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I think the dinner my good friends gave me recently, at Morgan's Hall, gave me a new lease of life.

"At least here I am surrounded by my books, and the roses you see my friends send me daily.

Arnold, you are right welcome to my home."

My second wife, you know, was an American lady, and that gives me a claim on your people.

There was no ceremoniousness about my visit to the President, and as a journalist I liked my brief talk

He stirred on my entrance—opened his eyes, "Oh, Horace—it is Horace!"

"This has been one of my damnedest days," he said. "One of the very damnedest.

It has taken all my courage, energy, simply to keep afloat—simply to hold my head above water."

But I don't know—I have my doubts." Yesterday had been downstairs in the front room for an hour.

1871 febuary February 9 My dear walt Walt i write a few lines to say i received your letter yesterday

Hudson River horror is awful in the extreme it is enoughf enough to make one shudder) i am better of my

cold but are quite lame it seems as if the pain and lameness is all settled in my left knee i can walk

but yesterday i was quite bad but i think it will be better in a day or two i have had a weakness in my

right hand and wrist you can see by my writing it looks some like yours when your thumb was so bad how

Jersey , Dec. 3—noon Dear Pete, Dear son, I am getting over my late bad spell—I have been very sick indeed

, the feeling of death & dizziness, my head swimming a great deal of the time—turning like a wheel—with

expected—& shall go out, or try to, to-day, as it is very pleasant—You must not be needlessly alarmed, my

partially well & strong enough—The doctor is quite encouraging—comes every day—& I feel a good heart yet—My

paper—I have some spurts of visits, & company—but very little that goes to the right spot, with me—my

Oct 10/91 My Dear Old Friend: My best thanks to you for your kind letter written on the back page of

week of it & this has been an exceptionally busy day—two midwifery cases & an inquest in addition to my

What a tale does my Ledger tell! The doctor's an angel of light when we're ill.

My love to you! Best respects to all your household. Yours affectionately J. Johnston Dr.

of this city contained a notice of the celebration of your seventy-second birth day; and called to my

none other than your self, and I have never ceased to feel deeply grateful to you for your kindness to my

visits to him were repeated again and again, until his death, and I know gave him great pleasure .— My

wholly passed from your memory, and to tell you that the lapse of quarter of a Century has not lessened my

appreciation of the attention shown my brother.— May Gods best belongings rest upon you.

was glad to hear from you—I am still in a pretty bad way —I am writing this over at the office, at my

desk, but feel to-day more like laying down than sitting up—I do not walk any better, & my head has

strength—very slowly—& shall yet get well as ever—Every thing goes on about the same, in the sphere of my

impossible in reality— —I got a long letter from Dowden —he mentions you —As I sit I look over from my

were men out there in their shirt-sleeves raking it up—I have a big bunch of lilacs in a pitcher 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'

memories to you—for I have them always for you—Was prostrated down with ab't the sixth recurrent attack of my

paralysis again and iron-bound constipation early last June & have been kept ever since in my sick room

Boughs" wh' I send a copy to you same mail with this—Also am finishing a big Vol. comprehending all my

ready for binder—I am still at 328 Mickle Street—have not been out doors for over six months—hardly out my

here & see me Friday noon, Dec: 7 I am up, had a partial bath, a bit of breakfast & am now sitting my

Dear William O'Connor, When I arrived home yesterday I found my brother worse than I had anticipated.

spoon, to some one wrapt in a great blanket, & seated in an arm chair, by the stove—I did not recognize my

Mother put down the cup, &c. & began to cry—this affected poor George—yet I preserved my composure, though

House —also other of my young men friends—they are all very, very cordial & hospitable—I shall go over

Dear Nelly, I send you my love—also to Charles Eldridge—shall probably remain here the ensuing week.

"Henry Clapp," Walt Whitman said to Horace Traubel, "stepped out from the crowd of hooters—was my friend

NarayanaChandran"Who Learns My Lesson Complete?" (1855)"Who Learns My Lesson Complete?"

