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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

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

noise of the world a rural domestic life, Give me to warble spontaneous songs recluse by myself, for my

excitement, and rack'd by the war-strife,) These to procure incessantly asking, rising in cries from my

heart, While yet incessantly asking still I adhere to my city, Day upon day and year upon year O city

enrich'd of soul, you give me forever faces; (O I see what I sought to escape, confronting, reversing my

cries, I see my own soul trampling down what it ask'd for.) 2 Keep your splendid silent sun, Keep your

noise of the world a rural domestic life, Give me to warble spontaneous songs recluse by myself, for my

excitement, and rack'd by the war-strife,) These to procure incessantly asking, rising in cries from my

heart, While yet incessantly asking still I adhere to my city, Day upon day and year upon year O city

enrich'd of soul, you give me forever faces; (O I see what I sought to escape, confronting, reversing my

cries, I see my own soul trampling down what it ask'd for.) 2 Keep your splendid silent sun, Keep your

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

would have made me feel miserable were it not that before then the matter had already been set right, & my

My first letter to you was written too much from the impulse of the moment; &, finding soon after from

Not one syllable of any one of your poems, as presented in my selection, will be altered or omitted:

To be by your friendship is as great a satisfaction & distinction as my life has presented or ever can

acquiesce in the express views he takes of late years of particular questions wd be simply to abnegate my

magazines—the more necessary now as quite a set-back & very bad piece of luck has happened to me in my

one's mind that no words or writing can describe—I wish Jo and Debby to see this letter—& I send them my

back here again by nine o'clock, in time to finish the piece I have under way—Tell Mrs Rogers I send my

pleasure the nice visit & dinner in Linden Street—I have not forgotten Jane either — Susan you speak of my

It was conducted by a gentleman and his niece, free—I tell you it opened my eyes to many new things—makes

world, a rural domestic life; Give me to warble spontaneous songs, reliev'd, recluse by myself, for my

excitement, and rack'd by the war-strife;) These to procure, incessantly asking, rising in cries from my

heart, While yet incessantly asking, still I adhere to my city; Day upon day, and year upon year, O

enrich'd of soul—you give me forever faces; (O I see what I sought to escape, confronting, reversing my

cries; I see my own soul trampling down what it ask'd for.) 2 Keep your splendid silent sun; Keep your

have seen John Burroughs & he wants me to go up there to Esopus, but I don't think I shall go —I find my

the time except at mid-day— I suppose Hattie and Jessie are there, all right —Dear girls, I send you my

home & see you—I will finish to-night— Sunday 3½ p m West Point 50 miles above on the Hudson I finish my

with the Park opposite like a dense woods—is pleasant, but cloudy & almost cold to-day—(if I had not my

but no bother & no whimpering or quarreling at all under any circumstances—they form a great part of my

My heart foreboding much, I rang the bell, Mrs.

my boy I have gone far under!

Then: "I have done nothing to-daytoday: for the first time my appetite has positively, wholly, given

I reached down, kissed him: he kissed me, saying thickly: "Bless you, my boy! bless you!"

It is my nephew—the second son of my sister.

My mother used to tell us often about my father—that his love for the youngsters and for cattle was marvellous—simply

then explained, "I have a spice of wickedness in me—a vein that makes me rejoice to tell Bucke of my

—"It was to distinguish me from my father originally and then the name held.

Whitman does not surprise or startle me: I take quite naturally to that, too—though my friends, young

I had no bars up against my freedom—always went whither I list.

He knew my step—and of course knew my voice. "Shall I strike a light?"

I turned the letter over in my mind a good deal today, and this evening, as I ate my dinner, the light

I spoke of my preference, rather for the independent instinct of the Irish woman.

W. then: "Yes—so do I: I abate nothing of my democratic sympathies.

"He is one of my prime favorites—the earliest of all."

"With each month that passes I feel more and more uncertain on my pins.""

A little of it here and there I might say no to, but I guess my no wouldn't be very loud."

My friends here and there, both sides, do not realize how badly broken up I am. Another thing.

"After my dear, dear mother, I guess Lincoln gets almost nearer me than anybody else."

I want Horace to come down with his hatchet or come down and use my hatchet and open the box."

My only feeling in the matter is one of intense curiosity.

Give my love to Horace and say to him that I will write him soon.

My trip is agreeing with me and I am as well and hearty as possible.Best love to youR. M.

It would only add to my cares.

any injustice—though Dave is quite in my hands now, if I choose to crush him.

Said as to my inquiries: "I am bad again, very bad—somehow start into a new siege: it is my head, my

At my mention of the 3/4 length—"Ah! yes! that I take to be my right bower!"

s room dark on my entrance, he on bed, and alone in my room.

Adding after my negative response—"He is a good friend of mine, of Leaves of Grass.

I think that quite a work—at least, that was my impression at the time."

