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Reprinted in Good-Bye My Fancy (1891).; Our transcription is based on a digital image of a microfilm

My dear Sir. There lies before me, as I write, a copy of "Brother Johnathan" Vol 1.

Rukh–mabai, my Indian friend was with us—her first visit to Oxford, and she was tremendously interested

This is a most unsatisfactory letter—but I feel as if the fog had got into my head.

Camden noon Feb: 5 '90 A rare egg & Graham br'd for my breakfast—Y'r good letter rec'd —the sun is out

eye bother, or liability—& there probably is something in that—I have mark'd defection & weakness in my

"A Death-Bouquet" became the last section of Good-Bye My Fancy, which was later reprinted in Complete

Chicago Dear Walt,— The old war refrain—"All's quiet on the Potomac" —seems to have a new rendering in my

thought as I go about my daily work: "All silent in Camden."

with me an hour or so, and, on departing, asked permission to write a paragraph for the journal about my

But he made the worst mess about the Holmes talk, & my contempt for facts .

Is Mrs Davis still with you—Give her my best regards.

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

located, but the passages alluded to, including the "old varmint" story, appear in a similar form in "My

New Jersey U S America Feb: 10 '90 — It is near sunset after a bright winter day & I am waiting for my

supper—my young nurse is down stairs practising practicing his fiddle lesson— —I have just written three

and his brother Harry were the sons of Henry Whireman Fritzinger (about 1828–1881), a former sea captain

Davis, Whitman's housekeeper, who had also taken care of the sea captain and who inherited part of his

& welcomed—weather-fast & room-fast here—(altho' the sun is shining out to-day)—Nothing special in my

the $5 you sent—but had sent you word not to—all right now tho—it is ab't sun-down—I am waiting for my

supper—My young nurse is down stairs learning his fiddle lesson—have had my massage— Walt Whitman Walt

and his brother Harry were the sons of Henry Whireman Fritzinger (about 1828–1881), a former sea captain

Davis, Whitman's housekeeper, who had also taken care of the sea captain and who inherited part of his

Perryville—Md Feb. 12/90 My dear Mr Whitman You will, no doubt be surprised, when you see the signature

I have often been tempted to write you—to thank you for your kindness in writing to my boy —far away

Studio 2 W. 14 th st New York Febr. 12 90 My dear sir I have delivered your book to Mr. Bancroft.

I take the pleasure to mail to you some proofs of my drawings and ask you to accept them with my kindest

Thanking you for your kindness at the occasion of my visit to you, and wishing you good health I am most

Thursday Feby, 13 189 0 Dear Walt Whitman During my travels so far away from home; I have often thought

of writing you, just walk as once before into your grand presence & explain the interesting parts of my

occasionally (as while here) with an $800.00 order, I continue west to Denver & Leadville and upon my

long confinement which in my case & very many others was a gross injustice upon free men I enjoy the

varied & grand sight now ever so much and while Beer & music is yet one of my standards & enjoyed by

business (whatever it is) uncomfortable enough—(I have not probably the grip but I suppose I must pay my

Y'rs rec'd—then Matilda Gurd is dead —I remember her well & most favorably—my sympathies & condolences

you—Mrs: Davis has gone off for a couple of days (more or less) to see an old relative & friend a sea-captain

very ill but better now—an addition also to his family, baby boy —Alys Smith here yesterday—have had my

vulgar excitement here is the LeConey murder trial—an unusual muddle & paradox — Finish this up in my

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

and his brother Harry were the sons of Henry Whireman Fritzinger (about 1828–1881), a former sea captain

Davis, Whitman's housekeeper, who had also taken care of the sea captain and who inherited part of his

Robert Browning (1812–1889), known for his dramatic monologues, including "Porphyria's Lover" and "My

Also shall perhaps find time to elaborate my theory as to the guilt of Pamphilia of which I am firmly

Browning himself, according to my hypothesis, may or may not think her guilty.

