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Though away at the moment of my coming, W. was not long in making his appearance.

I have made up my mind that Harry and Buckwalter should have copies—so as Harry was here, I thought he

"It is not my funeral, you know!"

I have often taken to wondering lately, if my Quaker habit of waiting for the spirit or Socratic demon

I find anyhow that a great many of my readers credit my writings with things that do not attach to the

He had a strikingly positive blue gown on which at once attracted my eye and occasioned remark.

It is a present from my sister, George's wife."

my dear! You've come again!"

Jenkins, of the American, returned my article on O'Connor as "too eulogistic."

It's as bad as it used to be when I sent Mary out a-searching for my socks.

I was in Germantown all day, going there of set purpose to display my manuscript to Clifford and have

him criticise my plans.

W. wore his bright blue gown, and said: "I have just been out to my favorite companion—the river!

My mail today had also brought me letters from Rhys, Rolleston, Rossetti and William Morris.

89If convenient please give the bearer, for the Photo: Process Co: for me, the negative of the photo: my

But it was my fault you did not find 'em. I failed to tell Ed why I had placed them there."

I had a letter from Kerr, of Unity, saying he would publish my O'Connor article, which I had sent him

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 laughed and he, laughing too, remarked: "You must not laugh at my shoes—I am tremenjuously proud of

"Yes—and it will be as hard to get suited in this as for me in my shirts.

When I go to order my shirts, the man will say to me, with a mixture of compassionateness, superiority

What right have you to protest against my having what I want and will pay for?'

It has always been one of my finer joys, to watch the varied, varying, ever-changing, inter-locking,

As he looked around, hearing my step, he exclaimed, "Oh!

"And to show my faith in it, I will pay you for it forthwith!"

Here W. turned his finger my way, and said waggishly—"And that's for you, too!"

—the best made since my sickness!"

Kerr objected to my use of "sun-glown" as obsolete.

However, those few lines will at least serve as an unambiguous testimony of my deep and true devotion

eyes.Ever yours sincerely and affectionatelyEdward Bertz W. remarked: "I am well aware of it, that my

I had with me, a rough manuscript of my book matter, and read to him from it, here and there.

British readers," and I replied that in making up the volume I was not seeking to please anybody—that my

plan was, the matter having been put in my charge, to give what I thought the most fitting record of

He called my attention to a bunch of wheat-stalks on the table. "A lady brought them in.

It raises my solicitude. As we left he took up a local paper—said he would try to read.

W. was not at home on my coming, but in ten minutes or so was wheeled up by Ed.

I gave him my father's translation of the German article.

I stayed but briefly—long enough to know his condition, to deliver my own messages and get his.

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

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

People criticised my article for its applause—it was "too strong."

Said he: "The older I grow, the broader, deeper, larger that word Solidarity is impressed on my convictions—Solidarity

My niece had written in the course of a note to my sister, "There is a nasty dirty polecat prowling around

W. laughed uproariously over my recital of this. "It's too good to keep!"

Was in bathroom on my arrival, but came shortly over into his bedroom.

way across the room to find, then back again to the stairway to send flying down: would not accept my

They call this noise 'patriotism'—a queer patriotism it is, to my mind!"

Before I left he called my attention to a long sad letter from Mrs.

As to my protests that this was a rally on friends, who did not come for analyses but for celebration

W. not home the moment of my call, so I sat down in the parlor, reading and waiting.

buildings which he could descry from his position on the wharf—"the big buildings—all gone up since my

My description appeared greatly to interest him, and he questioned me keenly in detail, as is his wont

Dave will leave it absolutely in my hands to arrange.

"You'll find it easily," he said, "say I sat in my usual place up there—my chair turned this way"—wheeling

Jennie Gilder was "more disposed our way, but she is making money—at least that is my supposition (there

no money in the Critic) and has more or less resigned her place on the Critic: that, at any rate, is my

And so would say at my mention of feudalism—'does it do feudalism any good to have it presented in such

I am sure that if I had my legs and a boat, it would be a day for me."

If my article gave such an impression, it was one not intended.

Tell him I don't want him to discuss my Philadelphia and Camden friends."

s on my way home (5.10) to leave one set of proofs of my piece for the book.

should not spread things out—I should keep both letters and speeches well together"—which was precisely my

I referred to McKay—my reference to him in the introduction—that some thought Dave's act in espousal

tonic—I have been taking it—I am sure it contains strychnia: it does me good in general, but affects my

I have had trouble with my hearing for several months past—quite a decided loss of power": which I have

be merely transitory.Last night I had mentioned to W. that the printer wanted a paragraph added to my

I can see the Duchess now as so often in my young days,—thrusting her head in at the flies."

over before he went to bed, and "leave out in the hall," so I could secure it early in the morning, on my

He minds me most often of a captain—a great captain—chosen for a tempestuous voyage—everything against

It was from him I learned many of my best things about Lincoln.

It was a flash out of heaven: the man was a hero to me at once: I was enthusiastic over my discovery.

It was typical of the common soldier—not uncommon in any sense: my experience has been full of just such

As for the litter—that is of my own choosing: I need not have that except as I elect to have it—I could

And I am sure—notwishstanding Hamlin Garland's fear, I am most blessed in my Camden friends: who more

—though I doubt if you can catch a good 200 lbs., which I believe I still weigh, in spite of my emaciation

then to my affirmative response: "If I keep on in this way I shall by and by have a Hebrew clientage—and

And he said still again: "And all my Hebrew friends are turning out to be among the young—you would call

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!'"

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.

Said as to my inquiries: "I am bad again, very bad—somehow start into a new siege: it is my head, my

At my mention of the 3/4 length—"Ah! yes! that I take to be my right bower!"

s room dark on my entrance, he on bed, and alone in my room.

Adding after my negative response—"He is a good friend of mine, of Leaves of Grass.

I think that quite a work—at least, that was my impression at the time."

hesitation he said, "I will get it for you—I should get up anyhow"—going then first to the chair with my

leaned very heavily on me—more heavily than I have ever known before—rather by his manner emphasizing my

Then said as to Davidson: "Give him my best regards—tell him, if you get the chance (for me particularly

Then away, with promise to stop in tomorrow forenoon on my way to Philadelphia.

Stopped in on my way to town. W. reading the Record. He spoke of feeling better.

My father was a great admirer of Lafayette—and Lafayette was indeed a grand man.

As to Lee, he said: "I am very loth to talk of Lee—my tongue, (I do not know but my pen, too) is slow

s raised my ire. W. realized at once that I was mad,—asked, "What is it about?"

Of course it appealed to me, awoke my response.

W. in bathroom on my arrival. I sat in his big chair and read till he came back.

Would not repeat my strong words. "No, I try to be more lenient with him. He can't help it!

You can realize my quick denial.

And you are right: if I have nothing to do with it, what my friends or others do I cannot help—but if

"if people would believe that I understand my own business, we would all get along better!"

This always arouses my fears.

As I groped my way for a chair, after shaking hands with him, I asked how he had spent the day.

But he added, after Ed had gone out: "I feel much better now—have felt much better ever since I had my

is made too prominent—when it is indeed insisted upon—when it is too much poked in one's face—I turn my

Perhaps it would be as well to wait and what S. had to say, if anything, in response to my letter.

and his face assumed its serious aspect.He said again: "I got two letters in my mail today—one from Doctor

Harned's boy was there, also, coming forward in the dark when he heard my voice and informing me, "I

That would be my understanding of him." W. said he had written to Mary Costelloe today.

Then he continued: "In my mail today was a letter from Kennedy.

I said that for my part I looked upon Stedman's position as thoroughly firm and genuine.

My stay very brief. I did not desire to do more than get proof.

The unlighted room caught me as I came near the house, aroused my apprehension.

Impressed to hear of my father's growing good opinion of German translation of Leaves of Grass.

