Feinberg/Whitman Box 5 Folder 5 General Correspondence Bucke, Richard M. Letters from Bucke Sept. - Dec. 1890LONDON PM SP 2 CANADA. Walt Whitman 328 Mickle Street Camden New Jersey U.S.A. INSANE ASYLUM LONDON ONTARIO CAMDEN, N. J. SEP 4 1 PM 1890 REC'D.Superintendent's Office. ASYLUM FOR THE INSANE LONDON. ONTARIO London, Ont., 2 Sept 1890 I have yours of 28th and 29th it came yesterday but was too much occupied to write. I got the paper you sent with the O.W. Holmes, "Atlantic Monthly" piece, but the paper did not have all there was abt you in the article. You should get the "A. M." itself. O.W. is to all intents and purposes an Englishman (and a very good speciment too) such a book as L. of G. and the mentality that goes with such a book is as far as possible from his ideal. The haughty, arrogant, masterful spirit of the poem evidently repells him, while the insouciant free tone of L. of G. (perhaps the greatest charm of all) has no attraction forhim - I guess he likes books just as well as nature but and would rather be in the home than outdoors (In all senses) The Rejoinder Slip came in your last - I have read it again - of course you have said it all before (and more than once) but the children have not learned the lesson yet and there is no harm (even need) to repeat. Beautiful autumn weather here - warm or cool days and cool to cold nights, good for sleeping! The meter jogs on slowly. No one could imagine, unless they were mixed up in and had to do with it, the war there is in starting a new industry such as this - I fancy now that we shall do very little this year except get going - but after we get going I fancy we shall go lively Love to you as always RM BuckeCanada Postage 3 Cents 3 LONDON [?] SEP17 90 CANADA Walt Whitman 328 Mickle Street Camden New Jersey U.S.A.INSANE ASYLUM LONDON ONTARIO CAMDEN, N. J. SEP 18 4PM INSANE ASYLUM LONDON ONTARIO 17 Sept '90 Yours of 13th has been longer than usual getting answered. I have begun my annual report and am more occupied than ever but this should not make me neglect writing to you and shall not again. Am real glad to see that K's piece may soon be out. Guess it will begood -- Had a letter from Johnston this moment he says: "This morning "an hour talk with Ingersoll and I "got his promise and authority to "proceed and set up a lecture entertainment "by him for Walt's benefit -- "in Phila I guess -- shall I put "you on committee?" Of course I told him to put me on and if all be well I shall go down to the show and please the Lord we will have a grand time of it. All well here -- lovely weather -- the "Western Fair" opens in London tomorrow -- the city will probably be very full this week and next we shall have a cheerful time at the asylum, too Your friend RM Buckeanalisis" folk such as George Elliot, Wilkie Collins, Tolstoi, Turgénieff & co. though splendid in their own way don't go to the right spot after all in the same direct, straightforward manner). I am anxious, waiting to hear more about it Myersoll Lecture for the benefit of W. W. Best love to you RM Bucke [*Dr. B is interested in a new meter a simple patented machine for measuring the flow of water, gas or anything & also a cheap easy motor &c. I sent him one of the two group pictures see notes Sept 4 1891*] INSANE ASYLUM LONDON ONTARIO 19 Sept. '90 A lovely bright cool autumn day. Am working away here in my office at the asylum as usual. Have from you this morning "Poet Love" and photo. of Johnston, Wallace and others - thanks. Nothing stirring here but the wind word - am hard at my Annual Report while all other asylum matters must be attended to at the same time - then Ispend about on hour a day on the meter all these things keep me going pretty well. A few weeks will see me in calmer water I hope. The meter goes well but not to say rapidly -- it will be a couple of weeks yet I guess before we at fairly started working (this "start" is always a couple of weeks ahead -- but we will catch up to it yet!) -- We are getting a lot of new books for the asylum library and among them [are] a set of Little, Brown & Co's Dumas works -- I am reading (evenings) the Count of Monte Cristo -- it is many years since I read it first (more than forty, I guess) -- This L.B. Ed. is a good translation and it is a grand story (and I must say there is nothing I like much better than a real good story of the old fashioned kind - Many [ath.?] Scott or Dumas - there modes "PsycologicalINSANE ASYLUM LONDON ONTARIO 22 Sept. '90 Yours of 19th enclosing Wallace's note just received. There is more "non orthodox passion" among your friends than perhaps you are aware of. Though we do not set up and curse the (modern) Pharisees as Christ (a far more likely his friends did) yet we feel it. It is there all the same. We do not and cannot go with Ingersoll in his refusals and denials but we like the man and we should bed foolish to do any thing to deter him from giving us his friendship could fine me greater satisfaction than a rousing demonstration on the part of I. and his friends and I shall take part in it (if I can) with a good heart. I do heartily agree with you however in wishing that the affair could come off in N.Y. Could not this be assured? I shall write to Johnston on this point. All well here, fine weather, Western Fair going on in London. Meter moving slowly but satisfactorily. Best love to you R M Burkeand support. We want the conservative orthodox folk (all we can get of them) and we are getting a good many (I have a letter this morning from a young presbyterian clergyman -- a good friend of yours) but we want (to my mind) the independent free thinkers even more since the immediate future (I fancy) belongs to them. I think you are right to stand aside (personally) from this I. demonstration but for my part (as a friend of the cause) I look up it (and think you should) into great complacency. I think therefore that you are entirely wrong to be "annoyed" at a demonstration in your favor even if it were entirely by freethinker -- they cannot alter you or your teaching and (on the contrary) you will undoubtedly, in the end, alter many of them and will have (in the end) in all probability you most extreme partisans & lovers from this section of humanity. As for I. being "solicited" it seems to me that is neither here nor there -- your friends have a right to do what seems best to them in such matters -- their action does not affect you -- you stand aside and let them act. That is all. For my part nothingLONDON PM SP 24 90 Canada Canada Postage 3 Cents 3 Walt Whitman 328 Mickle Street Camden New Jersey U.S.A.INSANE ASYLUM LONDON ONTARIO CAMDEN SEP 2?Memorandum From ASYLUM FOR THE INSANE, London, Ont. 24 Sept 1890 To Walt Whitman Camden N.J. Have your Card of 21st. Am very much pleased to hear of the O'C. piece being written and shall be impatient to see it. I hope you have said nothing to Col. Ingersoll to influence him against the lecture but I guess you would not do that. The Fair is in full blast here -- asylum full of visitors from morning till night - two more days ends in thank the Lord. We are all well, meter affairs going on in a satisfactory manner Love to you - so long - R M BurkeAre you going to send the M.S. of the O'C. piece to Mrs O'C.? If not I want very much to have it -- of course I do not want to interfere with any wish or feeling of yours on the subject - but if all favorable that way I want it very much RMB[*see notes Sept. 30 1890*] London AM Sp 29 [90?] Canada Canada Postage 3 Cents 3 Walt Whitman 328 Mickle Street Camden New Jersey U.S.A.INSANE ASYLUM LONDON ONTARIO CAMDEN, N.J. SEP 30 4 PM REC'DINSANE ASYLUM LONDON ONTARIO 28 Sept. '90 Yours of 24 and 25 with O'C. sketch came to hand last evening. I think our dear friend Mrs O'C. will be more than pleased with the good honest Whitmanesque preface -- it is right, could not be excelled, is just what was wanted -- now for the Vol. of Tales -- it ought to be out for Xmas since several of them are Xmas stories. I have all along been in favor of N.Y. for the speech, more especially if you could get there patterns and the tools is what is delaying us now -- these should be ready or about ready by the end of this week -- we have been quite a few weeks at them -- When the tools and patterns are once done there will be no more delay. The next thing will be to get orders for meters -- if we can get these we can make money about as fast as we like Your friend RM Buckebut now I am in favor of Phila for the sake of the dear Pharisees there. If I were down East [there] and assisting to run the thing I would give them (at least try to give them) a dose that they would remember and that would do them good. I would go in for the biggest hall or theatre to be had and would take care that the people knew what was being done to check freedom of speech in the city -- I do not doubt the occasion properly handled could be converted into a splendid triumph for the Good Cause -- I hope & trust our friends are awake to the importance of the crisis -- tell Traubel if money is wanted to put me down for $50. and that I will send it any moment. Lovely bright cool day here -- we are all well -- meter goes on quietly and well -- it is wonder full however what time it takes to get started manufacturing -- the making of theLONDON P[M] [?] CANADA Walt Whitman 328 Mickle Street Camden New Jersey USACAMDEN, N.J. [?] 