Feinberg/Whitman Box 5 Folder 6 General Correspondence Bucke, Richard M. Letters from Bucke Jan. - Mar. 1891[* see note Jan 14 1891*] [*London P.[M?] Jan 12 91 Canada*] Walt Whitman 328 Mickle Street Camden New Jersey USAINSANE ASYLUM LONDON ONTARIO CAMDEN JAN 14 3 PM 1891 Rec'dMedical Superintendent's Office. INSANE ASYLUM LONDON ONTARIO 12 Jan. 1891 Your good letter of 7th reached me Saturday evening -- I mean the one written on the back of Stoddarts and enclosing a note from Kennedy. Yes, even a momentary feeling of strength such as you speak of is good and welcome - shows there is strength back yet. I am much rejoiced that you are able to give so good a report and look for other good reports to come after this one. This morning comes [comes] yours of 9th & 10th enclosing J. A. Symonds splendid letter of 22d Dec. and Dr. Johnston's of 27th same month. All most welcome. My arm gets on well, am beginning to sleep pretty well again without any sedative am in the office and attending to business down town and at asylum as usual only yesterday being pretty tired I stayed whole day at home and had a good rest. we have some more snow and good sleighing again. I will send you back Symonds letter in a couple of days - sure want a copy made of it first - You never sent me that other Symonds letter! RM Bucke[*hand to Horace*] [*see notes Jan. 13, 1891*] LONDON PM JAN 5 91 CANADA Walt Whitman 328 Mickle Street Camden New Jersey U.S.A.CAMDEN JAN 7 1 PM 1891 REC'D INSANE ASYLUM LONDON ONTARIOMedical Superintendent's Office. INSANE ASYLUM LONDON ONTARIO 5 Jan. 1890 [*1891*] Your letter of 3d enclosing Mrs. O'Connor's of 2d just to hand. Also "transcript" of 31st. Thanks for all. I am much pleased to hear that H.M. & co. will publish O'C.'s stories and I guess the way they propose is the best. I shall send for Jan. "Forum" to see what Gosse has to say though I am getting a little tired of reading criticisms of L. of G. & of W.W. by people who know nothing about either the one or the other. But we must stick to it until the end. It seems to me that you are getting on fairly these times, "considering" -- and I am mighty thankful that things are as well with us as they are. I look forward hopefully to many a good hour with you yet when the success of the meter shall have loosened my hands and my feet from some of the restraints that are now upon them. My arm gets on finely, am at office every day, eat & sleep fairly well. Love to you. RM Bucke[*see notes Jan 16 1891*] LONDON PM JAN 3 91 CANADA Walt Whitman 328 Mickle Street Camden New Jersey U.S.A.INSANE ASYLUM LONDON ONTARIO CAMDEN N.J. JAN 5 1 PM 1891 REC'DMedical Superintendent's Office. INSANE ASYLUM LONDON ONTARIO 3 Jan 1891 Yours of 31 Dec. just to hand. Do not worry about me, dear Walt, I am all right, am over at office every day now and have pretty good nights -- of course I had a little pain and a few restless nights but nothing worth talking about and now even these are [of] over -- but I thank you and all the good friends down East there for your kind sympathy. Our sleighing is gone again, but the wheeling is good and the weather clear and charming I am going out for a dine in an hour My boy Maurice will take me -- am reading Dumas' Marie Antoinette Romances -- am in [6]7th vol. of the set & have 6 more to read -- it is a picture (good one) of the French Revolution. Love RM Bucke[*see notes June 19 1891*] [CT.W???ATN] ?M JA 16 91 LONDON, CAN. CANADA POSTAGE. 3 CENTS 3 Walt Whitman 328 Mickle Street Camden New Jersey U.S.A.INSANE ASYLUM LONDON ONTARIO CAMDEN JAN 17 6 PM 1891 REC'DMedical Superintendent's Office. INSANE ASYLUM LONDON ONTARIO 16 Jan 1891 Your postcard of 13th came to hadn't last ev'g. I was, and am, much concerned to hear such poor accounts of your health but a good deal relieved to find that the worst symptoms had passed off for the present -- hope they will stay away for awhile. Shall look out for Feb. N.A. Review. I have some bad news to tell you. I have been in court the last two days (all Wednesday and Thursday) -- an action was brought against me for slander by a discharged employee (a young woman) the case has gone against me -- verdict is: "For Plaintiff--Damages $500." Remains to be seen what stand the government will take -- whether they will support me and how far -- there may be also question of appeal. What I did & said was done and said entirely as Med. Supt. And my judgement and conscience still tell me (as they told me all along) that my action has been what it should have been.and must have been under all the circumstances -- this being so I am comparatively indifferent as to what happens as consequence. Show this to Horace, I shall send you the newspaper in the case and show them to Horace too. We are all well -- my arm (shoulder) no longer gives me any pain or much annoyance. Am comfortable, have a good appetite and feel hearty -- all well at home -- all goes well with meter -- I am not uneasy but that every thing will turn out well. Dear Walt -- if this bladder trouble returns and is bad will you not send for young Mitchell (Dr.) and take such steps for relief as he