Feinberg/Whitman Box 6 Folder 6 General Correspondence Bucke, Richard M Letters to Bucke May 1890 - Jan 1891 (DCN 212) Includes verso letters from William S. Kennedy July 23, 1890; J.M. Stoddart, Jan. 5, 1891; and, J. Johnston Dec. 27, 1890.UNITED STATES POSTAL CARD. NOTHING BUT THE ADDRESS TO BE ON THIS SIDE. CAMDEN, N. J. MAY 16 6AM 90 Dr R M Bucke the Aldine Decatur Street Cape May City New Jersey Camden 5 pm May 15 '90 Nothing important—feeling fairly—have been out a short hour ab't noon in The hansom. Thro' rain —have eaten quite a hearty supper (strawberries, &c.)—hope to see you to morrow—it is evidently clearing skyward—temperature warm yet— Horace expects you—Walt WhitmanUNITED STATES POSTAL CARD NOTHING BUT THE ADDRESS TO BE ON THIS SIDE. CAMDEN, N.J. MAY 7 6 AM 90 Dr Bucke London Asylum Ontario Canada LONDON AM MY 8 CANADACamden pm May 6 '90 Have not written much lately because I expect to see you soon & I have had four days of this siege of grips viciously departing (I hope departing) -- But am decidedly easier to-day -- am weaker than ever -- my thoughts clear enough I suppose, but legs & spine weak, weak -- appetite (wh' was quite gone) returning wet & dark weather -- Walt WhitmanCamden pm May 14 '90 Yrs rec'd f'm "The Aldine"—all right—come on Friday say 3 pm—when the weather is right I go out lately—to-day have been out f'm two to three hours start at 11 abt—stopt at Harleigh Cemetery to look again at my burial lot—(it suits me) —then went on the Haddonfield Pike three or four miles, and then wheeling around & home—all in a comfortable hansom a friend sends it—good driver I like— —Alys Smith here yesterday—(nothing further abt Mary's coming)—I invited Alys to the dinner —several ladies will be present—(I was afraid they would try to make it large & swell & elegant—happy to say it will probably be neither) —I am feeling pretty well—eat strawberries a good deal—sold several books lately & got the money—a fine day, sunny-hazy so far but now (3.20) looks like a shower before dark —Horace reported seeing you—I am sitting here same as of old in chair, site, &c—no fire needed (but I have a little mornings & evng's)— Who is with you? Mrs: B? Pardee? Give my love to all—I most envy the SW salt air that must be breezing in there to day Walt WhitmanCamden May 18 noon '90 Bright sunny day—am feeling fairly— had a mutton chop for breakfast ate all —hope to get out early afternoon—Warren has gone off in the country—Lezinsky was here last evn'g—goes off west (to Chicago) to-day en route I suppose to Cal—I could not make any thing very definite or satisfactory from his talk (wh' was very profuse) & I told him finally & summarily, I guess I was exhausted, & to write plainly what he proposed & send me, when I w'd give him categorical reply—(If he writes, proposing anything I will first show it you & probably to Horace too) —It is probable I shall not see the hansom any more—went out four miles north hence to what we call Pea Ridge Shore a shallow bay of the Delaware, yesterday midday in hansom—an enjoyable country drive— —have rec'd a book ab't Dante &c. (pretty good, interesting) f'm Addington Symonds—a letter f'm Dowden—I send to both & many others, foreigners, &c, yr piece in "Conservator", wh' read well to me—have not sent my piece to Scribners, likely shall not—the enc' are a letter f'm Kennedy to you, (marked for me to open)—also an old one f'm K—I shall look for you Tuesday—WWUnited States POSTAL CARD. ONE CENT NOTHING BUT THE ADDRESS TO BE ON THIS SIDE. CAMDEN, N.J. JUN 4 8 PM 90 Dr Bucke Asylum London Ontario Canada LONDON PM JU 6 CANADACamden pm June 4 '90 All goes on fairly -- have been out on a short drive in the hansom -- Suppose you rec'd the papers with the item abt Ingersoll's speech &c. Hot here to-day. I live on strawberries largely. Ingram & Bertha J here to-day Love to Mrs. B and all -- WWUNITED STATES POSTAL CARD. ONE CENT NOTHING BUT THE ADDRESS TO BE ON THIS SIDE. CAMDEN, N.J. JUN 10 8 PM 90 Dr Bucke London Asylum Ontario Canada LONDON PM JU 12 90 CANADACamden June 10 '90 Much the same continued -- have the massage daily (generally just before going to bed) --rec'd letters f'm Logan Smith & Kennedy -- the latter tours out July 7 -- Harry Stafford's wife here this mn'g -- H well -- weather pleasant -- I get out -- Walt WhitmanUNITED STATES POSTAL CARD. ONE CENT NOTHING BUT THE ADDRESS TO BE ON THIS SIDE CAMDEN, N.J. JUN 18 8 PM 90 Dr Bucke Asylum London Ontario Canada CANA Camden June 18, 1890 Yr's of 14th rec'd this mn'g. I continue fairly -- go out in wheel chair every day -- get along well, all things consider'd -- have massage every day -- do not write anything since that Century rejection (do not feel to) -- good letters from Col. Ingersoll to me -- my nurse is down stairs practising on his fiddle -- he gets along well Walt WhitmanUNITED STATES POSTAL CARD. ONE CENT NOTHING BUT THE ADDRESS TO BE ON THIS SIDE. CAMDEN, N.J. JUN 23 3 PM 90 LONDON PM JU 24 90 CANADA Dr Bucke Asylum London Ontario CanadaCamden June 23 '90 Was out two hours yesterday in wheel chair (face almost sunburn'd) -- you mistake entirely my botheration abt the C rejection, it is altogether a practical one -- I shall probably write little more -- probably nothing -- shall get the six or eight page second annex rights (stereotyped) at close shop. Lippincott's has some of my pieces yet to print -- Walt Whitman[postcard] UNITED STATES POSTAL CARD NOTHING BUT THE ADDRESS TO BE THIS SIDE 2 Dr Bucke London Asylum Ontario CanadaCamden June 25 '90 Am ab't as usual -- slice of bread raspberries & cup of tea for breakfast -- fierce hot temperature here to-day -- rain last night -- G W Curtis asks (I heard) in last Harpers (Easy Chair -- July), "Who can tell whether WW a hundred yr's hence will be forgotten or rated a gr't poet?" A mighty ticklish question Walt Whitman[postcard] UNITED STATES POSTAL CARD NOTHING BUT THE ADDRESS TO ON THIS SIDE [two round seals) CAMDEN JUN 30 6PM 90 LONDON JL 1 90 CANADA Dr Bucke London Asylum Ontario CanadaCamden New Jersey June 30 Evn'g: 1890 I am well as usual -- Hot weather here -- eat moderately -- dress light -- bathe frequently -- -- Some one has sent me Volney's Ruins a fine added-to ed'n -- carries me back 60 yr's -- (my father had a treasur'd copy) --. --go out almost daily in wheel chair -- have just had my supper -- God bless you all Walt WhitmanCamden 1 ½ pm June 5 '90 Am feeling fairly (almost plus as I write) -- hot weather here now the second day -- the sweat oozes out of me -- a good normal bowel voidance yesterday & another to day -- had a nice drive (took Mrs. Davis) out yesterday to the cemetery & through the woody lane & around a little -- -- so hot to-day I defer it till sunset, when I shall get out in the wheel chair -- Warren has gone over to the head masseur of Dr Mitchell's Orthopedic Hospital (Mr Ward) to take further lessons & practical example in massaging They are using him very well -- had strawberries & Graham bread for my breakfast -- Eakins the artist was here this forenoon -- nothing new -- enclose John Swinton's card f'm London, where he & Mrs: S now are -- Alys Smith leaves tomorrow, goes to England -- Mary's little girl is well. -- Logan is coming home to Grosvenor Road for a while -- RPS has (or has had) a spell of the gout. -- have sold two of the big books, & two of the Morocco L of G & got the pay -- have not written any thing nor sent off any thing (that rejection by the Century seems to be a sort of douche of very cold water right in the face, wh' somehow I don't get over) -- Hope this will find you well back, & all well family & at the Asylum -- -- We have seldom had such hot days here as yesterday & to-day -- Walt WhitmanCamden Noon July 7 '90 Yr's telling me of Kennedy's arrival rec'd & I congratulate you both for you must be having good talks and comparisons and questions and answers galore. Tip top weather here lately & I go out in wheel chair (legs feeble almost worse) -- breakfasted to-day on blackberries tea & bread & honey -- perhaps twice a week some roast meat or mutton chop -- oftener stewed mutton & rice, onions, corn & beans, beets, &c; &c; -- appetite fair -- sleep fair -- bowel action yesterday -- -- warm midday as I write but pleasant. I sit here all day in the big cane chair -- get along better than you might fancy -- Horace comes daily -- As I glance out in the street I see the great young-mid-aged ice man going abt his work bare headed under the sun up & down, spry, stout & contented -- & his huge canvas covered wagon (& fat slow horses) rumbling along -- the loud long whistle or gong for 1 oclock is just sounding --the dinner hour over -- -- I can fancy you there & the lawns & shrubbery & veranda & all -- & the pleasant sun set hour & evening -- & Kennedy's enjoyment of all & yours too (every thing better there than you realize tho') -- I send you critic (nothing much) -- If there was a good flying machine running I wd flit thither & join you & K for a couple of days -- Walt WhitmanCamden noon July 10 '90 Cooler & pleasant I am well -- Hartman (the Japanee) was to see me. Is in NY city. journalizing -- a queerish fellow. (for all the fellow's litterateurs as well as any, the moral marrow is the spinal sine qua non -- without wh' not, then not) There is a book abt American Poets. (I don't know the name) by (I believe Prof.) Enrico Nencione, Florence. Italy in wh' - is a chapter devoted to L of G & me quite appreciative & favorable—must have been pub'd (say) two y'rs ago—you might have in mind, & be on the look out for— Prof. E N is (I believe) in the University at Florence. --Nothing specially newer with me— Am getting along well enough considering— to-day (set in last evn'g) much cooler & pleasant—yesterday Wednesday was ab't the most burning day known, following three days nearly as bad, yet I was careful eating & drinking &c, & bathed freely, & have come out so far fairly —Am just preparing some good honey in the comb (of wh' I have a little