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Indeed, it is my principal objection to the infernal noise created by the Sackville West letter that

I for my part can see no reason why West should not have his say—why any man should not have his say:

I for my part am distrustful of any personal rules or public customs which interpose barriers between

I find some of my friends—some of the ardent eulogists—making very many claims for me which I would not

Opened my bundle and showed him what I had.

I shook my head. Then he asked: "Does it betray eccentricity?"

My ways are very methodical: I have been much criticised for that: but my ways are mine and are necessary

It is from my sister—I have been worried about her.

Look at my own great strength.

W. was greatly interested in my repetition of this.

I was on my way to Philadelphia to hear Tom Davidson's lecture on Aquinas.

W. inquisitive—greatly "tempted" by my description of D.'

My details few, but he evidently a good listener.

He was amused with my account of nervousness preceding.

friend over there in the Truebner establishment" [he pronounced it Trubner with diphthong, and bore with my

My enthusiastic description of the day aroused him so that he flung the window sash all the way up.

I used to count him one of my best friends on the river."

"You know them all," he said, when I shook my head over some names he mentioned.

But I shall try my best to let you have it for tomorrow." Title-page he now wholly approved.

I have had a dreadful bad day all through—my constipation and my cold have been the two beans in the

"I have nothing final on it: my head got so bad I put aside, resigned, everything."

And he answered as he fervently kept my hand—"I shall not, my boy—no—no—not for a minute"—and then "Goodbye

Davis on my way out. Ed had gone for his music lesson.

"But give my love to all the ferry boys—to Ed Lindell, to Tommy—Tommy Logan—to Foxy, to Eugene Crosby

was not relieved, he said "I don't dare to say I am, for fear I may fall back again—get shame of all my

All the time during the rest of my stay he had the soap at his nose.

But it was only a "preliminary design"—one he may possibly deflect from.Advised me: "Give my best love

But neither do some of my friends understand my love for the prairies—my statement, insistence, that

It taught me my own definiteness of address—what my friends call my superfluity.

address—read on that 'My Captain.'

, my Captain," which he will also read, is a pathetic tribute to the same noble name.

A curious letter (dated 3/12/90) starting off—"Dear Walt, my beloved master, my friend, my bard, my prophet

and bring the Irving money along with him—not that I am in any way troubled about the money, but for my

W. received what he calls "one of my funny notes" a while ago.

not knowing if she already had a copy—one to Doctor—one to that dear friend of William's who is also my

copy of more of L. of G.Leaves of Grass for Edmund Clarence Stedman and of whom W. instantly asked on my

I gave him my conclusions—that S. made three overwhelming statements—that L. of G.Leaves of Grass was

"This deafness stands badly in my way—and worse, it seems to be growing and growing."

s face was radiant: I know he fully entered into my idea—indeed endorsed it.

W. said: "My first impulse would have been to get mad at the delay; but as you say, when I see the dishes

We discussed my idea of closing the volume with a paragraph from Sarrazin. W. took hold at once.

Greatly curious about my meeting with Franz Vetta (Louis Neumayer) today—and questioned me explicitly

He sat eating and talking during nearly the whole time of my stay.

my preference.

But neither do some of my friends understand my love for the prairies—my statement, insistence, that

But I understand why I make my claim—I know—I see its justification—its necessity.

Fixed up my Gutekunst picture for me as I waited.

"He shan't squeeze my girl.'"

Asks from my sister a letter of introduction to the Strykers.

I quoted a review of Florian's Montaigne: " 'Myselfe am the groundworke of my booke': such were the Whitmanesque

"I always object," he explained, "to putting my name in a book about myself.

Was intercepted by the circus parade on Federal Street on my way down.

W. had heard the bands, and asked me about it on my coming. He sat in his room, not doing anything.

We talked of my interview with McKay yesterday afternoon.

was mad that people would not see what he thought he saw in it and said: 'Give it to me—give it in my

a poem to be read at the debuting, adventing, of a big affair—a big exposition; is now included in my

"I just started my fire—I am always anxious to know."

I wrote to Bucke this morning on hospital matters, and explained to W. the substance of my note.

As to Harrison's historic position W. said: "Take due note of my prophecy: it will come true."

W. asked for details about my visit to Shillaber with Morse.

On my description W. very readily perceived the differences. At W.'

You can ask—make inquiries in my name.

The old fellow is not Dutch but Italian—has been there from my boyhood.

Ask her in my name—though I don't know if she ever knew me by name.

Keeps well—sat much as I found him all the time of my stay.

I should without hesitation adopt those words as my own. 'A gassy fizzle!' Yes, surely!

Called my attention to several matters, and as I sat down and read he pored over the papers—patiently

him what I had heard, but that as he was flitting all along the road I should be compelled to take my

If it has come into use, it has come lately—for in my time there was no exaggerated emphasis.

Adding after my assent: "That is my conviction too. Here was Leaves of Grass in gestation.

"It is better," he said to my assurance, "better beyond a doubt.

