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Much better"—and when I spoke of the weather as inducing it, possibly, he said— "I am more apt to say, my

I give you the same privilege I demand for myself—the privilege of believing that in my own affairs,

My hands are all over honey—honey"—and washed them as I waited.

He said: "I was a great spouter in my early days—even later on—had my favorite pieces—these among them

Yes, 'A Voice Out of the Sea,' my own piece was one—one of many.

In a case so obvious it would seem as though things might very easily be brought to a head in my behalf

W. gave me what he called a "document" to go among my "war records."

children in age yet—so good, so sweet, so brave, so decorous, I could not feel them nearer to me if my

W. laughed: "If I had my way," he said more gravely, "I'd try my medicine first on the rich—make them

I contend that I am the safest of men—that my gospel is the safest of gospels.

I thought to send him a copy of my last book."

I want you to send him my love for that letter when you write."

And, "I wish I could go with you: it would stretch my old legs!"

I live my days through here—get nowhere (to the washroom, nowhere else).

And when I spoke of dreamless nights my own, W. exclaimed, "How grand! It is a report, the best!

"There are several I particularly wish to send—to my folks and one or two others."

Thought my book a fraud, thought me a fraud—as, no doubt, I am."

It came close to my own way of thinking.

My friend Collins has had another letter from Mr. W. C.

It would give distinction to my gathering. Is this too big an order?"

I go to Philadelphia and to my desk with a heavy heart.

My dear Traubel:I am more pained than I can express to see, by the morning papers, that dear, good, great

My hope is that the reports are exaggerated, but I fear the worst.

After my own tussle with the Angel, however, I am constrained to send a message of Life and Hope.

We regard Bob's telegram as an acceptance—a response to my morning's telegraphic message.

I reached forth my hand and literally, by a great effort, lifted him. What was new?

Yes, it is audacious—that's my word—and I have a curious story to tell you about that.

She was the screamer, moaner, who had alarmed me on my entrance some days ago and of whom Mrs.

—exactly my word!" Further, "This is an artist's picture—an artist's picture in the best sense.

My name has no place there—it is not my book—I have nothing to do with it.

I spent considerable time in New York and a number of weeks on Long Island, my native place.

So many of my good friends are here that I must call it my home.

There are men and women—not here though—who bear my intuition and understand by their hearts.

in his "den" surrounded by a litter of books and papers: "When Osgood wrote me, offering to publish my

I must overlook the work myself and you must humor me in letting me have things my way.'

With my help went over to his chair, turning up the light, sitting down heavily: legs of little value

The War was on, I was strong in my strength—superb of body—I had much to give: there were thousands,

conviction against it, my contempt for it, grows stronger and stronger."

"I have been singularly fortunate in my doctors," he said: "I often think of Dr.

I spoke of my going to Germantown to hear Brinton lecture. W. inquired: "What will he speak about?"

"I am a prisoner," he said, smilingly, "but you are not my jailer."

Then after a pause: "Indeed, far from that: you are in fact my deliverer."

At present my brain is just mud—I have a heap of letters unanswered.

My own health is pretty good.

It has reduced my weight about ten per cent. My belly has gone away as if I had been confined.

Sir: In answer to your letter of the 8th instant, I have the honor to state that my recollection of what

But my impressions were, and still are, (subject, of course, to be reversed, if they appear incorrect

My opinion against the validity of the transfer of the rights of the Oregon Center Railroad Company,

Sarrazin is made in one place to say my father was a great lover of infants.

John Burroughs always beautifully said my father was a lover of children—and that is right—children is

Speaks in warm terms of my Liberty piece on O'Connor. W. very susceptible to cold.

Then he took up paper again and read the sentence—"To my notion 'The Kreutzer Sonata,' without for a

my friends, we must not forget that a little license is the very salt of liberty!'

Would he object to my making public statement of the new addition to "Leaves of Grass"?

Friday, December 5, 1890Left Philadelphia in 5 P.M. train—no baggage but my umbrella, a comb, a toothbrush

No one up there but girl who directed me to my room. Did not see Johnston at once.

