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W. said, "I have had several visitors here today—one of them causing one of the funniest things in my

At any rate I did not see him—sent my excuses down by Mary.

He came straight over here to where I sat—my hands extended—shook hands with me, looked about the room

Good-bye My Fancy cover-page Anne Montgomerie Traubel.Horace L.

Traubel,First, my congratulations on your marriage.

I have never made any full statement on religion in any of my writings but I have always intended to.

W. saying of it to me: "Eddy appeals to my heart, to my two arms: I seem to want to reach out and help

But for myself I do not feel that I could be overwhelmed by any misfortune that left my mind untouched

I came across the book this last summer, and it laid hold of my mind so that I could not put it away

But I got my roots stronger in the earth—master would not do anymore: no, not then: would no longer do

Tuesday, July 30, 1889On my way out of town, stopped in to see Whitman at 5, and found him eating his

"The minute I attempt to work my brain gets into a snarl."

My own greatest pleasure at Pfaff's was to look on—to see, talk little, absorb.

I had, in my years of loafing, forgotten how sweet toil was.

I had quite lost my interest in literature and was fast losing my interest in life itself, but these

two months of work have sharpened my appetite for all things.

In his room—complained of "an infernal inertia" which "binds me to my chair."

"I suppose we may account for this by saying that the essay is on democratic art, not on me—has not my

I have noticed in some of my friends that after a period of enthusiasm they are like to retrace their

"I am afraid that my response to that would be as with the Diplomatic Secret—that there is no secret!

I find my habits growing lazier and lazier." Tuesday, July 29, 1890

I have written Walt giving account of my reception here; you will see that letter and I need not repeat

I may say however that if nothing comes of my trip but what has already come of it here I shall consider

My reception here has been such that I am absolutely dumbfounded.

Called my attention to a postal he had written Johnston (I mailed it on my way up).Referred to O'Donovan

Longaker and Reeder to my house late in evening—photoed Morse bust by flash light.

perhaps in a day or two I may be able to render them in a better shape, when I write again to tell you of my

Here health I bring you in one draught of song Caught in my rhymster's cup from earth's delight Where

I had these letters in my pocket when I saw him today. Letter three he had me read aloud.

"I rely a good deal upon my general feeling about a piece when it comes back to me in type."

Sometimes I think he is a little afraid of my friends.

Added, however: "Did I ever quote you my favorite couplet? I've no doubt I have."

something like this— 'Over the past not God himself has power,'For what has been has been, and I have had my

I have no distinct idea at all where my couplet is from—nor of the words of the couplet itself—except

through Gilder's [illegible] that the Century took its great step forward in illustrations: this is my

I expatiated for some time—it was my element—it bore upon my theories, illustrated 'Leaves of Grass.'

and to my "yes," added, "I can't account for his failure to get down this way.

the best expect much help from me in that," adding that bibliographies were "anyhow not according to my

That was a necessary part of my career." Mrs. O'Connor tells me of W.'

W. declared, "William was what I said in my little piece, a shield for the oppressed—a knight of chivalric

People generally, I should judge, would regard it as a great piece of work: I have my doubts."

resolved to keep a sharp eye for him," W. said, "I have seen hints of him here and there which have raised my

Held a letter gleefully up before my face. "Here is the Whittier," he said: "Take it—be satisfied."

But I, for my part—we—must not play the game with that end in view.

Osler respected my objection." Box of flowers from Charlotte Fiske Bates.

"I do not seem to get the thing very clearly in my own mind: it eludes me."

He said of it: "I have no doubt you are right: I will give the poems my attention.

would do with it, he responded, "For the present, nothing—except perhaps to have a few printed for my

"I must get my copy of 'Mr.

through this paralysis pretty sadly disabled," but he always tells me (which he hardly needs to), "My

W. said, "Morris will be one of us yet," and to my, "Yes, don't you remember the walk I told you of only

Callingham has my everlasting thanks for this happy introduction.Below please find a copy of Mr.

Carnegie's letter on my new Year's Greeting to Whitman.Yours sincerely,James D.

I know nothing better—little as good—it fits in with all my theories of democracy. Mrs.

I am now pretty near the end of my own history, but mark what I have said—it is the gospel of our democracy—the

JohnstonWe have told Wallace of the proposal mentioned in my last letter to you but he says No to it!

