Feinberg/Whitman Box 5 Folder 2 General Correspondence Bucke, Richard M. Letters from Bucke Nov-Dec 1888LONDON PM NO 1 88 CANADA. Walt Whitman 328 Mickle Street Camden New Jersey U.S.A. See Notes Nov. 3, 1888Insane Asylum London Ontario Camden, N.J. Nov 3 6 AM REC'DSuperintendent's Office. ASYLUM FOR THE INSANE LONDON. ONTARIO London, Ont., 1 NOV 1888 Another month commenced and am greatly in hopes we are to have some fine weather to make up for the nearly 40 days rain we have had. At all events the month has opened well. A lovely bright, hazy, warm, fresh autumn morning. I got yesterday the bundle of papers including "Critic" and was much interested in the review of Crawford's "Kalevala". Also in the "Tribune" article on what New York is doing in the way of provision for her insane - this is a line issue with us here at present and I forwarded the article with a letter to Hon'ble A. S. Hardy (Provincial Secretary) recommending that we do something ofthe same sort. In the afternoon came McKay's "November Boughs" - for which many thanks, I like it well and if I had not seen the other should have thought it quite perfect, as it is I like your "N.B." with the [timp?] cover the best. Horace tells me that Musgrove is to leave on Sunday or Monday morning. I have written Ed. Wilkins and will have him leave here by 11.40 train Sunday morning. He will reach Philadelphia about 8 a.m. Monday. I shall give him full directions to your home and [a] letters to you and to Mrs Davis. Still no word from Wm Gurd - looks as if he has had an attack of agraphia - inability to write - confound the fellow he promised to let me know every few days how he was getting on and he has only written one letter in 2 1/2 weeks. All well here had a big crowd of young folk at the home last evening (All-Hallows E'en) telling futures, dancing & in best form Affectionately RM BuckeLONDON AM NO 5 88 CANADA Walt Whitman 328 Mickle Street Camden New Jersey U.S.A. [*See notes Nov. 6, 1888*]INSANE ASYLUM LONDON ONTARIO NOV 6 [?] PM REC'D.Superintendent's Office. ASYLUM FOR THE INSANE LONDON ONTARIO London, Ont., 4 Nov 1888 I have your letter of 31st and card of 1st gave the first lecture of the course yesterday morning - a demonstration of the brain - cerebral statics - the next will deal with cerebral dynamics (what grand names we give to our various ignorances!). Ed. Wilkins is to leave London 11.30 this A.M. ought to reach you tomorrow forenoon - let me know if he has got to Camden and how you like the looks of him? Not a word yet from Wm Gurd - it is too bad - I do not know what to expect, may get a letter tomorrow wanting me to go East at once or may not be wanted for weeks yet - only thing is to exercise what philosophy one has - and wait.no doubt he is more or less in the dark himself. I wish you would find out the name of that Paris review which had a paper on L. of G. if I had name and date or even name could soon get it. Weather here very pleasant now though still showery - we are all well. Your big book seems to rather drag. No doubt it will be ready by the time I get East and you must give me a copy then I shall write again in a day or two & hope I shall be able to be more definite in re Eastern trip for I must hear from Wm Gurd soon surely Always affectionately yours RM BuckeLondon PM No 8 88 CANADA. Walt Whitman 328 Mickle Street Camden New Jersey U.S.A. See Notes Nov. 8, 1888INSANE ASYLUM LONDON ONTARIO CAMDEN, N.J. NOV 8 12 M 1888 REC'D.Superintendent's Office ASYLUM FOR THE INSANE LONDON, ONTARIO London, Ont., 6 Nov 1888 Yours of 3d enclosing letters from Rhys OConnor, Mrs Costellae and Logan Smith came due to hand this morning. All were heartily welcome and at once read with welcome. Yes I have the "Transcript" and this morning the "Bulletin" came to hand from Horace. Do no forget to send me the "Pall Mall Gaz" cont.g Mr Summer's piece. No doubt Ed. Wilkins is with you now, I should be very anxious to hear what impression he makes. I heard from Wm Gurd yesterday, all is going well with him and the meter, he will probably want me down in about a week - hope there will be no hitch about getting leave of absence from Asylum. There are some little matters on hand andin prospect that may make it awkward for me to be away. Yes, I do not know what we should do without Horace, the kind of help he gives could not be bought for money and without him we should be badly stuck in many ways - I have the greatest admiration for him and the magnificent way he has behaved all through - I hope it may be in my power someday to show my appreciation of his excellent qualities in some practical way. We are having some delightful weather here now - some of those quiet, dreamy autumn days that have such a sleepy charm. I hope to see you soon, shall soon write again. Always affectionately your friend RM BuckeLONDON PM No 8 