supply) to send in a sick lady next door—was down to the river last evn'g to pier, Market St here, an hour as usual—Still live on blackberries & bread & honey largely—rec'd a kind note f'm Tom Donaldson am sitting here the same old way in my den in shirt sleeves but a merino wool undershirt on—bright sun out— God bless you all— Walt Whitman Camden noon July 18 90 - Pleasant and sufficiently cool & breezy to-day (after some exhaustingly hot weather lately, but I am here ab't the same after it all) - Dr. John Johnston fr'm Bolton England, has been here three or four days, & I have seen quite a good deal of him & like him well - I believe he intends to go to Ontario & call upon you - I am sure you will be interested in him - he is a great reader &c of L of G - he yesterday went to Brooklyn, to visit Andrew and Tom Rome & intends going down to Huntington LI to visit Herbert Gilchrist - Sh'd suppose he might come y'r way ab't a week or thereab't fr'm now -- - JA Symonds has sent me his (formidable) finely printed "Essays Speculative & Suggestive", two Vols. Duodecimo, Chapman & Hall, London - one essay being devoted to me, "Democratic Art, with special reference to Walt Whitman" - Have run it over & a few other pages - I guess there is meat in the vols. but I doubt whether he has gripp'd "Democratic art" by the nuts, or L of G, either - then the pretty magazine here "Poet Lore" for July 15. (Lippincott, Phila:) has an article "Walt Whitman's View of Shakspere" signed Jonathan Trumbull, very friendly respectful & complimentary to me - but don't get to marrows hardly at all Saturday PM - Fine Day - sunny - cool enough - Am feeling fairly - this enclosed slip is cut fr'm Horace's little paper - y'r letters rec'd - am sitting here the same in cane chair in my Mickle street den - the big whistle has sounded 1 o'clock - my good nurse Warry has just bro't me some nice ice cream, wh' I have duly eaten - A NY man has offered me $100 for a novel (shortish story, 5000 words) - shall probably not try Love to Mrs: B and the childer - Walt WhitmanWalt Whitman 328 Mickle Street Camden New Jersey United States of America N.W. 7.6.90 A 7 N.W. 7.6.90 A 7UNITED STATES POSTAL CARD. ONE CENT NOTHING BUT THE ADDRESS TO BE ON THIS SIDE CAMDEN, N.J. JUL 2 8 PM 90 Dr Bucke Asylum London Ontario Canada LONDON PM JY 4 90 CANADACamden July 2 '90 Kennedy has sent H. a piece "WW's Quaker Traits," to be printed It is just after noon -- raining as if it meant so all day -- have had a long hot spell -- am getting through it pretty well -- have lived lately on [straw] blackberries, & bread -- bowel action to-day -- have just written a little poemet "Sail out for good for aye O mystic yacht of me" for outset of my intended last 12 page copyright. Vol. annex concluding L of G. I sit here turning occasionally to the open window to see the thick falling rain Walt WhitmanUNITED STATES POSTAL CARD. ONE CENT NOTHING BUT THE ADDRESS TO BE ON THIS SIDE. CAMDEN, N.J. JUL 22 8 PM 90 Dr Bucke Asylum London Ontario Canada LONDON PM JU 24 9 CANADACamden pm July 22 '90 Yr's of 20th just rec'd -- will send you any thing I find or, think of, in that line Fine weather continued here cool enough -- was out in wheel chair last evn'g -- --have not written the O'C preface yet but will get at it soon -- head & nerve power worn & half sore lately -- backward & poor, tho' physical condition same as usual -- -- bowel action fair -- no drug medicine of any kind for most a year -- has Dr Johnston got there yet? -- I send affectionate remembrance to him -- Have not heard f'm Kennedy since -- nothing f'm the Smiths lately -- Walt WhitmanUNITED STATES POSTAL CARD NOTHING BUT ADDRESS TO BE ON THIS SIDE [two round seals] CAMDEN N.J. JUN 5 8PM 90 LONDON PM JY 7 9 CANADA 2 Dr Bucke London Asylum Ontario CanadaCamden 3 1/2 pm July 5 '90 Yr's of 3d just rec'd -- Love to Kennedy Fine sunny salubrious day & I am feeling well -- have been scribbling on my final annex L of G -- shall probably get out in wheel chair presently -- fair bowel action -- abominable hot deafening yesterday -- -- have bo't some real honey (wish I c'd send you some) -- you will soon see Kennedy I guess -- Tom Harned & family have gone off to Cape May WW[postcard] UNITED STATES POSTAL CARD NOTHING BUT THE ADDRESS ON THIS SIDE [two round seals] CAMDEN N.J. JUL 8 8 PM 90 LONDON JY 10 90 CANADA Dr Bucke London Asylum Ontario CanadaCamden Evn'g July 8 '90 Yr's of 6th just rec'd -- Kennedy there has gone -- Very likely Horace T will visit you before long -- Have just had my supper -- small mutton chop onions & corn & beans -- Fiercely hot day here -- worse than ever -- Shall probably not put my annex in type for quite a while yet (maybe this fall) -- a very few pages any how -- Horace has just come in -- Prospect of a hot night -- Walt WhitmanUNITED STATES POSTAL CARD. ONE CENT NOTHING BUT THE ADDRESS TO BE ON THIS SIDE. CAMDEN, N.J. JUL 9 6 PM 90 2 LONDON PM JY 11 9 CANADA Dr Bucke Asylum London Ontario CanadaCamden pm July 9 '90 Getting along pretty well -- Still hot weather but a lively breeze comes in my windows. -- am sitting here at present in usual cane chair in my den after my daily bath -- Shall probably get out in wheel chair at sunset (same old story) God bless you all Walt WhitmanBelmont Mass July 23 '90 Mond. P.M. Dear Walt W: I am back again after my long trip. Had a good visit in St Paul with sisters & mother & little witch of a niece. Even enjoyed the baby although he was teething and boohooy. Enjoyed the rich honey - thick opulent smell of the great clover fields & the peculiar heavy odor off of the ripe wheat (as inhaled) often when the train stopped & I got off for a breath of air & exercise Enjoyed Minnehaha, was within 8 miles of a big cyclone (Lakes Gervais & Pepin one) saw convulsive working of sky off yonder.- 3 swift currents driving clouds in 3 separate directions at once. Sky full of spirals quick forming & curling with cruel menace, green [coppery?] black, blue & rose skies. Camden pm July 23 '90 - So K is back all right & this is his letter - The same subject continued with me - bodily matters fair - Have just written to some (unknown) friends - quite a cluster of them, men & women, Bernard O'Dowd their spokesman - in Melbourne, Victoria who persistently read & inwardly digest L of G. there at the antipodes & got along with it (as far as the law allows) - O'D's letters please me - Nothing very new with me - y'r letters rec'd - - quiet here to day - fine weather - McKay sent over for big book yesterday - Horace T cannot get away till October - Did I tell you that a monument designer, Phila. has bro't me a design for the cemetary vault (do you remember Blake's "Death"?) Best love to you all Walt Whitmanhad a glorious day at Niagara The sublime. Drove up on steamer within the [four] three mighty-azure & snowy walls of the Canadian fall, standing at very bow - I - Sublime moment, then the no longer stemable currents whirled the ship back & around. Niagara is now N.Y. State reservation strip of land on both sides makes park (& Goat Island 1/2 mile long). Had rich visit with Dr Bucke enjoyed everything immensely, the lunatics as much as anything. I treated em "hearty." Dr played practical joke on me, & I bit at his bait - mistook a cracked fellow for a sane man. Dr told him I was the inspector. In a second, however, I "caught on" & received 'the good man's petition with becoming gravity. Dr's library is very choice His wife is restful & charming So is Clare, "Will" a good lad. Dr. & Commissioner of Burmah & some more on 'em hd a blow out card playing in library one night. I found the Great Northwest wonderful in solidity of bldgings Gives a fellow's mind a stretch to go West, I tell you. Traubel's bunch of papers (Quaker bit) just rec'd. Thanks to him. How abt those books you were going to send Transcript? I return to work to=day week (28th). The metres look mighty promising to me (Bucke's). Do hope they will succeed. W.S. Kennedy Am putting up currants. Tomorrow take two neighbor lads down to Nautasket for a lark for them & me.UNITED STATES POSTAL CARD. One Cent NOTHING BUT THE ADDRESS TO BE ON THIS SIDE CAMDEN N. J. AUG 6 6PM 90 Dr Bucke London Asylum Ontario Canada LONDON PM AU 7 90 CANADACamden Aug: 6 '90 Still continues hot weather here -- but every thing goes on much the same -- I bother (scribble, transpose, add, dawdle) at my little annex -- one point ab't wh' will be to have a copyright holding L of G. (thro' it the finále) for over 40 yrs f'm date -- Love to you all & God's blessing Walt WhitmanUNITED STATES POSTAL CARD. One Cent Nothing But The Address To Be On This Side CAMDEN N.J. JUL 29 8 PM 90 2 LONDON JY 31 9 CANADA Dr Bucke London Asylum Ontario CanadaCamden July 29 '90 Am keeping pretty well - - have just written & sent off a little (+6) bit for a NY paper the Morning Journal by request rec'd this morn'g yr's of 28th rec'd - Symond's letter is here somewhere amn'g my stuff, I will send it you soon as I get it - the "studies" the new book (old writing of his I guess) is interesting but not first rate, -Harry Stafford has been here - is well - now word fr'm Dr Johnston or Kennedy - Walt WhitmanCamden Aug: 14 '90 the noon whistle is just blowing continue pretty well considering - had a good breakfast, a bit of mutton chop, bread, raspberry jam & coffee - now the fourth day of fine weather, pleasantly cool - go out in wheel chair every day a little - am pottering at my "annex" - have a little piece in (probably) the forthcoming Critic (16th Aug:) anent of Symond's Essay "Democratic Art" & me - shall send you a copy probably in a slip - suppose you got what I sent ab't that ridiculous Prof. Woodberry - ("The foe dies hard - & dying fights or living fights") - - Haven't yet written the O'C preface, but feel to, & will, & likely soon. Logan Smith has bo't twelve copies of the pocket-bk-b'd L of G & sent the money -the dear, good, loving faithful young man - I sell occasionally a big book (complete