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With me & my affairs no great ripple—I am worldlily comfortable & in good physical condition as usual

of late—I went on to New York—was convoyed by my dear old Quaker friend R Pearsall Smith —had a success

at the lecture 14th (netted $600 for my self—Andrew Carnegie gave $350 for his box)—had a stunning reception

I am wanting to envelope up & send some copies by Oceanic Express of my "Complete Works," a big 900 page

(one copy for you), all directed to my friend R.

, London—will send you word when I do so—also wish you to give me address of Misses Ford (give them my

love) to whom I send a copy in same package—As I finish I am comfortable—sitting in my big chair here

length (with many interpolations) in The Commonplace-Book: "A very bad (never so bad before) lapse of my

payment (to J M Shoemaker & Co. bankers) they spoke of the paid original draft, & I gave the Camden bank my

Warry (my young man) has just been in to urge me to get out in wheel chair, wh' I shall—the sun is out

and his brother Harry were the sons of Henry Whireman Fritzinger (about 1828–1881), a former sea captain

Davis, Whitman's housekeeper, who had also taken care of the sea captain and who inherited part of his

hour or two even three or four, every day—a friend sends a hansom & I drive out—or at other times in my

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

Ford & William & Ethel & Arthur Thompson —(The letter—somehow one of the best I ever rec'd—goes to my

hour or two to the river shore when I feel like it—have a good strong young Canadian (Ed Wilkins ) for my

helper & nurse—have just had what I call my currying for the mid-day —& am probably getting along better

than you all might suppose—fortunately my right & left arms are left me in good strength & volition,

& advice to be a sort of public & speechifying dinner &c. in compliment to my finishing my 70th year

Camden New Jersey U S America Oct 24 I send you to-day today to same address as this card my Vol.

Camden noon Sept: 26 '90 Am getting along ab't as usual—Some nice oysters (with a bit of lemon) for my

breakfast—cloudy & wet inclined to chilly to-day here—was out in wheel-chair last even'g—I enclose my

, (the piece in Trans[cript] rec'd—thanks)—sold a big book yesterday—have just lit a little fire in my

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

Osgood & Co: are going to publish a complete & new volume of my poems, & I am coming on to see to & oversee

November 23 Dear friend I am still here—not yet (as an old Long Island aunt used to say) "not yet out of my

Villas Elm Road Heath street Hampstead London Eng: England The rough map enclosed gives you some idea of my

a late London Fortnightly in which J A Symonds, touching briefly but very commendingly & mentioning my

Philosophy , has been often to see me, has been very kind, & I like him much—Probably ten days more will end my

wanted to visit, in his own words, "this most sympathetic of poets, for whose large & lofty nature my

Editor Let me give you some flying impromptu notes confessedly all too meager (a hiatus every where) of my

431 Stevens street Camden N J Jan: January 25 '83 My dear friends Would "the Bible as Poetry" suit you

up from a three weeks' visit down in the Jersey woods, & find your card of 26th—The only copies of my

complete poems "Leaves of Grass," in my control, are of a special autograph & portrait edition, 1882

Walt Whitman I also supply, when desired, my prose volume "Specimen Days & Collect"—price $2.—374 pages

328 Mickle Street Camden New Jersey June 14 '87 Dear S E C I wish to send you my special deep-felt personal

more daily work than ever has fallen upon me to do the current season, & though I am well & contented, my

I too send you my love. And do you feel no disappointment because I now write but briefly.

My book is my best letter, my response, my truest explanation of all.

In it I have put my body & spirit. You understand this better & fuller & clearer than any one else.

…I am yet young enough to bear thee children, my darling, if God should so bless me.

