FEINBERG/WHITMAN Box 6 Folder 1 GENERAL CORRESPONDENCE Bucke, Richard M. Letters from Bucke Apr.-June 1891Medical Superintendent's Office. INSANE ASYLUM LONDON ONTARIO 3 April 1891 Your good long letter of March 30 and 31 came to hand last evening and would have been answered before now (7 P.M.) but work has been more than ordinarily pressing. I am greatly pleased to hear of even the most remote "indications of better" and trust they will increase. From all I can make out D. Longaker is a mighty level headed fellow and is likely to do well for you. Your package containing "[Munyou?] " and Y[?] Comp with the little poems (one in facsimile) came today and was welcome. I have (of course) the atlantic (take it) with O'C's "Android" - the more I see & know of O'C. the more I regret he did not fulfill his original intention of following literature as a profession - what a proud row of books we might have had from him on our shelves today! All goes quietly and well here including the meter - So long! Best love RM Bucke[*See note April 15 1891*] INSANE ASYLUM LONDON ONTARIO LONDON PM AP 13 91 CANADA [postage stamp] CANADA POSTAGE 3 CENTS 3 Walt Whitman 328 Mickle Street Camden New Jersey U.S.A.CAMDEN, N. J. APR 15 1 PM 1891 REC'D.pain and loss of sleep with it and am still confined to my room but am mending. I have your card of the 7th and your good letter of 8th and 9th and am glad to see that you are no worse. I have asked for leave of absence f'm 26th April to 1st June no answer yet - if I get it will spend part of the time at Atlantic City and part (I guess) at Mfarm's. I guess the grip (which INSANE ASYLUM LONDON ONTARIO 13 April 91 I went to Toronto thursday last (9th inst.) intending to stay a week and do a lot of things - but rather curiously, my foot, which had been a little sore for a couple of weeks became much inflamed the same night I went down so that I had to make the best of my way home the next day - I have suffered a good deal ofI had pretty bad about end Jan. I left something behind it (as it is apt to do) and I am suffering largely f'm that, what ever it is, but it has not taken on a serious form and I guess it won't - Lovely weather here bright and warm - will write again very soon With love RM Bucke[*see notes May 9 1891*] INSANE ASYLUM LONDON ONTARIO LONDON P AP 14 91 CANADA [postage stamp] CANADA POSTAGE 3 CENTS 3 Walt Whitman 328 Mickle Street Camden New Jersey U.S.A.[*dialoge*] CAMDEN N.J. APR 10 12PM 1891 REC'D .be along your way for a little while yet. I shall not try to make any fresh plans now untill after the Annual meeting of the Gurd Meter Co (end of next week) - It may be I shall go to England later on but nothing can be settled at present - in any case I must see you before a very next while Love to you dear Walt RM Bucke INSANE ASYLUM LONDON ONTARIO 14 April 91 Am still here in my big bedroom (across the hall from the one you had in '80) but sitting up most of the day & mending - the foot is much better- last night I got some sleep and altogether I am getting on as well as possible. Shall be around as usual (no doubt) before the end of the week.Have been reading Goldwin[s] Smith's book (just out) on "Canada & the Canadian Question" have not got to his summing up yet but I believe he thinks (as I do ) that union with the states is the only solution of the very ugly knot existing now. It was a most agreeable distraction to me this morning to receive your card of 11th and letter of 12th containing Wallace's W.W. letter to his friend Mr Goldstraw. It was good of you to send it me - it is a noble production and raises Wallace even higher than ever in my regard - I know W. pretty well and between ourselves I think he is a very choice spirit - his spiritual insight is especially keen and fine - I guess there is no man understands L. of G. more profoundly I have just had a letter f'm the inspector and leave to attend the meeting at Wash'n is not granted me - I shall therefore not[*see notes April 18 1891*] INSANE ASYLUM LONDON ONTARIO LONDON AM AP 12 91 CANADA [postage stamp] CANADA POSTAGE 3 CENTS 3 Walt Whitman 328 Mickle Street Camden New Jersey U.S.A.CAMDEN NJ APR [?] R[?] [?] 