works) likely they have nearly repaid [cost] the expense of their printing & binding, & I have 3/5ths left. - A letter this mn'g from WSK - he is well - letter fr'm Mr. Wallace Eng: photo enc - good fellow - friend of Dr Johnston (no word of him since he left here, Camden) Harry Stafford was here yesterday - he is pretty well - is on the farm - am sitting here as usual alone all day. - fair condition as c'd be expected I guess - fair bodily secretive & excretive affairs considering - dawdle or writing or reading - the summer will soon be through - Love to Mrs. B and WG & God bless you all. Walt WhitmanCamden Aug: 18 '90 Frank Sanborn's letter fr'm Belgium enc'd - the Transcript copies my "rejoinder" complete Rainy dark forenoon here - I keep ab't well as usual (has been very hot here again) made my breakfast of bread and honey in the comb - was down to river side in wheel-chair last evn'g - the contemptible little Woodberry shirt:sleeve story (being piquant & a lie) is copied & circulated every where - I have not heard fr'm Dr Johnston (Eng'd) - Suppose you [re] rec'd three papers fr'm me - the "rejoinder" the Woodberry comment & WSK's letter - get quite a good many solicitous & other such-kind letters (one enc'd) - Tom Harned's family have ret'd fr'm Cape May - - Am on the watch for Symond's letter to send you soon as I find it am'g my heaps God bless you all Walt WhitmanCamden Aug: 26 '90 Mainly the same subject continued - the printed slip is a horrible dislocation & late manufacturer out by J M Scovel of a talk the preceding evn'g when he visited me (his tendency is to vilify me mentally, sensibly & bodily he can't help it) - the other bit is W S K's letter just rec'd - fine & a little warm to-day - has been almost cool here four days - made my breakfast on bread & canteloupe - still have my supper at 4 1/2 - no dinner - fair excretion business - out in wheel ch'r last evn'g - my grip has call'd in upon me again the last two or three days (probably the great change in the weather & stoppage of sweating) - not yet so bad as formerly - bladder botheration - a sister of one of my war soldiers call'd yesterday - a nice smart old maid - my soldier still lives & flourishes - in California - Anson Ryder - I get word or calls or jogs or mementos fr'm them the war soldiers occasionally - one sends a stout cane (I use it daily) - one a $5 gold piece Walt WhitmanDr. R.M.B.Camden Sunday noon Aug: 24 '90 Continue well as usual, Horace here this morning & yesterday afternoon - Tom Harned last evn'g - - Geo: Stafford (the elder) yesterday - - Cool weather here - fine sunny - - My nurse Warren Fritzinger went to Atlantic City yesterday - returns tonight - He is very good to me - made a good relishy breakfast bread, honey in the comb coffee - appetite fair to plus - I sent you Aug: 17 the "rejoinder" a printed slip with papers - enclose another in this (copied Boston Transcript) - papers notice it some - - (is my old theory repeated that's ab't all) - - you are a little more severe on Symonds than I sh'd be - he has just sent me a singular letter, wh' I have answer'd (that at first I w'd not answer at all, but did) - have not found the older letter of his but doubtless will & will surely send it you - (sometimes I wonder whether JAS don't come under St Paul's famous category) - I am sitting here alone in my den thick undershirt & big blue woolen gown but open window. - Scribble away some - Love to you & all WWBURLINGTON VT. JUL 30 730 PM 90 United States Postage 2 Two Cents 2 Walt Whitman Camden New Jersey. 2 8 1 11 ____ 3.19 $4,87 487 3 19 --------- ------- 14.61 4383 5 12 487 --------- -------- 20 13253 1461 462 ------- 19.23 19.73 5 -------- 24.73 CAMDEN, N.J. JUL [?] 3 PM 1890 REC'D 20 / 925,3 462 487 20 ------ 9740 95 ( 5,12 ----- 24 1200 NY 7-31-90 830AM 1923 5 ----------- 24.23United States Postal Card. One Cent Nothing But The Address To Be On This Side Camden, N.J. Aug21 6 PM 90 2 Dr Bucke London Asylum Ontario Canada London PM AU 23 9 CanadaCamden Aug: 21 '90 Mr & Mrs: Ingram here yesterday fr'm their journey back safe & full of glowing acct's of their visit to you & the Asylum - No news yet abt Dr: Johnston & I shall be uneasy until I hear - All well as usual with me - hot weather - light eating - frequent bathing - the bladder botheration my worst trouble - sent off a big parcel of books to Logan Smith & Edw'd Carpenter yesterday - Love to you and all WWCamden Aug: 28 pm—Dr Johnston got back to England all right—he went down to Long Island West Hills &c: saw Herbert Gilchrist—saw John Burroughs— —the Illustrated American NY Aug: 30 has a long middling good piece ab't Ruskin a ¶ or two devoted to me —fine sunny weather—bread & fruit & comb honey for breakfast The essay "Comparison of Elizabethan with Victorian Poetry" (2d vol) in Symonds' books makes up for all the ponderosity (if that's the trouble) of the rest & is first rate —yes, I enclose a slip of "rejoinder"— —I have just sold 50 sets in sheets big book $3 each—(I suppose some Londoner Eng—don't know for certain)—have had my early supper—out soon in wheel chair—pleasant cool evn'g— Aug: 29. early am—have had my breakfast —oatmeal, comb honey, & some melon—fine day— was out last even'g—OW Holmes has a fling at me in last Atlantic—I send you it in paper —the "rejoinder" continues to be extracted & criticised & talked ab't—(it is nothing but what I say throughout in my books)—frequent visitors—generally receive them, but do not if too ill or stupid wh' happens at times—sit here the same in the old den—as now—my grip takes the form of cold in the head & sore throat to-day— God bless you & all Walt WhitmanCamden Sunday Evn'g Aug: 31 '90 All well as usual—fine day cool —a quiet day—Have I sent the enc'd before?—If not I tho't you might like to have them—Have had my supper—roast beef & cold slaw —ate with appetite—grip continues —last day of summer—have been looking over old reminiscent letters rec'd war time. Walt WhitmanCamden Sunday Sept: 7pm '90 Quiet day—All goes well as usual with me—am sitting here same—Sarrazin has gone to New Caledonia a French colony, where he has a post (magistrat) at town of Noumea —has written to me, nothing new or important seems to keep up his view of L of G— —y'r letters rec'd—John Burroughs has sent me a good basket of grapes, & the word is that he will soon come himself—meanwhile he seems to be working & flourishing there on his fruit farm on Hudson river shore—no word very lately f'm the Smiths who are probably all down doing happily in the country at Haslemere (dear Mrs. Gilchrist's country) —Herbert is still out at Centreport Suffolk Co: Long Island—was here in NJ ten days ago, but did not call on me—Horace comes daily, is very good to me—is cooking up the piece all ab't me for Boston NE Magazine "WW at date" (good title I say) collating all sorts of concrete & personal bits not literary criticism (first rate)— the 50 big books have been box'd up & sent off to England— —have eaten oysters my meals several time lately they are good, plenty & cheap here now, (& for coming season)—Mrs. D cooks them to just suit me—agree with me markedly—Enclose JW Wallace's letter lately rec'd (can send photo: of him & friends on a card if you care to have it—I have two such cards)— —Did I tell you I am composing a prose piece under the name of "Old Poets—(and other things)" don't know what I sh' make of it—moderately short—about 2 1/2 as I close this—shall lie down now a little—in ab't two hours have my supper & then get out an hour or two in wheel chair— Walt WhitmanCamden pm Sept: 11 '90 Continue all the same—ab't as well as usual—have had the Dr Holmes article— (points small, treatment small)—Horace is still on his NE Magazine article—I enclose Sarrazin's note f'm New Caledonia (where is that?)— also my Eng: friend Wallace's—am eating peaches—John Burroughs sends me a nice basket of 'em—Mrs: Davis jaunts off to Kansas this afternoon, to be gone two weeks, I believe—am at my 2d annex in fits & very leisurely—well the (combined robbers') tariff bill here is half pass'd & likely to whole pass (—"go on your way" says the fellow if you think there's no hell"—)—cloudy & wet & cooler here Walt WhitmanI return enc'd Dr J's letter Camden am Sept: 13 '90—Medley sort of weather half rain half sunshine some breeze —will probably send you Kennedy's Dutch piece soon (see enclosed letter f'm him)—am looking over the Kreutzer Sonata & have Ingersoll's criticism in NA Review—the political intestinal agitation here in US is essentially ab't unrestricted trade (general reciprocity) and the damnable diseased policy the Harrison gov't typifies call'd protectionism —thats the bottom of it, below every thing else. —probably the world never saw such a mean dog- in-the-manger principle so thoroughly attempted & made the base of a great party (the remains dead cadaverous trunk of the once glorious live Lincoln party of '60 to '64 and '5) as to-day & in the US— But agitation, experiment &c: must be a gain one way or another here in US— But agitation, experiment &c: must be a gain one way of another here in US— —I told you Mrs Davis has gone on a visit to Kansas—It is a long jaunt—she gets there 14th Walt WhitmanCamden 1890 Sept: 19—Perfect sunny day—am feeling pretty well—grip palpable tho'—(cold in the head feeling) —ate my breakfast with rather subdued appetite— —bowel action this forenoon—miss Mrs: D somewhat— — call f'm my sister and neice this mn'g—Ab't the Ingersoll affair I am in favor of New York decidedly, but it is probable they will have it in Phila:-- there is some opposition to me or my cause being identified with J, wh' seems to make the special I and freethinking folks more intense in identifying this WW affair with mark'd freethink'ng and non-orthodox (almost) passion—all of wh' is annoying to me—But I let the current move as it will or may, & shall not meddle—but there are items ab't it that are not acceptable to me— — for instance I do not like Col. J being solicited to