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1888] I am about the same—Strangely somehow I don't get any more power in my body or legs—I feel pretty

as before—I have not left the room up stairs yet (now nine weeks)—the Doctor thinks it not best yet— My

all, & thought it best to hurry it done right off—But at present I am much as of late years, except my

few lines from Jeff (in St Louis)—I am now sitting in the big chair—Spend most of the day here—had my

afternoon & all last night—dont seem any improvement in strength or vim —dont yet get out at all of my

literary matters by a sort of trustee-board, yourself, Harned & Horace Traubel —& assigned all [of] my

worldly possessions to Ed, & to my sisters —the "Nov.

sufficient frequent bowel movements—had a very slim day all yesterday —a little easier to-day—but slow, slow—my

brought down here to the front basement, & has in every respect improved much since last Saturday—Then my

will next week be put in the hands of a New York publisher & launched on the market—at least that's my

design at present — When you write tell me all about William—My mother returns bringing cheerful intelligence

whole—& is herself in splendid condition—havn't seen her look & apparently feel better in many years—My

March 6 76 'Bram Stoker, My dear young man, Your letters have been most welcome to me—welcome to me as

Meantime I send you my friendship & thanks.

Edward Dowden's letter containing among others your subscription for a copy of my new edition, has just

My physique is entirely shatter'd—doubtless permanently—from paralysis & other ailments.

without visiting Detroit, I would like to have you make your visit a little late, I will tell you why—My

husband and a son in law are making a trip around the Lakes to Chicago and back—and my son in law Lewis

both Artists, Father and son—the latter just sixteen years of age—but of great promise—I know that my

If you do not feel well enough to answer my questions— wont won't some friend do it for me—and please

dear, I feel quite well to-day considering—in good spirits, & free from any pain—I suppose you got my

days, strong & sudden winds, & dust— but it is pleasanter to-day—it is now about ½ past 1—I have had my

Mother, I feel to-day as if I was getting well—(but my leg is so clumsy yet— & my head has to avoid much

Nothing very different with me—I go out by my own volition not at all, as my power of walking &c. is

Review for November—(they pay quite well, & Redpath is very good to me) —Have a paper "My Book & I" in

Lippincott's for Jan. next —will send it you in printed slip—Shall probably get ready my little concluding

My feet strike an apex of the apices of the stairs, On every step bunches of ages, and larger bunches

Cycles ferried my cradle, rowing and rowing like cheerful boatmen, For room to me stars kept aside in

I open my scuttle at night and see the far-sprinkled systems, And all I see multiplied as high as I can

; No friend of mine takes his ease in my chair;— I have no chair, no church, no philosophy, I lead no

man to a dinner-table, library, exchange; But each man and each woman of you I lead upon a knoll, My

—I think profoundly of my friends—though I cannot write to them by the post office.

—I write to them more to my satisfaction, through my poems.— Tell Hector I thank him heartily for his

—I am so non–polite—so habitually wanting in my responses and ceremonies.

—I not only assured him of my retaining faith in that sect, but that I had perfect faith in all sects

—They retard my book very much.—It is worse than ever.

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.

I used it at my talk last week. Think I shall put up another for my own use.

I find I can co-operate with them & do my work on common ground.

My exhibition will include a variety of things.

I am going to send for my Cleveland statue & your bust.

I felt like doffing my hat to old Dame nature.

Greeted me by name and took my hand rather heartily.

Then they say I defer too much to English opinion in my favor.

That's all bosh—I defer to nobody—I do my work.

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

It seems to be a fine average specimen of his current lectures.And now my friend, I must close my letter

W. frequently broke in on my descriptions to say: "Well, that is beautiful to hear!"

The Century under Gilder has always accepted my pieces and paid for them.

Some of my friends have quarrelled with the editors but they have never done it with my consent.

I am well satisfied with my success with titles—with Leaves of Grass, for instance, though some of my

You have saved my books: I could not do these books without assistance.

