Search Results

If you preferred you could have your bed here in my shanty—a large comfortable room on the brink of the

hill, fifty yards from the house, where my books and papers are, and where I spend most of my time.

My Carlyle article goes into the August Century. I am adding a page about Mrs.

Nothing very new in my affairs, sell a couple of books occasionally.

I suppose you saw my Riddle Song in the first number of Sunnyside Press —if not, I can send you the "

I delivered my Lincoln lecture last April 15 in Philadelphia—the same as the N.Y. version.

(Scratched off my Emerson screed down there, as it was there I rec'd received Abbott's letter.)

It is [my] sincere wish that Johny Makey will survive the operation and ultimately recover.

Yes my dear Brother, You have my friendship as fully as you can desire, and I hope we will meet again

Having nothing more of importance to communicate, I will conclude with my best wishes for your health

locomotion power & in more liability to head & stomach troubles & easiness of "catching cold" (from my

just past noon & I am told I am to have a good rice pudding made in a big earthenware baking dish for my

S. & Alice are going to London to live— a big bunch of white lilies scents the room & my little canary

you have a chance you may show this to Mary Costelloe & Wm William Rossetti —to both of whom I send my

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

Whitman referred to Rossetti's edition as a "horrible dismemberment of my book" in his August 12, 1871

NarayanaChandran"Earth, My Likeness" (1860)"Earth, My Likeness" (1860)Published as "Calamus" number 36

in the third (1860) edition of Leaves of Grass, "Earth, My Likeness" acquired its present title in 1867

"Earth, My Likeness" (1860)

JackField"Not Heaving from my Ribb'd Breast Only" (1860)"Not Heaving from my Ribb'd Breast Only" (1860

Adhesiveness," which the poet addresses in "Not Heaving" as the "pulse of my life," is a term from phrenology

"Not Heaving from my Ribb'd Breast Only" (1860)

round—over the ferry & up Market street, Phila Philadelphia , & stop occasionally at 23 south 9th st. where my

Now that my two books, prose and the poems, are out, I hardly know what to strike for—what to look forward

republished in Scotland & L. of G. is being translated in Germany — Tuesday night 10½— I am finishing my

letter—Never mind, Harry, dear—we'll make it all right when we meet—I have just written to your mother—Well my

and good: if not then I shall run the risk and keep the sheets in my own hands."

book is of another order: it is the collected statement of my life— of my work: a statement of what

"It probably is a whim—my whimsicality—but so it must be."

Insisted on my taking the nickel for the paper.

This will be my birthday gift to the world, my last, my parting, gift: the world has made many birthday

He sat in his armchair reading the Press, but at once took the Herald out of my hands.

I can honestly say that I like to hear all that is to be said in criticism of my work, my life: but you

My vehemence amused him.

That will be my good-bye to the letter.

The world must move on without my fighting for it."

Sir: Your reply of the 6th to my letter of the 4th inst. in regard to the employment of counsel for the

As I have already stated, my inquiries addressed to you were made at the request of the Secretary of

Esq.,—undertake the management of this defence, a reasonable compensation, founded on the basis of my

trod, calling, I sing, for the last; (Not cities, nor man alone, nor war, nor the dead, But forth from my

vistas beyond—to the south and the north; To the leaven'd soil of the general western world, to attest my

Northern ice and rain, that began me, nourish me to the end; But the hot sun of the South is to ripen my

YET, yet, ye downcast hours, I know ye also, Weights of lead, how ye clog and cling at my ankles, Earth

Despairing cries float ceaselessly toward me, The call of my nearest lover, putting forth, alarm'd, uncertain

, The sea I am quickly to sail, come tell me, Come tell me where I am speeding, tell me my destination

YET, yet, ye downcast hours, I know ye also, Weights of lead, how ye clog and cling at my ankles, Earth

Despairing cries float ceaselessly toward me, The call of my nearest lover, putting forth, alarm'd, uncertain

, The sea I am quickly to sail, come tell me, Come tell me where I am speeding, tell me my destination

Novr. 12, 1872 My dearest Friend, I must write not because I have anything to tell you—but because I

impulses of thought & emotion that would shape themselves melodiously out of that for the new volume— My

Percy my eldest, whom I have not seen for a year is coming to spend Xmas with us— Good bye dearest Friend

My mind is fallow now, but I suppose it is for the best.

I hardly know my old self as seen in my old Index articles. However, Sursum! Resurgam! Forward!

I have thought of it and cannot get it off my mind, so I have come up to ask your forgiveness.

I know that it is my falt fault and not yours.

give you up, and it makes me feel so bad to think how we have spent the last day or two; and all for my

I write to inform you that I have expunged from the forthcoming Edition of my "Talks with Emerson" a

Such was my feeling I remember in regard to the effect of the incident when I mentioned it.