88 CANADA. Walt Whitman 328 Mickle Street Camden New Jersey U.S.A. See notes Nov 10, 1888INSANE ASYLUM LONDON ONTARIO CAMDEN, N.J. NOV 10 1 PM REC'D.Superintendent's Office ASYLUM FOR THE INSANE LONDON. ONTARIO London, Ont., 8 Nov 1888 Nothing further from Wm Gurd. So cannot yet fix date of departure. Very dark rainy weather here. All quiet. I cut this piece out of the London Advertiser this morning. Walt Whitman, according to the Star of London, has an English cousin, a Miss Whitman, who lives at Putney. She is a handsome girl with large dark eyes, very definite eyebrows, and is about six feet high. She "does a little journalism" and writes a weekly letter for one of the leading New Zealand papers. Have you ever heard of the said Miss W.? I fancy not. Your card of 5th came to hand yesterday and I was glad to see that you seemed satisfied with Wilkins appearance. Mighty glad also to find that you hold your grip so well - with your physique you ought to have been a hearty man at 90 RM BuckeLONDON AM NO 15 88 CANADA. Walt Whitman 328 Mickle Street Camden New Jersey U.S.A. See notes Nov. 13, 1888INSANE ASYLUM LONDON ONTARIO CAMDEN, N.J. NOV 12 8AM 1888 REC'D.Superintendent's Office ASYLUM FOR THE INSANE LONDON. ONTARIO London, Ont., 9 Nov 1888 Your welcome letter conveying the good news that you are "feeling better still" is just to hand. You will have got mine before now telling you I had heard from Wm Gurd & that all was O.K. there was a line yesterday from him to Matilda Gurd but nothing special in it. All is right but move slower than we figured on. I am real glad you seem pleased with Ed. W. I knew he would suit you or I would not have sent him so far - he was with me here a long time and I know him well - he is just what he looks a good, simple minded, quiet, honest country boy - just the kind you like. (A note just came from Wm Gurd - all well but not yet ableto fix a date for me to go East.) Yes I got the Phila "Times" 27 Oct. only a middling notice - it is surprising to me how little the average reviewer sees - not one of them seem to [be] have the lest idea what you have been driving at this last 35 years - Guess it will come all right in the end. Rolleston has sent me a copy of his Epictetus (Camelot series) - it is exactly what I wanted I have been looking it over and am delighted with it. Have not yet written to thank him, shall very soon. I guess you are going to make more of a recovery than any of the doctors suspected - they did not allow enough for that wonderful physique of yours - I wish Pardee & O'Connor were making as good a fight - have heard nothing from either of them for some days RM BuckeSee Notes Nov. 14 1888 LONDON AM NO 12 88 CANADA. Walt Whitman 328 Mickle Street Camden New Jersey U.S.A.INSANE ASYLUM LONDON ONTARIO CAMDEN, N.J. NOV 13 1 PM 1888 REC'D.Superintendent's Office. ASYLUM FOR THE INSANE LONDON. ONTARIO London, Ont., 11 Nov 1888 If you have not already read "Jean-François Millet" in Sept "19th Century" get hold of it and read it. With a few verbal changes, as "poet" for "painter" &c. large passages in it might be read for yourself - especially the last 1/2 page. The parallelism in the lines of the two men (yourself & Millet) is wonderful: for instance 1 Both born and brought up near the sea wh exerts a profound influence on the mode of thought & feeling of each. 2 M's books in youth Bible & Virgil W's " " " " Homer & Shakespeare 3 Each born of country people & always stuck to there in preference to city & polished folk 4 Each [af] strongly affected by a wreck at sea on coast near home in childhood 5 M. left country early went to Paris W. " " " " " N.Y.6 Sensier speaks of M's 12 years apprenticeship in Paris - John Burroughs of W's 12 years preparation in N.Y. 7 "The true M - Le Grande Rustique - revealed "himself for the first "time in 1850" (36 years old - born 1814)" in Le Semeur - "The Sower, which was hailed "by at least one critic as a "fine and original conception" The true W. came out 1855 (36 years old) 1st Ed. L. of G. which was hailed by one critic (Emerson) as a fine and original Conception 8 The fate of both - constant neglect varied by fierce attacks, relieved by the passionate faith and friendship of a few. 9 "This then" (the beauty, pathos and grandeur of labor and of the common laboring many)" was M's (W's)"discovery, this the message he had "to give the world. Before his "time the peasant had never been "held a fit subject for art." 10 "Here is a man" said Gautier "who "finds poetry in the fields, who "loves the peasant" "In the labor of Engines and trades" (says W.) "and the labor of fields "I find the developments "And find the Eternal meanings." 