advises? I wish you would -- I know his advice will be good and that you will obtain relief by following it With much love RM Bucke[*see notes Jan 20 1891*] LONDON AM JA 19 91 CANADA. Walt Whitman 328 Mickle Street Camden New Jersey U.S.A.INSANE ASYLUM LONDON ONTARIO CAMDEN N.J. JAN 20 12 M 1891 REC'D.Medical Superintendent's Office. INSANE ASYLUM LONDON ONTARIO 18 Jan 1891 Postcard of 15th from you came to hand yesterday - Very quiet here - Guess it is much the same with you but am sorry to see that you still have only a poor time of it with your troublesome ailments - Glad to see however that Horace who is with you so much fancies you are doing well - this goes to show that even if you suffer (as undoubtedly you do) your constitution is bearing up wonderfully well under it and will perhaps shake off some of it yet. I go to Toronto tuesday (day-after-tomorrow) to consult with the government in the case "Ross v. Bucke" shall know then (I suppose) whether they are going to stand by me - Guess they will - Guess they must - but will tell you definitely when I know myself - we are all well - shoulder nearly all right again Love to you RM BuckeLONDON PM JA 2 CANADA Walt Whitman 328 Mickle Street Camden New Jersey U.S.A.INSANE ASYLUM LONDON ONTARIO CAMDEN, N.J. JAN 24 1 PM 1891 REC'DMedical Superintendent's Office. INSANE ASYLUM LONDON ONTARIO 22 Jan 1891 Yours of 17th came, I believe, 19th in ev'g. Next day I was away from early m'n'g to late night at Toronto and Hamilton seeing the Inspector and the Provincial Secretary re case Ross v. Bucke. They do not consider me in any way to blame and the government will assume the case paying all costs and damage -- but meantime we shall appeal to a higher court and try to get the verdict set aside. There is no manner of doubt that the Verdict was a most outrageous breach of justice, and even (I believe) of law. Nothing was done or said by me that ought not to have been done and said. If I did not repeat every word in a similar case happening say tomorrow it would not be because Iought not but because I would be afraid to do what was right for fear of getting into trouble. Thanks for enclosing Stoddart's letter and especially for the little piece called "The Pallid Wreath" which I find one of the most touching little poems I ever read. I am glad to hear that at time of writing you were not suffering so much but it is plain that you are not, on the whole, having a good time. I wish -- and wish -- but can do little enough. I can find no fault with your diet and I agree with you that you ought to eat a fair quantity -- do not believe that any thing like abstinence would be good for you -- only make you uncomfortable for nothing. My greatest comfort is that from Horace's accounts you seem and look well and that being the case however you may suffer your condition cannot be out & out serious As always Love RM Bucke[* see notes Jan 26 1891*] Walt Whitman 328 Mickle Street Camden New Jersey USA INSANE ASYLUM LONDON ONTARIO CAMDEN N.J. JAN 25 [?] PM 1891 RECDMedical Superintendent's Office. INSANE ASYLUM LONDON ONTARIO 24 Jan 1891 I have yours of 21st enclosing Johnston's letter to you and Wallace's letter to me for both of which thanks. Of course I want a few copies of reduced photo (W.W. '90 3/4 length in chair)-please send above Horace 3 or 4 when convenient. Tell Horace too, to send me name & publisher's name of the Ingersoll book so I can send to N.Y. for it. I have Horace's Lippencott piece today and read it with great delight_the free, breezy air that flows through every line of it is most cheering and invigorating_it has the genuine, "Leaves of Grass", exultanting. It is not hard to see where its inspiration came from. If I am not mistaken the future will recognize in H. one of your most powerful lieutenants. I say this not so much for what he has done (which is good) as for what I feel surehe will do (which will be better still). That bladder trouble does not seem to let up - and indeed it would be singular (unheard of) if enlarged prostate did let up. I know you hate the idea of the use of a catheter but, my dear Walt, you will have to come to it and when you do you will think how foolish you were to baulk so at such a simple easy thing. All well and quiet here - weather very mild - no sleighing but good wheeling - meter gets on quietly but well - inside of two more weeks we ought to have the first fifty ones made So long, dear Walt RM BuckeWalt Whitman 328 Mickle Street Camden New Jersey U. S. A. LONDON PM JA 13 91 CANADAINSANE ASYLUM LONDON ONTARIO CAMDEN N.J. JAN 30 12 M 1891 REC'D.Medical Superintendent's Office INSANE ASYLUM LONDON ONTARIO 28 Jan 1891 Yours of 24th to hand yesterday. Was too much occupied to write. Sorry (and dis- gusted) to. hear of the action of Scribner's but "such is life" - nothing at all new here. Charming winter weather and good roads (tho & no sleighing). My shoulder is all right as far as being comfortable goes but is not good for much to use yet. Am glad you like the piece on W.W. - as I told you before I think very highly of it. We are really going to have meters at last - the