2 12 M REC'D INSANE ASYLUM LONDON ONTARIOINSANE ASYLUM LONDON ONTARIO 30 Sept. '90 Your letter of 26 and 27 just to hand. A thousand thanks, dear Walt, for the first proof of the "Preface" and a thousand more for the promise of the "copy" -- I hope it is not destroyed -- the fact of it being in a muss does not matter at all -- the great thing is to get it -- no matter about the state it is in. The fall in temperature (as the season advances) is bad for you because it tends to check the action of the skin will be a crowd! And don't you forget it! I wish Horace would write me what they propose to do. They should advertise the address in true American style -- for all it is worth. Make the biggest and loudest kind of a Hurrah about it -- Chaff the Pharisees and tell them to "come on!" Lord how dear old O'C. would be tickled to be in the middle of this thing! Love to you dear Walt always RM Buckedo not forget this -- the word is -- attend all the more assiduously to the functions of this organ -- Keep well clad, above all wear flannel next the skin all over (shirt and drawers) and change these frequently since the flannel absorbs the secretions all the better the cleaner it is. I wish you could have a regular Turkish Bath once a week -- it would help you very much. Neither do I see why this should not be arranged -- of course there is no T.B. in Camden but there must be several in Phila and I guess you could go there as well as not either in your chaise or by cab. An occasional dose of Friedrichshall, first thing in the morning, to loossen the bowel moderately could do no horrible harm and would probably add to your comfort. So it is to be Horticultural Hall? I hope that hall is a big one for as sure as a gun if the Phila friends take advantage of the situation, as it stands at present theresee notes Oct 8 1890 LONDON PM OC 7 90 CANADA Canada Postage 3 Cents 3 Walt Whitman 328 Mickle Street Camden New Jersey USACAMDEN, N.J. OCT 8 4 PM 18[?] REC'D. INSANE ASYLUM LONDON ONTARIOINSANE ASYLUM LONDON ONTARIO 7 Oct. 90 Yours of 3d and 4th just to hand -- also letter from Horace to say that the I. address is fixed for 21st (two weeks today). I have written Horace to say definitely that I shall be there unless something turns up to make it impossible -- in fact I wd not miss the occasion for any conceivable con- It is smoldering (as I have said before) and may any day burst out into a flame which will light and warm the world. There is no nonsense or doubt about this -- the only question is -- how long? "How long, O Lord, how long" Your friend and lover RM Buckesideration. Mrs Bucke will come East with me -- will no doubt be at address and she will stay East (at Ingram's I guess) for a few weeks. I do not believe that Mrs O'C. is not satisfied with the "Preface" -- I believe it is exactly what she wanted and I should believe so untill I hear from herself to the contrary -- so far I have not heard from her and fear she may be sick. Thanks for your promise of the M.S. of the preface -- I want it particularly. It is good news that you have been asked and will write for N.A. If you could only get strong and stay so for a few years (as you may yet -- nothing is impossible to such a constitution as yours) you might yet see the dawn of the splendid fame which surely waits for you in the near future!see note 10/14/90 LONDON AM OC 13 SO CANADA Canada Postage 3 Cents 3 Walt Whitman 328 Mickle Street Camden New Jersey USACAMDEN, N.J. OCT 14 4 PM REC'D. INSANE ASYLUM LONDON ONTARIO N.Y. 10-14-90 930 AM 11INSANE ASYLUM LONDON ONTARIO 12 Oct '90 Your card of 9th to hand yesterday. Long letter from Horace. Seems to be some excitement down your way about some man named Walt Whitman and another man named Nyersall. What is it all about any how? Sorry to hear that grip and bladder troubles still stick to you - they seem to have come to stay - worse luck. It is good news