Left article with Bonsall on my way to Philadelphia.

He explained, "It is my intention to have them all bound up—to have them brought here.

For one thing, it is too trifling; for another, it is against my habit, my confirmed determinations.

, only of such as came into my mind at the moment.

They must go as they came—my hand, word, knowing nothing of birth or death.

Some of my readers doubtless imagine that my series of sketches had come to an end, as they have not

from the city, and a multiplicity of other engagements, have hitherto prevented me from continuing my

Tall, portly, good-humored in feature as in fact, my subject is known, admired, and respected by all

In a word, he is my model of what an intelligent citizen’s conduct should be, in matters political.

Perrin never equaled my subject as a manager and facilitator of legislative business.

My dear Mr.

gladly avail myself of so tempting an opening for saying that I am the same—& shall feel confident that my

indeed it cannot have needed telling—that you were a very principal subject of our discourse, & of my

friends amply share my feeling.

My vol. volume of Selections from American Poets doesn't seem likely to be published yet awhile.

editorial decisions, which included editing potentially objectionable content and removing entire poems: "My

Stopped in on my way to the city. All well there.

But he resented my explanation. Insisted that the cords were short.

It is your very worst habit: it gives my vanity, complacency, many a jar!"

The affair" (my dismissal) "was settled upon before I knew it."

What instinct ever drove him to my desk?

My experience is a peculiar one: something like this"—working his hand circularly—"it is as if things

Had not suffered any from the fall in temperature.We talked of my work—of my bookkeeping: how at times

He had been "put in charge of the Attorney General's letters: cases were put into my hands—small cases

to them all so passed some of them over to me to examine, report upon, sum up: which I did mainly by my

I had a copy of Harper's Bazar in my pocket.

My Arnold piece did not appear in Tuesday's Herald.

I am myself of late years more inclined to sit still exploiting and expounding my views than was the

Walt Whitman, Esq.Dear Sir—I have tried in vain to obtain a good portrait of my father for you and am

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

I am always uneasy about the inquirers when they come buzzing about: they get on my skin and irritate

Then: "I have been out—startled—dazed: but now am better: have had my meal—strawberries, chiefly, which

Why, Horace, you have no idea of the exuberance of the man: he talks of buying all my books, of buying

W. said: "I am quite willing to sell him my books: that is what they are here for."

On my way to town this morning, I had met Bucke at the ferry, waiting for the Cape May train.

Gave me Contemporary Club cards for my sister Agnes.

Again—inquiring what papers I had in my hand, he looked at Harper's Weekly and Young People—remarking

Though how a fellow can be a Leaves-of-Grass-man and fall into such a ditch defeats all my explanations

"I have thought, how much can be done with stained glass—how much has been done: have thought of my own

I want to come—it is part of my duty yet while living, if I can.

My hope has been diminishing little by little, but not yet to a total negative."

Merry over my face, lost almost in the trees on the hill.

Asked me—pointing to table, "Did you see my lilies? Exquisite, eh?

—and with my love." Meanwhile taking them out himself."

What an idea, that about my reciting, reading, declaring my own poems!

I enjoy criticisms of my work even if I do not feel to justify them.

Stopped in on my way to Unitarian Church, where Law was to lecture on Alexander Wilson.

Wrote my name on its face. "This may have an especial value—on several accounts.

English rescuers in the dark years of my Camden sojourn.

No one, not my best friends—know what it means to me.

"I think I can lay my hand on it. Why, do you want it?

that love me, (Arous'd and angry, I'd thought to beat the alarum, and urge relentless war, But soon my

fingers fail'd me, my face droop'd and I resign'd myself, To sit by the wounded and soothe them, or

2 O maidens and young men I love and that love me, What you ask of my days those the strangest and sudden

Bearing the bandages, water and sponge, Straight and swift to my wounded I go, Where they lie on the

thigh, the knee, the wound in the abdomen, These and more I dress with impassive hand, (yet deep in my

that love me, (Arous'd and angry, I'd thought to beat the alarum, and urge relentless war, But soon my

fingers fail'd me, my face droop'd and I resign'd myself, To sit by the wounded and soothe them, or

2 O maidens and young men I love and that love me, What you ask of my days those the strangest and sudden

Bearing the bandages, water and sponge, Straight and swift to my wounded I go, Where they lie on the

thigh, the knee, the wound in the abdomen, These and more I dress with impassive hand, (yet deep in my

My Dearest Friend: Welcome was your postcard announcing recovered health & return to Camden!

Strange episode in my life!

But meanwhile, dear Friend, my work lies here: innumerable are the ties that bind us.

Please give my love to your brothers & sister. Were Jessie & Hattie at home in St.

Please give my love to John Burroughs when you write or see him.

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

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

If one's patient has an ache or pain, the nurse whistles for the student (my whistle is 2).

One of my patients has empyema following pleurisy.