9 AM I may sail in May and be gone 6 weeks to two months. In many ways this arrangement would suit me - I like the water like to see England and friends there, it would be the best change I could have for my health (which really needs some building up) and I should perhaps be the best man available for the business which is to be transacted - should I for I think I should try and see old Tennyson - would you fire me a line? Mr Costelloe [*will be one of our leading men in meter affairs in England RM Bucke*] INSANE ASYLUM LONDON ONTARIO 16 April 91 Still sitting here in my room upstairs - foot mending - but slowly. not sick nor in pain. Put in my time mostly reading, some writing and chatting. Do not especially mind the confinement - worst part of it is continuous sitting - I can sympathize more than ever with you sittingthere in your room month after month - I really do not see how you stand it so patiently as you do. I have read Rider Haggard's "Heart's Desire" and have almost finished Goldwins Smith's "Canada". Keep a copy of L. of G. handy and from time to time dip into that. Meter matters are coming to the front with us and assuming more and more importance - impossible to give details now as the thing is spreading out and covering too much ground. Lately it looks as tho some one will have to go to England this Summer to introduce the meter and probably form a syndicate to handle it in the British Islands. And more and more (though other names have been mentioned) it looks as if that "some one" will be me. Our annual meeting is end of this month at or about that time the question must be settled and answered. If I goINSANE ASYLUM LONDON ONTARIO see notes April 21st 1891 [round seal] LONDON AM AP20 91 CANADA [postage stamp] CANADA POSTAGE 3 CENTS 3 Walt Whitman 329 Mickle Street Camden New Jersey U.S.A. CAMDEN N J. APR 21 12PM 1891 REC'DINSANE ASYLUM LONDON ONTARIO 19 Apr. 91 I have your card of 16th and feel pretty bad that you do not rally. I am getting anxious about you dear Walt, and shall get East to see you as soon as possible. If I go to England shall make a point of seeing you on the way. You must be very weak and that wheel chair exercise does not seem to suit you any more It is too rough - too jolting - I used to wonder year ortwo ago that you could stand it - if you only had good roads (like the Park) and a carriage that wd be the thing for you. As for myself I am getting on very well - Still confined to my room (except that I get out every day for a drive) but not sick - the foot still inflamed but mending daily - not much pain or irritation in it now and I can sleep very well - I sit here and read and write letters - Beeman comes over and we consult abt. asylum affairs and all goes on just about as well as if I was at the office (but I should be glad to get back there again). It is charming weather here - the grass is green again and the grounds full of birds - I sit here looking out the window and enjoying it all - in a week or two if this weather lasts the trees will be putting on their beautiful Summer drapery. With love, dear Walt, yr friend RM Bucke[*see notes April 27 1891*] INSANE ASYLUM LONDON ONTARIO LONDON PM AP 24 91 CANADA [postage stamp] CANADA POSTAGE 3 CENTS 3 Walt Whitman 328 Mickle Street Camden New Jersey U.S.A.CAMDEN NJ APR 27 6 AM 1891 REC'D. for sickness and I guess the death rate in America has never been higher than within the last few months - but as you say: "I guess it is all right any how." I hope to be around as usual next week - shall kind of half lay up still, I guess, tomorrow and Sunday Yours as always RM Bucke INSANE ASYLUM LONDON ONTARIO 24 April 91 Your letter of 21st came to hand last evening. I was much rejoiced to see by it that you were suffering