do this as he appears to have been of course it is not his fault in the least degree, certainly I have neither prompted nor authorized any thing of the kind —I welcome him & applaud him—he is a noble & frank man, and I am proud of his endorsement & advocacy, & think that speech at the Reisser dinner one of the chief pinnacles of my life—but I wince f'm any solicitation of that kind utterly—but enough of all that—I have just had a nice basket of Seckel pears (fm Prof.) McK Cattell, Penn. University)—& have sent some to old & sick neighbors—(best tasting pears ever was) later pm—the grip trouble is middling pronounced— sit here & read & write—day continues extra fine— —am worried a good deal ab't a dear sister Mrs: Heyde (aged, sick, nervous) at Burlington Vermont a noble woman her life (& mine too) made miserable by the damndest whelp of a husband ever allow'd on earth (the snakes & bed bugs are not half as loathesome as some humans can be) I call the H man whelp altogether in my private letters--so you see I have some worries —Love to Mrs: B and the childer Walt WhitmanDr Bucke Asylum London Ontario CanadaCamden Sept: 21 pm '90 Have got at the O'C bit for preface this forenoon, & finished it & will put it in type & send you an impression say in three days. Feeling fairly—Grip and bladder trouble yet—Markedly colder weather to-day—sent letter yesterday to JH Johnston to be handed to Col: Ingersoll—the Lord be with you Walt Whitman1890 Camden Sept: 24—noon—Sunny cool day—Warry (my nurse) proposes that we get a horse and wagon & drive down to the Staffords's, but I dont feel for it somehow—I enclose the O'C preface, such as it is—I wanted to put on record my personal tribute—I havn't heard for some time f'm Mrs: O'C—don't know whether the Tales have settled on publisher, & when to appear— —Y'r letter read—don't misconstrue me—I only deprecate any solicitation of Ing: but am wholly & deeply proud & responsive to his good will &c— —(shall probably go & sit in propria persona on the platform or front seat)—consider Ing: as one of the very few first class individual American typical men of the present time, wholly worthy of the land and day—his very specialties & points (oddments—marks), prove the rule —prove his splendid freedom & individuality— —have rec'd letters f'm JH Johnston—am unshaken in my preference of NY City for the Ing: speech— Sept: 25—Rec'd this mn'g the enc'd f'm Dr Johnston —also letter f'm JH Johnston advocating New York as place for Ing: speech—you know what my feeling (or preference) is, but I believe I don't care to interpose definitely in deciding it, as Horace & the Phila: friends are quite vehement for Phila: since the action of the Academy Directors—you know too the Y. M. Christ: Ass: Directors refused me their Hall to address on Elias Hicks— —so our friends are on their mettle here—cold spell of weather here—grip bad on me to-day side, back of neck sore & swell'd—of course have written to Mrs: O'C & sent the preface—sun shining brightly out Walt Whitman1890 Camden [Saturday] Friday Sept: 26 pm—Cloudy & wet & inclined to chilly—feeling ab't usual—fairly enough—(thankful it is no worse)—grip & bladder bother—have started a little fire in the stove & had the old wolfskin spread back of chair— —appears to be settled decided that Ing's address shall be in Phila: —just as well (I appreciate Horace's and Frank Williams' vehement point that it will not do to give up here after the Academy Directors action—to say nothing of the Y M Christ: Ass: bluff)—I believe I told you that I had sent the O'C bit to Mrs. O'C (printed slip)—I wrote to J Burroughs yesterday —expect him here before long 5-1/4 quite a hearty supper—oysters vegetables coffee—all eaten with relish—still dark & rainy— —quite a copious mail to day—yr's rec'd Saturday noon—cloudy & wet still—feeling badly—the change of weather & coming on of cool bad for me less cool today—sitting here newspaper reading &c: no mail this mn'g—Mrs: D expected back this evn'g f'm her long western jaunt (Kansas & Colorado &c)—Horticultural Hall ($75) Phila: will probably be hired for the Ing: address—well on in next month the date—Enc'd the first proof of the O'C bit—& will give you the copy (a terrible mangle) if it is not destroy'd—the Critic prints my little Shakspere bit f'm the Poet Lore—(I suppose you got the one I sent)—the tariff bill of the bandit-combination is pass'd or is sure to be— ("keep on, sir, if you think there's no hell" said the girl)— God bless you all Walt WhitmanCamden Sept: 29 1890 Rec'd word from Mrs: O'Connor -- She has moved to 112 M street NW, Washington DC wh' is now her address -- She has a brief (two months) appt'm't in the Census Bureau -- appears to be ab't as usual -- asks me to designate some title for the book -- I have suggested the Brazen Android and other tales By -- -- I enclose Wallace's letter just rec'd I was out to Harned's to supper 1/4 past 5 yesterday -- John Burroughs is here to see me -- was at the supper -- is well & in good spirits -- has grown quite gray -- left here to-day -- was down some days at RU Johnsons at Babylon LI. & thinks of going on to see Herbert Gilchrist at Centreport -- -- Still bother'd with my grip & bladder trouble -- pretty cold here (I have fire) -- but fine sunny bright day out -- nothing newer ab't the Ing: affair -- it will be in Phila: (I have not interposed) -- The cemetery sup't: and monument architect have just been here to talk ab't. and see me anent of the tomb -- I enclose a (very hasty, crude) outline of it, as I have the idea & will probably direct it done -- very plain & massive quite alone on a side (moderate) hill & trees -- -- Mrs: Davis has return'd f'm Kansas well & hearty -- -- I have grapes & eat heartily of them Walt WhitmanDr Bucke Asylum London Ontario CanadaCamden pm Oct: 2 '90 Yr's of 30th Sept: rec'd—Mr Baker (from Ing:) is in Phila conferring with Horace ab't place, date, &c &c —We will see what comes of it all— —I rode out to Harleigh Cem't'y yesterday after noon—they have commenced the tomb—broke ground yesterday & will build the vault proper—the stone quarried at Quincy Mass: will be a month yet—Splendid day yesterday enjoy'd my hour's drive R Moore, Sup't. took me —grip & bladder bother on me Walt WhitmanCamden 1890 Friday pm Oct: 3 — Have just rec'd another good (pretty long) letter f'm my friends in Australia — (a fine cluster, men & women centred in Melbourne) — & have just sent word in answer — somehow to be read so thoroughly & made so much of by those tried & thoughtful folks of both sexes away off at the antipodes drives deep into me — The wet & cloudy days have pass'd & it is sunny & fine to-day — I made my breakfast of oysters brown bread & coffee — have sent my big book your WW & John Burroughs' Notes, with a cluster of my portraits all in a bundle by express to Ingersoll 45 Wall st NY (as I heard he had not y'r book) — shall probably get out in wheelchair this aft'n Saturday a m Oct: 4 — Fine sunny day The Ing: address will probably be (as I before told you) at Horticultural Hall, Phil: ab't 22d Oct — but the definite decision waits for Ing's word - (he was absent f'm N Y. yesterday) - —I doubt if Mrs: O'C tumbles to my "preface" She probably expected something more conventional & literary — but I find (upon second & more deliberate tho't) I have said it as I wanted to ab't Wm O'C & my wish to put on record such a testimony (tho' short) signed by my name, suits me exactly & is consistent with the proposed book — I will send you the MS. — I have rec'd a formal invitation to write for the NA Review & sh'l probably do so. God bless you Walt WhitmanBELLEVUE BORDENTOWN NEW JERSEY Sept 25, '90 Dear Mr. Whitman: Ten dollars enclosed – with many thanks – for "Old Man's Rejoinder". We reprint this week yr. communication in Poet=Lore. I hope this cooler weather is as tonic to you as to Yours very since'ly, Joseph B. GilderCamden pm Oct: 10 '90 Nothing very different with me—fair enough—Did I tell you I sent off "Old Poets" (5 pages-maybe minus) to NA Rev? (I rec'd yesterday mn'g a telegram f'm them soliciting it)—I guess the Ing: enterprise continues to move well—Horace is nearer excited than I ever saw him—I was out an hour in wheel-chair yesterday—am very susceptible to the jolting—always come back with a confused, topsy-turvy head-achy feeling—sunny to-day—Enclose two MSS the O'C preface & the little Shakspere bit (both w'd take prize for dilapidated printers' copy)—we are surfeited with [cases of] horrible murder cases & such here —then visits f'm the g't miners' engineers & the French prince—I welcome all Walt Whitman[*CAMDEN NJ OCT 9 6 PM 90*] [* 2 *] [*LONDON PM OC 10 O CANADA*] UNITED STATES POSTAL CARD ONE CENT NOTHING BUT THE ADDRESS TO BE ON THIS SIDE. Dr Bucke London Asylum Ontario CanadaCamden pm Oct: 9 '90 Cool & sunny—bad night—grip & bladder__have just sent off "Old Poets" MS. to NA Review__if printed shall send you—The Ing: lecture enterprise is going on well here—big posters out Sat: night—head-line & subject "Liberty & Literature" (isn't it good?) —The fellows are aroused—Horace especially —McKay has just sent me $44.80 for royalty for my two books the last six months. God bless you all Walt Whitman[*CAMDEN N.J. OCT 12 5 PM 90*] [*LONDON PM OCT 13 9 CANADA*] UNITED STATES POSTAL CARD ONE CENT NOTHING BUT THE ADDRESS TO BE ON THIS SIDE. Dr Bucke Asylum London Ontario CanadaCamden NJ Sunday pm Oct: 12 '90 Sorry to hear (by H) of the pain &c: fr'm the bruise & fracture (is it fracture?)