But by and by, as I sat in the room reading, he appeared in undress at the door between my room and another—coming

I WAS asking for something specific and perfect for my city, Whereupon, lo!

there is in a name, a word, liquid, sane, unruly, musical, self-sufficient; I see that the word of my

my city! The city of such women, I am mad to be with them!

now and then in the silence, Alone I had thought, yet soon a troop gathers around me, Some walk by my

side and some behind, and some embrace my arms or neck, They the spirits of dear friends dead or alive

something for tokens, tossing toward whoever is near me, Here, lilac, with a branch of pine, Here, out of my

indifferent, but trembling with age and your unheal'd wounds you mounted the scaffold;) I would sing in my

, and singled you out with attachment;) Nor forget I to sing of the wonder, the ship as she swam up my

bay, Well-shaped and stately the Great Eastern swam up my bay, she was 600 feet long, Her moving swiftly

I WAS asking for something specific and perfect for my city, and behold!

there is in a name, a word, liquid, sane, unruly, musical, self-sufficient, I see that the word of my

my city! The city of such women, I am mad to be with them!

indifferent, but trembling with age and your unheal'd wounds you mounted the scaffold;) I would sing in my

, and singled you out with attachment;) Nor forget I to sing of the wonder, the ship as she swam up my

bay, Well-shaped and stately the Great Eastern swam up my bay, she was 600 feet long, Her moving swiftly

now and then in the silence, Alone I had thought, yet soon a troop gathers around me, Some walk by my

side and some behind, and some embrace my arms or neck, They the spirits of dear friends dead or alive

something for tokens, tossing toward whoever is near me, Here, lilac, with a branch of pine, Here, out of my

Louis, Nov 9th 1886 My dear Walt Two or three times within the last half dozen days we have seen (and

As good luck would have it we have had a splendid fall as regards weather—and too my work has been of

short time) this does occur, and of course she gives way to her feelings, poor child, but I am doing my

Milburn, or any of the railroad boys, or other friends that may inquire after me, that I send them my

best respects—not forgetting my friends Mr. & Mrs.

every thing lovely—It will not be long now before I shall be back—Till then, take care of yourself, my

My health keeps good, & work easy.

I often think of you, my loving boy, and think whether you are all right & in good health, & working

As I told you in my previous letter, this city is quite small potatoes after living in New York.

Brooklyn 22nd Sept. 1863 Dear brother Walt, The enclosed $25 is from my old friend Joseph P.

I have written him in some of my letters what you were doing, with short extracts from your letters.

The whole thing in my opinion is one of the biggest of humbugs.

New York March 21st Your letter in answer to my note came to hand this a.m.

Chelsea Ferry, & enquire for, Charley Hollis, or Ed Morgan mention my name, and introduce yourself as

my friend.— I am obliged to you for your kind offer of sending me a few of the sheets in advance of

I immediately appealed to my lady friends and patriots in Philadelphia, and they have sent me on a fine

I have never had better health in my life, perhaps I can explain it to you.

My regards to them and hope they are out of Campbell Hospital. What became of poor Dick?

Vermont Christmas Afternoon My Dear Brother I thank you with all my heart you are so kind I dont don't

Rose one of my near neighbors just, now, came to the window and wants me to come in, to see her Chrs

August 31, 1888 My dear Walt: I got your letter of the 6th, a postal card of the 11th, divers newspapers

I have had it on my mind for a month to write, but have had a bad time.

My hope and heart are high for you. If the weather will only let up! Good bye.

you, but I have a bad habit of putting off things—as you know, & week after week slips by & accuses my

This remissness is very much of a part with the rest of my story of late.

Opposite my window the birds kick up a great row in the branches, as they discuss the delicate question

once or twice, you find it is nothing to be afraid of— I have been busy all the forenoon fixing one of my

Y New York paper, the Critic —they give me $10 a piece for them, & want several more—I make use of my

time this reaches you—It is now noon & I must get out a bit —I went out & took a short stroll, but my

April 1891 My dear Walt Whitman, My best thanks to you for your kind postcard of March 23 rd .

Will you give my affectionate regards to Traubel? James W. Wallace to Walt Whitman, 3 April 1891

Lancashire, England. 14 August 1891 My dear Walt Whitman, It is too late for me to write much tonight

My prayer is that it may bear fruit in our lives. But I am too sleepy to write any more now.

With my heart's best love to you, & constant good wishes Yours affectionately J. W. Wallace.

Quite enjoyed my dissipation, & feel no worse for it!

Have now pretty well settled as to my next move.

My old friend Fred Wild went out there when a youth of 20 & stayed there some months.

My Dearest Friend: Your welcome letter to hand.