(1855)First published without a title in Leaves of Grass (1855), "Who Learns My Lesson Complete?"

"'I' and 'You' in 'Who Learns My Lesson Complete?': Some Aspects of Whitman's Poetic Evolution."

"Who Learns My Lesson Complete?" (1855)

REALISM is mine, my miracles, Take all of the rest—take freely—I keep but my own—I give only of them,

As to me, I know of nothing else but miracles, Whether I walk the streets of Manhattan, Or dart my sight

any one I love—or sleep in the bed at night with any one I love, Or sit at the table at dinner with my

perfect old man, or the perfect old woman, Or the sick in hospitals, or the dead carried to burial, Or my

My dear friend I am having quite a good spell to-day, (if it only lasts)—I wish you, in conjunction with

Peter Doyle, would go over to my room at Dr.

White's, & unlock the big trunk, (the one that is strapped) and take out My gray suit , coat, vest, &

My black overcoat , quite heavy—it is the one in the trunk— Black felt hat, (there are two black hats

I will write promptly if there is any marked change in my condition.

and which are my miracles?

Realism is mine—my miracles—Take freely, Take without end—I offer them to you wherever your feet can

As to me, I know of nothing else but miracles, Whether I walk the streets of Manhattan, Or dart my sight

any one I love—or sleep in the bed at night with any one I love, Or sit at the table at dinner with my

perfect old man, or the perfect old woman, Or the sick in hospitals, or the dead carried to burial, Or my

and which are my miracles?

Realism is mine—my miracles—Take freely, Take without end—I offer them to you wherever your feet can

As to me, I know of nothing else but miracles, Whether I walk the streets of Manhattan, Or dart my sight

any one I love—or sleep in the bed at night with any one I love, Or sit at the table at dinner with my

perfect old man, or the perfect old woman, Or the sick in hospitals, or the dead carried to burial, Or my

I wish each to be told my remembrance (or to see this letter if convenient).

positions & ideas in your Westminster article—and radiating from the central point of assumption of my

I would say that (as you of course see) the spine or verteber principle of my book is a model or ideal

(And I want my friends, indeed, when writing for publication about my poetry, to present its gay-heartedness

And now, my dear friend, I must close.

hun.00021xxx.00596HM 6713'Come said my soul. . .'

[Come, said my Soul]about 1875poetry1 leafhandwritten; A signed draft, heavily revised, of the untitled

'Come said my soul. . .'

Nov 5 18 70 My dear Mr.

Huntington: I write to say I would like to postpone the pleasure of my visit to, & breakfast with, you

Walt Whitman I send the Galaxy with one of my last pieces —as I am not certain whether I sent it to you

328 Mickle Street Camden New Jersey Nov: 30 '85 My dear Wm Rossetti Yours of Nov: 13 with 31 pounds 19

shillings has been received—the third instalment of the "offering" —my thanks are indeed deeper than

been writing to Herbert Gilchrist ab't his mother, & am filled with sadness—nothing new with me, only my

431 Stevens Street, Camden, Jan: 26 '81 My dear friend I am sorry to have to send you word that I am

unable to meet you & the other friends at dinner— I send you herewith a couple of pictures (I call it my

Quaker picture)—one is for your father—also the books herewith —also my love to you— Walt Whitman Walt

Leaves of Grass (1891) COME, said my Soul, Such verses for my Body let us write, (for we are one,) That

Ever and ever yet the verses owning—as, first, I here and now, Signing for Soul and Body, set to them my

Bucke to my left.

My friends do not realize my condition. They persist in imagining that I am like them."

: "Have you noticed my chair?

"My supper is my main meal now.

Speaking of my trip he said that he had felt uneasy in consequence of my late arrival.

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.

Her mother was my mother's cousin. Never met her before."

I have never forsworn my allegiance to the printers—never.

At any rate," looking directly at me, "take my authorization with you: I authorize you to promise just

Called my attention to the fact that the Long Islander reprinted my Lippincott's piece in full, giving

before I get the piece in my book."

s on my way home from West Philadelphia. Found him industriously reading proofs of book.