11 "They wish to drive me into their drawing "room art" (said M.) "No, No, "A peasant I was born and a "peasant I will die." Compare "Lives to a certain civilian" The list might be greatly extended. I have your card of 8th rejoyced to hear that you still hold your own - also that you still think well of Wilkins.I hear from Gurd now every few days The patents are not yet in such a shape that it is safe to show the meter but they probably will be in a very few more days. I may go East inside of a week - quite likely I may go early next week. All well here - Weather still keeps rainy (never saw, I think, such a rainy time) today however lovely, bright and warm enough I am going out for a little drive - fresh air Love to you RM Bucke[*see notes Nov. 16 1888*] [[stamp]] LONDON PM NO 14 88 CANADA. Walt Whitman 328 Mickle Street Camden New Jersey U.S.A.Insane Asylum London Ontario Camden Nov 6 6am ReadSuperintendent's Office. ASYLUM FOR THE INSANE LONDON. ONTARIO London, Ont., 14 Nov 1888 I have your card of 10th have been a little extra occupied, lectures &c., We are having some lovely weather here now - Indian summer - the most delightful season of the whole year if it was not so uncertain and evanescent. Nothing more from Gurd - can not possibly get away now before the middle or end of next week and maybe not then. I have no doubt all is right but the delay and uncertainty are unpleasant. Glad to see that the big book keeps sailing along - hope it will be in some kind of shape by the timeI get down I think I told you that Rolleston had sent me his new vol. Epictetus Have not looked into it much yet - no time - but how modern some of it is - for instance Chap. XI BK ii - that will bear studying still. Love to you RM BuckeSuperintendent's Office. ASYLUM FOR THE INSANE LONDON. ONTARIO London, Ont., 16 Nov 1888 Your card of 13th also newspaper and "Galaxy" article came to hand yesterday they were all most welcome. Of course I had the "Galaxy" article (have had it for years) but was glad to have another copy. All quiet here, no word from Wm Gurd, it begins to smell wintry, ground is white with snow this morning but not very cold yet. I see they have had it 12 below zero at Calgary - nice cool country that. Shall write soon again, shall surely here from Gurd before long now RM BuckeLetter written by RM Bucke to Walt Whitman You might put this in vol 3 Walt Wwm's Camden[*see notes Nov 24, 1888*] [[stamp]] LONDON PM NO 22 88 CANADA Walt Whitman 328 Mickle Street Camden New Jersey U.S.A.[[stamp]] INSANE ASYLUM LONDON ONTARIO [[stamp]] CAMDEN, N.J. NOV 24 10AM REC'D[*See notes Nov 30. 1888*] LONDON AM NO 23 88 CANADA. Walt Whitman 328 Mickle Street Camden New Jersey U.S.A.INSANE ASYLUM LONDON ONTARIO CAMDEN, N.J. NOV 27 4 PM 1888 REC'D.Superintendent's Office. ASYLUM FOR THE INSANE LONDON. ONTARIO London, Ont., 22 Nov 1888 If I had Hamlin Garland's address I think I would write him a few lines to say how much I admire his calm and pleasant sentences in the "Transcript". I do not know when I have read any thing that pleased me more - not I think since I read O'Connor's letter in N.Y. Tribune in the Osgood - Stevens affair. We are coming to the front at last - and shall come - I have no fear, no doubt. It is only a mention of waiting of few years untill men have time to take it in. Another quarter or half century will see L. of G. acknowledged to be what it really is - The bible of America. My visit east is likely to be developed some weeks. We have abt. decided that we will not show the [*a kind of a whirl, better luck in future! Love to you RM Buckemeter untill it is protected (by patent) in other countries as well as in the States. Wm Gurd will return here from N.Y. almost at one and proceed to Ottawa - arrange there for the Canadian and other patents - as soon as these are secured we shall go East. I, of course, cannot say how soon this will be but I am in hopes we shall get to Phila. immediately after Xmas. Saw Pardee on Monday he is bad - very sick indeed - mind very feeble. Do not hear from O'Connor, do you? I am thinking over something to say about you and L. of G. if I have the chance when I am in Phila; impossible to say yet what it will come to, if anything. - must only wait and see. It seems to me along time since I wrote you last - I have been inSuperintendent's Office. ASYLUM FOR THE INSANE LONDON. ONTARIO London, Ont., 25 Nov 1888 Your postcard of 22d reached me yesterday afternoon. There is nothing new as to my plans since I wrote you last some two or three days ago, have not heard from Wm Gurd since. I expect he will be here before the week is out. That he will, soon after he gets here, proceed to Ottawa to attend to the Canadian and European patents - I do not know how long this will take but I hope he will be through there by Xmas time and that quite early in the year he & I will go East to "float" the meter in the States. It is a weary, almost an endless, business but there is nothing for it but to keep pegging away. The weather here has made