Several of my patients (I have all the very sick just now) require very careful watching.

Please give my love to Mrs. Whitman & remember me to Colonel Whitman.

If it were not for records accumulating mountain high I should have time to write to my friends.

54 Manchester Road Bolton Lancashire England Dec r 27 th 1890 Many thanks to you, my dear old friend,

Another treat in store for us is a Children's Party which my wife & I intend giving in our house, when

It will interest you to know that I have received a brief letter of acknowledgment of my "Notes" & of

I also send you copies of some verses I sent to some of my friends & a copy of this week's Annandale

Observer containing a notice of my "Notes."

—That this earthly habitation, is a place of torment to my miserable self, is made painfully evident

—you do not know, my friend, nor can you conceive, the horrid dulness of this place.

—And as avocations of this nature never met my fancy in any great degree, you may easily imagine what

O, ye gods, press me not too far—pour not my cup too full—or I know what I shall do.

—Dire and dreadful thoughts have lately been floating through my brain.

Along with the parcel of papers which you sent me after getting my baby's letter I got the picture and

I have yet on hand two big bales of my cotton crop intended for spending money for the —sold other of

my crop (three more big ) on one credit to get interest.

might think, except that I have been almost insane about yours because you have so well expressed " my

(Please don't other hunter come down my dilapidated dwelling ) John Newton Johnson Ala Alabama for the

My Dear Friend: I feel so drawn to send you a Christmas greeting.

Did you receive an invitation to the wedding of my daughter, Blanche, on the 14th of June last?

So often I think of the days of my youth, amid the calm content of Quaker society, so beautiful.

Tears came into my children's eyes. After meeting I asked them why?

I am my friend with kindest regards, Yours truly, Elisa S. Leggett.

My dear Walt i received your letter and money and the chigacago Chicago news all safe and sound on tuesday

pit to see to the cementing and he gets all mud sometimes and he favor himself much) well walter dear my

i hadent hadn't much to write about this time so i wouldent wouldn't take a whole sheet i get over my

letters for 10 years) he said to day today their is lots of theiving thieving somewhere he said if my

Louis had sent a money order he would have got it for me with my signing my name i am very sorry i dident

Donald BarlowStauffer"Good-Bye my Fancy" (Second Annex) (1891)"Good-Bye my Fancy" (Second Annex) (1891

)This group of poems originally appeared in the book Good-Bye My Fancy (1891), Whitman's last miscellany

the New York theater, etc.A group of thirty-one poems from the book was later printed as "Good-Bye my

death he had frequently expressed in his younger years.There are two poems with the title "Good-Bye my

"Good-Bye my Fancy" (Second Annex) (1891)

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

Give my love to Dr. B.

My Dear W Whitman, Yr letter & papers both rec'd with thanks.

My article is scientific , I even reverently analyze Shakespeare's technique & prove that he inclined

I had been reserving this piece of work until I moved into my new house.

I sent my article on poetry to the Century. They ordered an article on E.E. Hale, wh.

What is this you bring my America? Is it uniform with my country?

I swear I will have each quality of my race in my- self myself , (Talk as you like, he only suits These

rapt verse, my call—mock me not!

my lands!

WEAVE IN, WEAVE IN, MY HARDY LIFE. WEAVE in! weave in, my hardy life!

fiercely, and rack my soul with great pain.

These elements are the influences of my nature on the one side, and those of my habits on the other.

My eyes answered, yes. So I learned language.

Only one of them came near to me, in my progress.

about my own age.

COME my tan-faced children, Follow well in order, get your weapons ready, Have you your pistols?

O my breast aches with tender love for all!

Whoever you are, now I place my hand upon you, that you be my poem, I whisper with my lips close to your

I call to the world to distrust the accounts of my friends, but listen to my enemies, as I myself do,

name, the Past, And in the name of these States and in your and my name, the Present time.

COME my tan-faced children, Follow well in order, get your weapons ready, Have you your pistols?

O my breast aches with tender love for all!

Whoever you are, now I place my hand upon you, that you be my poem, I whisper with my lips close to your

I call to the world to distrust the accounts of my friends, but listen to my enemies, as I myself do,

name, the Past, And in the name of these States and in your and my name, the Present time.

Perry, & Co., against the United States—in which you request my opinion upon the legal questions involved

among the papers—nor, indeed, any statement from an official source of the precise questions on which my

Comptroller, or may be agreed upon, together with the questions of law arising thereon, touching which my

opinion is desired, I shall be happy to consider the questions, and give my opinion.

I have been making a few notes to-day," said W., "on the subject of my removal from the Interior Department

know, Secretary Harlan took the Leaves even more seriously than Munger: he abstracted the book from my

The more or less anonymous young writers and journalists of Washington were greatly incensed—made my

Louis: 'The removal of Whitman was the mistake of my life.'"