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he asked, as I looked at the frontispiece—and on my saying what he was, fully—"Oh yes!

Asked after my work last night—seemed and said he was "pleased that you got out so well."

as he is—calling my attention to some of the portraits—particularly Schiller's—saying of this—"What a

I laughed at the glow, but told W. what had been the substance of my letter: then asking him: "Don't

shall drink very little myself—it would not do—only enough to taste—to be satisfied it is right—that my

Called my attention to the book in his hand.

"This is one of my countless memorandum books—I have had hundreds of them—this is a Washington one—now

Bucke made some suggestions as to head-line for my Whitman essay thus: I hope great things from your

I explained that they would not fall in line with the personal flavor of my paper.

But I ought to add of this, as I would of my own writing—you are the man who is writing it, or I am,

I remember a farce, when I was a young man, theatre-going—'The Captain's not a-Miss'—not a bad pun, as

I was just on my way home from work.

Referred to my father's big charcoal Whitman.

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

He admits: "Out-of-doors is my savior this winter."

And turning the pages of the Weekly—"This is my despair—all this sumptuousness, elegance.

Then—on my asking what he had clipped from the Tribune extract (I noticed it was cut): "There were two

"My head has been in a queer chaotic condition—as though in a whirl of phlegm."

I was not in my best condition—this trouble was on me—and so we did not say much."

and "My 71st Year." with his own written corrections."

Ed told me at one time he thought he could push it over—so I thought it my duty to get rid of it—remove

Referred to it: "Yes—my piece appeared today—and today came the proof of the other piece, too—'Old Age's

It was indeed a striking piece of work, and on my remark that it was the best Century page for a long

The noble breadth of page seems to lend itself to my lines."

W. taking my repetition of this thus: "I feel it is true.

Clemens) for Walt Whitman.I write from my bed. Where's the book?SincerelyR. W.

31 1889Dear Sir:I think I subscribed $5 to the publication of the "Camden Compliment," and I enclose my

W. thought: "From my point of view, aside entirely from what is said on it, the book is a success from

I do not get over my astonishment, however, that this is for us—that I have lived to see it."

Said he had "another red-ink postal from the Epoch person, directing my attention to The Epoch of Nov

My own poem looks well: there is a noble breadth given it there—in the mere printerial aspect of it."

"The only other copy of Camden's Compliment I had I sent to my sister," he said.

placed on the middle table, then opening his note-book, hunting up T.Tennyson's address—which he put on my

"I have been out of my chair today—had a delicious trip—the day fine beyond words.

I went up to Tom's—knocked at the office door with my cane—but evidently nobody was in." Alex.

Directed my attention to a French paper in the chair. "It comes from Bartlett's son, now in France.

"The paper contains a translation of my 'Bravo Exposition' piece, whether good or bad I do not know.

Adding after my nod of assent, "Well, if there's anyone in the world he ought to know by this time—would

Did you go to hear my good friend Herne read while he was in Philadelphia.

He is my convert to the Single Tax. By the way does W. W. indicate interest in it still?

Give him my love.

The last one—the closing one—just the last year—in this room—since my sickness.

Said: "I have been spending one of my usual unrelieved monotonous days—feeling very well, except for

this strange, palling weight in my head, which wears down, a constant pressure upon me."

Whitman ever heard of me, or that he would care to hear, but he has my sympathy, and best wishes for

Stockton:Dictated::W. exclaimed—"Indeed I do care—all those things are touching—go straight to my heart

W. in his room, reading Scott—laying the volume face down, on my entrance.

I think Edward Emerson is constitutionally my enemy.

And to my yes, "What?"

And to my explanation what, "Let me predict, then, that it will be of no avail.

But then," he added—"for my sake too—for all our sakes!" Friday, November 8, 1889

despise the Copperheads, irrespective of who they are, their fame—what-not: but aside from that, all my

My impression of Julian as I met him here at the dinner was a good one—very good."

I wrote of it in my letter to Doctor—that you had such a letter—that it was not to be publicated, at

I also feel sure that he also felt that my home would be with my dear sister Mrs.

don't know who will be my guardian now!

I was out in my chair yesterday—Warrie took me and we went up towards the city hall.

W. said: "It is so, too: the real doctor, the genuine scientist—he is my man—he every time.

"Still I am not mad at him only, but fond of him too—and my sneaking notion is, to go there again."

As to the pocket edition: "I stick to my liking.

sent up to Tom some scraps, debris, quite a bundle for his Philadelphia lawyer-friend"—and noticing my

But as time wore on, while my curiosity remained, its direction changed somewhat.