He did not indicate his knowledge of my presence.

Whitman and my next door neighbor—and my neighbor is now dead."

'My idea is...'""That's right—you've got it.

I had taken Bucke's note of the 14th out of my pocket.

Yes, got my rest on the bed—wrote my sister at Burlington. I am very lame.

Furzedown, Streatham Surrey Sunday April 23. 1871 My dear Mr.

day—I have been very, very much occupied & intensely busy one way & another arrears of work claimed my

attention for you know I am not a "briefless barrister" & latterly my work has increased but I have

determined that this glorious spring time shall not pass without my carrying out the my my intention

smell of the flowers, the clouds the rainbows & sun lights as I see them & hear them all from this my

last three or four weeks, & before returning to London tomorrow I should like to tell you something of my

Before beginning about myself, though,— many thanks for the Lippincott's article.— My Book & I , which

North Sea Interlude," and so it was natural that I should go down to the sea-shore a good deal during my

—then, two or three days ago, I went over to Browney Valley, to see my old friends the coal-miners &

Believe this, of yours most affectionately Ernest Rhys After to-day my address is again Sq.

This would be my notion of the volume, as a , if I knew nothing of its author—of its "only begetter."

For the regard, the affection, which convoyed your noble argosy to this my haven,—believe me, my dear

He reported you as saying that I wouldn't take off my hat to Apollo, if we sh d happen to meet.

Well: there is too much taking off of hats, but I certainly should doff my own to the Sun-God.

Pray give my kind regards to M. Traubel. Edmund Clarence Stedman to Walt Whitman, 27 March 1889

Fascinated, my eyes, reverting from the south, dropped, to follow those slender winrows, Chaff, straw

Bent to the very earth, here preceding what follows, Oppressed with myself that I have dared to open my

I take what is underfoot; What is yours is mine, my father.

I throw myself upon your breast, my father, I cling to you so that you cannot unloose me, I hold you

from my dead lips the ooze exuding at last! See—the prismatic colors, glistening and rolling!)

—that my mind is bound to last me out whatever becomes of my body." Spoke of the Harneds.

My father spoke of the Twenty Years' drawings in the Magazine of Art as being "so Scotch."

Gilder has always been my friend—very good friend—indeed, I may say my 'dear' friend, speaking for myself

Gilder as well as Watson himself, I'd had one of the times of my life.

appreciation, my love for them, has no ifs and buts either." [1905.

Give him my love, tell him you found me here, tell him the beautiful note nestled to its place in my

If I will send you copy of my lecture on Shakespeare will you read it to Whitman?

I have put some in my cellar."

W. asked, "My proofs? Not come yet?" I was to have them Monday.

And now, Horace, if you write to the Colonel, don't forget my love.

for there is nothing to write ab't—only the fact of writing to you if that is anything—Here I am in my

den as for a year & a half, but not so much different or given out yet—My sleeping & appetite yet hold

fair—you know I am along now in my 71st— Love to you all— Walt Whitman Walt Whitman to Mary Whitall

walk with God in the dark, Than go alone in the light; I would rather walk with him by faith Than pick my

"After the dazzle of day is gone, Only the dark, dark night shows to my eyes the stars; After the clangor

of organ majestic, or chorus, or perfect band, Silent, athwart my soul, moves the symphony true" Thomas

Walt Whitman, My dear Sir; Pardon my recent neglect of your case.

days, to see you again and that, in the meantime, you will steer along cheerfully, hopefully, without my

431 Stevens street Camden New Jersey Nov: November 17 My dear friend I do myself the real pleasure of

presenting you with a set of my books—which are sent by same mail with this—I have inscribed Mrs G's

name with yours on the fly leaf, & please show her this as a testimony of my remembrance & affection

London Ontario Canada I have journey'd out here from my home in Camden, & this will be my head-quarters

to different parts of Canada, but coming back here)—I have rec'd received the two Iowa papers, with my