Indeed all that sympathy and warm & true words of love & sorrow & highest admiration & esteem for my

Please give my love to your sister, and tell her that her good letter spoke the right words to me & that

1870 Janry January 19 My dear walt Walt i am like you this week i dont don't seem to have any thing new

worst of it was they had two dogs and before they could get them away i thought they would have torn my

a stir about the small pox ordering every one to be vasinated vaccinated ) well walter Walter dear my

Walter it is so strange you hav e not got my letter I sent one last friday Friday morning and should

and have had all you have sent and come very acceptable I had got down to 10 cents you must have got my

told him I had hired so much of the house out he would have to hire his board write Walt if you got my

institutionalizing Jesse because, according to her December 25, 1863 letter, she "could not find it in my

I suppose look ab't about the same—(perhaps grayer & redder)—though young enough in spirit & now in my

My two books bring me in a moderate income —I am satisfied with very plain living—& bless the Lord I

am likely to have enough for that as long as I need— Tom, give my best regards to your wife, for all

but very sorry to hear of your loss of health & bereavement this liaves leaves me and family all well my

through the winter and have not quite caught up yet I have got a little Buisness Business out side of my

Do you remember meeting a yong young Lady with me at the corner of Fulton and Court Sts once that is my

77 West Brookline Boston Sept 3 1888 My dear loved Poet I greet you with open arms and kiss you lovingly

the three as it gives me your full face—and so good I am going to paint you in oil and in pastel and my

the house where you were born and I hope I may have you as you are in your home at Camden—sometime—my

III. of my "Walt Whitman."

scientific American point of view—as it certainly is the highest & deepest (complimentary) statement of my

gone—Spirits buoyant & hearty— —The December sun is shining out wistfully as I finish, & I am going out in my

him—I am to go again—He did not express any opinion particular—said he would tell me next time—examined my

a chicken—your card to Bell & letter to George came this forenoon—George has not yet got home— Lou, my

continues to get along excellently well—We have quite a good many callers —I am not so well to-day—my

I WAS asking for something specific and perfect for my city, Whereupon, lo!

there is in a name, a word, liquid, sane, unruly, musical, self-sufficient; I see that the word of my

my city! The city of such women, I am mad to be with them!

Jersey U S America— Dec: 20 1881 Dear Sir Your letter asking definite endorsement to a translation of my

And as my dearest dream is for an internationality of poems and poets binding the lands of the earth

closer than all treaties or diplomacy—As the purpose beneath the rest in my book is such hearty comradeship

journey— Mother, it is kind of company to write to you—it is very lonesome to sit here all the evening in my

room—about 9 Charles Eldridge comes in & assists me to soak my feet in hot water, & then I turn in—(

I have my trowsers trousers on this evening, first time in 3 weeks)— Friday noon Feb. 14 Mother, I am

I rubbed my eyes a little to see if this sunbeam were no illusion; but the solid sense of the book is

I wish to see my benefactor, and have felt much like striking my tasks and visiting New York to pay you

my respects.

As usual, W. was not at home at the moment of my arrival, though coming soon after.

My dear Mr. Traubel,You will be alarmed at my corrections.

But they are absolutely necessary & you must let me pay for the proof changes—My "involved style!"

"My head has been in a queer chaotic condition—as though in a whirl of phlegm."

I was not in my best condition—this trouble was on me—and so we did not say much."

and "My 71st Year." with his own written corrections."

Ed told me at one time he thought he could push it over—so I thought it my duty to get rid of it—remove

Said to me as I came in, "You arrive just at the right minute: I am just returned from my trip."

It is a very interesting little volume, without which my "W.

I am glad my letter was in time for the Postscript of the volume.Thanks for your article on last Birthday

Had my notes in his breast pocket, marked "Horace," descriptive of room, etc.

Had slipped shoes and stockings off, but on my entrance put latter on, asking me to a seat.

Consumed nearly the whole time of my stay questioning me on our yesterday's walk.

I often think that pica is, after all, my type: it is so ample, so satisfies the eye; and then I am inclined

s letters)—"It is what my grandfather called Unitarianism, 'a feather bed to catch a falling Christian

Still thinks he has la grippe—cold in head, sore throat—but he looks very well.Said to me, "I got my

I expressed my pleasure over the notes he gave me yesterday.

You need not quote much: if you give them as my words, they will be taken as mine without that guarantee

"I advised him—perhaps he might make up a Dutch piece—about my ancestry—in a shape the Critic would take—and

"This will be my last public appearance, without a doubt: it is not in me to make a trial again: at least

In my own work—in Leaves of Grass—I have known no anxiety greater than to keep abreast of these results—not

Spoke particularly of "wishing Agnes [my sister] to be present—and Mrs. Harned, too."

Bucke tomorrow, I must save all my strength."