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here, but cold enough outside frozen hard— O why hast thou bleach'd these locks, old Time yet left my

1844, that is about "an aged man" who meets a young man and tells him, "I was like thee, once gay, my

son, — / Sweet pleasure filled my heart," but "conquering time / Hath bleached my locks so gray."

Camden Friday afternoon May 6 My dear friend I am sorry to hear of your feeling so unwell, & have thought

while I was there)—I had a lively time in Boston—Susan I wish you could have been there the evening of my

such a collection of people as would have suited you, & been a study—different from any I ever saw in my

them from the usual crowd—about 300—(I will tell you more when I see you)— As I write this part of my

supper, & here I am in perfect quiet up in my room, finishing my letter—Susan my dear friend I hope

March 6 Dear friend The days go along with me pretty much after the old sort, though I dont don't get my

did in the fall & early winter—I busy myself writing some & reading a little—am doing quite well with my

books, & have been all winter—when the weather permits I try to get out, but my strength soon fails

think of coming down next Friday to stay two or three days at any rate—a friend of mine here about my

a long letter from her last week—Susan I am afraid this is not a very lively letter—I have just had my

431 Stevens Street Camden Sunday afternoon Jan: 16 My dear friends You havn't haven't sent for the two

I was out once or twice sleighing—my brother took me—his mare Nelly is in fine condition—pretty lively—makes

things fly sometimes I have been in all day reading & writing—I have put up two sets of my books, to

farmer—well if he is satisfied, it is about as good as anything, I don't know but better— There comes my

call to dinner, & I shall go for it without delay & finish my helter-skelter letter afterwards.

Camden Feb: 22 Evening My dear friend I still keep around & have been over to Philadelphia this afternoon

morning May 3 '87 Dear friend I got home all right Sunday afternoon—had a nice enjoyable ride—enjoyed my

visit anyhow—Yesterday I felt pretty dry, up in my room, & made a glass of drink, water, sugar & vinegar—from

that bottle you gave me—such as I remember my dear mother making sixty years ago, for my father, of

a hot day, when I was a little boy—& my drink went well too—Nothing new of any importance with me—Send

have just written him a few lines—told him ab't Harry —Warm & sunny to-day & I am sitting here with my

Whitman: "Because you have, as it were, given me a ground for the love of men I thank you continually in my

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

living near a railroad— —I am well as usual— WW London Ont Ontario Canada, Nov November 28– 83 1883 My

I am up in my little room writing this while my patients are sadly pacing up and down the hall.

Have 42 men in my charge. Will have to close for the present so good-bye.

(1884) 328 Mickle street Camden Monday 3 pm Nov 10 Thanks my dear friend for the nice chicken—I have

just had a part of it for my dinner—& the honey in the comb just like that is something I like—I had

request of a fine jolly young Englishman who is visiting there for a few days, & told me much about my

considerably better, more able to get around since the cool weather has set in—had rather a bad summer—my

I send my best love R M Bucke Richard Maurice Bucke to Walt Whitman, 15 December 1888

My visit East is likely to be delayed some weeks.

There is nothing new as to my plans since I wrote you last some two or three days ago, have not heard

I am not too well pleased at this postponement of my trip East as I am anxious to see you and was counting

greatest admiration for him and the magnificent way he has behaved all through—I hope it may be in my

power someday to show my appreciation of his excellent qualities in some practical way.

We are all well here I send you my love R M Bucke Richard Maurice Bucke to Walt Whitman, 6 December 1888

But I have a good fire in my office, have just had a good dinner of roast turkey and potatoes boiled

Augustine Birrell), so I feel that I can defy the Pope the Devil and the Pretender—(an old expression of my

the same blessing"—seriously I trust all is going well with you—and with the big book —I hope to get my

There is nothing further from Gurd and I feel my patience wearing thin again—all quiet and going well

is a year today since our fire—hope it will be a good many untill until the next —I had a proof of my

O'C's condition & every thing relating to him —(a good strong man nurse he evidently needs at once—my

Of course I make no response— Things nearly the same—not one even of my tolerable days—my head is uncomfortable

substantial volume—not that I am overwhelmed or even entirely satisfied by it, but as I had not put my

Commemoration Ode," which has often, since its publication, been contrasted with Whitman's own tribute, "O Captain

My Captain!" For further information on Whitman's views of Lowell, see William A.

matter with me now—I fear he is having a bad time—& think of him much—Nothing very different or new in my

affairs—my "cold in the head" still hangs on—some twinge of bladder trouble, but nothing serious—upon

Wednesday 20th —Sunny & cool & fine to-day—My brother Jeff from St Louis (topographical engineer) here

—(as he grows older, we look curiously alike—you would know he was my brother)—he is not well, stomach

the tel[egram] that you w'd not start till next Monday—bowel action this mn'g—am sitting as usual by my

Toward sunset Had a good thorough bath this afternoon, hot water—my "cold" has not altogether withdrawn—I

day—I almost envy your having such lots to do, responsibilities & strong & well & energetic to do 'em—My

lassitude is one of the worst points in my condition—but whether Sidney Morse's man's answer (when reproach'd

probably say)—Well I will adjust myself for dinner, & hope you & Mrs B & all are having good times—& send my

Quite a steady snow to-day, half melting after it falls—I have written to Kennedy —nothing to-day (to my

the youngsters out with skates & sleds— Am thinking much of O'C —I enclose Symonds's letter —So far my

Your "November Boughs" has been my companion during the last week.