Yours with high respect, Charles J Woodbury I am only here temporarily; my permanent address is,— #123

Dear Sir— I have tried in vain to obtain a good portrait of my father for you and am reduced to this

not read) containing poor copies of the good portraits that are in some secure, forgotten place among my

traps—stored in garret or cellar of my new house where all things are at sixes and sevens.

But I take back my promise. For if you are not sane what will writing avail?

It is a waste of breath for my friend to tell me I am healthy when my pulse records the circumstance

My dear Walt: I received yr your post-card this week, and frwrd forwarded it to Leonard M.

You make no allusion to my Book or my little confidences thereon: do you care for a copy?

My Dear Walt: You have, I believe, in your hands certain charges against Judge Kelly of Idaho.

His friends are my friends, and while I do not know much of him personally, I nevertheless know his accuser

I congratulate you, my dear fellow, on the great appreciation which reaches across the greatwater to

Yesterday & to-day I am perceptibly better—Cooler & signs of September—Still adhere to my 2d story room

moment—I have somewhere a printed slip of "Old Age's Lambent Peaks" & will yet send it—but I cannot lay my

hand on it this moment—a cloudy rather pleasant day, almost cool—quiet—I reiterate the offer of my mare

the opposition & resentment at L of G. is probably as concentrated & vital & determined in New York (my

known— —I am sitting here all alone to-day—I do not eat dinner these short days—only breakfast & supper—my

appetite fair—had some buckwheat cakes & raw oysters for my breakfast.

All my Herald bits will be included in November Boughs & I will send an early proof of all to you—As

I write I am sitting here in my big chair by the window (I have open'd it a few moments—it is near sunset—air

am quite immobile & don't get out except by being toted —a bunch of white lilies is in the window & my

might afterward lose you. 2 (Now we have met, we have look'd, we are safe; Return in peace to the ocean my

love; I too am part of that ocean, my love—we are not so much separated; Behold the great rondure—the

space—know you, I salute the air, the ocean and the land, Every day, at sundown, for your dear sake, my

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

Told him my facsimiles had not arrived yet. "That is too bad, and yours the most important of all!"

condition, "He is undoubtedly on the down road again: I detected impairment in the few days between my

Give her my love & sympathy, poor dear girl!

It is my intention to mount and frame it, and have it on the most conspicious wall of my house where

Tom spoke of Hodgins as a friend of Bucke, W. calling Bucke "my best friend."

had enclosed in our letters a little slip, containing the following letter: Cambridge, March 13, 1877 My

The truth is my affairs here demand my constant presence.

One of my men has left me & cannot yet find another.

Then he said: "My advice to the boys would be, let it be a local affair if it must."

But he has not been well—"My head troubles me a great deal.

As to leaving this place just now—it is impossible—out of the question: my legs would not take me if

If I went off somewhere into more complaisant surroundings—had servants at my beck, the best of food,

I might be tempted some——I could not be tempted enough to go—my decision would be finally reverse."

"I like to get all my relations with people personal, human.

Whitman.Some days ago came my parcel—many thanks—Mr. Grosairt's books included. That for Mr.

When I get better or well enough—on my feet again—I shall have him come over and talk while I listen.

it again: "I did a lot of that work in the hospitals: it was in a sense the most nearly real work of my

farewell for [the] present, and I pray that God may be with you, and though we are strangers I send my

As to L. of G.Leaves of Grass: "It does not seem like my book—it is your book, too: anybody's book who

I guess something—a lot—can be said on the conservative side: my contention is not that much cannot be

Give him my cordial sympathy.Yours sincerely,W. D.

"Well, when you do need, do not neglect me: I want to be called on for my share."

I shall cherish to my dying day as I wd. my choicest heart's blood.

Nor ever, I believe.Am pegging away at my Whittier.

W. remarks, "You can hardly imagine how much my curiosity is aroused.

First thing that struck my eye in Press were these notices:Obituary.Thomas J.

Of course he will laugh, but that is my way of describing it."

I told W. frankly my view and he said, "I so understand it, too—so from the Colonel.

Did not say a word about my manuscript nor did I ask him.

But it set my head whirling round like the worlds. I could not stand it—stopped.

I can look ahead—see the whole transaction laid out before my mind.

My greatest interest now is to know how Doctor fared with Tennyson.

He then, "That was right—I do wish it as kept—it is my final request.

All my close friends have taken a lick at this chronological business—Mrs.

I put in, "One of my arguments was, I don't know any reason why an epilogue should come at the head of

Good-Bye my Fancy [Good-bye my Fancy Farewell]

Good-Bye my Fancy [Good-bye my fancy I]

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

My head, my belly, my bladder—all are out of gear, and for what end?"

ScovelI read it to my family last night. My father had traced some hidden sarcasm.

(My own books, poems and prose have been a direct and indirect contribution, or attempt.)

Seeing bundle under my arm he asked me at once, "What have you got there?"