—if it is eligible to irritation & feverishness don't come down here 21st inst: I have sort of fear ab't it—I will send you all accts & reports—all goes well—you will get a sample of big poster just up—I shall go to the Hall & show myself & just say publicly a word or so (as I wish to definitely settle my identification, sympathy & gratitude, & there has been some dodging & perhaps cowardice here)—I am keep fairly but the grip is on me bad yet—am writing. God bless you all Walt WhitmanCamden pm Oct: 15 '90 All goes propitously—I shall probably say a very short say at the Ing: meeting Tuesday evn'g —but y'r latest indicate that you will be here y'rself. —Probably (I guess) there will be a fair-full house— no thanks to the papers either (O how fearful they are of putting in a word looks like for Ingersoll)— but there is a great subterranean feeling for us —I am getting along so-so—grip yet—bladder bother— Vc: Vc:—fine sunny day—rather cool I have a fire—no word ab't my "Old Poets" piece yet—Mrs: Johnston (NY) is to be here Saturday—have sold two books—a friend (after using it apparently some time –it is well worn) sends me a little book ab't Browning, f'm England—& the duty the PO here makes me pay is 20cts—so much for the banditti combine tariff— (the little 2d hand b'k w'd likely be b't here at a stand for 10cts) Y'r letters rec'd—am sitting in the big chair with wolf skin on back in my old den as usual—God bless you all Walt WhitmanCamden pm Oct: 23 '90 Dear Doctor & Dear Horace a dark cloudy rainy, forenoon & probably day on thro'out here —I am feeling pretty well—warm & comfortable enough—sent Warry down to the bank & deposited $930.65—(ain't that enough to take y'r breaths away both of you) W has gone over to Phila. to give word to Dr Thomas the oculist & to take my aged white hat (25 yrs & more old) to be done over, if possible—Have rec'd a handsome printed copy (I suppose you get one there in London) of RGI's lecture complete & have just read it through, & it expands, deepens, satisfies & explains itself splendidly & more & more —it is a poem & the finest at that of itself—one of its best charms to me is a certain careless handling like Nature's—or the flowing of water— —I am more yet desirous of the little book the Three Opinions (Sarrazin's the Irishman & Ingersoll's)—Had a fair night —relished my breakfast, & have taken a bath Good times to you both—Walt WhitmanCamden near noon Oct: 24 '90 Dear friends Doctor & Horace Cloudy & wet yet—am feeling fairly —the rain has kept me in lately of course —last night fair sleep—for breakfast small mutton chop & br'd & coffee—am sitting now by the fire (you can both imagine it all)—the Blasins people sent over yesterday to ask whether we wanted to "count the tickets" in the boxes first, as they were going to clear out & destroy them—I sent word that as far as I was concern'd I sh'd not come for any such purpose, & they might clear out & destroy for all me—have had some visitors—(am the object of some cranks & lunatics among the rest)—grip on me palpably yet—the temperature getting colder here—I enclose the printed slip sent by Wallace, England,—also the Hort: Hall note —Horace we all miss y'r evn'g calls here— —So I suppose you have taken in Niagara—the Lakes and the St: Lawrence too are not to be despised—Best respects & remembrances to Dr Beemer & to Dick Flynn & to half a dozen more friends there—as I look out of the window the last of autumn appears plainer than ever. —God bless you all Walt WhitmanDr Bucke London Asylum Ontario CanadaCamden early pm Oct: 25 '90 Fine & sunny to-day rather cool —have signed & sent the contract with Rheinhalter Bros: 18 Broad st: Phila: architects &c: for my burial house in Harleigh Cemetery—Ralph Moore to have control & charge under my name & be my representative—no mail to day —dull & heavy, the grip on me— —ate a fair breakfast—fair night. —Tom Harned made a warm big political speech last night, good (independent, magwump) Hope you are having good times Walt WhitmanDr Bucke London Asylum Ontario CanadaCamden Sunday noon Oct: 26 '90 Fine sunny day—ab't right as usual —had a fair night—letter f'm Niagara came—the oculist Dr Thomas came late yesterday & examined & will furnish me with suitable glasses (a satisfactory friendly visit)—I send you to-day's Press with half correct half fraudulent report of the little Lafayette talk (good transcript of the Murger poemet)—Warry and Mrs: D are off to Phil. to-day—shall try to get out in wheel chair this afternoon. (Don't know for certain)—This is the 4th I have sent since y'r departure. God bless you both & all Walt Whitman[* see notes Oct 29 1890*] [*8 AM OC 29*] [*CAMDEN N.J. OCT 27 8 PM 90*] UNITED STATES POSTAL CARD ONE CENT NOTHING BUT THE ADDRESS TO BE ON THIS SIDE. Dr Bucke London Asylum Ontario CanadaCamden pm Oct: 27 '90 Every thing going on as usual—well —rather cool here—pass'd a fair night —H's letter rec'd—thanks—Harrison Morris has been over to see me a very pleasant visit—bro't "The American" 25th with piece "Walt Wh: & Ingersoll"—I sit here as usual writing this—Warry is down stairs practising on his fiddle— —the steam puffing of the cars sounds f'm Bridge av: NW wind—I have oysters (good) roast apples & graham br'd to eat Walt WhitmanMickle st Camden 1890 8 1/2 pm Oct: 28—Sitting here alone in my den—rather a bad day—this grip on me heavily—sweating a little the last hour & rather better—y'r good letter of 26th came at sundown mail & has somehow cheer'd me—had my supper & relish'd it—oysters, - —havn't rec'd "Old Poets", yet but I believe it is in the Nov. NA Review—you will see how (intentionally) gossipy it is—I wonder whether I had better adhere to that way & style wh' is very easy to my fingers & rather pleasant as work to my mind—Have been putting the last hour in a leisurely body bath—& shall have a good massage in a short hour f'm now as I get to bed—Give my love to Dear boy Pardee, & tell him I remember him well, & hope to see him yet—the Boston Trans gives an item to the Layfayette evening lunch & copies the "Midnight Visitor" wonderfully correctly as recited by me—the Ing: affair seems to be largely news paper'ally commented on pro,& con, & reported everywhere—shoals of vermin enemies of WW are roused too with their strange shocking slanders ("at wh' innocence itself is confounded" as O'C used to say) 29th Oct am—dark wet forenoon—good bowel action—Wm Ingram here this mn'g—nothing new— —ab't as usual with me—my love to you Horace— Tom is in the midst of the (local) political whirl— —I finish as I sit here alone by the stove Walt WhitmanCamden 3 1/2 pm Nov: 1, '90 Have been out in wheel chair for hour & half & enjoy'd it—all goes as usual—sunny today cool,— —I send slip of "Old Poets"—Horace here last evn'g— —he will delay sending back the signatured books for reasons—partly promised the NA Rev: I w'd give them a 2d article ab't American Literature (enormous name!) or something that sort—& I think I will get at it, but it must be a rehash of what I have already said—still grip—bad, head, pains &c:—am sitting here by stove in my den, same as ever—Horace will send you Morris's piece (contra-Ingersoll) in American —I cannot find fault with M sharply (as H does) while I thank & side with & even espouse Ing-ism & Ing: himself—(he has treated me so splendidly too) Walt WhitmanDr Bucke London Asylum Ontario CanadaCamden Evn'g Oct: 31 '90 Horace has ret'd safely & was here last evn'g—have signatured the books and wrapt them safely to be express'd back to you—suppose they will go forthwith—grip on me badly— —headache & congestion—slim mail with me—have been out to day in wheel chair—clear, colder weather —small miserable local politics & elections Penn: and N.J. now, a fight of crows & kites ("intestinal agitation") y'rs recd—God bless you all Walt WhitmanCamden Noon Nov: 8 '90 Fine sunny day mild—was out in wheel chair two hours yesterday 12 to 2—sick but expect to go out a little—bad grip & gastric & bladder trouble—y'r letters rec'd— —see you don't like "Old Poets"—it don't am't to much any how—sent off another article "National Literature" (!!) to North A Rev. last evn'g—ab't same style— —am having 100 complete works bound up same style as the first (boards) with printed back-label & abt 200 folded in sheets (With plates, antos, &c: all complete in sets) & tied & stored away, —send you copy of Truth Seeker with Ing's lecture complete (& appears correct & full) —hear f'm Kennedy, is all right, & with Trans the same—enclose Logan Smith's last to me —had a lively gent visitor day before yesterday f'm Eng. gives a strong acc't of L of G receptivity & popularity am'g choice circles students, (the big colleges) & younger folk there— middle aged man very gentlemanly & pleasant— Horace is well, is invaluable & faithful to me —I am tickled hugely with the election ("Do you think the common people are logs or boulders" said a first rate lady friend Mrs. E L Rose to me once in NY anent old French Revo)—a bad head and belly ache as I end this—the children are playing & laughing in the street— Walt WhitmanCamden Nov: 12 '90 Cloudy wet & dark—mild temperature —yr's of 9th rec'd last evn'g—Horace here— shall call my little 2d annex "Good Bye my Fancy" after a little piece in it —Tom Harned's mother is dead 65 yr's old. —funeral to-morrow f'm his house— —George Stafford the father has been very ill a stroke of paralysis lay three days in a very critical condition—now better —probably over it & getting right—I saw Ed —I have belly ache continued now ten days—grip & bladder trouble— —am sitting here in big chair in den as usual—oatmeal & tea for breakfast— —Enclose a couple of letters just rec'd for want of any thing better—God bless you all Walt WhitmanCamden Nov: 13 '90 Now abt 2 pm—have been out to Mrs: Harned's (Tom's mother's) funeral at noon & for quite a spin in wheel chair since—the sun came out finely after a cloudy mn'g & the past two days' rain—a little cool. —The grip (I suppose it is) bad enough on me, & this persistent belly ache varied with dots shoots of spasms of pain (quite instantaneous) in abdomen—have the pain early morning, bed rising—my eating sufficiently careful I guess—drink tea the last week (no coffee)—Dr Thomas came over & Fox subsequently with nice glasses wh' upon trial did not seem to agree with my eyes—strained them & less clear than my old ones, wh' I resumed & since prefer to use— —but something may come of it yet— —am specially