I have gone right on—my bent has remained my bent,—everything remained as it would have remained otherwise

I have for a couple of days been trying to get my hand down to the work of jotting my impressions—my

I don't know what will come of it—how well the memories will revive and my pencil stay them.

"On my trip out today, I stopped and left a copy of the leather book for Sam Grey.

"William O'Connor and Nellie O'Connor occupy a large place in my memory—not in my memory alone, but in

that larger life—my emotional, sympathetic, poetic, life—which has most importantly commanded me.

—all my feeling, once divided, seems to flow out to Ellen alone.

force, accretion, gift, effulgence—soul-force, let us call it, for want of a better word: the making of my

I have always felt, what my mother often said to me, that these old folk of the grand type were made

Here in my own case I go even to the extreme of hesitation, so to call it but I suppose I am saved by

paragraphs—then said: "I felt as I heard you read along that there was something that gibed perfectly with my

As to his mail (Warren had just been to the Post Office): "This whole week my mail has been small, and

Looking back over my own time—looking into the period starting with '61—'62—I have nothing to regret,

It is a vivid touch out of life—I see it as if physical phenomena, this moment before my eyes.

I demand that my whole emotional nature be powerfully stirred.

I never saw him—but in my early years, in Brooklyn, when I loafed a good part of my spare time on the

Gave me a copy of the Lear for Aggie, who projected having a big charcoal copy made by my father.

My advice would be in the words of Punch in its picture—the little word of four letters, printed as big

this earth, head-up, sorto"'—and he laughingly spelled "sorto" saying—"It is a word I often use—one of my

Bucke strengthen my faith in immortality."

"It is indeed," he said, "I know nothing that better satisfies my own feeling, conviction."

He seemed to like my opinions, judgment.

So a good part of my work was to spare him work—to go over the correspondence,—give him the juice, substance

—my figure?"

The subject had been started by my use of the word "dive"—an oyster "dive."

The word saloon came into use first to my knowledge in this country fifty years or so ago through a novel

could not or would not understand their deeper meaning, nor recognize their subtler beautiesRepeating my

I send papers to friends and friends of my friends—often to people I have never met.

Detailed the incident: "It was my old Alabama admirer, who came up here several years ago—was talked

My old friend did not cease his admiration, so far as I know.

Referring to use of words, W. remarked: "In my abolition days, some of my friends were furious at my

I consider him one of my true friends. He looked well and fat—his arm nearly recovered.

Suddenly he looked at me and laughed: "I got my poem back from Harper's Weekly," he remarked.

Then besides, a man at my years and condition must not worry about anything." But what of the poem?

Intends to insert the autobiographic page out of my book—also a new advertising page, which he wrote

Left that in my hands.

His own speech is to me just the thing—his voice just the right pitch for my ears."

W. said now, upon my questioning if there could have been the least idea there of resenting the aid of

I said my explanation of it as only of general meaning—having rather to do with the abstract view of

No one can know it as I know it—not my nearest friends of the old days—not even William O'Connor, not

Kendal interview, over which, as Harned puts it: "Walt came up to my house and drank with me a glass

I did not get out of my chair." Said he had had letters "but nothing significant"—even Dr.

"Much to my surprise, I became interested in it—greatly interested.

I gave the sheet to him out of my pocket.

He could not have done worse if he had set out to do everything the opposite of my instructions.

There was one critic who quoted from Wordsworth to prove that my picture was not only not new, but was

Called my attention to a passage within—this: "The article in 'American' by H.S.

Non-committal as to W., who remarked: "I consider Thomas McKean, who has charge of the Ledger—as not only not my

I said it was in this line I projected my magazine article.

I put in: "Yes—my purpose is, to start off with Symonds' passage, elevating L. of G.Leaves of Grass above

And to my remark that Aldrich however was much more likable than Stoddard, except for some of S.Stoddard's

s phrase, "The Last Bard," describing my father's picture—had attracted me.

W.: "Yes, I have noticed it, too: though it hardly forced my attention.

And then: "I sent my own word in to Whitney: not to him direct, because I do not know him—but to Dick

W. said: "Never mind—I shall not miss it: I always keep my eyes open for Bob."

Agnes designs a big charcoal reproduction of the Gutekunst picture by my father.

W. likes the idea, and proposes to send her a picture from which my father can work. The day cool.

Later in the day he sent proof up to my home. Added to it his Rossetti letter.