W.: "I can realize that abstractly without connecting it with my own person. Yes, I see it."

My business is to be—the rest will come as a matter of course, a necessary incident!"

W. continued on the bed throughout my stay. Tuesday, July 14, 1891

Had written nothing—"not even letters to Bucke, Burroughs and Kennedy—to whom I owe my biggest debts.

Some one in that discussion over the river presented my 'standpoint'—but suppose I have no conscious

That may be my fault.

McKean has no place—no room—no call for me or my kind." "Did he ever express himself to you?"

have no interest in him—when I look about in my world he is not in sight."

We talked freely together for 20 minutes or half an hour.He saw a book in my hand—questioned what it

My objection that The Vicar of Wakefield and Consuelo were books not to be compared, "not to be classed

The Quaker Traits of Walt Whitman," of which I spoke to W., who expressed so much curiosity I got on my

Speaks rather indignantly of the insistence of the papers that he has "gone out and selected his [my]

I have had my curiosity aroused on this point.

All of us well, especially my two little boys, who enjoy the country life very much.

My dear Mr. Whitman:Please excuse me for not having answered your letter two months ago.

Of my German-English anthology I have no proofs; but my publishers will bring out a new edition (revised

friend—has sworn his big oath in my interest and battled for me without reservation.

"Oh my yes! it tickled him immensely.

My pens are very elusive, like my handkerchiefs—I have uncountable dozens of them somewhere about the

Said, "I have had a letter from Stoddart today enclosing a check for my poem—and he said I should hurry

I told him I could not get my piece into anything like full shape until tomorrow night—would positively

McA. saying to me, "At my last call, just now, he hardly noticed me at all."

the end as will enable me to be there if possible.If you speak to Walt tell him he is never out of my

"I cannot fix the details all accurately in my mind: I get a little rusty sometimes."

"John published that against my persuasions—O'Connor's too: our strong objections: but now I know, we

If you have, I wish you would give me a line of introduction to him for my brother Bertie (Albert) who

But I must wait till my lecture to the Nineteenth Century Club, on Feb. 7, is past.Dr.

"I know: don't you see me on my knees? I admire his I'll do as I damned please ways."

W. writing on my entrance. Did not appear well, nor was he.

I think I must not forget to include the boy in my story."

He writes to tell me he had seen my Brazilian poem in a Parisian paper—says he likes it—congratulates

My impression of Father Taylor is very vivid because I heard him repeatedly.

I had a roll of yellow paper (two quires) under my arm. Opened it—he was much tickled.

Had "examined the Gérôme picture more at my leisure: what a grand expanse—hill, sky!

As to Bush's impatience with New York city life: "I do not know—that would not be my view of it.

to the papers as a literary item—that part of it, at least—those eight or ten lines—in which I make my

As I have said to you before, the point is, to substitute this for all other editions—to make of it my

I ache for news—for the best things from all the fellows: it is my balm, after lying here, unvarying

I could have wept and laughed, with the conflict of my feelings.

Long have I kept my road—made my road: long, long!

would print me correctly—use the right marks—not misrepresent: I hate commas in wrong places: I want my

i's dotted, my t's crossed."

"Here's a slip too: Democracy in Literature: my own: it's yours if you want it: file it away: I have

My dear Walt,I regret to say I was unable to do anything with the proof of Personalism.

He said: "Give my love to your mother." And he picked up a big apple from the table.

Returned me the Bazaar, remarking of it: "My wonder more and more is, over the pictures—how much of this

Called my attention to some new doughnuts on the table.

W. called him "My young English socialist friend" and thought—"There is a mystery about him—he does not

I got my Lippincott's proof last night after leaving W. They wished it back immediately.

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!

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.

My folks were always worried about me—my mother especially: some of them regarded it as a crazy whim:

Jeff you need not be afraid about my overdoing the matter.

torments my best love.

Jeff give my respects to Mrs. Lane and Dr.

He laughed and took my hand. "Horace, what wouldn't my enemies say with or without provocation?

W. laughed at my warmth: "Do you know much about Buchanan?"

I was on my way to the Contemporary Club meeting, Brinton to speak on Bruno.

If you see Brinton, give him my love—tell him he has my prayers—though I suppose he cares nothing for

My brain gets exhausted by working under pressure so much so good bye.