"I was in Washington at the time—the early years of my stay there—was feeling pretty well—the paralysis

To my question he said: "Yes, Wendell Phillips thought very well of it.

As I was going he waved his hand—"My best wishes attend you, boy!" Did not stay long.

W. saw a copy of Unity in my hand. "What have you got there?"

I spoke of the absence of sun from this room—my regret that it was so.

He feels so well just now, he accepts my confidence.

And he added, "my sister-in-law was here today.

W. then: "Well—Baptist: it is the same thing for my purposes.

"If I could get out, this thing would better adjust itself—but my getting out is wholly uncertain."

I know, Tom, you are able to set that into order without my help."

He was not unmindful of the good-feeling intended—"only, I am an invalid—all knocked up—careful of my

As to photos mounted—he came nearer my own fears. "This card will never get out straight.

I wish he had followed my own hints on this point—chosen a board more like that I sent him.

All my intimate friends who have known me for many years—know well enough that that appearance of age

Some have said to me that I look younger now than I did in my youth.

Ingram came in and stayed about fifteen minutes during my stay.

That is my surmise only—of course—but I am willing to bet on it.

W. said: "You have my card?—make use of it!"

As to what should be the nature of the flap—"I am unable to make up my mind.

Of course I am always glad to see my friends. It is to my interest to put my best foot forward.

I think some of my friends imagine that my condition bites—that I feel the bite of poverty, inattention

I explained my talk with Oldach today.

It used to be my delight to get the youngsters, the very young ones, take them in my arms, walk them—often

"I noticed it as I sat here—the dust flew up in a perfect cloud—I got my mouth full of it.

thoughts but the very opposite of my thoughts.

This was about the time of the Walt Whitman Club business that I put my foot down on.

"If it was to tip over, it would knock my neck badly out of joint.

"Over there on the box," he said, "is my red handkerchief: will you hand it to me?"

"This," he said to me, "is one of my weaknesses: a weakness of long standing."

paper in view—only to relieve my fullness."

Remarked: "I see from my post at the window that it is so—that the bustle is being discarded.

And he added: "It was towards evening—I had already had my dinner. Oh! the day was grand!

My good wishes with you!" Saturday, May 11, 1889

Give my love to all the ferry boys—all of 'em! And how are you yourself, Danny?"

They wrote back that they must have something—must have something over my name.

thoughtfully, as he looked in a fixed way at me: "But, Horace," he said, "this book quite revises, recasts, my

No—he is not my man.

But this catarrhal affection bothers me a good deal—troubles my head."

How Emerson could ever have got spliced to her beats my explanation.

John had not yet had my postal about O'Connor—but writes of him—had read of it in the paper.

I know how keenly you must feel it, and you have my deepest sympathy.

No words come to my pen adequate to express the sense of the loss we have all suffered in the death of

I had received my article back from the Critic today, with this statement—(which I now read to W.): "

It has been my impression always, though perhaps from no actual knowledge at all, the DeKay is rich—comes

W. saw the bundle in my hand, asked about it, so I tore it open in the semidarkness.

Davis for the present—have her put them in water—then in the morning I'll have them in my room—enjoy

Adding: "and while you're in, Ed, go upstairs in my room—you'll find there on the chair a little package

W. had questioned me on my first coming: "Is it too cool out here for me?"

I referred to my intention of writing to Stedman this week.

Oldach Binder, Phila:" he added Please send this up to the binders (men or women) who are working on my

book—& I herewith send them my best respects.

"I want to go next door," he explained, "take my arm, Horace"—then going toilsomely on, step by step.

"No, not at all, not stronger in the legs: my strength does not come back to me."

W. responded: "It is a great joy—a great joy simply to get out of my cell."

This morning we went out even before my breakfast—took a trip around the block."

This in my invariable feeling.

He then said: "It is my head—I have not been at all well today, though not giving up entirely.

This is my first outing—this, now, in the evening; though," and he said this rather triumphantly, "I

And when I explained, with my arguments with Bonsall and Harned against it, W. exclaimed: "Good!

Why—some of my best—in fact, my very best friends have been women."

Then: "I should like my friend Col. Cockerill, of the World, invited—Col. J.

I remember when I was a young man one of my placards for remembrance—for every-day contemplation—was

To postpone my own pleasure to others' convenience, My own convenience to others' comfort, My own comfort

to others' want, And my own want to others' extreme need.

I must have it in memoranda there in my note books"—pointing to the table.

"I was sure I had laid it carefully for you here—but, as usual, my best care would not save it."

As to the circular, he said in reply to my direct question: "Yes, I like it: It is in perfect good taste

It is a meaning I always invoke—a meaning, I hope palpably in all my work—to be drawn therefrom and acknowledged

"Parisian Street Life" was the piece by Miss Larned which he had marked for my sister.

He would indeed like to read "Underground Russia," which I named as among my books.

this correspondent (Harriot Stanton Blatch: London, May 9), had said to her: "Ah, here's another of my

s book.W. called my attention to the fact that Stoddard "has been essaying again"—and commented: "It

But afterwards he more or less acquiesced in my explanation.

