positively

My pens are very elusive, like my handkerchiefs—I have uncountable dozens of them somewhere about the

All of us well, especially my two little boys, who enjoy the country life very much.

My dear Mr. Whitman:Please excuse me for not having answered your letter two months ago.

Of my German-English anthology I have no proofs; but my publishers will bring out a new edition (revised

friend—has sworn his big oath in my interest and battled for me without reservation.

"Oh my yes! it tickled him immensely.

We talked freely together for 20 minutes or half an hour.He saw a book in my hand—questioned what it

My objection that The Vicar of Wakefield and Consuelo were books not to be compared, "not to be classed

The Quaker Traits of Walt Whitman," of which I spoke to W., who expressed so much curiosity I got on my

Speaks rather indignantly of the insistence of the papers that he has "gone out and selected his [my]

I have had my curiosity aroused on this point.

Had written nothing—"not even letters to Bucke, Burroughs and Kennedy—to whom I owe my biggest debts.

Some one in that discussion over the river presented my 'standpoint'—but suppose I have no conscious

That may be my fault.

McKean has no place—no room—no call for me or my kind." "Did he ever express himself to you?"

have no interest in him—when I look about in my world he is not in sight."

I am now pretty near the end of my own history, but mark what I have said—it is the gospel of our democracy—the

JohnstonWe have told Wallace of the proposal mentioned in my last letter to you but he says No to it!

W.: "I can realize that abstractly without connecting it with my own person. Yes, I see it."

My business is to be—the rest will come as a matter of course, a necessary incident!"

W. continued on the bed throughout my stay. Tuesday, July 14, 1891

through this paralysis pretty sadly disabled," but he always tells me (which he hardly needs to), "My

W. said, "Morris will be one of us yet," and to my, "Yes, don't you remember the walk I told you of only

Callingham has my everlasting thanks for this happy introduction.Below please find a copy of Mr.

Carnegie's letter on my new Year's Greeting to Whitman.Yours sincerely,James D.

I know nothing better—little as good—it fits in with all my theories of democracy. Mrs.

would do with it, he responded, "For the present, nothing—except perhaps to have a few printed for my

"I must get my copy of 'Mr.

Held a letter gleefully up before my face. "Here is the Whittier," he said: "Take it—be satisfied."

But I, for my part—we—must not play the game with that end in view.

Osler respected my objection." Box of flowers from Charlotte Fiske Bates.

"I do not seem to get the thing very clearly in my own mind: it eludes me."

He said of it: "I have no doubt you are right: I will give the poems my attention.

People generally, I should judge, would regard it as a great piece of work: I have my doubts."

resolved to keep a sharp eye for him," W. said, "I have seen hints of him here and there which have raised my

That was a necessary part of my career." Mrs. O'Connor tells me of W.'

W. declared, "William was what I said in my little piece, a shield for the oppressed—a knight of chivalric

I expatiated for some time—it was my element—it bore upon my theories, illustrated 'Leaves of Grass.'

and to my "yes," added, "I can't account for his failure to get down this way.

the best expect much help from me in that," adding that bibliographies were "anyhow not according to my

Added, however: "Did I ever quote you my favorite couplet? I've no doubt I have."

something like this— 'Over the past not God himself has power,'For what has been has been, and I have had my

I have no distinct idea at all where my couplet is from—nor of the words of the couplet itself—except

through Gilder's [illegible] that the Century took its great step forward in illustrations: this is my

perhaps in a day or two I may be able to render them in a better shape, when I write again to tell you of my

Here health I bring you in one draught of song Caught in my rhymster's cup from earth's delight Where

I had these letters in my pocket when I saw him today. Letter three he had me read aloud.

"I rely a good deal upon my general feeling about a piece when it comes back to me in type."

Sometimes I think he is a little afraid of my friends.

I have written Walt giving account of my reception here; you will see that letter and I need not repeat

I may say however that if nothing comes of my trip but what has already come of it here I shall consider

My reception here has been such that I am absolutely dumbfounded.

Called my attention to a postal he had written Johnston (I mailed it on my way up).Referred to O'Donovan

Longaker and Reeder to my house late in evening—photoed Morse bust by flash light.

In his room—complained of "an infernal inertia" which "binds me to my chair."

"I suppose we may account for this by saying that the essay is on democratic art, not on me—has not my

I have noticed in some of my friends that after a period of enthusiasm they are like to retrace their

"I am afraid that my response to that would be as with the Diplomatic Secret—that there is no secret!