first dozen will be done this week or early next. After that we can make them as fast as we want them - next thing will be to start manufacturing on your side Affectionately RM BuckeWalt Whitman 328 Mickle Street Camden, New Jersey USAINSANE ASYLUM LONDON ONTARIO CAMDEN, N.J. FEB 4 8 PM 1891 PHILADELPHIA FEB 4 6 30PM 1681 TRANSIT RECEIVED 12 FEB 4 1 PM PHILA.Medical Superintendent's Office. INSANE ASYLUM LONDON ONTARIO 2 Feb 1891 Your good long letter of 30 & 31 came to hand this morning. Also Springfield Republican piece enclosed -- but what year is it do you know -- ? -- it is 13 Nov. but no year given. I finished 3 days and nights in bed yesterday morning -- bad cold and facial neuralgia -- not sick -- and now am at my office as lively as ever -- I am one of the tough old sort -- seems so and hope will turn out so. Glad to have you report: "if anything, easier" trust you will stick at that for a time. All well with meter -- the first doz. will be done tomorrow or next day -- then for some business! When shall we see the "Annex"? Sometime in March? I hope so. So Ernest Rhys is married? I wish him luck! It is however a dubious step! RM Buckesee notes Feb. 6 1891 LONDON M 91 CANADA Walt Whitman 328 Mickle Street Camden New Jersey USAINSANE ASYLUM LONDON ONTARIO CAMDEN, N.J. FEB 6 6AM 1891 REC'DMedical Superintendent's Office. INSANE ASYLUM LONDON ONTARIO 4 Feb 1891 Yours of 2d to hand this forenoon. I am here at office at work as usual (none the worse but rather, I think, the better) for the few days at home and in bed. You see I was not sick -- just a little pain and bad cold. I got a nice rest and change and it did me good. You must not be the least uneasy about me -- should I get really sick I will send you word but untill I tell you to the contrary consider me well. I gave Beamer one of the 4 pictures -- shall not part with any of the others unless the spirit strongly moves me to do so. We have a cold snap here -- mercury down to zero this morning -- no meters yet!May have the first dozen out by end of this week. Mrs Bucke went to Sarnia yesterday -- she goes from there today (with some friends) to Windsor to attend Willy Kittermaster's wedding at 7 this P.M. I guess you will remember W.K. you knew him well (quite a boy then) in 1880. Willy remembers you very well and with much affection. Mrs B. will stay in Windsor and Sarnia a few weeks All well and quiet here Best love to you RM Buckesee note 2/9/91 LONDON PM FE 6 91 CANADA Walt Whitman 328 Mickle Street Camden New Jersey USACAMDEN, N.J. Feb 8 4PM 1891 REC'D INSANE ASYLUM LONDON ONTARIOMedical Superintendent's Office. INSANE ASYLUM LONDON ONTARIO 6 Feb 1891 Your welcome card of 3d came to hand yesterday afternoon. You seem to be holding your own but no more. As spring opens, soon now, I look for you to pick up a little. I ought to have sent you word each day while I was sick but having told you that I should be all right in a couple of days I took it for granted you would accept that as positive and be quite easy. I am well again, go my round, &c & as usual -- feel first rate too -- good appetite, sleep well, &c. Yes, I flatter myself I have an A.I. Constitution and am about as little likely to break down as any one of your numerous acquaintances -- be this as it may I must try and live for awhile yet for I have quite a little I should like to do before I go Love to you always RM Buckesee notes 2/9/91 Symond's letter LONDON FE 7 91 CANADA Walt Whitman 328 Mickle Street Camden New Jersey USAINSANE ASYLUM LONDON ONTARIO CAMDEN, N.J. FEB 9 6AM 1891 REC'DMedical Superintendent's Office. INSANE ASYLUM LONDON ONTARIO 7 Feb 1891 Yours of 4th enclosing Carpenters most interesting letter from Ceylon came to hand yesterday. Would you not like to be in C. along with E.C. for a couple of months? I think I should enjoy it thoroughly -- and the long ocean voyage getting there! That would be as good as the visit in C. itself. All well here and meter getting on, I think, we shall surely have [some?] made in a few more days. So John S. is back on the "Sun" is he? Can you not send me the paper in which he alludes to you? I should like much to have it. I enclose Symonds letter, have made [text horizontally across top of page a copy of it to keep. I am inclined to think that most (if not all) of your abdominal troubles come [gin?] retained and fermenting water in the bladder setting up imitation which is reflected. Song long! RM Bucke [right side of page] copy of letter from John Addington Symonds to J. Johnston, Bolton Am Hof Davos Platz Switzerland Dec. 22nd 1890 My Dear Sir, I want to send you very hearty & very kindly greetings, with thanks for your "Notes of a visit to Walt Whitman." I appreciate the little book in the first place for its own sake: among the many attempts to delineate Whitman as he is none have brought him so freshly & livingly before me as this. The moderate compass, & the unaffected unegoistic simplicity of the narrative give it a high place in the Gospel of the Good Grey Poet. It is like a bit of literature descending from a purer, less affected age [left side of page] wh: bring