unwell to-day, head ache but shall probably soon be as usual—I sit here as usual —prospect of fine weather the rest of the day —The hatter (Phil) said the hat c'd not be well done over & sent it back to me—have sold one or two big books lately Walt WhitmanDepartment of Justice Washington 18ntCamden noon Nov: 18 '90 Had some oatmeal porridge & tea for breakfast —bladder trouble bad—head stuffy & thick —send off (at their request) a little thanksgiving poemet to NY World $10 I shall write & send (perhaps a little poetry cluster) to the Arena monthly, as they have ask'd something (I am writing a little) – an Englishman Hamilton Aidé companion & (I believe) secretary of Stanley has been over to see me - talked well (good, a little passé, genteel) pleasant impression, very eulogistic —belly ache seems to have ab't fizzled out —splendid show here of the brightest prettiest yellow chrysanthemums I ever saw, & white ones too—a fine sunny forenoon but now clouded up & looks like rain or snow— —Have written a poemet "Old Chants" wh' when permitted I will send you—(I wanted to bow down to the great old poems more deferentially than ever)—they are going on with the printing RGI's lecture in little book in NY —the Dec. Lippincotts has this piece I enc. y'r letters rec'd & always welcomed— —I have sent the white (mole color'd) hat over to be dyed black & trimmed—Have been re-reading that long letter in the old Bury (Eng) paper ab't yr early explorations —growing colder—I have a good oak fire. Fox's eye glasses to me are failures Walt WhitmanCamden Evn'g Nov. 20 '90 Cool weather.—I went out at 12 in wheelchair, but was driven back by snow & wind squall—sun out since—the worst of belly ache over but just a reminder sometimes—Everything as well as could be expected I guess. Walt Whitman [I agree to take ______ course tickets at $5.00 each for six lectures by Mr. John Fiske][*CAMDEN N.J. NOV 20 8 PM 90*] [*LONDON PM NOV 22 9 CANADA*] UNITED STATES POSTAL CARD ONE CENT NOTHING BUT THE ADDRESS TO BE ON THIS SIDE. Dr Bucke Asylum London Ontario Canada [S. P. Wharton 910 Clinton Street Philadelphia]Camden early pm Nov: 22 '90 Have sent off some poemets to make two pages for Arena magazine printed in Boston to I N Baker (with R G Ingersoll)—ask $100 for the whole— —No proof or news rec'd by me of my "National Literature" piece sent to N A Review—probably dont suit— —Stoddart (Lippincott's Mag) contemplates a full page of my poemets in mag—suppose you got the slips "Sunset Breeze" bit— —Sunny to day, sharp cold, squally wind, gales here —am beleagured with belly-ache quite bad is apt to begin at daybreak is on me now—diaphragm region & upper breast at times sore & achy—(probably bad digestion) —bowel voiding action (tho not good) is by no means as obstinately bad as a year ago & as it has been past—Enclose [pieces] letters (tho' not know'ng whether they may interest you)—send also a little ¶ in "Munyon's Ill: World"—am sitting here as usual in my den—oak wood fire—big wolf skin over back of chair—Warry is down stairs practising on his fiddle—Mrs. D is out in the kitchen room cooking—she has just bro't up a dish of nice crispy sweet cakes (but I set them away & think I best not eat them, at any rate at present)—Horace here last evng—a small earthquake in the financial world just now as you see in the papers—well the money question is the least of my troubles—yr letters rec'd & always cheer me—Respects & love to Mrs. B. (the 15th page of the paper is for her to read to the young children) Walt WhitmanCamden early pm Nov: 25 '90 Yr's of three days since rec'd & welcomed —the enclosed is just rec'd f'm Dr Johnston —the his celluloid photo plate I have consigned to be used in Horace's article ab't me in N E Magazine if they print it—I am easier to-day belly ache milder but still not gone—Sunny & cold— —shall probably get out an hour or so hence in wheel chair (first in three days)—Am to send Mrs: Ingersoll 400 5th av: NY. some good photos of self in big handsome envelope for Christmas present. —oysters plenty & good, ate them yesterday & to-day —the papers copy "Sunset Breeze"—Horace's sister Agnes, do you remember Agnes? (a nice healthy, 'cute', womanly Americo-German girl, a great friend of mine)—has just gone & got married—Still apparently some flurry & sporadic failures in financial & brokers' circles, hereabout—but I guess nothing serious, nothing chronis—a fair normal bowel passage this fore'n —Young Dr Mitchell (he said his father sent him) was here f'm Phila. yesterday evn'g—fine y'ng fellow— —no medicine (at least yet)—some head ache to-day —have just sent off a ¶ to the Critic announcem't number (Nov. 29) for O'Connor's book (no news of its publication yet)—Well I will now put on a top coat & see if Warry is ready to propel me out Walt WhitmanCamden noon Nov: 28 '90 Gloomy & depressed enough these two or three days—My brother Jeff died Tuesday last at St Louis—typhoid pneumonia—was in his 58th year—was very much with me in his childhood & as big boy greatly attached to each other till he got married—(I was in 16th year when he was born)—Sunny out to day—cold, little or no appetite—bad belly ache continued—(I suspect it is a catarrh of bowels) sitting here in big chair as usual alone Ed Stafford here last evn'g to see me—all well or getting along there—yr's rc'd last evn'g thanks God bless you all Walt WhitmanDr Bucke London Asylum Ontario CanadaCamden Dec: 8 '90 Snow storm today—Horace returns f'm NY—poorly enough but sitting up as usual—bowel action yesterday—head uncomfortable & aching—am getting in 100 new board big books (ab't 100 left in sheets big) —Sit here as usual—send you paper with article & pict: (failure—impression poor, bad) of the cemetery place—suspicion of belly ache, but not strong—am trying to read & write—Lord be with you WWDr Bucke London Asylum Ontario CanadaCamden Evn'g Dec: 4 '90 Mainly the same—poorly Lippincott, Stoddart & fine young lady here, full of courtesy &c. Cold—snow vanished—the poems sent to Arena rejected sent back to me —have been reading Felton's Greece (the fight 1828 with the Turks &c) lying down awhile on bed—no mail to day —God bless you Walt WhitmanCamden NJ Nov 30 5PM 90 Dr Bucke London Asylum Ontario CanadaCamden Nov: 29 '90 Have been out nearly an hour in wheel chair—sunny but cool —yr's rec'd thanks—had a pretty good night's rest—belly ache comes on first thing at daybreak lasts three or four hours then gone —will probably, pass over— —letters to day f'm Bolton Eng: Walt WhitmanDr Bucke London Asylum Ontario CanadaCamden pm Dec: 1 '90 Cold & raw & dark feels & looks like snow—nothing very different with me—my bro: George has got back f'm St Louis—my poor niece Jessie (Jeff's daughter) was very sick (alarmingly) but is easier —I was out in chair yesterday am sitting here in den comfortable enough— Walt WhitmanCamden NJ 1890 Monday night—Dec 8—Horace has been here back from his brief NY trip—he saw Ingersoll at I's splendid Wall st offices surrounded with his clerks & Mr Baker, & had a long talk, varied & animated & interesting —was at (Jeweler) Johnston's—staid there— —had good confabs & good meals there—went to the Ethical Convention &c &c &c —I am sitting here alone—had my supper two hours ago—mostly vegetables & a cup of tea —am feeling middling comfortable—cold weather —snow, rain & mist—financial failures these days—but I believe the experts here don't feel generally alarmed—Have just had a good icy cup of sweet milk bro't to me wh' I am drinking slowly at intervals as I write —the sound of the RR cars on the track next street, and a half-muffled whistling in the snow— am Dec: 9—Sun shining—west wind—snow on ground—some toast & tea for breakfast—sent off proof of obituary of my dear bro: Jeff to NY Engineering Record, (will send you one when printed)—did you get Critic of Nov. 29? Or shall I send you mine? Talcott Williams (Phil: Press) had a stenographer there at Reisser's evn'g May 31 '89 & took down the conversation betw'n Ingersoll and self (ab't immortality &c) after supper it seems—& is now type writing it out & to send me copies, one of wh' I will surely forward to you soon as he does— —have just got a letter f'm Johnston NY. buying a big book enc: the money—enough belly-ache to signify itself (indigestion mainly I guess)—noon & early afternoon fine out but bad traveling —What is this I hear ab't some one in Phila: (at some bust there anent of me) giving him Johnston NY $10 to hand me?—how was it?—bowel motions but slow & hard & sluggish Walt WhitmanCamden 1890 Dec: 12 [13] early pm – Bright & coolish – pleasant – Warren has gone over to Dr. Mitchell's with urinary specimen – have the belly ache plain enough early in the morning in bed & then during the day subsides or is quite gone – a bit of chop & some bread & tea for my breakfast – dull heavy head – yr letters rec'd & welcomed – sit here in den as usual Dec 13 – got out yesterday 1 1/2 pm in wheelchair but was too chill'd & made it short – cold weather here – keep good fire – just my breakfast bit of broild chicken cranberries & bread & tea – eat light – appetite middling (to poor) – markd symptoms of cold in the head to-day – write this early in forenoon pm bad day – neglected here badly – cold – probably chill'd (badly) from sitting here in cold room – am feel'g sick & cross & unattended to here & probably feel ugly enough – sun shining out Walt WhitmanCamden NJ Dec 15 6 PM 90 2 United States Postal Card. Nothing but the Address to be on this side London PM De 1c SQ Canada Dr Bucke London Asylum Ontario CanadaCamden N.J. Dec. 15 '99 Feeling fairly—send you the little obituary ab't my bro: seems as tho my piece "National Literature" is to be out in coming Jan: N A Rev—pleasant sunny day here—have just got a fine plain gold ring to give Mrs: Davis for Christmas present— Walt WhitmanCamden NJ Dec 14 6 PM 90 United States Postal Card Nothing But the Address to be on this side. Dr. Bucke London Asylum Ontario Canada London PM DEC 15 SQ CANADACamden early pm Dec: 14 '90 Sitting here as usual—nothing very new or different—sunny weather —quiet & dull enough—Jeweler J of NY. sent me the 10 (by Horace) bowel action this forenoon—a little afraid I got a chill yesterday (worse for my grip)—The great general "intestinal agitation" going on over the US (& perhaps the civilized world) but nothing heroic or historic in the old sense (special—individualistic) I guess—as I sit here & read the paper & simmer WWCamden NJ Dec 16 6PM 90 Dr Bucke London Asylum Ontario Canada London M De 17 SQ CanadaCamden Dec: 16 '90 Fairly—bowel action so-so— —four or five times a week—once in a while fairly full—sluggish quite always but not at all as bad as a year & a half ago—I suppose you got the Eng'ng Record NY with the little obituary—am sitting here in den— Warren is down stairs practicing on fiddle— —in the distance (grumbling Munden), the Parnell rumpus & the Sioux raid—indeed distant, that P. row—short note f'm Mrs: O'C —no news yet f'm H. M. & Co: Boston— WWCamden Thursday forenoon Dec: 18 '90 Yr's of 16th recd—thanks—a storm wind rain &c: yesterday & preceding night—but comfortable & snug here for me—my locale seems to be out f'm stress of winds & waters, & we have a capital roof over the shanty —appetite good—made my breakfast of buckwheat cakes & tea —you must not worry ab't me—I am undoubtedly getting along here as well is practicable (perhaps possible), —Mrs: Davis is & has always been good & kind & willing ready to cook any thing I wish—& always genial & respectful —I now feel & have always felt to have her mind for me as long as I live—Rec'd word f'm N A Rev: that my piece will not be printed (as at first announced) in Jan: number —some hitch—what exactly we may or may not find out. —sold two books yesterday—suppose you recd the Eng'g Record (with obituary of my dear brother Jeff)—& the Chester (Eng:) paper I sent—Have heard nothing more of late fr'm Stoddart (Lippincott's) or Talcott Williams (the Ingersoll talk)— —2 1/2 pm the sun is out again Dec: 19 am—Fine & sunny out—cold—Wm Ingram here—all well with him—yr's of 17th rec'd & welcomed— —feeling poorly enough this forenoon—head bad, belly ditto— pain (dots of sort o' spasms) in left breast heart region— —7 pm—easier three hours or so—Mrs. D at my request made me a big cup of hot tea early in middle of afternoon wh I sipp'd, drank & enjoyed & a sort of mild sweat follow'd. At any rate I am easier—H T here this evn'g—has seen Stoddart (Lippincott's) who wants (proposes) to make his March number what he calls a Whitman number with articles (some of mine, with name) & picture Dec: 20 noon—fine sunny day—pains in left breast, with lancinating dashes—am sitting here writing—Merry Christmas to you to Mrs. B and to all the children Walt WhitmanCamden Dec: 24 '90 Yr's rec'd: ab't the catheter &c: thanks—Am feeling tolerably easy—bowel voidance—clear sunny weather here— Horace is sending his piece to N E Magazine —I send MS "Some Personal Memoranda" & a poemet to Lippincott's intended for March—I have also sent (did I tell you?) some poetic stuff to Scribner's —McKay has paid me for the 100 big book sets sheets went to England—Enclose Dr J's letter came last evn'g—(good friends, good set there in Bolton) —letter this mn'g f'm Ed Wilkins, welcomed— —Christmas at hand—(a sort of general prosperity & "intestinal agitation")—Looks fine out & I sh'l likely get in wheel chair—God bless you all Walt WhitmanCamden Jan 3 '91 Continuing on much the same—fine sunny day —Mrs: O'C's letter enclosed—Houghton & Co: are to publish her book, in the way you will see—all well— —no particular news—made my breakfast of oatmeal porridge a bit of cold turkey & cup of tea—am sitting here at present as usual—rec'd a good letter f'm my [my] neice Jessie in Saint Louis (superior girl, sensible, intuitive, a little reticent, undemonstrative)—a good letter f'm Bertha Johnston NY—F'm an item I see E Gosse has been writing something sharp ab't me in Jan. Forum—Horace T Here last evn'g—get complimentary letters (holiday) f'm unknown persons foreign and domestic—Ab't noon as I send this off & sun looks fine out, but I suppose rather too cool for my outing in chair & snow on ground yet—Warry is down stairs practising on his fiddle— —The lord be with you & bless all Walt WhitmanCamden NJ Jan 7 6am 91 2 United States Postal Card Nothing but address to be on this side. London Pm Ja 8 81 Canada Dr Bucke London Asylum Ontario CanadaCamden Jan: 6 '91 Getting along fairly enough —two little proofs to-day sent back, one to Lippincotts & one to Critic—(so the machine is revolving) I told you H. M. & Co: Boston accept her book f'm Mrs O'C to publish—Cold & sunny to day here—I have buckwheat cakes for my breakfast & mutton & rice stew for supper. Yr's rec'd last evn'g—Walt WhitmanCamden pm Jan: 7 '91 Cold & sunny fine out—Ab't same with me as before—but as I just came f'm the bath room I wonder'd whether I did not feel stronger than ordinary—even than for two years— —probably an accidental evanescent whiff—but it was sort o' good even at that— This is Stoddart's note—I take it that they really intend to make that March L what they call "a Whitman number"—Horace is to offer a piece anent of me—his MS is to be ready to-morrow Had buckwheat cakes & syrup for breakfast—they cannot be served better than Mrs: D has them—I am still taking the little capsules young Dr M prescribed for the bladder botheration —wh' continues—the belly-ache & flashes of left-breast-pain mostly departed or lulled. Am sitting here by the fire with a quilt wrapper high up ab't neck, back & shoulders, ag't cold—WWLIPPINCOTT'S MONTHLY MAGAZINE Philadelphia, Jan. 5th, 1891 Walt Whitman, Esq. Camden, N.J. Dear Mr. Whitman:- I have delayed sending you the enclosed check until now, thinking I would have been over myself to see you, but as I may be delayed on account of the unusual press of business, I herein send check for $50.00 [partly] in sentiment [remittance] for the autobiography and for the poem. Please find enclosed proofs of a page of poetry which please return after you have examined it. I will send or bring the proof of the autobiography, It is to be called autobiographic, but is not an auto-b in a few days, in the meantime, if you see Mr. Traubel, will you tell him to please hurry up with his part of the work. With all good wished for your good health and prosperity for the New Year. Yours truly, J.M. Glasterton All of these are to go in the March number.54 Manchester Road [*1*] Bolton Lancashire England Dec. 27th. 1890 Many thanks to you, my dear old friend, for your kindness in sending me the Philadelphia paper (with the marked paragraph) received on the 24th inst and the Engineering Record (containing your pithy and entirely admirable sketch of the career of your late brother Jefferson) received today. Both are welcomed for their own sake but mainly as messengers of the glad tidings that at the time of their dispatch you were in better health than when you last wrote to me. I hope sincerely that this is so & I am longing to hear a better report. I trust you have spent a truly happy Christmastide & that the New Year may bring [*4*] "Soon shall [will] the winter's foil be here; Soon shall these icy ligatures unbend and melt. A little while And air, soil, wave suffused shall be in softness, bloom & growth a thousand forms shall rise - - - - - - - - - - - - with these the robin, lark, & thrush, singing their songs—" // One result of our Xmas gathering was a proposal to give a free dinner & entertainment to 500 of the poor children in the "slums" of Bolton. The necessary money having been promised the treat will take place shortly. Another treat in store for us is a Children's Party which my wife & I intend giving in our house, when we expect some 40 or 50 of our friends' children to spend the afternoon & evening in games, fun & such general jollification as the youngsters delight in. Oh! that we could have You to come amongst us on that night![*2*] you renewed health & vigour with every blessing & "Joy, shipmate, joy!" I am anticipating the publication of your forthcoming volume with pleasurable & eager interest. Will you please be kind enough to forward four copies to me (for myself, JWW and two of the friends) and I will send the cash on receipt? We had a thoroughly enjoyable old fashioned Christmas day here—a sort of ideal day— a snow mantled outer world, a keen frost and a dry crisp atmosphere, but no sunshine —and we spent it in the orthodox fashion; beginning the day by listening to the Christmas carollers singing their joyous song & choruses in the early morning—it was very nice to be abed and hearken to the blending voices of the singers wafted in melody across the [*3*] moonlit, snow-clad street —dining at the house of a friend in the orthodox English style upon roast goose & plum pudding with (—tell it not in Gath!