Davis, who retired on my entrance. W. said he had not been well today.

"This is one of my bad days—a cold-in-the-head day. I have not been out at all.

My sister Agnes had sent him down a bunch of flowers. "Good girl! good girl!"

And after my answer: "Oh! the obvious way—the way it is spelled. Well, I don't know!"

I do not think it can be accused of me that I have been ungenerous with respect to my books: on the contrary

had enclosed in our letters a little slip, containing the following letter: Cambridge, March 13, 1877 My

The truth is my affairs here demand my constant presence.

One of my men has left me & cannot yet find another.

Then he said: "My advice to the boys would be, let it be a local affair if it must."

But he has not been well—"My head troubles me a great deal.

Perhaps my objections are whimsical."

Harned had just been at my house, discussing affairs with me.I received today a note from Ingersoll,

always understood that I feel a never-ending gratefulness for those abroad who helped me, that time of my

Then they came forward, took my book, took me—and saved me.

Of course for me, from my person, the great moral, emotional, testimony the story bears is never to be

When my friends gather from all parts in my honor, it would be a cruel, an inexcusable, slight, for me

were alone, that even the coming in any shape "might be clouded over" if there happened Friday "one of my

Kennedy's postal was that spoken of last evening (as follows) and touched also upon my invitation for

or eight of us—we were there together—in the back room—I at the head—took that big wine bottle from my

If God gave me my choice of the whole planet or my little farm, I should certainly take my farm.Mr.

You know my bright particular friend there, Julius Chambers, is now on the World.

W. said for his own part: "I am persuaded that my painter has not yet arrived.

My sympathies all go out towards the outcast." I asked him again about his toast to the Queen.

But in my philosophy—in the bottom-meanings of Leaves of Grass-there is plenty of room for all.

And I, for my part, not only include anarchists, socialists, whatnot, but Queens, aristocrats."

"No—none at all: my only trouble was, that I insisted on eating supper after I got home: this was superfluous

I should announce that all I have to say I have said in my books, which anybody may buy for himself;"

My sister Agnes had sent him down some roses, which we arranged in a glass on the table, where Mrs.

At my age and in my state of health I can only enclose a slight token of goodwill, with the wish that

family knows or cares anything about my literary work, fame—none of them: it might just as well not

W. said: "No—I think not: it was a letter full of good feeling—containing a remembrance of my birthday

And he added afterwards: "It was a letter that went straight to my heart," pausing and continuing waggishly

this of my father is much the best. Did you know about Henry Inman?

He thought also: "It will all be toned down with the thought that I am old—that it is my 70th year!"

But if the weather continues as it is now, I must take another hour for my outings—a noon hour or thereabouts

As to my own copies, he advised: "Take one now—take it along with you": and then jokingly: "It will arm

And finally: "When you write him, send along my love: such a word as that deserves something!"

shall require a closed carriage—but still I will be there: nothing in the ordinary way can now move my

It justifies my faith—gladdens us both. Walt sat there and regarded me happily as I read it.

W. this noon, on my entrance, sat looking over a copy of the pocket edition.

But most enjoyably of all did he listen to my reading of Kennedy's letter.

Said: "I have my own speech prepared: it will only be a couple of lines."

I gave him the substance of my letter.

care—besides something of my own."

He started it "My dear comrade," and signed himself as having "the ardor of a regular—or irregular—dyed-in-the

Several times my voice almost betrayed me, and W.'

How my heart leaped into every action of others that went to the finer significance of the occasion.

At another time in the midst of things W. himself motioned to me across the hall and put into my hands

Out of all this, how deliberate the process of my content!

In fact: "When I got into the hall—up the fine broad stairway—had my seat there at the table—a good bottle

So they set to and transported me without the least effort on my part—chair and all.

It is the usual fate of my things upstairs."

"I shall go for a few minutes into the parlor, then up to my den."

It was in such a way he retorted: and I adopt the story, as fitting my coat!"

leaves,—"I have heard so often of this book—been spoken to so often about it—it is time I had it in my

"It is one of my books there on the floor."

"I have discarded my old comb and brush—though I rarely use a brush.

I asked W. if my observation of W.'

It has always been so: it is a part of my ancestral quality persisting and saving.

"But," he added, "after all, the big book is the book, in my estimation: has a quality not imparted by

My effort has always been to pack, condense, solidify—to get my material into the smallest space compatible

When the big publishers—Harpers, the Century folks—issue a book, they use as many as my whole edition

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

of having received the pocket edition—but never says a word about the dinner—evidently had not got my

W. had said at the outset: "As they say at Washington, I will give the matter my thoughtful consideration

Not that I thought much about it—only, that was my impression, gathered of long doubt and dubiosity.

There came at the end of one month there, a check for my usual amount—the usual stipend.

I don't know what it was—whether the money, or my own condition, that inspired me.

Had I the way, I should take my house and lump it down there: or if an opportunity came to exchange it—who