however that you have sent off the"Old Poets" piece to N. A. Review - I look forward with most pleasant anticipation to seeing it - I think if any thing your prose [ent] gets better lately - though the best piece you (or almost any one) ever wrote was the '55 preface. Yes "Liberty and Literature" is good - no title could be better, and won't Nigersall make a splendid address on such a subject? I guess it will be the biggest thing yet. I hope to see you a week tomorrow at the latest - i.e. monday, 20th - I think if I was sick in bed and no money I would find a way to attend this circus. Keep writing meanwhile untill say thursday evening (and tell Horace same) I want to be kept posted. My annual Report is most done hope to finish it tomorrow - all well here. Love to you RM BuckeINSANE ASYLUM LONDON ONTARIO 14 Oct '90 A thousand thanks, dear Walt, for your note of 10th enclosing M.S. of O'Connor piece. You know I guess by this time that Mrs O'C. is pleased with the 'preface' -- In her last letter to me she says "Yes, I am very much pleased with what Walt has written: She only wishes (like me) that it was longer -- but it is as long (I guess) as either of us expected it would be. And, in fact, burning with fervent but forbidden [*see notes Oct 17, '90 *] I do not know but it is long enough. I am real glad to hear that "Old Poets" has gone - shall hope to read it soon. This morning came your card of 12th do not worry about me, I am better and shall be down without fail - expect to reach Phila Sunday morning, have written Horace to meet me at Dooner's to breakfast that day - hope to see you toward noon - same day - Sunday - No, my arm was not broken, bad bruise was all - it is much better but still a little stiff and weak. I have the big poster today from Horace - I judge all is going well and I hope we shall have a big crowd. You will not, of course, write here again at present - I leave London Saturday forenoon RM Bucke[*out 12*] LONDON AM OC 27 SO CANADA Canada Postage 3 Cents 3 Walt Whitman 328 Mickle Street Camden New Jersey USAINSANE ASYLUM LONDON ONTARIO CAMDEN, N.J. OCT 2A 12[?]M REC'D.INSANE ASYLUM LONDON ONTARIO 26 Oct. '90 Well, dear Walt, here I am safely settled down at home again and Horace is here with me - I wish he could stay for a good visit but I believe he will have to leave us in a very few days. I have been at work all this morning getting ready my first lecture on insanity, for the students; which lecture I deliver tomorrow after - It is cold today and dark and windy as well; we shall soon be having snow and real wintry weather here. I have been showing Horace something of my W.W. collection and H. is to take some copies of L. of G. (old eds.) back with him to have you put your name in them. Goodby dear Walt Love to you RM Buckenoon - 2 to 4 -. We got home, as I guess you know, friday evening about 7 o'clock - all yesterday I was very busy looking into matters which had accumulated in my absence and today, as I have said, about my lecture. Tomorrow morning Clare leaves home for Chicago and the west - she will visit in Indiana and, I think, Tennessee before she returns home. Horace & I shall expect to hear from you tomorrow - Horace, I think, is quite anxious about being away from you so long. I found Mrs Bucke and all the children quite well on my return and Horace will tell you all about them when he sees you. Horace is quite struck with Pardee (your old favorite) and thinks him a splendid boy - as indeed he is.INSANE ASYLUM LONDON ONTARIO London, 29 Oct. 1890 Horace has gone and I shall (do) miss him much -- he is a thoroughly good fellow. We took him in to the 11.30 train this A.M. and he ought to reach Phila at 7 A.M. tomorrow. His visit was far too short but we had a good time while it lasted -- Make him tell you about our drive to Delaware yesterday -- Horace, Dr. Sippi, P.E. Bucke and self -- we had a grand time. On our way to the station this morning I got from you a card (27th [?] I guess) -- tell Horace I have not seen the Whitman piece mentioned in it and ask him to send it me -- unless you send it yourself. Horace will tell you how we all are and what we are doing here. I have your card of 26th and Phila Press of same date (thanks for it) the little piece in it -- "Whitman -- Ingersoll -- Death" might have been worse -- but it also might have been a good deal better without being anything wonderful. Send and get "Brief for Plaintiff" Bacon vs. Shakespeare. 