And would yield my life for this cause with serene joy if it were so appointed, if that were the price

On July 31, he wrote John Burroughs that he had "finished (sent all copy) my little Nov: Boughs."

reads, in its entirety, "The two songs on this page are eked out during an afternoon, June, 1888, in my

seen them, they are quite creditable) has gathered a variety of biographical information—criticises my

a volume ( It at least will not be liable to any District Att'y Attorney episodes—) comprising all my

be three Volumes gyrating together, the L of G—the S D & T—and Dr Bucke's book— Upon the whole, & as my

English stock & birth, but grown up in Canada and the California regions of America, & combining in my

Walt Whitman My last three letters to you have been One of March 8 (or 7) " " 19 & the present one find

am glad you refused the letters for publication—They were strictly private Walt Whitman Don't forget my

easier to-day—have eaten a bit of breakfast for the first time in many days—A long cold snow-storm here—My

Herbert was hurt: "You make no allusion to my Book or my little confidences thereon!

In the letter of November 9 he observed: "I am so sorry that I have finished my labour of love, the doing

continuous subscription, safely rec'd —I am in good heart & still writing a little but near the end of my

It appeals to my printer-sense too—is a handsome & generous piece of typography & mechanical book making

well—Mont is married —(I went down Sunday to G to take him Harry home, at his request)—I am still here in my

when I saw you last, but not much different—mentally the same—physically a sad wreck—I am reciting my

visit from Chas Rowley of Manchester yesterday—I am well as usual—Love to you—Spring is tardy here—My

locomotion power & in more liability to head & stomach troubles & easiness of "catching cold" (from my

just past noon & I am told I am to have a good rice pudding made in a big earthenware baking dish for my

S. & Alice are going to London to live— a big bunch of white lilies scents the room & my little canary

you have a chance you may show this to Mary Costelloe & Wm William Rossetti —to both of whom I send my

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

Whitman referred to Rossetti's edition as a "horrible dismemberment of my book" in his August 12, 1871

Niagara Falls, America September 28 '80 My dear friend I must write you a line or two—but it will be

a short letter—I am on my way back to Camden, stopping here only temporarily.

& affectionate—(Dr has several times spoken of you) —I rec'd received your letter of a month since —My

431 Stevens street Camden Nov 21 My dear Herbert I had a safe little jaunt home yesterday afternoon —

Upon talking more fully with my sister about the colored woman Rosy, I am convinced she would not do

—I am middling well—the trouble in my eyesight (& very annoying it was to my anchor'd condition) seems

Camden Dec 13 '77 Dear Bee My sister told me at breakfast to say to you she would be happy to have you

thinking much the few hours past of what Mr Eldridge told me of a young Mrs Needham (an intimate friend of my

a lunatic asylum —just from sheer overwork, & too intense concentration, ardor, & continued strain —My

Don't mind my long silences.

My illness has not lifted since I last wrote you, & is still upon me—the last two or three months the

Walt Whitman Before enveloping my letter, I take a good long, long look at the photographs—with all their

, not without solemnity—which you must understand without my writing it—comes over me, like a little

sun–cloud, this vapory day—& with that, & once again my love, I close.

4–6, 1874, she wrote: "I believe if I could only make you conscious of the love, the enfolding love my

letter) she had received Whitman's ring "that put peace and joy and yet such pain of yearning into my

heart—pain for you, my Darling & sorrowing helpless love that waits and must wait useless, afar off,

Friend, be indulgent, as indeed I know you will be, of these poor letters of mine with their details of my

My dear friend , Your letter is rec'd received , having been sent on to me from Washington.

My address still remains Solicitor's office, Treasury there.

I have been stopping for two months, (Feb. & March,) home with my Mother , & am writing this home.

finely, & is cheerful hearted—will probably soon give up her housekeeping & go to live with one of my

brothers, who is married —My father died seventeen years since.