a decided turn for thebetter within the last week, today is clear, bright, cool and very bracing and delightful. We are all well and all goes quietly & pleasantly with us. I am not too well pleased at this postponement of my trip East as I am anxious to see you and was counting on it in the immediate future but I hope I shall not fail to get East Early in January (at latest) and that you will then be as well or better than now. - Did your little piece come out in the "Critic" yesterday? if so I hope you will send me a copy Always your friend RM Bucke[*see note Nov 30 1888*] [[stamp]] LONDON PM NO 29 88 CANADA Walt Whitman 328 Mickle Street Camden New Jersey U.S.A.INSANE ASYLUM LONDON ONTARIO CAMDEN NOV 30 6 AM REC'D NY 11-29 88 2 PMSuperintendent's Office. ASYLUM FOR THE INSANE LONDON. ONTARIO London, Ont., 28 Nov, 1888 I have your fine long welcome letter of 24th I am glad the big book keeps moving - I hope you will hit on a good picturesque, characteristic cover for it - this will be the book of the future and should not be too commonplace in any way. The cover of the '60-1 Ed. might be taken as a point to start from - with some modification, perhaps toning down, that cover (the style of it) would not do badly. I have written a line to Garland - his column in the Transcript was admirable. Nothing new from Wm Gurd, expect him here very soon, then as soon as we can get Canadian and European patents secured we shall go East.I am uneasy about O'Connor, if you hear from him let me know how he is - I am afraid he is not doing well - wish I could see him. Remember me to Ed. Wilkins tell him that every thing goes quietly along here since he left us The weather is stupid this morning (dull & heavy) and I think I am a little stupid myself - nothing very wonderful if I am Shall soon write again Love to you RM Bucke[*see notes [Nov] Dec 1st 1888*] LONDON AM NO 29 88 CANADA Walt Whitman 328 Mickle Street Camden New Jersey U.S.A.INSANE ASYLUM LONDON ONTARIO CAMDEN, N.J. NOV 30 4PM 1888 REC'D. [?] 11-30 88 9 AM 1Superintendent's Office. ASYLUM FOR THE INSANE LONDON. ONTARIO London, Ont. 29 Nov 1888 Evening Thank you very much for "Critic" and "American" received today. I quite agree with you (in the "Critic") that America has produced several poets (among those who are dead) equal to several of the thirteen. All quiet here - A long letter from William Gurd today - all going well with him and the meter but it goes slow, slow - looks as if there would never be an end of it - We are having herewarm, dull, muggy, weather. All quiet here (not to say dull) I sent "the second head" the other day to an art loan in London - and felt quite dull without it - have got it back again - it is looking cheerfully at me now from its bracket in the corner of my office Affectionately RM Bucke[*See notes Dec. 6 1888*] LONDON AM DE 3 88 CANADA [postage stamp] CANADA POSTAGE 3 CENTS 3 Walt Whitman 328 Mickle Street Camden New Jersey U.S.A.INSANE ASYLUM LONDON ONTARIO CAMDEN [?] DEC [?] [?] [?]Superintendent's Office. ASYLUM FOR THE INSANE LONDON. ONTARIO London, Ont., 2 Dec 1888 It is a stupid, dull, dark, sulky day - ground white with snow but nothing approaching sleighing. A mixture of mud & snow, (the worst possible mixture). But I have a good fire in my office, have just had a good dinner of roast turkey and potatoes boiled in their jackets (which is the only way a potato should ever be cooked), and have a very middling book to read (obiter Dicta, 2d series, Augustine Birrell), so I feel that I can defy the Pope the Devil and the Pretender - (an oldexpression of my father's). In fact I am feeling first rate "and hope these few lines will find you enjoying the same blessing" - seriously I trust all is going well with you - and with the big book - I hope to get my unbound copy of that early this week. There is nothing further from Gurd and I feel my patience wearing thin again - all quiet and going well at the asylum - it is a year today since our fire - hope it will be a good many untill the next - I had a [?] proof of my report from Toronto last week to correct it will not be published untill the house meets abt 10th January, shall send it you then - it is quite elaborate - Remember me to Mrs Davis and Ed. Wilkins Love to you RMBuckeSee Notes Dec 6 1888 Walt Whitman 328 Mickle Street Camden New Jersey U.S.A. [postmarked] London AM DE 4 88 CANADAINSANE ASYLUM LONDON ONTARIO NY 12 8 88 11AN CAMDEN, N.J. DEC 5 4PM 1888 REC'D.Superintendent's Office. ASYLUM FOR THE INSANE LONDON. ONTARIO London, Ont., 3 Dec 1888 Your letter of friday & Saturday (30th &1st) came to hand this afternoon and has made me feel very anxious for you. I fear you are suffering a great deal. I have written to Osler urging him to try and do something to releive that horrible irritation of the bladder that keeps you getting up so much at