him near to me is dear to me. And you have done this so vitally that I am writing to your more in his own spirit of comradeship, than with the measured terms of ceremonious courtesy. I wish I could see a copy of the photograph you took of him "& warry" Even were I imperfect I am trained to see - an artist of any kind sees more than the uninitiated can. Whitman himself sent me a sheet of very interesting portraits of himself, taken at various periods of his manhood. These, with his permission, I am trying to get reproduced by a Munich artist who has great skill in such matters. He is doubtful whether he can succeed. But should the results prove worthy in any degree I will give myself the pleasure of sending you copies. Believe me, meanwhile, to be very sincerely, & in Whitmanly friendship. Yours John Addington Symonds[two pages] [left hand side of page] than ours, & will play a very considerable part in the formation of that tradition wh Whitman is destined to hand down to the future. Next, I am touched by his request that you should send it me, & by the fact that - in your first colloquy with the man I venerate so deeply, you should have handed him the reprint of my humble essay on Dante. For a broken & ageing man of letters up here among the alpine snows, these particulars have an almost tender, pathetic, interest. They bring a film before the eyes, through which swims so much of life, of the irrecoverable part, of the unequal battle with circumstance, of the spiritual forces wh: have sustained, & of the failures wh have saddened. [second page of text] I do not know whether you have ever seen a short piece of writing by me, in which I said that Whitman's work had influenced me more than anything in literature except the Bible & Plato. This expresses the mere fact, so far as I can read my inner self --though perhaps my own industry in life, on the lines of author mainly may not seem to corroborate my statement. I owe to him a great debt, & had I not been fettered by the chains of an unpardoning disease, consumption, with which it has been my duty to fight, I would long ago have crossed the seas to visit him. So you see that anythingA NEW ERA IN WATER SUPPLY. Perfection at Last. THE GURD WATER-METER SIMPLICITY, ACCURACY, DURABILITY. FIRST CIRCULAR OF Gurd Meter Company, of London, (LIMITED) LONDON, - - - ONTARIO. FEBRUARY, 1891. Board of Directors: R. M. Bucke, M. D., of London, President. HENRY ARNOTT, M. D., of London, Vice-President. W. J. GURD, of London, Managing Director. F. W. KITTERMASTER, Barrister, of Sarnia, Secretary-Treasurer. J. S. NESBIT, of Sarnia. Patentees:-- The Gurd Meter Company, of London, (Limited). THE "GURD METER" is the invention of a Canadian, and is made in Canada, upon entirely new principles. The Company claim for it that it is more durable than any water meter now in use, and that it will measure correctly all the water passing through it -- whether the water enters it in a full stream, or in a small stream, or in drops, and whether there be head pressure or not; and that in all respects it is a perfect water-meter. The following extract is taken from the London Free Press of 27th November, I890, and is the report of the City Engineer to the Water Commissioners of the City of London:-- "November I2, I890. "To the Water Commissioners of the City of London, re Gurd Meter: "GENTLEMEN, -- I have the honor to report that I have carefully examined the Gurd Meter submitted for "the purpose, and found its working most satisfactory. "The smallest quantity passing through it is correctly registered, and the variation in registration between the smallest "drip and a full stream is not over two per cent., that being the excess over the registered quantity with a full stream. "In one of the tests at the workshop it was coupled with a 'Crown' meter, one of the best we have, and tested "with varying streams. With a full stream there was practically no difference, and this continued until the stream was "almost cut off. With the flow reduced to II gallons in four hours the Crown meter registered I/2 cubic foot, or 3 I/2 gallons, "while the Gurd meter registered the full quantity. "I have the honor to be, gentlemen, "Your obedient servant, "THOS. H. TRACY, "Engineer and Superintendent." The following is the Price List at the factory for sizes named; for prices of other sizes, apply to W. J. GURD, Managing Director, P.O. Box No. 279, London, Ontario. I/2 INCH. 3/4 INCH. I INCH. $I5.00. $25.00. $35.00. Boxing, Connections, &c., extra. Walt Whitman 328 Mickle Street Camden New Jersey U. S. A. LONDON AM FE 9 91 CANADAINSANE ASYLUM LONDON ONTARIO CAMDEN, N.J. FEB 10 12 M 1891 REC'D.Medical Superintendent's Office INSANE ASYLUM LONDON ONTARIO 8 Feb 1891 Your card (welcome as always) of 5th to hand last evening. The "Republican" slip belongs to '81, was [asent?] Osgood Ed of L. Off. I find I have it in my catalogue am well - as we all are here, thank goodness - only wish you were the same. The Canadian Home of Commons is dissolved - General Election 5th next month - whole country in tremendous important - [virg?]: stay as wee are getting