The foxy Scotchman doesn't return my W. W. ms. yet. I can't make him out.

Wished my revisions tomorrow. Promised. Explained this to W.

Further: "Then all my letters—notes—have gone to no purpose!

When I came in W. was working on a sketch of "Good-Bye My Fancy!"—laying it out.

And to my explanation, "Oh! It is slow—slow!" Then suddenly, "Was it A. Q.

Respond with my love—memories—admiration." And he curiously, "You hear from Bucke every day?

Always give him my choice good prayers."

best affection and regard—my best: tell them"—and here he broke off of sheer feebleness, and I cried

I think they cause a huskiness in my throat, a peculiar huskiness."

I gave W. the cards sent from my sister: "Herbert Spencer Harned—Dec. 2d." "Ah!

It seems to me just the day—these days of days: I have never known in all my experience such a series

W. said: "I only ask you to take care of that thing for me—to supply for my shortcomings."

Then to my look of inquiry: "I don't mean anything negative by that: it 'sit's mainly the slow maturers

Walt Whitman.Your card of the 24th came two days ago, not a little to my relief.

My own larger.

"I want to be ready for you: you are the oasis in my desert."

I asked him: "Do you really feel that way about my coming?

He says: "I keep myself down: I don't worry the strength out of my body: my one word is conservation.

He adds: "I have to subject all my rebellious moods to the necessities of my corporeal self."

He took my dare beautifully meek, I must say.

Called my attention to a paragraph from Labouchère, quoted in this morning's Press, discounting the poet

To my further declaration that I distrusted Woodbury's use of the word Bohemian in the Emerson report

I suppose I have all the reports here, if I could put my hands on them, but to put my hands on them:

"I didn't say smash, Maurice: I only said I felt it in my bones that you'd never be tested."

Why, I felt as if he was kicking my ass out of the house!"

Then he added: "There are some of my friends who are determined that I shall not be represented as a

I must not wait any longer now, though there is a fog outside and a fog or something of the sort in my

For my own sake, as well as yours, I wish it were!

s essays, and it is my opinion that we should rattle it up. If W.'

I send you a suggestion for a title-leaf, and my idea would be to number the essays and not name them

I went straight in and W. knew me and called out my name—I then going direct to the bed and shaking hands

I excused my interruption.

My specification of Bucke's constant letters caused him to exclaim ardently, "Dear, dear—ever dear—Doctor

You will tell him all needful things, facts, about my condition.

I went into next room to look for my mail.

I had scribbled all this down on my knee—standing in doorway.

"I will do my best to read it today. It ought to strike a true note—it is in John's field."

Telegram from Ingersoll, received at Bank: "Give my love to Whitman and to it add my hope that he may

My old journalistic friend remembers him here thirty-five years ago, when he first put out his "Leaves

["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 said my impulse had been, after seeing the Alexander picture Sunday, to send a note to the Press critical

The "Good-Bye My Fancy" manuscript on the bed. Was it ready yet? I picked it up.

My morning's round took me to W.'s.

Could then only leave my order. Wrote Creelman.

—seeing an open paper in my hands.

Imparted substance of my correspondence with Creelman.

, and so on—that is the nature of my desires.

W. replied: "Considering the condition of the rest of my body the immunity enjoyed by my topknot is marvellous—even

W. said: "It is one of the admonitions of my Doctor not to see people—not to talk: but then I am a disobedient

W. gave me what he called "another tidbit" for my "archeeves."

You see how my Quakerism persists!"

I promised to use same list as Lippincott's to send out my papers so all would go to the same individuals

s style, mainly punctuation, telling me he had much enjoyed my piece—"its enthusiasm: it exhilarated

And further, "I have no desire to dictate to them: having my ideas, I stated them—if the other fellows

W. signed a copy of the Kennedy Dutch piece with my name.

I picked up the magazine at one of the newsstands, which is the way I do most of my reading.

"No—only by my good sense." I reminded him that in several cases he had made minor changes.

Gave me a cake for my mother. Had done it up in envelope and laid out on the bed for me.

I shall have something to say about that in 'Good-Bye My Fancy.'" I asked, "Is the book ready?"

"That was my own opinion: I have seen it."

My old opinion of it lasts—lasts." Johnston a "good man" to W.