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I have followed it right along, myself—often to the horror of my friends.

Now there ought to be someone to write up about my Dutch forebears.

I may say I revel, even gloat, over my Dutch ancestry. Burroughs? Yes, perhaps, or some other.

That is queer—it is one of my favorite stories—one of the very richest I know.

The failure to rhyme, I mean, for the poem itself—"O Captain! my Captain!"

But to read my own pieces!

W. greatly amused at my story of getting the Doctor's glasses.

I took off my hat—sat there unperturbed.

I haven't cast out all of my devils yet." Brought him new proofs which he at once glanced over.

"I do little nowadays but sit and thank my stars that I have fallen into such good hands in the time

of my need."

W. added, answering another question of Harned's: "I like to keep my prices down to the level of my real

My acquaintance with Leaves of Grass dates from my early university days some ten years ago, when having

could parallel in nothing else than in those lines of Whitman's on Columbus— "Poor, old and paralyzed,My

"As it is now, it will not go into any of my books."

I said, "In my boyhood, knowing him almost altogether from cartoons—he was then running for President—I

I will depute you, Horace, or Anne here, or Warrie, to take my place."

And when I told him my own preferences, "All simple tastes! All excellent simple tastes!"

Wonderfully cheerful in the evening on my arrival, talking most freely for more than an hour.

My last thought confirmed my first: it seemed like supererogation to impose such a statement upon the

"But Washington, New Orleans, Brooklyn—they are my cities of romance.

He asked me some questions about my health.

I could not stand before a Millet picture with my hat on." Monday July 23, 1888.

W. out on my arrival—had gone to the river between 6 and 7.

I alluded to Clifford's question whether (as found in proof of my article) two t's were necessary in

W. said: "I should not wonder but that the question was valid—but if it were my case I should not crack

my skull to fix it—indeed, I doubt if it could be said that the t was wrong—only that it was unnecessary

It seemed to me the word was wisely used, and I told W. my idea of it: but he still persisted: "It is

s "joy," as he said, "partly to my risk."

Again, "In my days the Washington monument was not yet completed—had not put its cap on.

"I'm turned clean over—off my keel—am badly shaken.

I seem to see things all right with my mind but my body won't see things at all!" Mildly laughed.

I must get to my bed: my head reels: I feel as though a minute more on my feet—on my feet—here—would

finish me—be my last."

He reached out, took my hand. "My cane! My cane!" I put the cane in his hand. He could say nothing.

Give me a day or two more: I will do my best to be good.

very sick—and sore: tell them I feel as if the whole ground had been swept from under my feet—as if I

of a socialist than I thought I was: maybe not technically, politically, so, but intrinsically, in my

When I go to my tailor I lay down a law to him: that among the prime requisites of a suit of clothes

This picture more than any other to my judgment confirmed Millet—justified his position, heroism—assured

As I have often said, 'This is not my funeral: let the cortege proceed!'"

it comes close to my old walks, long, long ago—brings the whole thing back to me. Oh!

And as to the complaint made against my piece that it was too strong, "Well, why should we not be strong

I would like to add my own, but do not feel able this year.

Tell me also if you think Walts changes good to pull through the summer.I am very busy in my vineyards

, but hope to find time to get off a week or so in JulyIf Walt could come here & occupy part of my old

It is the old, old story: woe be to the man who believes in any doxy that is not mine—does not wear my

implied: I honor them: I know they are probably working in their own way to produce what I working in my

My general position is plain: the people: all the people: not forgetting the bad with the good: they

Ain't that my program?"

"He complains of the irregularity of my letters.

I am always statistically careful about the dates of my letters.

I was just on my way home from work.

Referred to my father's big charcoal Whitman.

And by the side of my dead friend, I could only think how much greater was our actual isolation while

I send you a little box of confections by Adams exp. with my love.

It goes against my heart to add anything to his unrest.

Said, "It may be with my head higher I will not have the hiccoughs so badly."

'Well, my young smithkin, you don't believe that? you dissent from that?' 'Yes, I do.' 'Ah!

I have asked myself in the face of criticism of my own work: 'Should I reply—should I expose, denounce

But my final conviction has always been that there is no better reply than silence.