less - thank goodness for that, anyhow! Thank you alas for the printed piece enclosed "Old Actors &c", I read it with peak interest and pleasure. I have not written for some days - day before yesterday I was very sick (feverishbilious attack - headache, nausea, pent depression - ) I took some medicine (something I very seldom do) - yesterday I was better but weak, today I am comparatively well. The foot is steadily healing and I guess will be well in a few more days. My health has not been up to par this winter (since the upset last fall, the dislocation in Dec. & the grip in Jan.) still I can not see that any thing serious is the matter and I look to be all right again after I get a change and some sea air (nothing ever seems to do me as much good as the sea) - this last year or more (since the grip first visited us) has been a bad timeCross Reference _________________ GENERAL CORRESPONDENCE Bucke, Richard M. to Whitman, Apr. 28, 1891. See Verso _____________ GENERAL CORRESPONDENCE Bucke, Richard M. Letters from Whitman to Bucke , Apr. 30 , 1891 . Box 7[*see notes May 2 1891*] INSANE ASYLUM LONDON ONTARIO LONDON [?] AP 30 91 CANADA [postage stamp] CANADA POSTAGE 3 CENTS 3 Walt Whitman 328 Mickle Street Camden New Jersey U.S.A.CAMDEN, N.J. MAY 2 1 PM 1891 REC'D.Medical Superintendent's Office INSANE ASYLUM LONDON ONTARIO 30 April 1891 All quiet here. Have been to city this morning. Am in office now (3 P.M.) and shall go to city again with this in about 15 minutes. Dr. Harkness (my old friend who you met in Kingston in '80 and who went up the Saguenay with us) is here - he has not been well, has been to Arizona & California and is on his way home. He is better - has gained 20 lbs. I am gaining every day but am pretty lame yet and not very strong. How are things with you? No worse I trust? this sick spell of mine has knocked all my calculations endways - do not at all know now when I shall go East or what I shall do - shall probably go to England after a while and see you on my way Best love RM Bucke[*see notes May 7 1891*] INSANE ASYLUM LONDON ONTARIO LONDON AM MY 4 91 CANADA [postage stamp] CANADA POSTAGE 3 CENTS 3 Walt Whitman 328 Mickle Street Camden New Jersey U.S.A.CAMDEN, N.J. MAY 5 1 PM 1891 REC'D.Medical Superintendent's Office. INSANE ASYLUM LONDON ONTARIO 2 May 1891 Your post card of 29th came to hand yesterday afternoon and I got it on my return from the city in the evening - I am sorry enough to see that you are still suffering. Of course you could not go to New York on 31st but I hope you will be well enough by then to go over to Philadelphia. Every thing quiet here, I am coming round gradually, hope to be all right in another week or so. The leaves are coming out rapidly here and the grounds are getting beautifull. 3 May Sunday Had to break off here and could not resume yesterday - went to city (after a lot of talk and business) and attended annualmeeting of the Gurd Meter Co. Got through with that about 6 P.M. then home to tea pretty well tired out - for I am not strong yet tho' doing well - improving every day. All looks well with the Gurd Meter Co. We have (I fully believe) by far the best and cheapest to make meter on the market - but it is a new thing - no one is interested to help it along and many (all the old meter men & their friends) are interested to keep it back and the trouble is to get the meter in use so that it will be proved and its merits become known. We are tackling this problem in earnest now and hope soon to solve it. It does not look now as if I should go to England untill say the middle of the Summer - if this is the case I may be able to run down to Camden for a few days at end May Best love RM Bucke[*Given me by W. May 6 1891*] INSANE ASYLUM LONDON ONTARIO LONDON PM MY 5 91 CANADA [postage stamp] CANADA POSTAGE 3 CENTS 3 Walt Whitman 328 Mickle Street Camden New Jersey U.S.A.CAMDEN MAY 6 4 1891 REMedical Superintendent's Office INSANE ASYLUM LONDON ONTARIO 5 May 