25e Rand & McNally Chicago. Love to you always, RM Bucke[*see notes Nov 5 1890*] LONDON AM NO 3 SO CANADA Canada Postage 3 Cents 3 Walt Whitman 328 Mickle Street Camden New Jersey USAPHILADELPHIA, PA. NOV 4 [?]30 AM 1890 TRANSIT RECEIVED NOV 4 1030 AM 1890 P[?] CAMDEN, N.J. NOV 4 1 PM REC'D. INSANE ASYLUM LONDON ONTARIOINSANE ASYLUM LONDON ONTARIO London, 2 Nov 1890 You cannot imagine, dear Walt, how peaceful and dreamy the landscape is this morning -- the air is full of fresh, white, soft feathers that came down as tenderly upon the grass and trees as a mother's love falls upon her child. I have never witnessed anything more exquisite. The silence and quietude here this Sunday morning are equal to -- they are "the peace of God that passes all understanding". It calls up that longing feeling -- which visits us at intervals -- to drop the body and float off into the Eternal Stillnesses. Surely that will be the best thing of all when it comes? I remember once when a little boy this feeling, passion, to escape into the zeal came upon me so strongly that for the time it seemed I could hardly wait. But I am glad now I waited for had I not I might have missed youINSANE ASYLUM LONDON ONTARIO London, 18 in that other land where "it is not "Chaos or death but form, union, "Man, eternal life happiness." I have not seen the "North American" yet -- shall try and find it in town tomorrow. We are all well here -- I sending love to you So long! RM Buckesee notes Feb 14 1891 LONDON AM NO [?] SO CANADA Canada Postage 3 Cents 3 Walt Whitman 328 Mickle Street Camden New Jersey USACAMDEN, N.J. NOV 11 3 PM REC'D RECEIVED NOV 11 1130AM PHILA. INSANE ASYLUM LONDON ONTARIOINSANE ASYLUM LONDON ONTARIO London, 9 Nov 1890 A thousand thanks to you, dear Walt, for the autographs in the books which Horace took East, and for the good bundle of autographed portraits, for the clay tablet and for the "Specimen Days" with the good inscription and the little autograph notes which will make it one of the most precious volumes in my W.W. Collection. I feel richer than ever now that I have my "Leaves" all back again and these treasures added to them and I shall not soon forget Horace's Kindness in attending to all this for me -- as for you dear Walt I cannot thank you enough for these and for all your other Kindnesses. We have had some glorious "Indian Summer" days this past week but now it is dark, dark, INSANE ASYLUM LONDON ONTARIO London, 18 and blowing and raining like all possessed -- but I sit here in my good, warm, comfortable office, the work of the morning done and defy Satan and the elements. What is this other piece of yours that is to come out soon, Walt? It is something about American poets is it not? And what do you think of my suggestion to write some autobiographical notes, jottings? The more I think of it the more I am persuaded it is the thing for you to do So long! Love to you RM BuckeLONDON N [?] 90 ONTARIO Walt Whitman 328 Mickle Street Camden New Jersey USAINSANE ASYLUM LONDON ONTARIO CAMDEN, N NOV 13 6 AM 1890 REC'D.INSANE ASYLUM LONDON ONTARIO London, 11 Nov 1890 Yours of 8th came to hand yesterday while I was giving my third (two hour) lecture -- the lecture was on mania, I have a class of over twenty students -- I see that miserable grip still sticks to you -- has Thomas been over yet abt. the glasses and have you got them? I am exceedingly anxious to know whether or no this uncomfortable feeling is at all relieved by such good glasses as he will order you -- Did they make a good job of the old hat? All is well here -- the meter coming on but slow, slow -- but we are not depending on it to have a pretty good time. -- That is a good report about L. of G. in England -- but I have known it all along -- it must come nothing can stop it -- it is the book of the future for the next few hundredINSANE ASYLUM LONDON ONTARIO London, 18 Years -- We are all well pleased here too over the result of your elections, we hope (many of us do) that it is the beginning of the return to sanity and to a broad continental view of politics -- or is this too much to hope? If we could only let union of this continent I think the (political) future of the world would be assured My love to you RM BuckeLondon PM No 15 90 Canada Walt Whitman 328 Mickle Street New Jersey Camden USA[square seal] INSANE ASYLUM LONDON ONTARIO [round seal] CAM NOV 12 M RECD [round seal] LONDON AM NO 17 