While I am working in my shop the very wood seems written all over with them.

He seems to be very genuine.I send you my last essay—on Ouida. Have you read her Tricotrin?

Advising me to take my summer trip to Canada and Dr.

At my entrance W. asked, "What news do you bring?"

fact is, although I had always had the kindliest thought of Boker, he was never a great element in my

Kissed him—entered at once into recital of my trip.

Probably reference to my piece.Asked me if I had a set of Lippincott's proofs to "swop-off for the set

After leaving W. now found the whole order home, and on my way to Philadelphia took 20 to him.

memorandum written on a slip of colored paper: "Get me some paper like this—I prefer it to white to write my

W. spied my figure but could not distinguish who it was. "Who is that?"

My eyesight is not much good at such a distance!" Longaker then questioned him about his condition.

"I try to do a little writing and reading: my worst affliction is to have to lie still so much of my

He was in warm mood—held my hand all the time we talked.

He grasped my hand ardently. Does he sometimes think it may be the last?

He picked up my hand and pressed it.

"You are my one vital means of connection with the world—the one live wire left.

I shook my head. "No?" "No.

I said: "Perhaps my father can do it: I'll ask him."

I want to be generous: I'll share my possessions with you."

But spoke of his outing yesterday and visit at my father's.

s on my way home. Quite near sundown; the room in shadow.

"A bit better—but by no means well—my head, belly, bladder—seem all astray—gone from their moorings."

"That's just the trouble—I attribute a good deal of my cold, chilliness, discomfort, to the variable

W. objected, "But the best thermometer is my feeling."

I get the paper regularly & my friend Mr.

"He was always William's and my friend—and he will appreciate—will measure up—this piece."

Give him my love and the love of us all. Mrs.

Then give him my love—my love for all: for wife, daughters—and though I am hard beset, assure him not

the least of my benefits is his, their, love."

Repeated to him my interview with McKay.

Expressed great pleasure over my hearing from Morse to-daytoday.

pleased with such comparisons: I have a face: it seems to make up fairly well in a picture: that is all: my

made up for Oldach, he said, looking at me: "You know I am very arbitrary: always determined to have my

But as my opinion is not worth anything, being a boy, I should not have intruded it upon you.

s on my way home—stayed till six: twilight: he sitting by the fire, the door of the stove open an inch

I have never told him, he knows that creatures of his kind are distasteful, ugly to me—that I have my

"It needs to have some kinks and corners in before it fits my head"—taking it off, punching it, then

To 328 on my way home. Happened in a little earlier than normal—and when W. shortly called Mrs.

I went over my mail categorically. "What does Sarrazin say? He is still sick? Poor fellow!

Give him my sympathy.

he asked, and to my, "Well," exclaimed, "Dear girl!" I adding, "She was here last night."

You need not be surprised to receive a dispatch warning you of my approach.

told me at the door that W. spent a good day, but he shook his head and said: "This has been one of my

Whitman:During my absence your note of the 4th, inst was left here by Mr. Traubel.

S. & act & settle it in my place.

in your first colloquy with the man I venerate so deeply, you should have handed him the reprint of my

This expresses the mere fact, so far as I can read my inner self, though perhaps my own industry in life

Indeed put it in my own words."

I whipped a sheet of paper out of my pocket and wrote in the dark as he dictated.

My warmest thanks to him & you, which please convey to him if you can.

Then repeated to him the substance of my talk with Dave.

My dearest love to you & my most fervent prayers & good wishes are yours always.Wallace I, too, had letters

my soul."

the end of my tether."

I talked awhile ago of my old man who was afraid of Catholicism.

My presence would spoil the soup."

I said my good night and left. Monday, February 4, 1889

W. said on my entrance: "Someone has been sending me a copy of The Scottish-American in which there is

blustering, swearing creature—going about with a red shirt on—sleeves rolled up—quid of tobacco in my

I for my part have never been deeply convicted on the point of the late poems—never absolutely certain

Gilchrist's solicitude—and she was one of the cutest women ever born, and signal among my friends—; her

I read my mail while there—letters from Hallam Tennyson, Bucke, Wallace, Mary Ashley. W.'