I shall try to obtain it through my London bookseller.

Each time I have attempted to do so, I have quailed before my own inadequacy to grapple with the theme

sweeping yet —I send it to you—I am alone—stir up the fire & put in some wood—as it grows colder—have my

Whitman: "Because you have, as it were, given me a ground for the love of men I thank you continually in my

Camden Jan: 22 '89 Still keep up & read & write ab't the same—but remain cribb'd in my room.

send the card of Mrs: O'C[onnor], just rec'd —gloomy prospect enough—Nothing new with me—have just had my

have—shall send you some more as I shall have some more in a day or two—(S[arrazin] takes 'em all down in my

snow—I write a few words to O'C every other day or so nothing further rec'd f'm there— Evn'g : have had my

of the best pictures ever made—Mr & Mrs: Harned paid me a nice visit this mn'g—(the madame is one of my

Whitman: "Because you have, as it were, given me a ground for the love of men I thank you continually in my

Jan. 3 but expect some—(or perhaps one will be sent you f'm Boston—If no other way, I shall send you my

weather-scene has changed completely—not cold, but dark & rainy & glum—Ed has been down to the bank to deposit my

almost every respect, chair, bed, &c &c—they say I have not fallen away in flesh (ab't face &c) since my

sick spell—my best strength is in my right arm, hand & side—I can get out of bed quite well now wh'

substantial volume—not that I am overwhelmed or even entirely satisfied by it, but as I had not put my

but must send it sure before long—he has made & sent me a fragmentary trans: of part that I have had my

is Edw'd Carpenter's, as you will see —( Nov: B is more likely to be read and take than any other of my

Whitman: "Because you have, as it were, given me a ground for the love of men I thank you continually in my

volumes of Horace Traubel's With Walt Whitman in Camden (various publishers: 1906–1996) and Whitman's "My

M Nothing special to-day—weather fine, sunny—no doctor visiting—note f'm Century (Gilder) accepting my

met at the binder's, & I am to have as designed by them a specimen of the good cover, &c. ready for my

whack at it several times)— Sunday Jan: 13 Another fine sunny day—just right—Continue well considering—my

wolf skin spread on the back of it & the woolen foot-cloth in front on the floor, with a lap-spread on my

Whitman's poem "My 71st Year" was published in Century Illustrated Magazine in November 1889.

me—raw, wet, cloudy weather here—H Gilchrist came this forenoon to inquire, but did not come up to my

kitchen girl, giving out some bread & meat to the tramp at the gate the other day)—The strength of my

I don't see much prospect of my book on you seeing the light soon" (Feinberg; Horace Traubel, With Walt

three fourths of the rest of the trilogy ditto—it is fished out of one of Dante's hells, considering my

Independent for Nov: with notice of L of G, wh' I mail you—send me the synopsis when you have an opportunity—my

Dec: 3 '88 This is the title-page of a small ed'n of Nov: B . in Scotland I tho't might amuse you —My

concise examination—It has resulted the last four nights in quite no sleep, wh' is a pretty bad factor in my

big chair by the fire, the stove—it is sharp & cold, bright & sunny—Ed Wilkins (my young Kanuck, my

nurse & helper, Dr B. sent) has just come in to tell me the result of an errand—& so monotonously my

thread winds on— My friends Mr & Mrs: Harned have a new: born son —every thing working well—poor Dave

serene as ever & getting on comfortably—had a present of some plump sweet partridges —& half one for my

American sent last night—I believe the books, printing &c. are going to eventuate satisfactorily from my

point of view & plans—no cyclone of success—but no special mishap—wh' is a great victory considering my

snow storm, quite brisk—well I laid in a cord of oak wood yesterday & am keeping up a good fire—had my

meant in it is (as I have before told you) to make the completed, authenticated (& personal) edition of my

annoyance & sometimes severe continued pain—Last night was kind of half and half—had some sleep—have had my

It was included in Good-Bye My Fancy (1891).

time—worse the afternoon & evn'g—or the reverse—But I feel better of the bladder trouble, wh' has been my

spasms, &c have mainly stopt & I am feeling decidedly easier, freer—rose ab't 1½ hours ago—have had my

you might suppose—To have the trilogy definitively done is a very great relief, for I had quite set my

worst is this inveterate horrible costiveness—then the water works give me great annoyance & trouble—my

strength, equilibrium, power to stand up of my own volition & mastery are quite gone—Ed is very good—I

strong & clear—I am going to stretch out on the bed (rest, tide over , lay fallow , & such—are probably my

action pretty moderate—rather less irritation & smartness &c than previous days— I am sitting now in my

hour or so—Sitting here now alone—quiet & cold & near sunset—wind shakes the window sashes—here comes my

