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A.MS. draft and notes.loc.00278xxx.00263[my brain grows rack'd]about 1874poetryhandwritten1 leaf; A draft

[my brain grows rack'd]

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

Said of his condition: "Till this evening, my day has been very poor—a poor one indeed.

That has been my course from the first—to write what I must write—not hesitatingly but decisively—and

But I found no change from my first impression.

I have been recommended by quite a dozen—and a dozen of the best fellows—my fellows, friends—to read

I have often felt, my good luck with the women has been phenomenal!"

W. listened to my detail of this with apparently intense interest.

I am very careless of my possessions.

The fact is the subject was so august to my mind that I never got courage or time to sit down to it.

Now about my obligation on November Boughs, I despair of doing what I wish to do.

I like once a year, when I can, to give my people a good thorough dose of some noble works.

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.

Spoke of my trip to New York.

Traubel:I am glad you called my attention to the Contemporary Club bill.

He was so new in every way and I shocked my wife by saying—"He reminds me of Jesus in some way."

My impression was of a new force introduced into life, and because it killed a lot of sacred prejudices

My judgement has and will confirm.He is deep in life and I love life.

Dear Pete, According to announcement in my last, I have made a movement & change of base, from tumultuous

I suppose you got my last letter, 14th, from N. Y. I expect to return to N. Y. about the 22d.

Last night, when I went up at 11 o'clock to my room, I took up three great bunches, each as big as my

It is quite a change here from my associations & surroundings either in Washington or New York.

I send you my love, dear Pete. So long . Will write from N. Y. soon as I return there. W W P.S.

, I wrote you a two-page letter (with scrap codicil ) on August 14 1875, giving you the " theory of my

have prompted me to ask you if it would be necessary for my theory to be abandoned "!

And now seeing how my laziness is growing on me so much, the question comes to me thus— will you let

me resign my commission ?

I tender you my resignation of the Lieutenant .

17unc.00012xxx.00486Then my mother hastening1883-1888prose1 leafhandwritten; This manuscript contains

Then my mother hastening

In my opinion, the appointment of such an officer is desirable for many considerations.

Since my connection with the Department of Justice, I have had occasion to observe that a large proportion

in the views expressed by you to the Chairman of the Judiciary Committee, and have the honor to add my

The questions of law upon which my opinion is requested are not stated, and there is among the papers

I, therefore, feel under the necessity of returning the papers to you, and of asking that, if my opinion

of the claim, a statement of the facts of the case, and of the questions of law upon which you wish my

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.

ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE, Washington, March 4, 1868 My dear Mr.

I can fully join in the same testimony, as he treated, as physician or surgeon, many a case under my

I send you, dear sir, my friendliest respects & well wishes, Walt Whitman Walt Whitman to W. O.

For the month of July my address is as above.

winter Were you pleased with the article and portrait of yourself which appeared in the sixth volume of my

not happen to have seen the work, I will take pleasure in sending you the sketch and illustration on my

The mere reading from some of your pages serving to open the eyes of my hearers.

I am perfectly certain that this will be my spring message as long as you stay here with us.— As for

Please give my regards to Traubel and other friends.

dots shoots of spasms of pain (quite instantaneous) in abdomen—have the pain early morning, bed rising—my

—Dr Thomas came over & Fox subsequently with nice glasses wh' upon trial did not seem to agree with my

eyes—strained them, & less clear than my old ones, wh' I resumed & since prefer to use—but something

Louis, March 28th 1869 Wm O'Connor My dear friend I am anxious to obtain through you whatever copies

with me here, and when you can duplicate the copies we would both be thankful I must beg pardon for my

much when had) I am forced to secure as best I can the records of the experience of others Please give my

Niagara Falls, America September 28 '80 My dear friend I must write you a line or two—but it will be

a short letter—I am on my way back to Camden, stopping here only temporarily.

& affectionate—(Dr has several times spoken of you) —I rec'd received your letter of a month since —My

WalterGraffinHarris, Frank (1856–1931)Harris, Frank (1856–1931) Best known for his unreliable autobiography My

In My Life and Loves, he tells of hearing Whitman's 1877 Philadelphia lecture on Paine and being greatly

My Life and Loves. 1922. Ed. John F. Gallagher. New York: Grove, 1963. Pullar, Philippa.

It was in my hands two days before the beginning of the new year.

This unexpected delay makes me very sorry; my mind is full of your poems, but naturally I won't beginn

begin to write before having in my hands as complete materials as possibly possible .

Clausen, who Rudolf Schmidt called "my old friend and countryman," corresponded with Schmidt after he

—Letters f'm Bolton to-day —good weather, warm—I have just made my supper—some string beans & a dish

Mary Davis makes very nicely, tomatos stew'd with onions & crumbs of well toasted bread—(a dish my mother

My idea for the scheme of y'r full book w'd be— a rambling free art: by you another by Horace Sarrazin

A SIGHT in camp in the day-break grey and dim, As from my tent I emerge so early, sleepless, As slow

Who are you, my dear comrade? Then to the second I step—And who are you, my child and darling?

July 21 1880 My dear Sir: I have long been waiting for an opportunity to invite you to my house here,

I mailed you the programme program some days ago, and now write to invite you to come to my house for

MY spirit to yours, dear brother; Do not mind because many, sounding your name, do not understand you

I do not sound your name, but I understand you, (there are others also;) I specify you with joy, O my

divisions, jealousies, recriminations on every side, They close peremptorily upon us, to surround us, my

forward hopefully to many a good hour with you yet when the success of the meter shall have loosened my

hands and my feet from some of the restraints that are now upon them.