On my "good-bye" I kissed him and stroked his head. "God bless you!" That and I left.10:18 P.M.

"It must be milder: my body tells me so." Letter from Bucke, he said. Searched for it.

He laughed heartily: "That's what I was just saying: it's my funeral that's in the way!"

He went on I could see rather because of his own impulse than of my suggestion.

He was interested in my account of my father's extensive reading of the German classics and of his great

I said I considered my playdays quite as valuable for life-making as my workdays: did he?

I am sure I feel it an honor to be asked, and am glad to have my word go in there, for I feel it is in

I had my doubts from the first."

And the brother, too—Wilhelm—a great man by all my means of knowing.

W. advised him, "I want you to go see my friend J.

My dear Traubel:I received, and read with great pleasure, your tribute to Walt Whitman, to be published

And the reply came—'Inasmuch as ye have done it to the least of these—my children, O my children!

And to Harned, "I think my difference with Bob would be this—that is, be in my assertion that back of

My surprise is, that a man like Huxley—superb in every way, making a mere noise of Gladstone—should ever

I was glad enough to hear this and went at once to the next room to my overcoat, bringing the contracts

Warrie, bring my glasses," which Warrie did, likewise bringing the rest, asking W., "Shall I lift you

Had written Bucke, gave me the letter to mail, along with papers for Captain Rayner and Gilchrist, postal

I remember that a doctor said to me once down in Virginia, when I shook my head: 'What?

I showed him my letter of the 16th, received today.

think of it: I have sent him my pieces, put my price on them, been paid that price: an important item

And I wish to put in my best greeting to Mrs.

He noticed my interest. "Do you like it? then take it along."

And to my further saying; "It is not everybody who can paint you—" W.

And I am sure neither Gilder nor William Carey, my friends there, would refuse to give some weight to

my words in that connection.

And to my phrase "brutally natural" he said—"I like it said that way: it takes us back to the elements

It's meaty and original anyway—like yr article.Thank Walt for the slips & give him my love.W. S.

that is so familiar a guest in my mind, and so loved and respected a guest too.

sound and that my prospects of life and vigor seem excellent for a man of my age.

Of course I would like to have my piece in and would overhaul it carefully 5.

I thank you sincerely for the honor & compliment in submitting it to my eye.

"I am a prisoner," he said, smilingly, "but you are not my jailer."

Then after a pause: "Indeed, far from that: you are in fact my deliverer."

At present my brain is just mud—I have a heap of letters unanswered.

My own health is pretty good.

It has reduced my weight about ten per cent. My belly has gone away as if I had been confined.

And yet when I told him of Harned's sickness and my belief that much of it came from too much in-doorness

Then he amusedly asked me—"you have not seen my new mittens, have you?"

He advised me: "I have been thinking today about your mention of my birthday.

And then, have the girls there: it is not a little in my mind, how the girls are appealed to—it has,

—and to my assent—"It is important to know what such a man thinks,"—though very cautious as I could see

And remarked, "The nights drag wearily through," replying to my questions to say, "I have spent a bad

Advised me as I left, "Arrange everything with Dave: you know my whims, notions—I trust to you."

he had said, "I have passed a lifeless, useless, helpless day—have not read, written—hardly opened my

W.: "This part of the back of my belly to the left is the great trouble—sore and hurts and swells."

After he had shaken hands with me, he said: "The McClure syndicate has taken my Brazil piece—may use

He said I should "put it in my pocket" if it was of interest— "though how can it be?"

Yet in my heart I do feel some fear that his forebodings are not unreasonable.

My determination invincible.

He grasped my hand and held it, saying, "I am glad to have it again: it carries me into my right humor

My New Ideal piece out. Had no copy with me. Have sent copies to Ingersoll and Baker.

Thought my souvenir would be "thoroughly unique: I almost enviges you!"

And again, "That reminds me: what do you think of my new portrait?"

"Carey sent me this—sent me a number for my name.

date it is sent.I had brought in "Where Meadows Meet the Sea" and the Bucke volume he had marked for my