night and it seems to me imperative that the bowels should be kept open. I fear that Osler is too busy to give you the attention you require and it seems to me that you ought to have him recommend a good man who would see you every day, and twice a day if necessary while O. himselfwould come over from time to time and see you with him. I have also written to Traubel urging him to make some arrangement by which you will be seen at least once a day by some good doctor - I wish I could be with you but that is impossible at present. I shall hope to hear very soon that proper arrangements have been made and that you are more comfortable I am always Affectionately Yours RM Bucke[*See notes Dec. 9, 1888*] LONDON PM DE 6 88 CANADA. Walt Whitman 328 Mickle Street Camden New Jersey U.S.A.INSANE ASYLUM LONDON ONTARIO CAMDEN N.J. DEC 8 6AM REC'D.Superintendent's Office. ASYLUM FOR THE INSANE LONDON. ONTARIO London, Ont., 6 Dec 1888 Your postcard of 4th this moment to hand. I shall be very anxious untill I hear further from you as to the result of the consultation. I understand of course about the enlargement of the prostate, that is a troublesome complaint but not a fatal matter, as for the "diabetes" I do not understand that - think that must be a mistake, I know there is some kidney trouble - some albuminuria - &c however no doubt I shall soon be informed as to the whole matter and I trust you will write me yourself - I hope however that when I come east next month I shall find you something better than at present and that we shall be able to talk it all over. I am greatly pleasedthat you had a better night and trust that is the beginning of some better times for you. I hear nothing from Wm Gurd - they seem slow about the patents but I have no doubt we shall come out right side up eventually. We are all well here I send you my love RM Bucke[*See notes Dec 9, 1888*] LONDON PM DE 7 88 CANADA. Walt Whitman 328 Mickle Street Camden New Jersey U.S.A.INSANE ASYLUM LONDON ONTARIO CAMDEN, N.J. DEC 9 1PM 1888 REC'D.Asylum For The Insane London, Ontario London, Ont. 7 Dec 1888 I have your letter of 5:30 P.M. Wednesday (5th) and am greatly relieved at the result of the consultation as far as I understand it at present. I had a letter also by this mornings mail from Osler! written 5th but before the consultation it is however very cheering. I want to impress upon you however that you certainly should be seen (for the present) every day by some good doctor who would call in Osler from time to time as necessary. Osler agrees with me that this would be the proper thing to do. You had better take some clever young (at heart not old) Camden man for the regular daily attendant thank you very much for "ShakespeareBacon's Cipher" It is too bad that it was [?] out of "Sands" for it is a good piece. I am confident that your present painful symptoms ca be greatly alleviated (if not removed) by careful management but you must be seen at least one a day in order that you may be closely watched and the proper steps taken at once from day to day- [?] you to show this letter to Traubel to save me repeating it to him. Always affectionately RMBrucke Asylum for the Insane, London, 10 Dec. 1888. Dear Walt I have been through "Specimen Days and Collect" pretty thoroughly, it is well printed and I find remarkably few connections of any kind required - I enclose a list of what I have found. This makes almost six times that I have read "Democratic Vistas" it is a wonderful piece of writing, as fine in some respects as any thing in L. of G. but of course has not the life, fire, inspiration (or whatever you may call it) of such poems as "Song of Myself" "A Song of the Open Road" and a good many others, however I now take back entirely what I once said to you about "Democratic Vistas" to the effect that some other man might have written it. At the present moment I do not believe any other man who ever lived might or couldhave written it any more than any other man could have written "Calamus" - I go to Toronto tomorrow on some government business, shall be gone a few days, I want to hear from you, how you keep, when you are coming here &c &c. I am with much love affectionately yours Rm BurkeLONDON AM DE 11 88 CANADA. Walt Whitman 328 Mickle Street Camden New Jersey U.S.A. See notes 12/26/88INSANE ASYLUM LONDON ONTARIO CAMDEN, N.J. DEC 13 12 M REC'D.Superintendent's Office. ASYLUM FOR THE INSANE LONDON, ONTARIO London, Ont., 11 Dec 1888 Yours of friday and saturday (finished the evening of saturday) came to hand last evening - and your postcard of sunday reached me this morning. I am greatly rejoiced that you are doing so well - I look forward confidently now to seeing you in fair time when I go East next month. You ought to have some copies of the big book by now and I shall hope to get one in a very few days. All is quiet