And, "I feel as if this was my last pull of shad!"

He is opposed to my making any plans for the birthday. "Who knows? I may not be above ground then!"

Had read the papers—written "some notes"—that was the "beginning and end of my day."

My dear Mr. Traubel:I have yours of the 15th.

London Dec. 9. 1874 My dearest Friend It did me much good to get your Poem—beautiful earnest eloquent

My artist boy is working away cheerily at the R. Academy, his heart in his work.

I feel more completely myself than I have done since my illness.

I think my thoughts fly to you on strongest and most joyous wings when I am out walking in the clear

Good bye my dearest Friend. Annie Gilchrist.

I loafe and invite my soul. I lean and loafe at my ease observing a spear of sum- mer summer grass.

My tongue, every atom of my blood, form'd from this soil, this air, Born here of parents born here from

stuck up, and am in my place.

Now comes a passage remarkable for its nobility: "With music strong I come, with my cornets and my drums

I beat and pound for the dead, I blow through my embouchures my loudest and gayest for them.

Sleep-Chasings SLEEP-CHASINGS. 1 I WANDER all night in my vision, Stepping with light feet, swiftly and

Receive me and my lover too—he will not let me go without him.

my clothes were stolen while I was abed, Now I am thrust forth, where shall I run?

carefully darn my grandson's stockings.

How he informs against my brother and sister, and takes pay for their blood!

Sunday Evng Sept: 2 '88 Your good letter just rec'd & here I am sending word back—still imprisoned in my

sick room—non-rehabilitated yet but middling well for all that—my booklet November Boughs ab't finish'd

—& a large vol. comprising all my stuff begun —I am here just at sunset—Love to you all old & young—I

431 Stevens Street Camden Jan: 26 '81 My dear friend I am sorry to have to send you word that I am not

unable to meet you & the other friends at dinner—I send you herewith a couple of pictures (I call it my

Quaker picture) —one is for your father —also the books herewith—also my love to you— Walt Whitman Walt

My dear Sir: Your note has been received. —Accept—for yourself, the Citizen , & Gen.

Halpine —My sincere thanks for your kindness. I fully appreciate it.

As I have not at my control, at this moment, any bound copies of Leaves of Grass , would you allow me

Sir: In order that there may be no mistakes as to my position in regard to a rehearing upon the questions

presented by the Interior Department, p. 225 for my opinion in relation to the asserted rights of the

made by that time, I cannot promise to hear it at all, in view of the engagements which press upon my

however, I should find no cause for such suspicion, the opinion already prepared may be considered as my

When painfully athwart my brain Dark thoughts come crowding on, And, sick of worldly hollowness, My heart

out upon the green I walk, Just ere the close of day, And swift I ween the sight I view Clears all my

I am with you in my soul: I shout—I strike the ball with you— With you I race and roll.— Methinks, white‑winged

My dear Uncle Walt: I thought you would like to see your little Kittie's face so send my photograph wishing

(from my dear friend, Little Kitty (14 yr's old) daughter of my friend Johnston the jeweler—with very

My Dear Sir, Your friendly note of the 26th has just come to hand, and yesterday came your noble paper

on Personalism —for both of which attentions you have my thanks.

friend has sent me from time to time appreciative notices of yourself, knowing by some supreme instinct my

I know how fully he shares in my appreciation of yourself and works.

March 30 1886 My dear Sir: I have sent through my publishers a vol. volume of my essays on Poetry & Poets

I hope you may have seen & cared for some of my own work in poetry.