On April 12, 1872, Gilchrist objected to this warning: "it hurts so, as seeming to distrust my love.

that sooner or later you will not be able to help stretching out your arms towards me & saying 'Come, my

be satisfied with a gossipy letter about his affairs, she really wanted more: "And if you say 'Read my

Dear friend, I send by same mail with this, my latest piece, copied in a newspaper —& will write you

I suppose you duly received my former letters (two)—I ought to have written something about your children

in your letter of last summer, July 23d, which I have just been reading again)—Dear boys & girls—how my

I am still living here in employment in a Government office—My health is good—Life is rather sluggish

Rossetti quite a long letter —My present address is Solicitor's Office, Treasury, Washington, D. C.

431 Stevens st Camden NJ Thanks my dear friend for your hospitable & affectionate letter, & invitations

In that I have described my situation fully & candidly. My new edition is printed & ready.

My health I am encouraged to think is perhaps a shade better—certainly as well as any time of late.

but yet again they may,) of changes, journeys—even of coming to London, of seeing you, of visiting my

My dearest friend, I do not approve your American trans–settlement —I see so many things here, you have

As to my literary situation here, my rejection by the coteries—& my poverty, (which is the least of my

On February 25, 1876, she was ecstatic: "Soon, very soon I come, my darling. . . . this is the last spring

Hold out but a little longer for me, my Walt."

Whitman referred to Rossetti's edition as a "horrible dismemberment of my book" in his August 12, 1871

March 30, 1876, Gilchrist refused Walt Whitman's advice: "I can't exactly obey that, for it has been my

, she could not curb her ardor, writing on April 21, 1876: "sweetest deepest greatest experience of my

have just been reading your Monday's note for the second time—& will write a line in rejoinder, with my

out of the gurgling brook, just as I sit here, half shade, half in the warm sun, as I sit here after my

I am still pretty well,—Still enjoy my natural days here, by the creek—(but they are now drawing to a

Herby is well & brown—Shall be up in good time to be with with my dear neices nieces & all of you—I wonder

Kirkwood (Glendale) New Jersey U S America April 24 — Down here on one of my visits —Mr and Mrs S and

it was good fun for me, grave as the subject was—I sent you a short report—I am surprised about B —my

In his reply on April 29, Herbert noted that "John Burroughs was very violent against my intaglio."

Esopus April 29 All goes well—enjoyed my journey up the river that afternoon & evening—10½ when I got

Bucke , who is home in London, Canada —I send enclosed a ¶ for your consideration for the book—I send my

least saying—and wishing it put on record—that among the perfect women I have known (and it has been my

the very best for mother, sisters and friends) I have known none more perfect in every relation than my

On September 10 Herbert Gilchrist wrote: "What I wrote about Dr B[ucke] sings discordantly in my ears—but

least saying—and wishing it put on record—that among the perfect women I have known (and it has been my

very best, for mother, sisters and friends) I have known none more perfect in every relation, than my

Sept. 15 '85 328 Mickle Street Camden New Jersey U S America My dear friend Yours of Sept: 5 just rec'd

noble-hearted young man — As far as I can perceive & understand your scheme is managed admirably & to my

May 23 d my inexpressibly beloved mother died in Camden.

Though my plans depend on yet uncertain results, my intention, as far as any thing, is, on getting stronger

My post office address continues there, (Solicitor's Office Treasury.)

I send my love to Percy, & all your dear children.

The enclosed ring I have just taken from my finger & send you with my love.

August 12, 1873, Gilchrist, moved by newspaper reports of his continued illness, addressed him as "My

98–101) she wrote about her children; and on December 18, 1873, she said of his health: "Perhaps if my

I turn my face to the westward sky and before I lie down to sleep, deep & steadfast within me the silent

English or transatlantic "free will offering"—a proposed affectionate and voluntary gift to me from my

(My publisher David McKay, of Philadelphia, has just been over to pay the last half-annual royalty on

being the income to me from the sale of my books for the last six months.)

rations fairly, write a little, and shall quite certainly soon resume my usual state of health, late

Give my love to Wm M. Rossetti and to all enquiring friends, known or unknown.

interview with the poet from the Cleveland Leader and Herald on June 28, in which Whitman was quoted: "My

income is just sufficient to keep my head above water—and what more can a poet ask?"