here, no winter yet, roads slush, grass almost green, thin snow coming in patches, "a gray discouraged sky overhead."Wm Gurd not back here yet & no further word from him - he may be here this evening. I am reading Parkman's histories - they are most fascinating books - have read "La Salle and Discovery of the Mississippi" and am reading "France and Spain in the New World". Have struck nothing more interesting for a long time - I am borrowing them from R. S. Gurd who has become quite a book man these late years. Hope to be able to tell you tomorrow something about Wm Gurd and the meter. Love to you Rm BuckeLONDON PM DE 15 88 CANADA. Walt Whitman 328 Mickle Street Camden New Jersey U.S.A. See notes 12/26/88INSANE ASYLUM LONDON ONTARIO CAMDEN, N.J. DEC 17 6 AM REC'D.Superintendent's Office. ASYLUM FOR THE INSANE LONDON, ONTARIO London, Ont., 15 Dec 1888 I have been for several days in great anxiety about you, dear Walt, and am yet through your letter of 13th relieves me a little for it shows me that (as you say) you can write, and I was really afraid you could not - The big book (4 copies) is on its way - I expect to get it this afternoon - if not certainly Monday morning - am going to town myself in an hour to ask after the parcel - am very eager to have it. I am very glad Ed. W. is with you there bad times instead of Musgrove - I feel sure Ed. will do everything in his power for you.I shall write a special letter as soon as I get the big book. I wish we could hear from O'Connor I fear he is in a bad way. If the thing was possible I should go to Camden and stay with you - but it is not possible so no use talking of it. Perhaps I could do no good if I was there certainly you have a better doctor by far than I am - I mean Osler. But it seems to me they do not take the interest they ought. We are all well here, cold weather but no sleighing yet. I send my best love R M Bucke[*See notes Dec 18 1888 *] LONDON AM De 17 88 CANADA. Walt Whitman 328 Mickle Street Camden New Jersey U.S.A. INSANE ASYLUM LONDON ONTARIO CAMDEN, N.J. DEC 18 12 M REC'D.Superintendent's Office. ASYLUM FOR THE INSANE LONDON. ONTARIO London, Ont. 16 Dec 1888 The books did not arrive last ev'g to my great disgust. I went in on purpose to inquire for them at express office. I shall no doubt get them tomorrow forenoon, will then write again. I wonder how you are getting on by now? Much better I hope but I dare not count on anything and am very anxious all the time. We are having gloomy weather which does not tend to cheer one, raining all day and looks as though it might rain for a week - the roadswere hard and were getting nice and smooth now they will be in a devil of a mess again. Willy Gurd is to be home early in the week - I should try and hurry up the meter patents so as to get East as soon as possible. But it seems difficult to let or, every step takes such a time - however the end must come at last I wish I could hear from O.C. I imagine all sorts of things about him and worry a good deal. My chief interest now is the [part?], I trust I shall hear tomorrow morning that you are easier Always your friend RM BuckeP.S. I have the "Boston Literary World" of 8th inst. Horace had it sent to me. Not a bad little review at all of "November Boughs" Do you know who did it? He is a good friend and has considerable insight into matters - is evidently holding himself in in the little col. and half article- RMB[*See notes Dec 2, 1888*] LONDON AM DE 20 88 CANADA. CANADA POSTAGE 3 CENTS 3 Walt Whitman 328 Mickle Street Camden New Jersey U.S.A.INSANE ASYLUM LONDON ONTARIO CAMDEN,N.J. DEC 21 4PM REC'D.Superintendent's Office. ASYLUM FOR THE INSANE LONDON. ONTARIO London, Ont., 19 DEC 1888 Evening Your letters of 16th & 17 just to hand, also its parcel (Revue Independants, Cities, & Palermo papers). The [?] don't seem to have much in it, the Italian papers I am sorry to say I cannot read (but glad to have them all the same for my collection), in the "R. Ind." there is just 8 pp. translation (Faces, Locomotive in Winter, a world below the brine) no comment at all, translation not good (translator did not fully understand the English text). It is funny he did not claim to translate from the English but from the "American". The bundle is all welcome. As to your letter, dear Walt, I cannot say how it grieves me that you have had to suffer so much, nor how rejoiced I am that you can say you are "decidedly better" - I pray earnestly that you may keep on the mend now andhave at least a good respite and rest; I wish I could get away to see you and stay a little with you - but you have good doctors and I am glad to think, a good nurse. You have also a wonderful constitution and I have great hopes you will make a good rally yet and be with us for many a good day and talk. I had a line from O'Connor (sending me on your letter) he said