CANADA [postage stamp] CANADA POSTAGE 3 CENTS 3 Walt Whitman 328 Mickle Street Camden New Jersey U.S.A. [square seal] INSANE ASYLUM LONDON ONTARIO [round seal] CAMDEN N.J. NOV 18INSANE ASYLUM LONDON ONTARIO London 15 Nov. 1890 Your letter of 12th came to hand yesterday - Shall we soon have a chance of seeing the "Annex" -- good bye My Fancy" ? This then I suppose is to be the end of the Glorious Leaves? Well they are pretty complete - I hardly know what could be added with advantage. Next thing will be to incorporate the two annexes into the body of the book so as to make of it what it is - a unit. Have you seen D. Thomas yet? has he order'd glasses for you and have you got them? I am anxious to know when you get and use your new glasses and whether they do not make you more comfortable. As for that infernal belly-ache - lasting so long I hardly know what to say about itINSANE ASYLUM LONDON ONTARIO London_______________18___ surely you must need some medicine and you could not go far wrong to take say six grains of Calomel following it in about 5 hours with a good drink of Friedrickshall - unless you are a great deal better I advise you either to do this or send for a doctor - there is no use suffering more than can be helped. I enclose a letter just come from Wallace - I want you to return it, the paper he speaks of has not yet come to hand - shall I send it to you when it does come? We have had some days of magnificent indian summer weather - today is dark & cloudy but pleasant still I hope for some more indian summer before the cold weather sets in Love to you RM BuckeINSANE ASYLUM LONDON ONTARIO London, 18 Nov 1890 Many thanks, dear Walt, for the two bundles of papers received yesterday and today - the one containing "Liberty" "N.Y. World" and cuttings and the other the "Critic" of 21 Dec. 89. All welcome but especially the "World" with its curious "obituary" of Walt Whitman "the American Dante, Aeschylus - or Shakespeare" printed in '71 and which I had never seen before or even heard of. It is a most valuable item for my collection and will be valued beyond most old newspapers. How is the abdominal pain? wearing away I hope? or have you seen any doctor about it? We are all well here - beautiful weather most of the time - has been a charming day and is now a lovely moonlight night With love RM BuckeINSANE ASYLUM LONDON ONTARIO London, 22 Nov 1890 "A mere improvisation"! But what is the use, dear friend, of writing poems like this to Harper's or any monthly or for the people who read such publications? If I know anything of L. of G. or of you this is one of the most subtle, extraordinary little poems you ever wrote and so far from its being done off-hand it seems to me deeper than the deepest study - even to follow in thought the (double) meaning of it makes me feel giddy as in looking up, up into the far sky. But what's the use, not 10 people of all who read the piece in Lippincotts will have the remotest idea what it is about - but, along with the rest, by and by, the true readers will come, and you, and the rest of the Leaves, being understood, this will be also - that is as far as such fairy-etherial touches, hints, can be understood or comprehended.INSANE ASYLUM LONDON ONTARIO London, 18 Am glad to hear that the "belly-ache" is easier - hope it has (or will soon) passed off entirely by this time. All quiet here - pleasant autumn weather - cool, not too cold yet - pleasant driving - All same as ever with meter - i.e. "Getting ready to begin" manufacturing; -I expect we shall commence turning out meters quite early in the year and I do not know but this is soon enough - all well and all goes well I send you my love RM Bucke[*See notes Nov. 24 1890*]see note March 9 1891 [round seal] LONDON AM NO SO CANA [postage stamp] CANADA POSTAGE 3 CENTS 3 Walt Whitman 328 Mickle Street Camden New Jersey U.S.A.[square seal] INSANE ASYLUM LONDON ONTARIO [round seal] CAMDEN N.J. NOV 2 MINSANE ASYLUM ONTARIO CANADA London. 