1891 How is it with you, dear Walt? I fear from what little I hear from you and especially from your silence that you are having a bad time. and I hear too that Dr. Longaker is sick which is very bad news because he is evidently a good fellow and because I know you need his care. But I trust he will soon be round again and that you too will before long be easier. Here all goes quietly and well - I am mending - hope to be quite myself again very shortly. We have a cold spell of weather it snowed yesterday morning and this morning Love to you RM Bucke[*see notes May 9 1891*] INSANE ASYLUM LONDON ONTARIO LONDON MY 7 91 CANADA [postage stamp] CANADA POSTAGE 3 CENTS 3 Walt Whitman 328 Mickle Street Camden New Jersey U.S.A.CAMDEN, N.J. MAY 9 1 PM 1891 REC'D . Medical Superintendent's Office. INSANE ASYLUM LONDON ONTARIO 7 May 1891 I do not hear from you and I am anxious. But perhaps I shall have a letter this afternoon. This A.M. I got from N.Y. (and have of course read) Horace's New England Magazine piece. I do not know but it is the very best thing that has ever been done about you it is so modest, sober and genuine - it is bound to captivate many readers and draw them into the right path and it cannot offend any one. I have read nothing for a long time that has given me such pleasure - I feel now more than ever that we must have that W.W. volume out this fall. I am better but lame still, hope to be all right before long; shall try to see you end of this month So long! RM BuckeMedical Superintendent's Office. INSANE ASYLUM LONDON ONTARIO 8 May 1891 H. & I have been rather in a pucker about you untill this morning's mail brought y'r letters of 4th & 5th and some bundles of papers to H. We are much relieved now to find that you are certainly no worse and may be a little easier. We had a long and most charming drive through the county yesterday - H., Anne, P.E. Bucke, and a couple of girls. Today the weather is again perfect. H. will tell you about it, he thinks is worth annexing f'm what he has seen of it so far. We are very busy talking and planning - I guess the W.W. business will be all settled by the end of this week when H. leaves! My oldest boy, Maurice, is appointed on the Geological Survey at $60.00 and found - pretty good, eh? Nothing new abt. going to England. The meter goes on all night. RM BuckeINSANE ASYLUM LONDON ONTARIO LONDON MY 11 91 CANADA [postage stamp] CANADA POSTAGE 3 CENTS 3 Walt Whitman 328 Mickle Street Camden New Jersey U.S.A.CAMDEN, N.J. MAY 12 4 M 1891 REC'D .Medical Superintendent's Office. INSANE ASYLUM LONDON ONTARIO 11 May 1891 Well, my dear Walt, I have yours of 8th inst. and judging by it you are not having a good time. I am worried about Dr. Longaker being sick and so not able to look after you. It is too bad - But I hope he will soon be round again and will then be able to do something for your comfort. As for me I am all right (wish you were as well) still lame but less so than have been. At office and about grounds in buggy every day (grounds lovely now - leaves about 1/2 out - all as perk as on the first day of creation), good appetite and sleep well. I told you last letter that I had U. E. Maja. Best love RM Bucke[*see notes May 22 1891*] INSANE ASYLUM LONDON ONTARIO LONDON AM MY 18 91 CANADA [postage stamp] CANADA POSTAGE 3 CENTS 3 Walt Whitman 328 Mickle Street Camden New Jersey U.S.A.CAMDEN, N.J. MAY 19 6 PM 1891 REC'D.Medical Superintendent's Office. INSANE ASYLUM LONDON ONTARIO 17 May 1891 I have your note of 14. Also letter enclosed therewith from D. Johnston - thanks for it, I found it most interesting. The "Goodbye" parcel has not reached me yet - I hope it may tomorrow - I am most eager to see it. I fear you are not mending in health very fast and that you are having a bad time. am counting on seeing you inside of two weeks if (as seems likely) this lameness will let me, but at present getting about is painful and troublesome. I am reading some and writing some