honer all the time in men and money or commercial (and probably finaly political) union with U.S.A. and along with (that it is to behoped) comparative propriety. I am (of)course) along with the whole liberal party for trade and even union with our neighbors. It will be a most bitter fight but we are sanguine of victory. No meters yet but we look to have the first batch out in two or three days more - after that we can make them as fast as we like - but this political fight may cause some delay getting them on the market - but I care nothing for that if we can only win the day. As always, dear friend, best love Russ BurkeLONDON PM FE 9 91 CANADA Walt Whitman 328 Mickle Street Camden New Jersey USAINSANE ASYLUM LONDON ONTARIO CAMDEN, N.J. FEB 11 12 M 1891 REC'D.Medical Superintendent's Office INSANE ASYLUM LONDON ONTARIO 9 Feb 1891 Your post-card of 6th came to hand by this forenoon mail. I am glad that you seem no worse - would like too see you much better. Yes, please send the "Overland Monthly" shall be very pleased to have it. 'very sultry, dark half rainy, muggy, warmish, gloomy weather here for some days now and continues as if it had come to stay - can hardly read in my office at 3 P.M. - so dark. Have been reading some German - Heine- a really wonderful fellow for "cuteness" & wit. Meter goes steady and slow - we must have patience - in evenings and odd moments over at home, am reading Carlyle's "French Revolution" for about the 6th or 8th time - am feel- ing real well. Love to you RM BuckeWalt Whitman 328 Mickle Street Camden New Jersey U. S. A. N F 19 91INSANE ASYLUM LONDON ONTARIO CAMDEN FEB 21 1 PM 1891 REC'DMedical Superintendent's Office. INSANE ASYLUM LONDON ONTARIO 12 Feb 1891 Thanks, dear Walt, for the paper with the long piece on Koch's lymph. I read it with interest and am glad to see that the American Government is taking a hand in [?tri??]] last medical suggestion which may turn out of some importance. I have a long and very interesting letter from Wallace cheifly on the intercommunication of the human and divine. All is well here -- we are having bright, quite warm weather -- so far we have had an ideal winter. The meter jogs on. We are up to our necks in politics here, please the Lord we will beat old John A. Macdonald this time and get a little more freedom to move Best love RM Buckesee notes Feb14 1891[*see notes Feb. 16 1891 Walt Whitman 328 Mickle Street Camden N.J. U. S. A. LONDON P FEB 1 CANADA.[seal] INSANE ASYLUM LONDON ONTARIO [round seal] CAMDEN N.J. FEB16 12M 1891 REC'DMedical Superintendent's Office INSANE ASYLUM LONDON ONTARIO 14 Feb 1891 I have your notes of 10th and 11th the one came Thursday evening and the other last evening. No time at all to scribble a line yesterday - more that usually occupied now since got round again - accumulated work. I am real sorry to hear such bad accounts of your waking hours - it is a bad look out - but the fresh air in the spring may do something for you - I fancy you have been as bad at other times as you are now and partially rallied. So I trust you will again. What shall you call the little book? I hope you will give up the notion of putting anything in it but your own writing - I am clear that a mixture such as you I spoke of would be injudious. We musthave another Vol. at one or very soon made up of a lot (8 or 10) of the best pieces - Sarrazin, Knortz, Rolleston, Traubel, &c &c &c Horace and I are speculating hard at it and we must fetch it through. Thanks for the Kennedy "Dutch" piece - it is first class, nothing more suggestive has ever been penned on the critter. I have written Horace to see that I get a lot of "Lip" and I shall of course have a bundle of "Conservator's". Politics here are hot, hot, all hot - impossible to say at present which way the cat will jump - Each side is confident - or pretends to be! - As always - love to you RM BuckeMedical Superintendent's Office INSANE ASYLUM LONDON ONTARIO 19 Feb 1891 I have your post card of 16th and note what you say re constipation. Do you ever take any Friedrichshall water now? I wish you would get some and take a wine. glass or more in a tumbler of hot water first thing in the morning 2 or 3 times a week - I think you would find benefit from it. Thanks for the papers and especially for the "Personal Memoranda" Most which I like well. Here there is nothing but politics, the main question in the contest being: Shall we or not have closer trade relations with the U.S.? It seems a funny thing to dispute over. It is as if Michigan or New York should argue: Shall we have a protection tariff against the rest ofthe states so as to encourage manufacture at home (in Mich or N.Y.) and in that way increase the population and prosperity of the said Mich, or N.Y.? How very singular such a debate would sound and yet it would be no different from the present one except that here we have a tariff and want to get rid of it. Then (the funniest thing of all) many of our people dread closer relations with U.S. for fear of moral contamination! "I "thank thee of God that I am not a sort of like "this publican," business, or as the Scotchman