—) brandy sauce—finishing the day by a little social "party" at our house. Since then there has been a thaw but the temperature has again fallen to freezing & there has been another slight fall of snow in the night. As I write the sun is shining fitfully on the white-roofed houses & a few sparrows are picking up the breadcrumbs on the outer window sill. Poor [little] brave, blithe-hearted, russet-coated little birdies! it is a hard winter for you and your tiny companions. I wonder how many of you will survive it to gladden our hearts & to make our vernal woodlands vocal with your sweet melodiousness! Never mind! Cheer up! forCamden Jan: 9 night '91 Here are Dr Johnston's letter & his copy of Symonds's beautiful letter— (the last return to me—no hurry) Am feeling fairly—sweating to-night (tho' it is cold weather dry & clear at present)—am a little timid & cautious ab't getting cold, but welcome the sweat— —the March Lip: will probably have all paid for & quite handsomely a page of my poemetta with some prose personal memoranda (autobiographic) & a passable picture maybe more stuff (will see how the cat jumps)—the Critic (last next or following one) has or will have a little poemet—& the Lord knows what else a coming— —have now intervened with a leisurely sitz-bath & foot washing —& shall leave a little blank for to-morrow & send off at evn'g mail Jan: 10 am—Have had my breakfast of buckwheat cakes & tea—feeling pretty well considering —a p c this mn'g f'm Kennedy God bless you & all Walt Whitman 5 It will interest you to know that I have received a brief letter of acknowledgment of my "Notes" & of your portrait from Lord Tennyson —in his own hand—& a really splendid letter from your friend John Addington Symonds, a copy of which I herewith enclose as I thought you wd be pleased to read it. Perhaps Dr Bucke wd like to see it too. If you think so you might send it to him. I also send you copies of [a] some verses I sent to some of my friends & a copy of this week's Annandale Observer containing a notice of my Notes. I —like Mr Rome—am a native of Annan. in Scotland, where my dear, good,6 old father & mother still reside I have just heard from JWW that he has received a paper from you. With kindest regards & best wishes for the new year to all your household & with best heart love to yourself I remain Yours affectionately J JohnstonCamden Jan: 17 '91 Dark, cold, stormy-wet day out slippery – falling rain freezing. Have had a markedly bad week days & nights but am weathering-it-on (as my phrase is)—smally but palpably easier to day— —easier debouch to both water works & bowel works this forenoon & consequently less muddle & pain in head & general tone—appetite middling—am abstemious but I find it dont answer for me to be markedly abstemious as I have tried two or three times to be—still eat rice & mutton stew, vegetables & bread, & drink mainly tea—Lippincotts wont print Kennedy's Dutch piece "affinities of WW" &c. but Horace wants it for his little paper & I have written to K for consent—(I like the piece)—Have not heard f'm the page of poemetta I sent to Scribner's a month or more ago—I also sent a little piece to [you] Youth's Companion Boston & no word f'm them—expect printed slips of N A Rev: & Lip: pieces & sh'l send you copies if I get them—Enclosed my last bit (pay rec'd—small, but all I ask'd) f'm Critic—(wh' you will not likely commend)—So things go. I am sitting here same (a little shawl extra around my back, neck & right shoulder ag't draft) comfortable & good trim enough & fair spirits but dark & glum enough out. Walt WhitmanPhilada Jan 12th 91 Mr Walt Whitman Dear Sir I am making collection of autograph and it will not be complet without yours will you kind Sir give me yours on enclosed card Hoping you will not refuse me. Very truly yours G. Matthew Jr.Camden '91 Jan:21 early pm—poorly continued —head, belly & bladder matters— —am sitting here in big chair as usual. —Mrs: D over at Phila—Warry down stairs —made my breakfast of toast, tea & fresh egg. —pleasant weather—the travel clear—Herbert Gilchrist comes often—Geo: Stafford is better —Harry S is pretty well—has to move—wants to go back to RR employment—You know ab't Kennedy's "Dutch Traits of W.W." well Horace T has the MS & is to print it in his little paper, next but one—(HT is very active & popular—quite ardent—as you know is very radical & revolutionary in all this business of technical theological & political reform) is permanently assiduous & helpful & friendly to me all along—the one o'clock big whistle just blows 1 1/2 fair debouch f'm water works—first for 20 hours Jan: 22—noon—Ab't same—dark wet day not very cold—the little Ingersoll NY book is out I have not seen it but Horace has one & says it is well done printerially & bookishly for that kind of thing—quiet & monotonous with me so far today no letters —buckwheat cakes & honey for breakfast—pretty fair night last—am writing a little—the printing of the reduced photo on celluloid plate new style (WW 1890 3/4 length in chair) is specially well done—same as y'r large photo—if you want any of these small ones I can supply you—I return herewith J W Wallace's letter to you—the rain & dark seem to be set in for the day—Best physical &c: feelings early evn'g— Walt WhitmanDear Mr. Whitman: If it is not asking too much, dare I beg that you will do me the great pleasure to transcribe your poem, The Pallid Wreath, for my collection of autographs? The favor would be valued more than I can tell you. I have the honor to remain Your obliged servant, Gustav A. Roedell. Gallipolis, Ohio.yr's of 22d ab't the little law suit &c: rec'd Camden Sat: early pm Jan 24 '91 Herbert Gilchrist comes & takes lunch with me—he goes to NY Monday—& soon returns to his hermitage Centreport LI —Eakins' portrait WW is among the great show Penn: Art Exhibition Phila—Horace T goes to NY this afternoon—returning Monday— —Scribner's has rejected & return'd to me my offered poems—The 1 o'clock whistle is just pealing cheerily— —I am feeling half-and-half—had a pretty fair night—b'kfast raw oysters— have read Horace's piece in March Lip: satisfactory, probably best he has written ab't me & I like it—(a little too markedly eulogistic may-be) he is a faithful friend—JM Stoddart the editor Lip: seems to be another—I enclose a warm friendly letter just rec'd f'm our Bolton friends Walt WhitmanDr Bucke London Asylum Ontario CanadaCamden Evn'g: Jan: 15 '91 Feeling fairly after two very bad days & nights—ate my supper with relish—many visitors to-day —Herb: Gil: Stoddart & five others —Arthur Stedman &c: &c:—Horace T just here—the March No. of Lip: will indeed be Whitmanesque— —am sitting here writing by a little tallow candle—clear but a storm preparing WWDr Bucke London Asylum Ontario CanadaCamden Jan: 13 91 Evn'g Have had two bad days & nights—bad bladder plight & lots else—easier this evn'g— "hope ever springs" (bad surmises tho' yesterday)—Sh'l probably have a piece in the forthcoming N A Rev: (Feb:)—the intention, Keep on ab't March Lip: (we will see) I write in fair trim W WDr. Bucke London Asylum Ontario CanadaCamden New Jersey. Am writing this late evening Dec: 31. '90, & tho't I w'd send you a line —We all have deep sympathy with you in y'r painful dislocation & sleeplessness—all continues as before here—Horace is at work at the bank all night—a splendid etching "Milton visiting Galileo" f'm Johnston NY Jan: 1. '91—Well it arrives here in the shape of a dark stormy morning—but it will soon clear—Walt WhitmanDr. Bucke London Asylum Ontario CanadaCamden PM Dec: 30 '90 Much the same continued —have sent over "Some Personal Memoranda" and a little poemet to Lippincott's—cold & clear weather—Mrs. D has just bro't me in a little jar of bees' honey—sit here by fire—Happy new year Walt WhitmanDr. Bucke London Asylum Ontario CanadaCamden Noon Dec: 28 '90 Middling—no palpable belly ache or the small pain dots (spasms) I spoke of for four days now—appetite fair —bowel voidance this forenoon— Sunny weather—sharp cold—hot cakes & tea for breakfast—sitting here as usual in 2d story room—quiet Sunday —have been lying down half dozing to while away the time—have to keep up good fire Walt WhitmanDr. Bucke London Asylum Ontario CanadaCamden Sat: pm Dec: 27 '90 Snow storm two days—all white out—of course I am imprison'd—sent off four big books to Melborne Australia, paid, by express, $7.50—sitting here dull, heavy-headed, congested—good fire— no mail for me to-day—Warren has gone out sleighing—I hear the boys playing snow-balling &c: am rather afraid George Stafford is lingering stricken, by acc'ts —Harry keeps well—some six old fellows (80 and over) died hereabout the last fortnight —Happy new year to you & all Walt WhitmanDr. Bucke London Asylum Ontario CanadaCamden early pm Jan: 26 '91 Heavy wind & sleet storm yesterday evn'g—fine & sunny as I write —nothing emphatic or "toppish" with me —bad sulky physical cond'n mostly gastric—buckwheat cakes, honey & tea for breakfast—constipation—lansinating pain, extreme left breast—sit up here in chair—Horace T in NY—back this evn'g —good letters f'm England, Australia &c: God bless you all Walt Whitman yr's of 24th rec'dCamden 1891 Jan. 30 Friday sunset—Just finish'd supper— toasted bread & stew'd tomatoes & tea (had a nice steak & egg, but did not touch them) appetite fair—sweating—fair bowel action last evn'g. (after four or five days' stoppage) —upon the whole statu quo, if anything easier than lately—my article does not appear in Feb: N A Rev—still anticipate the pieces in Lippincotts but we will wait & see (Stoddart I guess is friendly to me, but publishers generally are cold—or worse)—Suppose you rec'd the good photo cards I sent—hope you will like them as I do—am getting the little 2d annex in printerial shape—I like to get it & put it like tanners' skins in soak awhile I suppose—it will be very brief & most of the pieces you have seen already— —the days are lengthening—here as I write by daylight it is 1/2 past 5 Col: Ingersoll & his chief clerks have gone off to Montana to take hand in a big will case—see this item —I have sent a few of his Phila: address to friends—have you some? —had a letter f'm [Lezinsky?], my California (?Jewish) friend— [*A Fight over an Estate of $13,000,000. HELENA, Mont. Jan. 30—The fight over Banker Davis' $13,000,000 commenced in earnest yesterday, the new issue being the will alleged to have been made by the late millionaire and recently found in Iowa. The New York and Illinois contesting heirs claim it is a forgery, and urge that it not be admitted. Argument on this motion commenced this morning. Nathaniel Myers, of New York, and Robert Ingersoll are among counsel.*] Jan: 31 just before noon—very light breakfast —cup of tea & a small Graham biscuit —pretty fair night last—uneasy stomachic condition—thirsty—the Feb: Century comes & I have been looking over it—rather interesting— —dark dampish day—did I tell you Ernest Rhys is married?—headache as I write—am sitting here same—Warry is downstairs practising on his fiddle—God bless you all Walt Whitman