23 Nov. 1890 Your card of 20th came to hand yesterday afternoon - I am glad to hear good accounts of the "belly-ache" - that it is passing off, may it stick to it and pass off alltogether! Two days ago the "Address" promised me by Wallace came to hand - this morning I read it slowly and carefully, it is a wonderful revelation which he gives there and I have been more moved by that that 1/2 hour's reading than I have been by any thing for a long time. I want you to send me Wallace's letter back (please don't forget) and if you w'd like to read the "Address" I will have a copy made of it for you. I have been reading again and again "The SunSet Breeze" and am amazed more and more at its depth and subtlety. As always, dear Walt, with love R M Burke[left hand corner of letter torn] 30 Nov. 1890 Dear Walt, of the [?fferson] and Horace tells me [?] same letter that you are not feeling well yourself. I feel a good deal of anxiety about you, I know your wonderfull constitution but for all that blows like this must produce their effect. You will not I know give way to depression none than you can help. I wish I could bear part of this shock for you. Do not forget that your life and health are very precious to many of us and try to bear up for our sake as well as for your own. I have had no account directly or indirectly yet as to how S. Mitchell found you or what he thought of you, neither do I know whether he was ableCROSS-REFERENCE GENERAL CORRESPONDENCE Bucke, Richard M. to Whitman, Dec 2, 1890 See Verso GENERAL CORRESPONDENCE O'Dowd, Bernard. box 14Medical Superintendent's Office INSANE ASYLUM LONDON ONTARIO 3 Dec 1890 Just a line, dear Walt, to say that Horace gives me a very good account of your condition - says you look and seem better and are a little more cheerful - all this is good and mighty pleasant to hear. In London, Ont. we have winter, snowed last night and sleighing today. All well and quiet, am going to town in a few minutes in my cutter first time of using it this season Love to you R M Buckenotes Dec 15, '90 CANADA POSTAGE 3 CENTS 3 LOND AM DE 13 [?] CANADA Walt Whitman 328 Mickle Street Camden New Jersey U.S.A.[square seal] INSANE ASYLUM LONDON ONTARIO [round seal] CAMDEN N.J. DEC 15 6 A M REC'D.Medical Superintendent's Office INSANE ASYLUM LONDON ONTARIO 12 Dec 1890 I have your post card of 8th and your good long letter of 8th and 9th. The latter enclos'g Mrs. Costelloes letter of 28th ult. All heartily welcome and would have been acknowledged before but I was away in Detroit all yest'd'y. We are having today almost a blizzard. The roads were almost bare of snow last ev'g and now it is deep - deep and we are all rejoicing for sleighing is the correct thing here this time of year and if we do not have it we feel badly used. I have the Courier (6th) with long piece abt. tomb - thanks - I was real glad to get it. I have had no paper with picture (you mention sending one - did not come) or was it the mausoleum picture you spoke about as being "poor - bad", I guessIf was for it is a poor affair. I have the critic (29 Nov) - I like the notion of the vol. Your own pieces - Sarrazin, Rolleston, Ingersoll - it will make a most interesting little book. Nothing could be better. Yes, dear Walt, be sure and send me a copy of paper with notice of Jefferson's death - I want much to see it and have it. I shall also like much to have a copy of the talk at Reissers, do not forget to send it me. Abt. Johnston & the $10. Beers gave Johnston $10. on the train (day of lecture) for ticket or tickets - I showed the $10. bill to Ingersoll & self but I never heard any more about it or that J. paid it over to you or any one else. I explained all this to Horace - he understands it all - speak to him about it. I was very glad to get the letter from Mrs Costelloe (which you forwarded me) - I never lose interest in the Smiths or Costelloes and always want to hear all I can of and from them With best love R M BuckeINSANE ASYLUM LONDON ONTARIO London, 16 Dec 1890 I have yours of 13th. I do not like that abdominal pain continuing so long and I do not like those darting pains you mention. I have written to Horace about it and have told him to arrange to have some good doctor from Phila come over and see what you need. I hope you will not make any difficulty about this reasonable step. If the Dr does you no good he certainly will do you no harm. I am much disappointed at what you tell me about the new glasses and I think you would be wrong to lay them aside as you seem to be doing - if they are not right they should be altered and if they are right they should be worn. Thomas & Fox gave me the glasses I have on at present - for a week orINSANE ASYLUM LONDON ONTARIO Lodon 18___ two they gave me great annoyance, even distress, but I stuck to them as Thomas told me and they have been a real comfort to me since. I have just read "Old