Feb 21st 1890 To / Walt man Eq My Dear Sir I apologize heartily for my delay in replying to your kind

the page of "poemets" 'old age echoes' —which you were so good as to offer me at the price of £20— My

—& secondly my unwillingness to do the unwelcome & ungracious thing implied in my being unable to avail

I am so extremely sorry not to see my way to utilizing them for my Review & I accordingly return herewith

of four short poems, appeared in Lippincott's Magazine in March 1891 and were reprinted in Goodbye My

—I have recd a photo proof of my phiz I suppose from the flash light—I don't like it—I send you herewith

Whitman Esq Feb 24.1890 My dear, venerable friend It was my intention to have noted my recent call upon

you, with my expressions of the great pleasure that visit had given me, but I have been prevented doing

so, from having taken cold in my eyes, subjecting me to a sort of vagabond life for the past week.

delighted to have you acknowledge this note, if you feel, it will not be a task— Accept dear friend, my

Whitman 1740 N. 15th st.Phila My father was John F.

Feb. 27, 1890 Dear Walt: Here I am back from Pokeepsie Poughkeepsie in my little study to-night with

But few of my friends have visited me here, but here I sit by my open fire & have long long thoughts

How many times have I planted you there in my big chair by the window, or here in front of the open fire

Give him my love if you write him. I think I told you we were housekeeping in for the winter.

My winter has been flat stale & unprofitable.

You know I am well on my 71st year—lame and almost helpless in locomotion—inertia like a heavy swathing

ample dropping pall over me most of the time, but my thoughts and to some extent mental action ab't

I have had my daily mid-day massage (another just as I go to bed).

Tho't of going out a little in my wheel chair but it is bitter cold today here and I shall not.

I have just had a drink of milk punch—am sitting at present in my two-story den in Mickle St, alone as

26Death Dogs My Steps (1890).

A.MS. draft.loc.00120xxx.00406Death Dogs My Stepsabout March 3, 1890poetryhandwritten1 leaf12 x 19 cm

; Draft of Death Dogs My Steps written in ink on the inside of a discarded and opened out envelope, addressed

Death Dogs My Steps

afternoon—but we have had a dark cold storm two days—I keep on ab't same as usual—in-doors these times—my

other market perhaps—(if not, shall print in a little another Annex —for I contemplate such)—have had my

mid-day massage—am sitting here at the table in my den—good oak fire— Walt Whitman Whitman wrote this

This "Annex" would become Good-bye My Fancy (1891).

I don't see anything to whine about in getting old—think (on the whole) it is rather a good joke—my strongest

March 8 .90 My dear dear .

I am today sending back proof sheets of my new book " To the Czar ." I hope to tear his bowels out.

My dear Walt The enclosed will interest you—From all accounts the reception of book here is very satisfactory

We are here for my wifes health, which I am glad to say is much improved. Ever yours T. W.

3-12-1890 Walt Whitman, My Dear Friend:— Allow me to express my ineffable gratefulness to you for the

immense delight your "Leaves of Grass" have thrilled me with, in the form of a few of my rhapsodies

under the ban of your warm regards for my poetic productions—(properly belonging to the 21 & 22 centuries

poems, which were received with much pleasure by the public—But they were the poorest specimens of my

work—Had it been otherwise—that is, one of my most select copies,—the people would have recoiled from

I am quite poorly—grippe—attacks my stomach—yet I succeed in managing the fires, and keep the house comfortable

Superintendent's Office Asylum for the Insane Ontario London, Ont., 16 March 18 90 Here I am over at my

office in the main asylum sitting at my desk with a fine wood and coal fire at my left hand—every thing

best I am capable of these times (& that is poor enough)—had a fresh egg & nice biscuit & coffee for my

and his brother Harry were the sons of Henry Whireman Fritzinger (about 1828–1881), a former sea captain

Davis, Whitman's housekeeper, who had also taken care of the sea captain and who inherited part of his

Whitman's housekeeper, took care of both Harry and Warren after the death of their father, the sea captain

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

I go straight to my subject. Do not call me an autograph fiend.

your leisure, write me out on good paper, one side only, so that I may frame it with your portrait for my

Whitman:— Dear Sir:— I am collecting the autographs of famous men and I would like to have yours in my

prostration at every hand all around me)—had a good little letter f'm Ed Wilkins —buckwheat cakes & honey for my