—which, upon my opening, he examined with pleasure and relish.

have had a sculptor visitor—his name is O'Donovan—he is from New York—he has come on proposing to take my

Then I told him what S. had detailed and he laughed, "Well, I put my foot in it there, to be sure—for

He called my thoughts in another direction.

s room, he looked at it and confirmed my opinion, "I am inclined to repeat what you say—that it is better

He has "no word from the North American Review yet—yet I see that my piece on National Literature is

My warm response to this causing his pathetic reference to Jeff: "The good boy!

Do not usually mention my letters because W. is curious to see them and there's always something in them

"Tempting as it is, I have forborne—have stuck by my room."

I were nothing; From what I am determin'd to make illustrious, even if I stand sole among men; From my

The oath of the inseparableness of two together—of the woman that loves me, and whom I love more than my

warp and from the woof; (To talk to the perfect girl who understands me, To waft to her these from my

own lips—to effuse them from my own body;) From privacy—from frequent repinings alone; From plenty of

the right person not near; From the soft sliding of hands over me, and thrusting of fingers through my

I were nothing, From what I am determined to make illustrious, even if I stand sole among men, From my

The oath of the inseparableness of two together—of the woman that loves me, and whom I love more than my

, (To talk to the perfect girl who understands me—the girl of The States, To waft to her these from my

own lips—to effuse them from my own body;) From privacy—From frequent repinings alone, From plenty of

the right person not near, From the soft sliding of hands over me, and thrusting of fingers through my

My heart's best gratitude to you for it. It was indeed welcomed.

Tonight I have had two good hours' work upon my paper (on you) wh.

I have just returned from a long round of visits in my open carriage wh.

window as I write & gloifies the sombre brick building of the Lanc & York Ry Good's yard opposite—(my

I must now stop as my time is up.

Traubel, With Walt Whitman in Camden, Friday, September 13, 1889 and Saturday, September 14, 1889: "My

last July & August and then for the last two months have been in Boston, seeing to the printing of my

complete poems "Leaves of Grass" in one volume—which is all done to my satisfaction, & the book will

did have some jolly times I tell you— The Saturday evening before I came away I gave a reception to my

all right—I should be real glad to see them & Deb too—When Harry comes home Sunday tell him I sent my

—Well it is growing twilight & I must stop— Walt Whitman my address here for ten days will be Mott av

My dear Walt,— Your letter to Wm. of July 24. he forwarded to me in a letter that I got last evening.

Did you like my picture?

You told William you got my letter, so you must have got the picture enclosed.

It was in my first letter—I have sent you three, this is my fourth to you, have you got them all?

Just think, Walt, of my being a lion down here on your account, because it is known that I have the honor

54 Manchester Road Bolton, England May 16 th 1891 My Dear Old Friend, My warmest thanks to you for your

All good be with you, my dearest & best of friends & His Peace be yours!

. | May | 28 | 6 AM | 1891 | Rec'd; New York | May 27 | 91; Paid | A | All; Bolton | | MY 16 | 91.

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

My Dear Old Friend, I now take up the thread of my narrative about Dr Bucke & his doings amongst us at

the point where I left off in my last letter Sunday morning (July 19th) he stayed indoors resting, reading

because they contained what was on the whole good news of you After breakfast the Dr, J.W.W. & I drove in my

Forgive my seeming levity. Upon such a grave subject.

Please convey my warmest regards to all & accept the heart love of yours affectionately J.

In his March 9, 1892, letter to Traubel, Greenhalgh wrote that "Walt has taught me 'the glory of my daily

In all the departments of my life Walt entered with his loving personality & I am never alone" (Horace

54 Manchester Road Bolton Lancashire England Mar 11th 1891 My Dear Walt Whitman, Your kind p.c. of Feb

26 th to hand & my best thanks to you for it!

When next you see H.L.T. please convey to him my cordial regards; & with a heartful of love & good wishes

In his March 9, 1892, letter to Traubel, Greenhalgh wrote that "Walt has taught me 'the glory of my daily

In all the departments of my life Walt entered with his loving personality & I am never alone" (Horace

cold still persists: my head is still much choked by it."

work finally makes on me—the response it meets with, in my own consciousness."

Still at times my thoughts all go back ["God knows, John!

I can't get back my ruminating habit.

Then: "After my meal, my dinner, I put up the sash—so—on all these milder days: today is debatable ground

I had hardly got in, had my greeting, and heard him say, "I am a little eased today at least of my cold

"I am in a very poor way bodily: I can hardly get to the door there: and yet I keep up my hope, my cheer

, I can almost say my buoyancy."

they are my father and my dear mother: the picture of my father is very good: that of my mother is not

Said: "I used to thrust papers, things, into my pockets: always had a lot of reading matter about my

I haven't cast out all of my devils yet." Brought him new proofs which he at once glanced over.

"I do little nowadays but sit and thank my stars that I have fallen into such good hands in the time

of my need."

W. added, answering another question of Harned's: "I like to keep my prices down to the level of my real

My acquaintance with Leaves of Grass dates from my early university days some ten years ago, when having