My arm gets on finely, am at office every day, eat & sleep fairly well Love to you R M Bucke hand to

letter to Whitman's disciple and biographer Horace Traubel: "I had a fall last evening and dislocated my

A SIGHT in camp in the day-break grey and dim, As from my tent I emerge so early, sleepless, As slow

Who are you, my dear comrade? Then to the second I step—And who are you, my child and darling?

MY spirit to yours dear brother, Do not mind because many sounding your name do not under- stand understand

you, I do not sound your name, but I understand you, I specify you with joy O my comrade to salute you

- ousies jealousies , recriminations on every side, They close peremptorily upon us to surround us, my

MY spirit to yours, dear brother, Do not mind because many, sounding your name, do not understand you

I do not sound your name, but I understand you, (there are others also;) I specify you with joy, O my

divisions, jealousies, recriminations on every side, They close peremptorily upon us, to surround us, my

when you refer to me, mind not so much my poems, Nor speak of me that I prophesied of The States, and

I will take you down underneath this impassive exterior—I will tell you what to say of me: Publish my

name and hang up my picture as that of the tenderest lover, The friend, the lover's portrait, of whom

MY spirit to yours dear brother, Do not mind because many sounding your name do not under- stand understand

you, I do not sound your name, but I understand you, I specify you with joy O my comrade to salute you

- ousies jealousies , recriminations on every side, They close peremptorily upon us to surround us, 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

Indeed, all through those years—that period—I was at my best—physically at my best, mentally, every way

I'll send a copy too of my last book, Songs of the Heights and Deeps.

I formerly sent you some of my poetry, but it was early work.

My debt to you is great. Would that I could express it in person!

He does not do full justice to Emerson as I hope to show in my essay.

Friday, March 18, 1892W. not asleep on my round (8:15) but not in shape to say much.

During my visit was turned on right side but could not lie long; cough soon annoyed him.

He saw me and called my name.

Then I asked, "Did Webster send you a check for my fund?" "No, no check—it was only a letter."

I hurried in, the Bolton letter in my hand.

He held my hand then without change till I said good-bye.

Tell him my love is with him daily & hourly.

Also give my love to that little wife Annie whom I forgot in my other letter.

And to my assent, "And did he say it was all in good order, in no way damaged?"

Said W. thereupon, "My latest judgment is like my first—that this is far and above the best thing we

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

And on my remark that Tennyson certainly expressed more strength than—for instance—was expressed in Whittier

an essay—"The Relation of English to German Literature in the Eighteenth Century") was a friend of my

Brinton said in the course of a letter I received today: "Thanks for conveying my wishes to W. W.

W. exclaimed upon my reading: "That is certainly fine—fine—fine!

I am in any danger that people will think so of me, I had better watch myself more closely—for fear my

Looked rather pale, and on my remarking it, said: "It is true, I guess: I am not feeling well: these

A curious letter (dated 3/12/90) starting off—"Dear Walt, my beloved master, my friend, my bard, my prophet

She makes a half barbarous life for herself, however and allmost almost baffles all my efforts at times

: Han could have done better and saved me great mortification, but her mother in Brooklyn, thwarted my

For my part I have as much care as I desire, and more than I ever anticipated.

I have just paid off the mortgage on my house and have sustained myse lf here, not so much upon the merit

or appreciation of my paintings, as by a certai n force of character, which has found sympathy among

Dear Son, I am sitting here in my room, having just eat a hearty dinner with my mammy , (who has this

month entered on her 76th year, but to my eyes looks young & handsome yet.)

c—he has one fault, & a bad one—that is he will drink, & spree it—which spoils all—True it is none of my

would give it up, & find his pleasure in some other way—Pete, should you see Allen again, give him my

My dear Mr.

As far as my own opinion goes, I would say that there is a certainty of success, a sufficient success

I need not say that if you would come to our house in Dublin my wife & I would be made abundantly happy

Each I assure you has been valued, (though my thanks are tardy); & your letter has been read or heard

My address is as before 50, Wellington Road, Dublin.

so much want to see you, even if only for a couple of weeks—for I feel I must return here & continue my

I wonder why he didn't send me the Union with my letter in. I am disappointed at not getting it.

I sent Han [a] N Y Times with my last letter, & one to George too.

I thought I was cooler & more used to it, but the sight of some of them brought tears into my eyes—Mother

out with a long rough journey, all dirty & torn, & many pale as ashes, & all bloody—I distributed all my

is what they have eaten with Mat and I"; and again on October 8, 1863: "There is no doubt, Walt, in my

My Dearest Friend: I have had all the welcome papers with accounts of your doings, and to-day a nice

My friends told me I looked ten years younger when I came back from America than when I went.

missing the sunshine & working a little too hard, was feeling quite knocked up: so Bee insisted on my

that you step from the lawn into [a] winding wood-path, along which I wander by the hour: and from my

My friend is a noble, large-hearted, capable woman, who devotes all her life and energies to keeping

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

My Dear Walt: Your card to hand last night, with its sad account of dear Mrs.

Very glad, my dear old Walt, to see your strong familiar handwriting again; it does one good, it's so

John Burroughs was very violent against my intaglio; on the other hand, Alma Tadema —our great painter

My portrait represents him standing firmly, in a scarlet hunting-coat well stained with many a wet chase

I have long meant to build up something of you from my studies, adding colour.

20 Jan. 1867 sunday Sunday afternoon my dear Walt i must write you a few lines and only a few to let

you know how we are i can hardly write on account of lameness in my right arm down toward my wrist it

redug between this and the great trenches it looks like destruction ) we are all pretty well except my

arm and sis she aint ain't very well she is by my side asleep in the rocking chair its very rare for