Eminently cordial—spoke up instantly on my entrance: "I have had a call today from Tom and Mrs.

though somewhat irregularly, for it was nearly dark) endorsed it; sending it, as he put it there, "With my

At my mention deprecatively of "The Mystic Trumpeter," he explained: "I do not mean that—that is exceptional—that

Book in my hands (a present from Clifford; Gilman on Profit-sharing).

today, considering generosity and breadth of purport and spirit.Weather thereupon—the beauty of the day—my

The Captain—what is his name?

there comes Captain'"—here W. stopped—"Oh!

the Captain of The Three Bells—what was his name—what was his name?

Then he went on: "Anyhow, Captain Brace turned to me, called: 'By God! there comes Captain Gibson!'

My notes show for a week and more past his own dwelling upon the subject.

W. asked me about the reception to the Missouri's Captain in Philadelphia Maritime Exchange at noon today

And my man I told you about yesterday, he was a bonnie Scotchman.

"Did I ever tell you of D'Avezac, my old French friend there in New York?

Then: "And I have had wonderful good luck anyhow in my life to have met a number of such originals—not

There was Flynn, too, my Irish friend"—spelled his name, also.

"The Captain sails away for Baltimore today, don't he?

he asked, after a pause, and to my "nothing" he added: "nor have I anything.

My mail was small enough: a letter from Bucke—a short one—in which he says his two brothers are still

As I had—my engagement being for tomorrow afternoon.

I did not prolong my stay. W. not in good talking mood. In such cases I never linger.

I got my estimate on a thousand." W. then: "Well, I don't know but I'll have a thousand anyway."

My head is in a bad state tonight. I must not worry it with anything at all."

Did not till later mention my own message. He answered: "Yes—and quite a long letter, too.

"Doctor returned me the slip, with reference to my future use of it—it is there in the note."

W. asked: "Did they understand my note?"

"I don't know whether too much or not, but I like to know my men—who they are, what they do.

Bucke called my attention to it at the time.

"It is my invariable test of a doctor, his not too-great certainty.

Ed says W. suggested to him: "I should rather eat my crust on my own dung hill than a good meal on another's

I wrote in one of my letters to Doctor that Stedman was mad.

To Brahms I owe my redemption from the ultra-Wagnerian school.

The fact is I renewed my musical youth by his acquaintance.

Was greatly interested anyhow in my Germantown trip—in my description of greens—the rain-freshened landscape.I

W. listened intently to my rehearsal of Clifford's opinions and reasons, and for the rest of the time

of my stay seemed much more troubled and silent than before.

s consent to write to Stedman for my two letters, submit them to W., and if he approved, consent that

Nowadays my memory for names seems strangely deserting me—strangely."

W. in bathroom on my arrival.

Spoke of Scribner's I had in my hand and with which he said he was finished.

Our talk of Alcott had arisen out of my remark that Camden had got its fame through W. W.

Then my objection as above.

And after my reply—"He was a priest then?" I asked him if he had not read George Eliot's "Romola."

He lay on bed in his room—his eyes open—his look rather vacant: seemed a little startled by my entrance

For instance, I like every day to take a bath—make it my rule, nearly—particularly in this weather—it

I don't think any of the doctors—the best doctors—have arrived at my doctrine yet—that each person who

So I took my quinine—and what did it do but set my head spinning, this way"—indicating—"like a wheel.

I find Swedenborg confirmed in all my experience. It is a peculiar discovery.

And that would be my doctrine, too!"

Some reference being made to eyesight, W. exclaimed, "Well—that's my case exactly—I am getting worse

and worse fixed—so that by and by my sight will be altogether gone."

may have had its good effect: except that we must not forget there's no way under heaven to give me my

All my faculties seem to be settling down into a masterly incompetency, dullness."

W. said, "It is a good book—it has my cordial regard right through.

Asked me again of "my Jew constituency"—the young fellows, etc.

Who knows but after all the youth are my natural friends?"

And after my reply: "Oh! that they may know about it 60 years hence."

that I would not adopt some of his suggestions, but always comforted himself with saying, "It's not my

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

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

As usual, W. was not at home at the moment of my arrival, though coming soon after.

My dear Mr. Traubel,You will be alarmed at my corrections.

But they are absolutely necessary & you must let me pay for the proof changes—My "involved style!"