I find my habits growing lazier and lazier." Tuesday, July 29, 1890

"The minute I attempt to work my brain gets into a snarl."

My own greatest pleasure at Pfaff's was to look on—to see, talk little, absorb.

I had, in my years of loafing, forgotten how sweet toil was.

I had quite lost my interest in literature and was fast losing my interest in life itself, but these

two months of work have sharpened my appetite for all things.

Tuesday, July 30, 1889On my way out of town, stopped in to see Whitman at 5, and found him eating his

I have never made any full statement on religion in any of my writings but I have always intended to.

W. saying of it to me: "Eddy appeals to my heart, to my two arms: I seem to want to reach out and help

But for myself I do not feel that I could be overwhelmed by any misfortune that left my mind untouched

I came across the book this last summer, and it laid hold of my mind so that I could not put it away

But I got my roots stronger in the earth—master would not do anymore: no, not then: would no longer do

W. said, "I have had several visitors here today—one of them causing one of the funniest things in my

At any rate I did not see him—sent my excuses down by Mary.

He came straight over here to where I sat—my hands extended—shook hands with me, looked about the room

Good-bye My Fancy cover-page Anne Montgomerie Traubel.Horace L.

Traubel,First, my congratulations on your marriage.

other irons in the fire—leaves all that part of the work to Jo—and it has always been Jennie who was my

W. remarked: "I am in no hurry to read it—in no hurry for my copy—I can very easily wait.

W. asked me what was my middle initial, which he has never used in writing my name.

Give my love to all the rest—explain that I am tied down to my chair here—that my head needs to be humored

will should be my sister in law Mrs: Louisa Orr Whitman and my brother George W Whitman (now resident

effects, money, of my house and lot 328 Mickle Street—Also that my said executrix under this will is

Nancy Whitman, my brother Andrew's widow, fifty dollars ($50).In sign of my writing my nameWALT WHITMANall

I still said "yes"—adding—"The day I get it I will leave it on my way home and call later for it again

And, "I want a proof of my little piece, too—should have it. Can you tell Stoddart?"

Wallace writes me June 5th [requesting copies of "Good-Bye My Fancy"].

was curious—I jumped all bounds—probably the more for feeling that the fellows had come, in a way, to my

But beyond and above all my objections are facts which make all of them slight and counting for little

Ed," he called out (Ed sat out towards the door), "Ed—go upstairs—on my bed you'll find a little package

The other day, when my sister Gussie stepped in (it was Sunday) to see him, he gave her an envelope thus

inscribed— The Fair Pilot of Loch Uribal.One of my favorite storiesW.W. and inside, some sheets torn

gloomy'—and every time it sets me up"Walt Whitman"it was "By an Idle Voyager"— Said W.: "They copied my

My brain will not solidify."

Well—I don't want to assume my cure." "Why not?

I attribute much of my success in weathering this attack to my good stock—to my father, my mother: indeed

Your Leaves of Grass I keep with my Shakespeare and my Bible and it is from these three that I have got

I never met men in all my experience who caught on so well."

Much obliged to S. for wanting to cut out my speech (!) & to you for saving it.

s eye: New York, June 21. 91 My dear TraubelCountless congratulations to you and Mrs.

You must give him my very best regards with a "good luck" to boot.For you and your wife I ask for the

"Yes, wrote my name and two or three lines. It is horribly tiresome business."

GilderMy kindest regards—& those of my sister—to W. Whitman.

say, that anyone, to get hold of me,—the bottom of the big book—all I have written—would see that all my

Why should he not put them down now, independent of my article?

been with you on the 31st of May last, here is in substance what I should have said and what sums up my

what I should have said, had I been this last 31st May among you: and then I should have raised in my

turn my glass wishing a very long life to the august old man and assuring him of all my love.Kindly

But I know I did my best reading when I was alone that way—off in the woods or on the shore.

I have been very feeble—O my!

For one thing, it gives my idea of my own book: a man's idea of his own book—his serious idea—is not

one point, marked my caution very high—seven and over.

Their seven was backed by my experience with myself.

man,' 'my man,' 'my man.'

As per my promise to Bucke, I urged W.'s preface to O'Connor's book.

the minister, Cake"—who "out-Heroded Herod in coming here"—proposing—"communal marriages, in a way—in my

My sympathies are all on the forward line—with the radical—but any close study of methods is out of the

A man who has had my career is safe against the like.