and altogether am having a good time - the grounds and county are beautifull and I drive about and enjoy that greatly. The work of starting the meter too is becoming interesting and I am looking forward with much pleasure to my proposed trip this summer across the Atlantic Always with love RM Bucke[*see notes May 22 1891*] INSANE ASYLUM LONDON ONTARIO LONDON [?] MY 20 91 CANADA [postage stamp] CANADA POSTAGE 3 CENTS 3 Walt Whitman 328 Mickle Street Camden New Jersey U.S.A.CAMDEN, N.J MAY 22 12 PM 1891 REC'D.Medical Superintendent's Office. INSANE ASYLUM LONDON ONTARIO 20 May 1891 All quiet here. The lilacs are not out in the grounds here yet but they will be in a few more days. "Good-Bye" which was mailed a week ago reached me noon today - have spent an hour looking through it since - it is a most charming little vol. - has not (of course) the power of the early books (either verse or prose) but has a charm of its own which will make it equal, in attractiveness, to any of your books. But I have not half examined it yet and must put off for another letter my dicta upon it. I am well but not strong and keep very lame so much so that I have grave doubts about getting east 31st much as I want to go - (but I may improve between now and then) We shall see, meanwhile best love RM Bucke[*see notes May 27 1891*] INSANE ASYLUM LONDON ONTARIO GTWESTNRWYSTATN AM MY 25 91 LONDON, CAN. [postage stamp] CANADA POSTAGE 3 CENTS 3 Walt Whitman 328 Mickle Street Camden New Jersey U.S.A.CAMDEN, N.J. MAY 27 12 PM 1891 REC'D.Medical Superintendent's Office. INSANE ASYLUM LONDON ONTARIO 25 May 1891 I do not hear from you. Feel uneasy abt. you all the time. Fear you are having a bad time perhaps very sick. Am strongly minded to go to Camden next friday & see for myself how you are. May drop in upon you Saturday morning and stay around till Monday or Tuesday. Am feeling O.K. but still some lame but can get around. Grounds here look well now - lilacs just beginning to come out. We loyal Kanucks are keeping the Queen's birthday - My folk all out fishing - 3 parties of them - all off - from my brother 60 yrs old to my youngest 9. Suppose we shall have fish now till we are tired of them! I have spent the day here in the office writing and reading - looking thro' "Good-bye" among other things - I like the little last leaves well - they are just what [*they should be under all the circumstances not [great?] but very touching & charming Best love RM Bucke*] [*Send Dr the Slip (if you have it) 1/6 sheet Boston Trans: his little criticism "Good-Bye" of five days ago*] INSANE ASYLUM LONDON ONTARIO 91 [postage stamp] CANADA POSTAGE 3 CENTS 3 [*see notes May 27 1891*] Walt Whitman 328 Mickle Street Camden New Jersey U.S.A.CAMDEN, N.J. MAY 27 [?]M 1891 REC'D.Medical Superintendent's Office. INSANE ASYLUM LONDON ONTARIO 26 May 1891 This morning has come and is welcomed yours of 23d with enclosures. Your own criticism of "Good-Bye" is good - will probably be the best - its general "old age" character is of course what it should have and if that involves (as in some sense it must) loss of power, dash, and life it implies and gives something else just as good as these: undying courage, viz, and faith to the last in the scheme of the world and in man. These last words of yours "are valuable beyond measure to confirm and endorse" the facts and faith of your life. Have you a copy of Kennedy's criticism to share? I would like to see it. I hope to see you in a few days but cannot yet be sure, the foot is not so well again and it may hold me here yet - will write again tomorrow after seeing (this afternoon) the surgeon about it. All well here and fine weather tho' quite cool. I have a armfull of lilacs in a big pitcher in front of me on my desk - they are good company With love RM BuckeINSANE ASYLUM LONDON ONTARIO LONDON PM JU 8 91 CANADA [postage stamp] CANADA POSTAGE 3 CENTS 3 Walt Whitman 328 Mickle Street Camden New Jersey U.S.A. CAMDEN, N.J. JUN 