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

quiet here, plenty of work, but as long as we can do it we must not grumble at that—still, if I had my

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

I keep touching deeper & not before understood tho'ts with my plummet in reading you,—espec. in these

day & clear evn'g, after snow-storm &c—I have the grip at last & quite badly—am sitting here alone in my

den—nothing very new—my eyes failing—Expect to give (& wish to) my "Death of Abraham Lincoln" memorandum

day—feels Spring—but I am suffering from the grip —it has caught me at last—am sitting here alone in my

how—it is pretty heavy here crippled here this way, week after week)—write a little—expect to speak my

time, ab't the 12th or 13th)—They are thinking of a sort of dinner in Phila May 31 in compliment of my

beginning on my 72d year, but we will see.

mind-clouding was temporary—(the worst of course is the eligibility of returning & worse)—¼ to 2—I have had my

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

you will be dined and wined on your next May-day (Birthday—) We are all reasonably well save Marrie (my

Whitman found the visitor interesting but too effusive: "My main objection to him, if objection at all

almost human tenderness in the atmosphere, to get up and go out, and as I was being wheeled about by my

But I staid just a little too long in my unaccustomed wanderings, because I had not been out before during

It was after sunset when I got back to my home, and I enjoyed my supper better than I had for many a

I can read the magazines, and my friends from abroad keep me advised as to what is going on in the world

6 '90 Still down sick—it holds on day & night—(well have they call'd it the grip )—I am sitting in my

and his brother Harry were the sons of Henry Whireman Fritzinger (about 1828–1881), a former sea captain

Davis, Whitman's housekeeper, who had also taken care of the sea captain and who inherited part of his

beautiful day overhead, and an adventurous robin chirping at 4 O:Clock this morning—I heard him from my

window—but cold chilly, freezing nights prevail—I am quite unsteady on my legs, from effects of the

grippe—and my stomach is weak, but I feel stronger this morning and encouraged— God bless you Walt, he

the woods & badly but the breathing machinery working easier to-day wh' is a good point gain'd—Pass my

I sit here tiding it all over—am just taking my supper—a bit of toast bread & rasperry jam & small cup

On April 27, 1890, Whitman sent Furness a copy of "O Captain! My Captain!"

brother, Walt, sends us a dollar, at times 2 every few days—and sometime since, sent 5 by mail—which with my

had sleep of a couple of hours—A suspicion of better, very faint but palpable, this forenoon—ate all my

of past month—head ache all the forenoon—rather pleasant day, sun out most of the time—anxious abt my

Burroughs and Stedman (at Horace's request) also to Edw'd Bertz Potsdam & R P Smith London— 5 p m—have had my

any doctor in yet & probably will not—what I have is mainly an expansion & perhaps concentration of my

Now along toward the end of third week of grip that holds on by day & night like grim death on top of my

school of the great modern scientists & progressive metaphysicians—Sh'l probably have to give up reading my

Continued heavy headache—ate my breakfast—am sitting up most of the time—rest very poorly—still calculate

on this grip trouble passing over, but not in time for my 15th lecture in Phila: —I have now sent you

I did think of putting off my trip until the end of May but there are reasons why I had better go now—I

and his brother Harry were the sons of Henry Whireman Fritzinger (about 1828–1881), a former sea captain

Davis, Whitman's housekeeper, who had also taken care of the sea captain and who inherited part of his

easy night—Superb weather sunny & warm—Am going out presently in wheel chair —ate four raw oysters for my

breakfast—Expect to give the Lincoln Death piece to-morrow evn'g Phila: (Shall probably skip my daily

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.

heartier breakfast than usual—The piece last night went off all right—got thro' all without dishonor—feel my

not what they were—presence (self–possession &c) perfect—audience large & very cordial—It is probably my

place, not a show place, is call'd the Aldine —it is or was, (& I think they owned it) by German family my

Walt Whitman, My dear Sir: I am preparing a series of letters for the above newspapers on How to Reach

volumes of Horace Traubel's With Walt Whitman in Camden (various publishers: 1906–1996) and Whitman's "My