Now, in these late days, as I look back upon the past, I can see that, in a sense, my misfortunes have

been my fortunes—that it must have been altogether right for me to have travelled a rough, hard road—so

"I am inert, feeble, borne down with lassitude—my head being sore and sick: but there has been no recurrence

—I am not so sure of it, my hearty.

"I always designate my price when I submit a piece: it is far the simplest way: I make my own valuations

lines—a touch)—that was a mere thumb-nail, a hint—yet I named my sum and got it."

Alexander Dumas to write my memoirs from.

s letter and McAlister's last bulletin to Bucke: made the matter up from this and my talk.

Was in the room for ten minutes and more, at one time going up against the bed and even putting my hand

I got a Lippincott, and was a little dismayed to find my rather disparaging remarks quoted, until I noticed

It confirms my own and Williams' idea of the footnote. Mrs.

On my way to the Club: University Extension debated tonight.

I met Harned up the street, he to his, I to my home. Afterwards both to W.'

W. said: "I can't bring my heart to say amen to that."

I said: "That makes my definition of heaven apropos." W. asked: "What's that?"

W. looked over at Tom: "Do you think the world would accept my poem?"

10.30 on my way back passed 328. I did not intend to go in.

He opened it, my hand dropping to its clasp, which was weak."Morning.""

I am on my way to work—to the busy desk over there in the big town.""Luck!""I tire of it at times.""

Telegram here from Ingersoll, evidently in response to my letter: "We all send words of love and hope

Remarked as to Stedman's criticism on my Poet-Lore piece, "Stick to it—it's the only way."

He pressed my hand, "Well, bless you, you are always good to me." "No, only as one having love."

He was very ready to listen to some of my objections, and deferred to them.

skin: my skin is free: I perspire freely: I don't know but every day this winter my body has been at

own way—hold by my own views.

He shook his fist at me: "Why so hot, my little man?

"Tell them I am still chained to my rock but that I can still flap my wings: tell them I may not be just

Give my love to Doctor B.

He murmured a "good morning," but I decided not to press my presence.Talcott Williams writes with his

last fund remittance: "I enclose my check for a dearly loved service." 1:20 P.M.

"No, not in the least: my days are dreadful—dreadful." "With pain?"

I turned to W. and gave him my "Good night," which he returned, raising his hand, which I kissed as he

of its poets.Tell W. that I beg of him to give me through you a little light to help me forward with my

W. said, "My young man here is good—none could be better.

No, no, they may not want it, of course—that is one of my risks.

But the words he puts into my mouth, the so-called actual phrase, touch—oh! they are very funny.

been at a meter meeting—all the principal stockholders present—got home about 6 P.M. and found it on my

I cannot understand you leaving it out—to my mind it is an admirable piece—most valuable.

now, if he does not object, will draw up this check for the half of it: I'm obliged to be cautious: my

I do not like to write this way but I think you ought to know my candid opinion.

My dear Doctor:When I wrote you at Philadelphia I omitted to answer your question as to the existence

W. said: "My silence seemed to astonish her.

who is Clifford's friend has my respect."

Tuesday, March 29, 1892Hunted about some for New York Herald—going to ferry—getting my mail on the way

My engagement with Bucke had been that we meet there and commence at once to box up the papers.

on Wednesday, having a duty to perform in Baltimore, I send by express to you to-night a big wreath—my

Responses to my telegrams come.

Could not deliver my telegram. And this message made me very happy: "I will come. Wrote you today.

My head, my belly, my bladder—all are out of gear, and for what end?"

ScovelI read it to my family last night. My father had traced some hidden sarcasm.

(My own books, poems and prose have been a direct and indirect contribution, or attempt.)

W. says, "The remembrance of the thing flashed across my mind, while I was in bed last night."

In the prose discussing Tennyson's "Crossing the Bar," he added, at my suggestion, several new lines,

I have my doubts!" I had with me a copy of the Moss process engraving catalogue.

He asked to "step in upon Melville Phillips" some day at my leisure.

"Ask him about my proofs—why I have had none.

I described how in my boyhood I had used to watch the pump-maker outside Camden—a Mr.

he is my old boss." Adding: "Evarts was a very kind, friendly fellow." In the literary way?

Germantown, Sunday night,March 3d, 1889.My dear Traubel:Now that you and Doctor Bucke are gone I have

My God! but he's a time-taker: he's slower'n pitch on a frosty morning!

My lameness is very bad, and I am very exhausted before many hours pass each day.

of the bowels, and must, under medical orders, resort to artificial means, and this is my remedy.