Whitman: "Because you have, as it were, given me a ground for the love of men I thank you continually in my

good spirits— will see what to-morrow brings forth— Oct: 28 —It is near noon—Yrs of 26th rec'd —Give my

papers in the "yesterdays" than I said—they are both good tho' )— I enclose a "Viking Age" notice —my

Camden Oct:30 '89—near noon Still cloudy, dark & threatening rain—My sister Lou this forenoon with a

nice chicken & some Graham biscuits—Warren (my nurse, my sailor boy) drove her out in a little wagon

to the cemetery "Evergreen" where my dear mother & Lou's baby children are buried—as she wanted to go

I rubbed my hands in glee after quoting some of the good great fellows (in England & America) who stand

She says, "I saw with my own eyes, his nobility & manners," &c.

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

with me here, but I guess every thing going with me me fairly considering —Am sitting here alone in my

den by the oak-wood fire alone as usual—my sailor boy is off to the dentist, for a long bad job with

Whitman I think it must have been my guardian angel that gave thee the "impalpable nudge" to write to

I am worse & not better, & now I have to go off for I don't know how long to the Pyrennees, leaving my

My road has seemed so shut up—I am laid aside in the midst of all the work I care for—fit for nothing—and

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

— Tuesday 29th —began sunshine but soon clouded and rain-looking—a rare egg, Graham bread & tea for my

attending—Unpleasant this ab't Mary Costelloe's ailing health & strength —I think quite a good deal ab't it—My

My dear friend, Thank you—thank you!

From the condition of my heart death is a daily probability to my conciousness consciousness & I face

all my responsibilities in the sense that it may be for me the last time.

The invective continued on November 18: "He is the worst nuisance & worriment of my illness —Keeps me

18 toward noon '89 Feeling middling—am scribbling a little—I believe the ensuing Century is to print my

little poemet "My 71st Year" —& I think of sending off a piece to Harper's—sent it off Friday evn'g—w'd

weather, now the third day—A young rather green fellow, Charles Sterrit, came over here as candidate for my

the kind—bowel action this forenoon—pretty fair I guess these late & current days—am sitting here in my

Whitman's poem "My 71st Year" was published in Century Illustrated Monthly Magazine in November 1889.

becoming Whitman's housekeeper, Mary Davis had worked for Henry Whireman Fritzinger, a former sea captain

Whitman found the visitor interesting but too effusive: "My main objection to him, if objection at all

interesting collection—a concentering of praise & eulogy rather too single & unanimous & honeyed for my

esthetic sense—(for tho' it has not got around, that same esthetic is one of my main governments, I

Whitman: "Because you have, as it were, given me a ground for the love of men I thank you continually in my

—feeling so-so—Ed has gone over to my friend Tom Donaldson's —D seems to take a fancy for Ed & he reciprocates

—I am sitting here in the den in my big chair—Ed is leaving here soon Londonward—is there any special

drumming trip to New York and Boston—y'rs rec'd last evn'g —mutton & rice broth, Graham toast & tea for my

makes a neat looking little oblong booklet—what it may am't to we will see— The most uncanny item of my

Canada (London I believe) for the purpose of finishing his veterinary studies— I am ab't as usual (my

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

volumes of Horace Traubel's With Walt Whitman in Camden (various publishers: 1906–1996) and Whitman's "My

afternoon—but we have had a dark cold storm two days—I keep on ab't same as usual—in-doors these times—my

other market perhaps—(if not, shall print in a little another Annex —for I contemplate such)—have had my

mid-day massage—am sitting here at the table in my den—good oak fire— Walt Whitman Whitman wrote this

This "Annex" would become Good-bye My Fancy (1891).

, en route for Wash'n—Shall try to get out in wheel chair a little to-day—nothing very different in my

jaunt—went to the bank—went down to the river side—sun, river & sky fine—sat 15 minutes in the Nov. sun—find my

head & bodily strength pretty low yet (no improvement)—I like my sailor boy nurse —I cannot move without

his help—my grub to-day rice-and-mutton broth, bread, and stew'd prunes—appetite fair—feeling pretty

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

recall'd by O'C— I am sitting here as usual (the same old story)—have a good oak-wood fire—am ab't to have my

of last hours of O'C, and then the funeral—& many things—but especially the evidence & presence of my

temperature—ab't as usual with me—bowel action this mn'g—stew'd oysters, Graham bread, apple sauce & coffee for my

this season hereabout—you must have a splendid show of them—the yellow (canary) & white in a bunch are my

with a friend in Phila—I am sitting here as usual—no letter mail yesterday & this forenoon, (except my

pretty dull with me these days—yet I think I keep fair spirits (a blessed hereditament probably fr'm my