prayed: "Lord send us a ''fine conceit of ourselves!" Two more weeks will settle the fuss for this time - Elections on 5th March. Best to you dear Walt RM Burke[*see notes April 12 1891*] Walt Whitman 328 Mickle Street Camden New Jersey U. S. A. LONDON FEB 21 91 CANADAINSANE ASYLUM LONDON ONTARIO CAMDEN, N.J. FEB 23 6 AM 1891 REC'D.Medical Superintendent's Office. INSANE ASYLUM LONDON ONTARIO 20 Feb 1891 I have from you today two papers - one with a piece about Blake & Whitman - the other with a report of a speech by Wiman - thanks. I am much distressed today to hear from Horace that you have been (at leat when he last saw you - last tuesday night) worse than usual - perhaps (I hope so) before this you are earier again - if not you will be bad enough when this reaches you. It is a dull and weary world (for you) just now - and, indeed, has been for long enough. We who are well and strong can hardly realize what I bad time you must have - my greatest comfort at present is that Horace is near you. Nothing new here - plodding along as usual, meter not yet out! Feeling well & hearty however except for anxiety about you. I send you best love and best wishes and wish I could do more RM BuckeLONDON AM FE 23 91 CANADA Walt Whitman 328 Mickle Street Camden New Jersey U. S. A.INSANE ASYLUM LONDON ONTARIO CAMDEMI.J. FRB 24 1 PM 1891 REC’D.Medical Superintendent's Office INSANEASYLUM LONDON ONTARION 22 Feb 1891 Postcard of 19th from you to hand last evening. Was much relieved to hear that you were easier even if it is not very much so. I trust now that you will keep out of the deep mts for a while and be able to look after the annex. Have you given up the idea of other folks writing in it? I hope so - Horace & I are busy planning a vol of W.W. essays and I do not see why we should not carry it [through?] at once - that would seem to me for the better course. The first machine made meter is done & tested - it is perfect. I have "The New Spirit" have had it a year - the "W.W." is mostly good - has some bad shots in it Best love always RM BuckeMedical Superintendent's Office INSANEASYLUM LONDON ONTARION 25 Feb 1891 I have your post card of 22? No Lippercott yet. I fear you are still having a bad time, hope how ever you will be able to get ahead with your little book. The elections here are making everything hum again. The excitement is more & more I never witnessed any think like it. We carried Hamilton (a by Election) yesterday with a maj. of nearly 700. We had lost the constituency a few months ago with 70 maj. against us - looks a little as if we (the liberals) might sweep the country on 5th if we do it will be a new departure for North America and the world. [vertical text in top left hand corner] So long! Your friend RM Buckesee notes Feb. 28 1891LONDON AM FE 27 91 CANADA CANADA POSTAGE 3 CENT 3 Walt Whitman 328 Mickle Street Camden New Jersey U.S.A.[two round seals] CAMDEN N.J. MAR 11 [2?]pm 1891 REC NY 230PM [stamp] INSANE ASYLUM LONDON ONTARIOMedical Superintendent's Office. INSANE ASYLUM LONDON ONTARIO 26 FEB 1891 Your card of 23d to hand. The enema business is all very well in its way but it will not do much for you - you want the upper bowel to act as well as the lower - if you would take a dose of Freidrichshall early in the morning and an enema after 3 or 4 hours to assist it (if necessary) that would be more like what is wanted and you might to this 2 or 3 times a week. I have "Lip." and shall look out for the "N.A.Rev." All well here. Country wild over elections - nomination today - polling a week today - looks as if we (liberals) might win RM Buckesee notes March 12 1891 [round seal] LONDON AM MAR 13 91 CANADA [postage stamp] CANADA POSTAGE 3 CENT 3 Walt Whitman 328 Mickle Street Camden New Jersey U.S.A.[round seal] 1 pm 1891 REC'D [stamp] INSANE ASYLUM LONDON ONTARIO Walt Whitman May 6 [?] am 328 Mickle St Camden N.J. 328 Mickle St Camden New Jersey U.S.A.Medical Superintendent's Office. INSANE ASYLUM LONDON ONTARIO 1 March 1891 Well- here we are still - what is left of us - Election excitement rising higher and higher - have never seen the parallel of it - however Thursday (5th) will settle it - heaven be praised! I have your of 26th - Yes, I have the Lippencotts - So the proof of the little book begins to come in? When you get all of "Good = Bye" in a revise I want you to send me a copy Love to you RM Bucke[round seal] LONDON PM MR 3 91 CANADA [postage stamp] CANADA POSTAGE 3 CENT 3 Walt Whitman 328 Mickle Street Camden New Jersey USA[stamp INSANE ASYLUM LONDON ONTARIO [round seal] CAMDEN N.J. MAR 5 1891 REC'D [letterhead] INSANEASYLUM LONDON ONTARIO 3 March 1891 I go to Sarnia this morning. Shall return here Thursday - have to vote up west and also here on Thursday. Shall probably not write again till Friday when the battle will be over. It is hot, hot. I have good hope that the country will speak out for expansion & freedom. I have not heard from you for some days I trust this does not mean that you are worse? I hope it only means that you are busy with the proofs. I am quite anxious to see the little group of poems which is to finish L. off - It is grand but still sad to think that it is nearly done - Sad or not for us it is well for the race that it will have in the [top margin two pieces of text] [first text on right side] I am boiling over with suppressed excitement thank goodness only 2 more days RM B [second vertically on left side] future and for all time the finished, completed work - love to you dear Walt RM Bucke[round seal] LONDON AM MR 91 CANADA [postage stamp] CANADA POSTAGE 3 CENT 3 Walt Whitman 328 Mickle Street Camden New Jersey U.S.A[stamp] INSANE ASYLUM ONTARIO CANADA [round seal] CAMDEN N.J. MAR 10 1 PM 1891 REC'DMedical Superintendent's Office [letterhead stamp] INSANEASYLUM LONDON ONTARIO 8 March 1891 I have your post card of 5th. Much pleased to hear you say that you are "no worse - maybe a shade better." The political racket is over for the moment but the government [are] is weakened by the elections and it is doubtful if it can survive for any length of time - we shall probably now a continuous racket and fight for months perhaps years - this will do the country no good as it will make the tariff, and consequently trade, uncertain. I have Arnold's "Light of the World" - am reading it - it seems a noble poem - as such poems go. Dark rainy weather - has been pretty cold for two weeks - more moderate now Love to you RM Bucke[round seal] LONDON PL MA 14 91 CANADA [postage stamp] CANADA POSTAGE 3 CENT 3 Walt Whitman 328 Mickle Street Camden New Jersey U.S.A.[stamp] INSANE ASYLUM LONDON ONTARIO [round seal] CAMDEN N.J. MAR 12M 1891 REC'DMedical Superintendent's Office [letterhead stamp] INSANEASYLUM LONDON ONTARIO 10 March 1891 It is five days since the election but the excitement has not yet subsided. The government will have a majority of about 30 but made up entirely from the outlying provinces - extreme east and extreme west Ontario gives them little or no majority and Quebec has gone badly against them. If old John A. (the Premier) was 20 years younger he might pull his party together and tide it over - but as it is I donot believe that he with his 76 years can pull through. He will keep things going for a while, of course, but when he strikes a rapid, and there are several bad ones just a little down stream of him, his boat is apt to go to peices. Did I mention having received and read the "National Literature" piece? It is good first rate in fact - the language a little cranky and queer in places but the thought fresh and vigorous and true. I like it well. This morning I have your card of 8th & the "Critic" (sent by you) of 7th - thanks for it. Your condition still seems wretched - you do not seem to rally - that is bad - why do you not send for a good doctor? Surely something could be done to give you relief. Thanks for the "Critic" - I have glanced through it and shall read it later. All quiet with the meter, we have not got into the swing of manufacturing it yet but are on the way and will get there all right - I am at present at work organizing a staff to manufacture. We have had dark, damp, raw, very unpleasant weather here for some weeks, today bright and pleasant - spring will soon be with us again - with you it must be about arrived? RM BuckeCross Reference GENERAL CORRESPONDENCE Bucke, Richard [?] to Walt, Mar 15, 1891 See Verse Literary File Books Good-Bye My Fancy Manuscript DCN112 (oversize)Medical Superintendent's Office. [letterhead stamp] INSANE ASYLUM LONDON ONTARIO 22 March 1891 Your good long letter of 19th came to hand yesterday afternoon - I had been at a meter meeting - all the principal stock holders present - got home about 6 P.M. and found it on my desk - I am much pleased that you have had a doctor and I look for considerable results in increased comfort - I hope you will stick to the doctor and let him stick to you! When you have plate-proofs of the "Goodbye" poems I hope you will send me a copy? Horace sent me a proof of "Death Valley" and intimated that it might (or not) go in the vol. I cannot understand you leaving it out - to my mind it is an admirable piece - most valuable oneexpression in it - naming death "God's external beautiful right hand" viz. contains more poetry than many a vol. of so- called poems. Oh yes, I have the Round Table "Walt Whitman" by John Robertson 1884 - have had it for years. All quiet and all well here - warm outside. Snow going away rapidly - roads muddy - The meter gets on slowly but gets on & I have hopes will do well but there is a lot of work to do yet before we make the first million out of it. Nothing new here - Mrs. B and self think of going east for a short holiday April or May but nothing settled yet. I have a long M.S. piece by J.W. Wallace on W.W. - it is scrappy but good. So long! With love RM Buckesee notes March 24 1891Medical Superintendent's Office. INSANE ASYLUM LONDON ONTARIO 24 March 1891 By this morning mail arrived your two post cards of 21st and 22d. and also "Truth" for 19th inst. for which latter many thanks I was going to write for it and am glad to have it without waiting. I like "Old Chants" well - exceedingly, indeed - Walt, I cannot see this falling off that they speak