he had been bad but "am now better" which I was glad enough to hear. Willy Gurd [?] yet - untill he comes I have no idea when I can get away East about the meter business, and even after he [came] comes I shall probably know very little more about it for a while, for he seems to leave no ideas of time at all and his days are weeks and his months years. We are having a mean winter so far, mud (soft & sometimes frozen in to spikes and lumps) dirty snow, bad wheeling, no sleighing - but we all keep well. Love to you as always RM BuckeLONDON PM DE 20 88 CANADA. CANADA POSTAGE 3 CENTS 3 Walt Whitman 328 Mickle Street Camden New Jersey U.S.A. [*See notes 12/26/88*]INSANE ASYLUM LONDON ONTARIO CAMDEN,N.J. DEC 22 6AM REC'D.Superintendent's Office. ASYLUM FOR THE INSANE LONDON. ONTARIO London, Ont., 20 Dec 1888 I have your note of 18th enclosing Kennedy's note in re the "Solitude" piece. I wonder if Lowell really presented it to library as yours and if so what he meant by it? It will amount to nothing any how, am glad you wrote it, explicitly denying authorship. You do not seem to gain very fast, still it seems to me that you are on the mend. I trust you will soon be well enough to resume the big book get cover settled &c. We are all well this is Clare's birthday [my oldest girl) She is 18 today. No further word from Willy Gurd I expect him every day now - I am heartily glad you like Dr Walsh - I think you are well off as to doctors andnurse now - Osler, Walsh & Wilkins it is a strong team and we ought to see some result of their care of you - day by day I watch the post for news of you and still look confidently for a good rally on your part soon now I am, dear Walt, Affectionately yours RM BuckeSee notes Dec 24 1888 LONDON AM DE 22 88 CANADA. CANADA POSTAGE 3 CENTS 3 Walt Whitman 328 Mickle Street Camden New Jersey U.S.A.INSANE ASYLUM LONDON ONTARIO CAMDEN,N.J. DEC 2 6AM REC'D.Superintendent's Office ASYLUM FOR THE INSANE LONDON, ONTARIO London, Ont 21 Dec 1888 Your card of 19 came this evening. Yes, I have had all the letters you mention as having written including the circular letter written on scotch title page of "Nov Boughs." They have all an intense (sometimes most painful) interest to me - but whether cheering or the reverse my interest in them and you never flags and think never will while I am above ground - and if there is self consciousness beyond the grave (as I trust there is) I expect to take far more interest in L. of G there (and in all belonging to it)than I ever did or do here. We shall see - at least we will not fire up the ship until we have to. You must be gaining - "Sitting up 4 1/2 hours & getting a little appetite that sound mighty well - I hope to see you in pretty fair shape up where I go east. By the way, no word from Willy Gurd for over a week now - think he will surely be here tomorrow (Saturday) night, at latest - he does not seem to let on at all and this everlasting putting off and waiting is most wearisome -but it must come to an end by & by. I never tire of looking at and looking over the big book - it is grand Love to you RM BuckeLONDON AM DE 24 88 CANADA. Walt Whitman 328 Mickle Street Camden New Jersey U.S.A. See notes 12/26/88INSANE ASYLUM LONDON ONTARIO CAMDEN,N.J. DEC 26 6AM 1888 REC'D.Superintendent's Office. ASYLUM FOR THE INSANE LONDON. ONTARIO London, Ont., 23 Dec 1888 Yours of 20th, dear Walt, came yesterday evening. Yes, I am thoroughly satisfied with the big book and more and more (if possible) as I look it over: I think it will stand in future ages as the chief glory of the nineteenth century. Yes, I have no doubt I get all your letters and papers & also - I shall be very glad to hear of O.C. if you have anything from there to send me - I fear he is very sick, I wrote him lately a letter that ought to have have been answered and I think would have been if he had been able, but it was not - this makes me anxious.No sign of Wm Gurd and no further letters from him. No sleighing so far, we have had a few days cold but mild again today - not much of a winter so far. All goes quietly here, we are preparing for Xmas. What will you have for your Xmas dinner? Roast turkey and plum pudding is the regular thing here but you will hardly be up to that this year. But by New Year I am in hopes you will be in pretty fair shape again. The sun is out warm and bright - looks almost like a spring day out doors From the two far corners of my office (where I am sitting) the 1st & 2nd heads look down upon me grandly & calmly. I am dear Walt, your friend RM BuckeLONDON PM DE 24 88 CANADA. CANADA POSTAGE 3 CENTS 3 Walt Whitman 328 Mickle Street Camden New Jersey U.S.A. See notes 12/26/88INSANE ASYLUM LONDON ONTARIO CAMDEN, N.J. DEC 20 6AM 1888 REC'D.Superintendent's Office, ASYLUM FOR THE INSANE LONDON ONTARIO London, Ont., 24 Dec 1888 Yours of 21 containing