328 Mickle Street Camden New Jersey June 20 '87 Thank you my friend for the delicious chocolate—I have

it for my breakfast frequently, & enjoy it—Please accept a copy of my little book "Specimen Days" London

I realize that I am at last on the verge of dissolution: my vim has departed, my strength is gone, life

He used to handle my skepticism about Poe without gloves: Edgar Poe: he would not have my qualifications

life and may be used as in some byways an explanation of my addiction to the trades and my apprenticeship

What he says of Scott has my entire approval: Scott is my man, too: I go to him sometimes with a real

They have made my summer glorious. My love of that man is something strong as fate.

["My wings may be free but the same can't be said of my backside!"]

My friends call me Bram. I live at 43 Harcourt St., Dublin.

But go on: may the good Lord have mercy on my soul!"]

I say it to my own shame but not to my regret for it has taught me a lesson to last my life out—without

for a copy of my new edition has just been received.

I come," she cried, in toneLike sweetest siren song,"Though I have tarried long,I come, my own, my own

Thou art too late; in soothNaught earthly makes me glad;Where wert thou in my mad,My eager, fiery youth

Nay, grieve not thine," she said,"For I have loved full oft,And at my lovers scoffed,Alive to woo them

s "sonorous verse," W. thereupon: "That sounds good: I hope the verse is sonorous: I have my many many

"Take these—mere reminders—with my remembrance, my affection."

And to my questions: "I should not object to appearing in Scribner's if they paid me for it.

I have been so often cuffed—met not only incivility but downright and cowardly insult—I must pick my

Nov. 24, 18 68 Dearest Mother, I suppose you got my letter last Saturday, 21st—All goes along at present

last—To-day it is very fine—I should like to be with you on Thanksgiving, Thursday—I shall take dinner at my

Benedict told me yesterday to bring any of my friends to dinner I wanted to—I still have the same room—I

the office that keep me hard at it— Love to you, dearest mother—& to all— I have had to scratch off my

letter in a hurry, but I wanted you to have something, according to promise in my last.

Anderton, near Chorley Lancashire, England 5 June 1891 My dear Friend, Your most kind letter of May 23

Thank you from my heart.

And yet, my loved friend & master, I know in my heart of hearts that all is well, that "Love like the

God's blessing upon you, & my tenderest love— Wallace James W. Wallace to Walt Whitman, 5 June 1891

Whitman— I have taken so much pleasure of late in re-reading your work that I would not render my spiritual

I have read "Pioneers, O Pioneers" over and over again to my many friends, who study not books but life

I have your picture in my room, and I never see it or take up your book without feeling what a glorious

I send you a few poems of my own. I shall be glad if they please you.

I am not a person that makes literary visits, but I wish that I could meet you this summer, on my return

Syracuse Dec 27th/68 Walt Whitman Dear Friend I suppose you will think by this time that I have forgotten my

Dear old Friend by my long silence & neglect to answer your letter, or acknowledge the receipt of your

think of you & promise myself that I will not delay writing to you any longer but as often I break my

My health is very good. Father has been quite sick for a week but is improving now.

York next summer & cannot come up and make me a short visit let me know when you are coming and if my

& 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

is 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

My Dear friend Walt I now take my pen in hand to let you know how I am getting along I am in very good

health at present & I hope you are the same. my father is not very well at present he has been Laid

I bought some medicine for a freind friend of my fathers & he gave me the money to pay for them & I Spent

Robbins & then I will be Disgraced & Discarged Discharged I asked my Sister to lend three & she would

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

Belmont Mass Oct 3. 89 Dear Old Quaker Friend of the horse-taming sea kings of Long Island: My thorn

He drew those pictures of yr home for my book; but takes the blackguard view of you.

My dame laid him out flat after calling on you. She can do such things, is keen as steel.

White's pitiful parody of L of G. in my face & thot he had floord me, he said he ahd heard that Edwin

I have to do it for my writings now.