Herbert Gilchrist What on earth can I say to you in response to the news about your dearest mother in my

all the time —I have seriously considered coming to London—but it seems impossible—I am still here—my

eyesight is less disturbed, is nearly ab't as formerly—but my walking power worse than ever—they have

cheery & buoyant as ever—I eat and sleep fairly—am so far without any pain of violence—& still have my

—O how I wish I could see your dearest mother—again my best, deepest love to her.

She died in my arms."

present thinking over her life is the only thing that I take pleasure in: indeed I am unable to get my

I am sitting in the old chair in my Mickle st. den writing this—fine weather— Walt Whitman Walt Whitman

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

it is growing too dark to write— Sunday forenoon early—Oct 23 —The sun is shining bright—I have had my

breakfast (pann'd oysters toast & coffee) & in half an hour I shall start in my light wagon & Nettie

Give my best regards to Ernest Rhys —a synopsis of his "New Poetry" lecture has been published here in

to-day —he sends me the enclosed little slip from O'C —the condition is bad, & I feel pretty gloomy ab't my

of this last attack—I only wish I could feel so, or even approximate it—But any how thank God so far my

thoughts & mental power are entirely within my control—I have written a short letter to Critic (by their

request) on the "poet" question (wh' they may print) —My sister—George's wife —has just paid me a good

K. is in Boston at a Symphony Concert and a precious ½ hour for my soul being at my disposal I feel a

strong inner impulse to pour out here in the evening solitude, my heart to you in a genuine heart-letter

O'Connor to Bucke on October 20, 1888 mentioned that "a month ago my right eye closed, and the lid had

been out now for three weeks—am writing—wish I c'd send you some nice doughnuts Mrs: D made yesterday—my

neice still in Saint Louis—my two sisters both bad health—Best Love to Harry and to Ed —Geo: must keep

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

intended for the lady (if I may be permitted to send it her)—and will you please accept the other with my

but I hope you will not dislike it, for I confess myself to a (perhaps capricious) fondness for it as my

My p. o. address remains the same, here. I am, & have been, quite well & hearty.

My new editions, considerably expanded, with what suggestions &c.

I send my love to Moncure Conway, if you see him. I wish he would write to me, soon & fully.

My impression is that hitherto she has cared very little about poetry.

scratch smiling)—I am still getting along thro the hot season—have things pretty favorable here in my

ventilation (night & day) frequent bathing, light meals & lassaiz faire —all wh' makes it better for me in my

some where to sea-shore or mountain—It is not for a long time any how—then Elias Hicks's saying to my

article ab't me for N E Magazine —I make dabs with the little 2d Annex & licking it in shape—I made my

B[ucke] & I will bring out my book on you sometime, perhaps sooner than we any of us know.

Wilson, peremptorily ordering him to return my MS to me."

Whitman's "Rejoinder" was also reprinted in Good-Bye My Fancy (Prose Works 1892, Volume 2: Collect and

Whitman's book Good-Bye My Fancy (1891) was his last miscellany, and it included both poetry and short

Thirty-one poems from the book were later printed as "Good-Bye my Fancy" in Leaves of Grass (1891–1892

Sent Rees Welsh & Co June 20 '82 Let me make my propositions as plainly as possible.

Conway is very friendly—but my friend Col.

I have received another paper from England to-day, with a tremendous big favorable notice of my book,

The English publisher of my book, Mr Hotten, sends them to me— Saturday, noon —I am going off for the

Stanbery is to speak on the trial, & I may go in & hear him a few minutes, but I guess I shall spend my

am determined to make you out a letter—I have been sitting here in the office all alone, fixing up my

—in good spirits, & excellent well, and have had a jolly good visit both to you & yours & over here—My

Camden May 1 My dear friend I have come up from White Horse, & think of visiting you tomorrow Wednesday—towards