10 6 AM 1891 REC'D . NEW JUN 230 PM 91 REC'DINSANE ASYLUM LONDON ONTARIO LONDON PM JU 10 91 CANADA [postage stamp] CANADA POSTAGE 3 CENTS 3 Walt Whitman Camden New Jersey U.S.A. CAMDEN, N.J JUN 12 1 PM 1891 REC'D.and Morris has just been summoned north on a geological excursion (60$ a month & found). - Morris is sweet, sane, quiet - one of the best fellows so far swept into my arcana. Doctor looks to him & to Pardee to keep up the standard of the stock. Ina is a beauty: I delight to look at her - to hear her talk. The Prince of Wales business INSANE ASYLUM LONDON ONTARIO London Wednesday June 10 '91 Dear Walt - I have received papers form you straight along this week, and several came this morn for Anne, for which she is grateful. I did not received my reporter's notes till this morn: Theytill yesterday. [Now] at last a swing about into fire & heat! To-day a big cricket - match on the grounds fronted by the north building. I am about to go in town with Doctor to dine with his brother Percy. The Thomas orchestra & Campanini appear in London tonight. I want to go. Pardee is away, at Toronto - are quite well, & afford me ample basis on which to build my account. I hope to have the article ready for you to see Sunday. The delay in getting it to me has been grievous - but there's nothing to be said now to save the accident. All proceeds favorably with us here. Not a rainy day since our arrival. The days cool, in fact,use a sentence out of each letter, at the least I expect to take the noon train at London Saturday. This will get me in Phila at 7 Sunday morn. Good bye! Doctor's carriage is at the door. Eternal the vigil of love! Horace INSANE ASYLUM LONDON ONTARIO 2 has been stirring things here. Doctor thinks it bodes a fall of the stock of aristocracy - the throne. The Gurd Meter Co. looks more like business than it did in the fall. I have wandered studying up a scheme for our Whitman book. I will tell you about this on my return. Longaker writes Doctor a letter - very favorable. So the wine does you good? - I got a short note from George Wm Curtis just before I left Camden - too late to show you. I want to a good deal with the Doctor among his patients this time, & have picked up a vast lot of odds & ends of alienist information which I missed in my short trip in the fall. - A letter from Bush this morning. - Last night Doctor & I spent at the officeINSANE ASYLUM LONDON ONTARIO JU 14 91 CANADA [postage stamp] CANADA POSTAGE 3 CENTS 3 Walt Whitman 328 Mickle Street Camden New Jersey U.S.A. CAMDEN, N.J. JUN 12 6 PM 1891 REC'D.Medical Superintendent’s Office. INSANE ASYLUM LONDON ONTARIO 11 June 1891 Last night and today we have had a hard rain which was much needed. It is still dark and threatening. Your post card of 9th came to hand this morning and we were glad that you were no worse. H & I are hard at all sorts of W.W. plans and speculations. H. has got his Lippencott "Round Table" piece in pretty good shape, it will be A.I. - We have pretty well planned our W.W. book also - H. will show you the list of pieces which are to go in it when he returns. It will all have to be approved by you. Tomorrow I think we shall all go for a 15 mile drive to Delaware - H., Anne, Mrs B., my boy Maurice, self, & it should be splendid driving after the rain Best love RM Bucke[*see notes June 16 1891*] INSANE ASYLUM LONDON ONTARIO LONDON AM JU 15 [postage stamp] CANADA POSTAGE 3 CENTS 3 Walt Whitman 328 Mickle Street Camden New Jersey U.S.A. CAMDEN, N.J JUN 16 12 PM 1891 REC'D. Medical Superintendent’s Office. INSANE ASYLUM LONDON ONTARIO 14 June 1891 I have your letter of 11th (it came yesterday afternoon). Anne and Horace left at noon I feel quite lost without them. I enjoyed their visit here greatly. By this time H. has shown you the M.S. of the "Round Table" piece which seems to me as characteristic & valuable as anything we have had. Horace will also by this have submitted to you our plan for the book. (I hope you