Sept: 19 Perfect sunny day—am feeling pretty well—grip palpable tho'—(cold in the head feeling)—ate my

breakfast with rather subdued appetite—bowel action this forenoon—miss Mrs: D[avis] somewhat —call f'm my

New York decidedly, but it is probable they will have it in Phila: —there is some opposition to me or my

his endorsement & advocacy, & think that speech at the Reisser dinner one of the chief pinnacles of my

snakes & bed-bugs are not half as loathesome as some humans can be)—I call the H man whelp altogether in my

page on the following day, and the account in the Camden Post on June 2 the poet reprinted in Good-bye My

1890: "I think you are right to stand aside (personally) from this I[ngersoll] demonstration but for my

since I last wrote you has passed on, bringing no decided change in my condition—in my bad spells, (&

I have them often enough) I 'most think the end is not far off—but I get over them & my natural buoyancy

reässerts itself—(& in the main keeps control of the helm)—though to a man of my lazy-activity this

I was discharged from my clerkship on the last of June, by B.

would make my blood as thin as possible, and so lessen the arterial strain.

Well, my time has come—that is all. You see, I am somewhat of a fatalist!"

I take it my spirit sense of your condition is not likely to fail after all.

For all, accept my friendliest good wishes."Direct, W. W. Solicitor's office.

I get published, in spite of my enemies." "Your enemies never really hurt you?"

My letters to Mr. Courtney of the 2d and 21st of November last are hereto annexed, marked A and B .

The prosecutions referred to in my letters were for frauds upon Internal Revenue, as I then understood

Upon my inquiring whether he was expecting to obtain the consent of these accusers to the submission

Attorney Courtney— and these, and these alone, were the reasons for my direction of the suspension or

Eckel, and until my examination of the case, and my final directions thereupon, that the indictment in

Of course, I don't know how I look—yet as I know myself, if I know myself, my head don't set so on my

Tis midnight now; my lonely gateI open to no stranger's knock."Who art thou? Speak!"

My names are Song, Love, Art.My poet, now unbar the door.""

Art's dead, Song cannot touch my heart,My once Love's name I chant no more.""

Too late—my youth you still withhold.""

words of Two Veterans for musical publication—& also give permission for further musical adaptation of my

pieces—Am curious to see how they go—Am sure I sh'd should be impress'd impressed and pleased—My western

trip has worked well—My health is about the same as of late years— When the music is printed—(if printed

Caranne, 153, Boulevard Saint-Germain, Paris. 11 Juillet 1891 Reached Paris, exceedingly tired, but my

Send me papers and works: my permanent address is my uncle's, in the country, as follows: M.

the Attorney General that in any changes in the Solicitor Treasury's office, I be not disturbed in my

position as clerk in that office—all my duties to the government being & having been thoroughly & regularly

performed there, by a substitute, during my illness.

Washington Feb. 8;—noon— (sitting up on the side of my bed.)

dear, dear sister Matty — O how I have been thinking of you, & shall all day—I have not now the use of my

Louis—I can but send you my love, dear, dear sister— Your unhappy, sorrowful, loving brother Walt Walt

daughters, sons, preluding, The love, the life of their bodies, meaning and being, Curious, here behold my

cycles, in their wide sweep, having brought me again, Amorous, mature—all beautiful to me—all wondrous; My

wondrous; Existing, I peer and penetrate still, Content with the present—content with the past, By my

daughters, sons, preluding, The love, the life of their bodies, meaning and being, Curious, here behold my

cycles, in their wide sweep, having brought me again, Amorous, mature—all beautiful to me—all wondrous; My

wondrous; Existing, I peer and penetrate still, Content with the present—content with the past, By my

daughters, sons, preluding, The love, the life of their bodies, meaning and being, Curious here behold my

cycles in their wide sweep having brought me again, Amorous, mature, all beautiful to me, all wondrous, My

wondrous, Existing I peer and penetrate still, Content with the present, content with the past, By my