Camden Oct 26, '87 early P M —have just had my dinner, (plain boil'd beef, potatoes & a roast apple—all

relish'd well) & am now sitting here in my big chair in the little front room —Cold & cloudy out—looks

fuller details)—The Pall Mall Gaz. letter you speak of appears to have erased a sentence or two (showing my

of home helpers) —but even as it is I hope it doesn't bear the construction you speak of—I enclose my

the pipes through the house, & burst them yesterday, causing great trouble—I too have got a bad cold, my

three hours during the day)— I will only write this very short letter to you this time, but send you my

love, my darling son—I think about you every day dear son—will write more, soon—here is a kiss for you

letter to you this time—I feel pretty well, but don't seem to feel like writing—Good bye for to-day, my

Dear Pete, dear son, I am sitting here in my room again writing to you—there is no particular change

in the situation—we are having some pretty cold weather here—I go out a little every day, but my walking

I suppose you got mine last Tuesday— —I have just had my dinner, bean soup, boiled beef, & pumpkin-pie

worse—it is now just after 2, & I am feeling quite comfortable—& hope this will find you all right, my

My satisfaction with your proposed German trans[lation] increases the more you unfold it, and I think

In the whole matter I freely trust to your intuitions and 'cuteness as to meanings, my dear friend—you

My letter to Mr Lee was also as a preface to the Russian translation.

much of the internationality element (sentiment) which I have intended as one of the leading fibres of my

May 27, 75 My dear Walt Whitman Your kind letter is received and the sad news of your ill health makes

However my dear friend as you have lived from within and nor from without I am sure you will be able

request; but I cannot say to day or yet tomorrow for I am in the midst of work and am not altogether my

Till I see you my dear friend and fellow toiler goodbye Yours fitfully Joaquin Miller Joaquin Miller

Dear Walt, Just a few lines to express my constant thought of you and my dearest love.

Yesterday, (New Year's Day) was a perfect day—the finest I have seen since my retur n .

But with love to you & best wishes from my inmost innermost heart.

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

My dear Friend — It was with much regret that we felt compelled to leave you in your sickness last week

Our passage across the whole way has been nearly as smooth as a duck pond, and my health has been very

I bear your messages of love and remembrance to your many many friends in London, who without my privileges

Alys, my faithful secretary, joins me in the expression of the hearty affection with which I am always

good inscription and the little autograph notes which will make it one of the most precious volumes in my

I feel richer than ever now that I have my "Leaves" all back again and these treasures added to them

this past week but now it is dark, dark, and blowing and raining like all possessed—but I sit here in my

And what do you think of my suggestion to write some autobiographical notes, jottings?

Mr Whitman, Dear Sir, My friend & yours Mr Joaquin Miller tells me that the best way to gratify a long-cherished

greatest men of our age both abroad & at home; & when I remember your work during our dreadful war, my

heart as well as my pride is touched, & I cannot though a stranger to you, forbear presenting to the

true man a nobler title even than that of the true poet, my profoundest respect & admiration— With sincere

Mendocino Co., California Aug. 2. 1877 Walt Whitman My beloved.

I know it was especially for me You will take my kisses and love as from me that knows you and can never

John Burroughs more than any one anyone that I know, fitly expresses my thought of you.

never met that seemed to have the faintest understanding of you so I keep you all to myself locked in my

Walter Whitman My Dear Friend: After the laps lapse of over 8 years, & to let you know that your memory

is yet fresh in my mind; I am mooved moved to write you this letter—I Came to this state after being

My health is not good & has not been since I was in the army—My family is well, & children going to school

April 17, '73 Dear Sir, Your letter of Feb. 8, '73, remitting my acc't account , and sales up to 1st

Also please return me, if convenient, the printed slip I forwarded you of my last acc't. with you, marked

Lee, Shephard & Dillingham whether they would not take my books, (the new editions) & job them.

There is beginning to be a steady, though moderate demand for my books, & if there were a good & permanent

It being my first efforts at publishing, I would make extraordinary efforts to have an extensive sale

One of my reasons for securing your friendship is my appreciation for you as a man, well knowing your

I shall take the liberty of enclosing a card as soon as my arrangement for location is completed.

dark wet day—raining hard outside as I sit here by the window—am feeling pretty well—have just had my

unawares—invites to swell dinners (or societies &c) invariably declined—Am idle & monotonous enough in my

weeks & life here—but upon the whole am mighty thankful it is no worse—my buying this shanty & settling

D[avis] to cook for me, might have been bettered by my disposing some other way —but I am satisfied it