will allow the two early pieces by yourself - there would be no sense in disallowing them as they will certainly be republished as yours anyhow). It is a perfect day here - bright, warm - the trees now full leaved and perfect - they stand on the lawns sleeping - not a breath of air to move their branches. The deep blue sky bends over them in benediction like the concave palm of God. Best love to you always and always RM Bucke[*see notes June 18 1891*] INSANE ASYLUM LONDON ONTARIO JU 18 91 CANADA [postage stamp] CANADA POSTAGE 3 CENTS 3 Walt Whitman 328 Mickle Street Camden New Jersey U.S.A. RECEIVED JUN 17 12PM 1891 PHILA. CAMDEN, N.J JUN 18 6AM 1891 REC'D. Medical Superintendent’s Office. INSANE ASYLUM LONDON ONTARIO 16 June 1891 I have yours of 13th & 14th this A.M. Well pleased to hear that Anne & H. are back safe and well - I like them both well and hope to see them often as long as we are all above ground. I suppose the M.S. is in Stoddart's hands by this - it will make a bully piece - one of the very best. No word from England yet about going over there on meter business - may hear any day now - may sail next week or any time between that and 1 Aug. or not at all - all depends on what word comes from England. I hope the hot weather (it must come soon now) will not be too hard on you, dear Walt; I wish you were out of that sweltering Camden and where you could have better air and more of it RM Bucke[*see notes June 23 1891*] INSANE ASYLUM LONDON ONTARIO LONDON AM JU 22 91 CANADA [postage stamp] CANADA POSTAGE 3 CENTS 3 Walt Whitman 328 Mickle Street Camden New Jersey U.S.A. CAMDEN, N.J JUN 23 12 PM 1891 REC'D. Medical Superintendent’s Office. INSANE ASYLUM LONDON ONTARIO 21 June 1891 Your post card of 18th came yesterday P.M. With it came a letter from England re meter which has decided me to sail in two weeks. Shall leave here two weeks today and sail by White Star S. Brittannic 7 A.M. Wednesday 8th July. May not see you before sailing but shall certainly see you about end August on way home for a day or two. All quiet and well here. I guess that hot spell was pretty bad down in Camden - it was warm - almost hot - here but lately it is quite cool again and today the temperature is perfect - Ask H. about our Canadian politics - he is quite a Canadian now - looks as if the conservative govt was on its last legs - I am very glad - we may now get reciprocity - commercial union or perhaps political union with States - some one of these we want bad. - Best love RM Bucke[*see notes June 25 1891*] INSANE ASYLUM LONDON ONTARIO LONDON PM JU 23 91 CANADA CANADA POSTAGE 3 CENTS 3 Walt Whitman 328 Mickle Street Camden New Jersey U.S.A.[*Fitzgerald*] [*? - Claxton, Remser & Haffelfinger*] CAMDEN, N.J JUN 25 4 PM 1891 REC'D. Medical Superintendent’s Office. INSANE ASYLUM LONDON ONTARIO 23 June 1891 I am making all arrangements to leave here on the afternoon of Sunday 5th July for New York en route for England. I should like well to see you before sailing but do not see how I well can as I cannot well leave here before Sunday 5th, must have a while in N.Y. to see Dane re meter matters in America and the boat sails 7 A.M. Wednesday. I hope to see something of the Smiths in England as well as the Costelloes and shall make full reports of all W.W. matters. Hope too to see Wallace, Johnston & the Bation folks. If you would give me a line to Tennyson I would try and see him too just for a short call - it would be something to look back upon when I am (if I liveto be / an old, old fellow - We had a splendid rain yesterday and I have never seen a more perfect day than this is after it. Temperature (in my office) 70° sky deep blue, not a cloud, a gentle breeze waving the trees and shrubs, all the grounds bright and fragrant with roses and syringas: it seems a sin to leave here and I believe I would fully as soon stay but business (especially meter business) must be attended to Best love to you RM Bucke[*see notes June 