of in your poetry - some of your late prose has not been to my mind up to your standard - but your verse has not fallen off - of course you do not write now as you did in the "Song of Myself" days - in power there has been since then a tremendous drop - but that drop occurred in the early '60 - since then you have held your own and today your verse has as great, as wonderful subtlety and charm asever it had. Stoddart's Column is interesting and in good taste. I am real glad that you have had the doctor and more glad still that you seem to take kindly to him - I hope now that you will let him keep coming and I am certain he will help you - that he thinks things fairly satisfactory with you is good and comforting. All quiet with us here - nothing settled yet as to when Mrs B. & self shall go East. The meter, as usual, moves along slowly but prospects remain good I still think we shall make a big thing of it but it may take a while yet So long! With best love RM Buckesee notes March 25 1891[stamp] INSANEASYLUM LONDON ONTARIO [round seal] LONDON M 27 91 CANADA [postage stamp] CANADA POSTAGE 3 CENT 3 see notes March 30 1891 Walt Whitman 328 Mickle Street Camden New Jersey U.S.A.[round seal] CAMDEN N.J. MAR 30 6AM 1891 REC'DMedical Superintendent's Office INSANE ASYLUM LONDON ONTARIO 27 March 1891 I have your post card of the evening of 23d Very glad to hear you are "no worse" have had a letter from Dr. Longaker from which I judge that you will be relieved by his treatment - he finds nothing the matter with you which is threatening to life tho' much that would be absolutely destructive of all comfort unless looked sharp after. I judge from his letter that he is a thoroughly sensible fellow and probably a good physician and I hope you will have him look after you right along. I have had no report, "good" or bad, of Ingersoll's Shakespeare speech - I wish you or Horace would send me one - We had a few lovely warm, bright days but now it is blowing and snowing again as if spring was two months ahead - but nil desperandum! Love to you RM BuckeMedical Superintendent's Office INSANE ASYLUM LONDON ONTARIO 30 March 1891 I have today f'm you - letter of 27th enclosing Wallace's copy of Symonds' good letter and (better still - if possible) the "Goodbye" poems - these last I have (so far) barely glanced at but I can see that this is a superb cluster - better I think even than "Sands" - but I will write more fully of it later - it is marvelous to me dear Walt what power and facination there is still (as much as ever indeed) in your verse while your prose has certainly lost in force, in grip. How is this? is it (I believe it is) that your verse comes f'm something in you - inside the mind - the intellect something perenial - not liable to decaywhile your prose rests upon the intellect - the great ganglia - and there feel the affect of time of age? It is funny Walt that you always call D. Longaker - D. Foraker - but whatever you may call or miscall him he is certainly doing you good - at least giving you some relief - may it continue and increase! My plans at present are to be in Washington (at Med. Supt. Ass. meeting) April 28 to May 1 - then put in May at the seaside & in neighborhood of Phila and go home 1 June. We shall see if I can carry it out! Love to you always dear Walt RM Bucke[stamp] INSANEASYLUM LONDON ONTARIO see notes [Mar] April 1st 1891 [round seal] AM MR 5 CANAD [postage stamp] CANADA POSTAGE 3 CENT 3 Walt Whitman 328 Mickle Street Camden New Jersey U.S.A.[two round seals] CAMDEN N.J. APR 1 4 PM 1891 REC'D NY 4-1-91 [?] 7Medical Superintendent's Office INSANE ASYLUM LONDON ONTARIO 31 March 1891 re "Goodbye My Fancy" Ruskin says of great writers that they "express themselves in a hidden way and in parables". I have understood this of you, Walt, for many a year and I am bold enough to say that I believe I have followed the subtle winding & burrowing of your thought as far as any one. I have known well from the first that "there are divine things well enveloped - more beautiful than words can tell." It is this mystic thread - running through all your poems that has facinated me from the first more than any thing else about them. I have noted the (by most people) "unsuspected author" -- "spiritual, godly, most of all known to my sense." and I understand (tho' you will never tell - perhaps could not tell us) where the secret prompting comes from. Well, the "Naughty Song-- begun"In ripened youth --- never even for one "brief hour abandon'd" is finished, and the singer soon departs -- and the present listeners soon depart. But the song remains and will do its work-- that same song is the most virile, potent and live thing on this Earth today -- and the singer and the listeners they go the way provided for them but they will not get out of the range of this prophetic utterance. I congratulate you, dear Walt, today upon having completed the greatest, most divine, most humanly helpful work that has ever so far proceeded from any individual man --and this claim for love I will maintain while I live I am, dear Walt, With love and admiration Your friend RM Bucke