He had noticed the snarling of the dog on my entrance down stairs, and remarked: "There are good dogs

I suppose it is in the line of my piece on Hicks?"

I was looking through some of my scraps today—these were some of the results—I thought you would perhaps

I get from Walt by means of the newspapers, & new & then a postal.With very sincere regards to you, my

My dear Traubel:Here is postal note for the doctor's book—$4.00.

CliffordLove to WaltThank him for liberal terms to my doctor. W. exclaimed: "Good! Good!

Had written Morris' and my own names on the big envelopes, on the former's giving "respects and thanks

Much better"—and when I spoke of the weather as inducing it, possibly, he said— "I am more apt to say, my

I give you the same privilege I demand for myself—the privilege of believing that in my own affairs,

My hands are all over honey—honey"—and washed them as I waited.

He said: "I was a great spouter in my early days—even later on—had my favorite pieces—these among them

Yes, 'A Voice Out of the Sea,' my own piece was one—one of many.

There was considerable feeling at the time—all were not agreed in favor of it—but my folks were emancipationists

But there are three or four of my very most intimate friends—those nearest, best understanding me—who

thoroughly realize that my disposition is to hear all—the worst word that is said—the ignorantest—whatever

I can never get them to print my pictures as I want them—with an inclination towards the top of the page—certainly

I took it in my hands.

he asked,and on my acquiescence—"So me, too. I think it one of the best—the very best.

he explained—Flynn came in the other evening and took it away in his arms.As we sat there talking, my

Adding: "My use of the word has been contested.

Yet I am sure of my correctness.

One piece on my 71st year—a proof came of it today—it probably will go into the November number—only

He had called my attention to the Inness picture several days ago—asked me—"What do you think of that

Referred again to the Gutekunst picture and to my copy of it.

—that in my old days, I more and more make morality so called take a back seat—relegate it—subordinate

Then to my questions, answered, "Yes—since you were here I have been reasonably well—as well as I have

I expressed my liking for a translation not so literal—one more bathed in the spirit—and W. said—"I see—I

W. however—"No—I should prefer to give him a little token—say the McKay picture, with my name on it—wouldn't

I must have an envelope for my pictures—a good strong capacious white envelope—capacious, for the pictures

deprecating remark, "Look out—you fellows"—laughingly—"Carnegie paid a handsome price for a seat at my

instance, to the boys—the messenger boys—who came often, he would put his hands on their shoulders—say, 'My

or 'Sit down there, my son,' something in that way, with a radiant kindliness, humanity—in a natural

O'Connor, always, and from the first—and my claim always belongs and there was the curious great Russian

I signed them, when signed at all, with my last name—Whitman—Whitman alone!

A sort of silk tape about a quarter of an inch in width—yellow was my color—I used to get it—took delight

Did I ever tell you what my good Doctor—a very wise man there in Washington—used to tell me?

They are totally genuine—we could say of them what Gilder said of my poetry—that they stand specifically

All the fellows of any value put the brakes down—all of them: among my personal friends I know of no

Even my dear mother long ago saw that, for she said to me there were two things I could never do and

And every time I read that piece I grow in my perception of the capaciousness, amplitude, of the man.

And to Tillman himself: "And you, Tillman—take my love to the ferry boys—tell them I hope to see them

I have not so far been on the boats—but my time is near—my time is near!"

W. said: "Give him my love." A young Unitarian minister from Cambridge preaches in Camden tomorrow.

York—up towards Harlem—Mott Haven—there was an old wharf on which I spent some of the happiest hours of my

Called my attention to a book in which there was a portrait of Tennyson, with his big hat.

W. had at once on our entrance insisted on having a light—"Oh my, we must have on!

The Thoreau cairn of stones: "That was there when I paid my visit—I carried a big stone—a stone as big

as my head—and threw it on—we all did.

samples, and he was very happy in them, saying at once on handling them: "Yes, they will do—he caught my

Adding—"I shall look at them at my leisure. And what about the cost?"

Called my attention to it. Asked me: "Is Morris unusually gay and happy?

That was a great Long Island phrase in my early days.

There was one of my English critics who dwelt upon the prominence I give to the sense of smell—gave it

Though he had not yet inscribed my picture he said: "It is ready at any time you choose to take it."

That's a sample of the way my memory works nowadays!" Thursday, September 12, 1889

Said to me very quickly after my coming: "I have had visitors today—several.

And to my doubting—"It was the man Arnold, from England—Edward Arnold, author of 'Light of Asia'—you

Called my attention (though it was not needed, the room so fragrant) to a cluster of woodbine on the