Poets" again for the third or fourth time - it grows upon me somehow - I like it better - You have (of course) said it all before (and more than once) but there is no harm in saying it again in slightly varied language - the language of the article is certainly admirable and what it says and suggests is important enough to bear almost any amount of repetition With best love Your friend R M BuckeMedical Superintendent's Office INSANE ASYLUM LONDON ONTARIO 19 Dec 1890 Your welcome card of 16th came to hand yesterday. My brother Eustace (Duke) was back again for the day and left for home (Ottawa) at 5:30 last evening. Splendid sleighing here and I thoroughly enjoy it - get out for a good drive every day - sometimes twice. This morning the air is cold but the sun shining like a lovely June morning, have just been to North Building with Dr. Beemer all going well and quietly at asylum. In the city the meter affairs go on as usual "slow but sure" I think we shall be turning out meters within a month from now, we have begun making but are not in a position yet to make all the parts [??] turn out meters. Xmas holidays have given us a little delay but not much. RM Bucke[*see notes Jan 20 1891*] [postmark] LONDON DEC 22 90 CANADA [postage stamp] CANADA POSTAGE 3 CENTS 3 Walt Whitman 328 Mickle Street Camden New Jersey U.S.A.[square seal] INSANE ASYLUM LONDON ONTARIO [round seal] CAMDEN N.J. DEC 24 6AM RECDMedical Superintendent's Office INSANE ASYLUM LONDON ONTARIO 22 Dec 1890 The best letter I have for a long time was one this moment received written by Dr. Mitchell jr. to Horace and forwarded me by the latter. This letter gives an acct. of the analysis of your water and according to it your kidneys are absolutely sound. There is nothing at all wrong with your water works except the enlarged prostate and the irritation consequent upon it. Your main difficulty is that on account of the enlargement of the prostate the bladder is not entirely emptied at any time - the urine retained undergoes decomposition and causes irritation - now what is wanted is that a catheter should be passed morning and evening and all the water drawnoff (in this way) twice a day. This would have to be done by a doctor for a time but there is no reason whatever that Warran should not learn to do it as well as any doctor after being instructed and provided with a proper catheter. I shall hope to hear that this matter is put upon a proper footing at once and after this is done I have every confidence that I shall hear of you being more comfortable than for a long time back. All well here - glorious weather - but alas! our snow is gone and we have to use wheels again. All quiet with the meter - too quiet! we do not get on nearly as fast as I should like but if we go slow I have confidance that we are going sure and now that I am relieved about your kidneys I have good hopes you will be with us to have the "good time coming" R M Bucke[*see notes Jan 20 1891*] [postmark] CT WESTURWESTATN PM DE 23 90 LONDON CAN [postage stamp] CANADA POSTAGE 3 CENTS 3 Walt Whitman 328 Mickle Street Camden New Jersey U.S.A.[engraved] INSANE ASYLUM LONDON ONTARIO [postmark] CAMDEN N.J. DEC 24 6 P.M. REC'DINSANE ASYLUM LONDON ONTARIO 23 Dec 1890 *A good Xmas and do. New Year to you - I have a feeling now that you will see quite a few more of them with us yet - and I hope have some first-rate good times with us yet RMB Your good long letter of 18th 19th and 20th is just to hand and I am on the whole well enough satisfied that your health is as well as you report it. I hope that between Horace and yourself something will be done in the matter of having a catheter used morning and evening there is little doubt that that is the main thing required just now for your comfort. I am glad to hear of the proposed "Whitman" no. of Lippencott in March - hope they will carry out the scheme. I wish you would carry out my scheme (thought of no doubt a hundred times by yourself) to write a series of reminiscences - memoranda - autobiographical jottings - little personal items - I guess any of the journals would be glad to have such M.S. and there is nothing your friends would enjoy so much or that would be so valuable to posterity - perhaps you are at it? Your affectionate friend R M BuckeCross Reference GENERAL CORRESPONDENCE Bucke, Richard M to Whitman, Dec. 26, 1890 See Verso Literary File Books Good-Bye My Fancy Manuscript DCN112 (oversize)