Mrs O'Connor's letter this moment to hand (noon Monday). O'C. has wonderful grit and will make a hard fight yet - We will continue to wish him God speed and ourselves hope for the best. Poor Mrs. O'C. too, what noble courage and determination she has! She is a grand as he is, as grand as any. Wm Gurd is here, arrived yesterday without letter or warning, just walked in. All seems to be going on as it should with the meter but slow, slow, - We propose now to make it safe in Canada and western Europe andthen proceed to Philadelphia to [d] lay it before experts and capitalists - perhaps establish a Co. to manufacture. I cannot tell how long it may take us yet to get to Phila but I think we ought to be there in the course of January. I trust to find you in good shape then. Nesbit (the other partner) will likely be here very soon after Xmas we shall then settle on our immediate course A lovely bright warm day. Would rather however have snow, sleighing and cold at Xmas time. A good Xmas And love to You RM BuckeLONDON AM DE 26 88 CANADA. CANADA POSTAGE 3 CENTS 3 Walt Whitman 328 Mickle Street Camden New Jersey U.S.A.INSANE ASYLUM LONDON ONTARIO CAMDEN,N.J. DEC 27 12 M REC'D.Superintendent's Office. ASYLUM FOR THE INSANE LONDON. ONTARIO 7 P.M. London, Ont., 25 Dec 1888 Your card of 23d to hand by this morning mail - glad to hear that you are holding your grip - We have had a quiet Xmas - we have eaten 122 turkeys - 80 geese and over 400 lbs of plum pudding - regular English style! For my own part I have just had a glorious dinner of roast turkey and plum pudding and feel well! My great anxiety now is to get meter matters in such I hope that I may get to Phila and see yourself and Traubel and see with my own eyes how things arewith you. Must close this letter and go upstairs to the amusement room where we have Xmas trees for the patients and then dancing Love and good luck to you R M Bucke[*See notes Jan 2 1889*] LONDON PM DE 31 88 CANADA. CANADA POSTAGE 3 CENTS 3 Walt Whitman 328 Mickle Street Camden New Jersey U.S.A.INSANE ASYLUM LONDON ONTARIO CAMDEN,N.J. JAN 2 1 PM 1890 REC'D.An impromptu criticism on the 900 page Volume, "The Complete Poems and Prose of Walt Whitman," first issued December, 1888. * * * * It is grand, grander than even I had hoped. It is the bible of the future for the next thousand years, and after that (superseded by even greater poems) to live as a classic for ever. It is a gigantic massive autobiography, the first of its kind, (though the trick had been tried before by Goethe, Rousseau, and others; but even Goethe could not do it). The title-page is perfect - I cannot conceive anything finer - and the little notes (opening and closing) are (to my notion- though you seemed so doubtful about them) just right. Dear Walt, you have had a hard fight and a long fight, but we may say of you to-day that you have won the battle. If you have fallen at the end, (though I trust even yet you may still have before you some good days), but even if you are to fall now, your fame is safe beyond all peradventure. Your work is well done; and here or elsewhere, (I do not know that it matters much which - except for those you leave a little while behind you), you will live and be honored always. Yes, and, loved always. R. M. Bucke. See notes [Dec] Jan 2d 1889Superintendent's Office. ASYLUM FOR THE INSANE LONDON. ONTARIO London, Ont., 31 Dec 1888 Goodly poor old '88! Hurra for 89! This morning arrived your post card of 28th your letter (enclosing Kennedy's) of 29th and the "Spring field Rep" for all which thanks. Yesterday I read over again (for the 3d , 4th or 5th time) "A Backward Glance" and "Elias Hicks" and dipped into a lot of other old favorites in the big volume. Superficial readers will not of course detect the fine oblique, personal touches running every where, through every page of this wonderful book - nor do I pretend that I see the last meanings every where - but I see a lot! More than in any other writing - but the subtlety of much of it is wonderful and when seen that byelusiveness gives it an extraordinary piquancy. Yes, I think you need not doubt that you have got in so much of yourself and contemporary America that a cute man reading the "C.W." hundreds of years from now could be constant in his own mind both you and your time & land in a truer and more radical sense than any part time of even 50 or 100 years back can be reconstructed from any book in actual existence and this for many reasons but cheifly for the reason of the unique vitality and suggestiveness of L. of G. Yes, I think you may trust me to know something of your book & you, I have not studied them this last twenty years for nothing! If I did not know you both and love you both there would be something wrong on the one side or the other - but I don't think there is much wrong! Love to you RM Bucke