29 1891*] INSANE ASYLUM LONDON ONTARIO JU 25 91 CANADA [postage stamp] CANADA POSTAGE 3 CENTS 3 Walt Whitman 328 Mickle Street Camden New Jersey U.S.A. N.J. JUN 29 6 AM 1891 REC'D. Medical Superintendent’s Office. INSANE ASYLUM LONDON ONTARIO 26 June 1891 A thousand thanks, dear Walt, for the bound, autographed copy of "Goodbye" which reached me yesterday. It is a mighty pretty little book, beautifully printed on first class paper and whatever may be said (from a literary standpoint) about a falling off in verse or prose (which I neither disagree nor altogether agree with) I say now and will always maintain that the little volume is exactly what it should be from a far higher and more important point of view. We have now (I think) the whole man as far as he could be given in this way and (as far as I can see) there is no need of writing any more - still if there should be more to come we shall be glad to have it. I am pretty busy putting things in shape for my two months absence. Weather & grounds perfect here. Syringas piled up like snowdrifts RM Bucke Medical Superintendent’s Office. INSANE ASYLUM LONDON ONTARIO 10 June 1891 Dear Walt - Your post card of 7th came to hand yesterday - H. and I are so full of business (!) that we can hardly find a minute to write you. The stenographer's report of the dinner talk came this morning - it is interesting to an extrardinary degree - I guess H. will make a fine thing out of it for Lippencott - it will be one of the most characteristic pieces yet - dramatic in form and in spirit. The weather here is very charming and the place looks well. I judge from your last post card that the wine is rather doing you good - I hope it will. H & I talk Whitman & L. of G. here all day long - we have been busy planning the Whitman book for this fall, we have material for a fairsized, most valuable volume - With best love RM Bucke[*see notes July 2 1891*] INSANE ASYLUM LONDON ONTARIO LONDON PM JU 29 91 CANADA [postage stamp] CANADA POSTAGE 3 CENTS 3 Walt Whitman 328 Mickle Street Camden New Jersey U.S.A. N.J. JUL 1 1 PM 1891 REC'D. [*see notes July 2 1891*] LONDON PM JU 19 91 CANADA CANADA POSTAGE 3 CENTS 3 Walt Whitman 328 Mickle Street Camden New Jersey U.S.A.INSANE ASYLUM LONDON ONTARIO CAMDEN, N.J. [?] 1891 REC'D. Medical Superintendent’s Office. INSANE ASYLUM LONDON ONTARIO 29 June 1891 Yours of 26th enclosing note of introduction to Lord Tennyson came to hand this A.M. Thanks. I will certainly see L.T. if he will see me. You have a curiously wrong notion about the Lippencott piece - it was always intended for the Aug No. was well understood from the first that it could not come out in July for it takes a long time to arrange and prepare for an issue. It will no doubt be out in Aug. all right and (as you say) I shall see it in England. Yes, the facsimile of your letter is wonderfully done - as like as one pea to another. It is very dry here - no rain worth mentioning since early spring - fall wheat very good but hay & spring crops mostly short and light I am well and send my love as always RM Bucke[*see notes July 2 1891*] INSANE ASYLUM LONDON ONTARIO LONDON PM JU 30 91 CANADA CANADA POSTAGE 3 CENTS 3 Walt Whitman 328 Mickle Street Camden New Jersey U.S.A.CAMDEN, N.J. JUL 2 12 PM 1891 REC'D. Medical Superintendent’s Office. INSANE ASYLUM LONDON ONTARIO 30 June 1891 Your welcome note of 28th reached me here this A.M. I have not yet received the proof of birthday piece which you mention but am well pleased to learn that it has been sent & shall look anxiously each mail for it (perhaps it will be here this afternoon). No hitch so far about my getting off by the Brittannic on 8th. Expect to leave here Sunday so as to have 30 hours in N.Y. Shall see Johnston if possible. I told you (day or two ago) that I had the note to Tennyson - many thanks! I am glad to hear you are no worse. Keep so at least till I get back and see you! I want to tell you all the English news Love RM Bucke