Feinberg/Whitman
Box 41 Folder 75
Notes and Notebooks 
Notes--Personal 
ca. 1890 
Autobiographical Note 
(DCN 122) 
Includes verso letters from J. Johnston, July 14, 1890, 
and unknown correspondent, Oct. 29 1880. AUTOBIOGRAPHICAL NOTES. A.MS. (6p. 16 1/2 x 15 cm. largest) 

Writing in the third person, Walt Whitman describes his habits, character 
and opinions in rather incoherent notes: "Specially likes the cheerful and 
good-natured; the latter named quality he thinks the best and most prom-
ing and national of all American democracy--Does not use tobacco in any
way; takes the best wine or whisky sometimes, in moderation--He totally 
disbelieved in the Anti-Chinese law, and all prohibitions of the lower orders 
and labor contracts made abroad--When someone asked him what three 
or four names of absolute individual greatness America offer'd he said in-
stantly: What would you say to Washington, Lincoln, Grant and Emerson?"
(122)1891 July 10 RECEIPT FOR WHITMAN'S BURIAL VAULT A.MS. by 
Walt Whitman signed by P. Reinhalter &Co. (1p. 15 x 22 cm.) 

In Walt Whitman's autograph: "Received from Walt Whitman tenth of 
July, 1891 One thousand dollars cash, for the tomb in Harleigh Cemetery--
making, including the sum of five hundred dollars (paid May 12 last)
altogether to date the sum of fifteen hundred dollars which is hereby 
receipted." Signed P. Reinhalter & Co. Endorsed by Walt Whitman. (117)said once "If I were to 
write my Leaves over again 
I should put in more tol-
eration and even receptively 
for those we call bad, or the 
criminal."

He liked McLegget's formu-
la, "the world is legislated 
too much," 

He said "noblesse oblige" 
was not only a grand 
motto for superior indi
viduals, but for Nations--and 
especially for America. 
He totally disbelieved
 in the Ani-Chinese law, 
and all prohibitions of 
the lower orders and labor: 
contracts and abroad. S S "British Prince"
Philadelphia 
July 14th 1890 

Dear Walt Whitman, 
I have just arrived from 
England and I purpose
calling upon you tomorrow 
(Tuesday) probably about noon
when I trust it may be 
convenient for you to see 
me. 

With kindest regard
and best wishes 
Remain
yours affectionately 
J Johnston 
of Bolton 
Lancashire
England

To Walt Whitman 
328 Mickles St. 
Camden 
N JerseyThinks our age and the 
United States full of bad 
elements and dangers but full 
of good too, and affording fuller 
[of] eligibilities, (that's one of his
special words, eligibility) to the 
good, and the lower classes than 
ever before. "Our ship," he 
said "is the best built possible,
and has all the charts of seas
and the best mann'd it can be, 
Are we to go through some bad 
weather?  No doubt.  But we'll 
get through; it will have to be
pretty tough to be worse than the 
storms behind us; and here we are 
better than ever."Walt Whitman 
328 Mickle Street
Camden 
New Jersey USA When some one asked 
him, what three or four names of absolute 
individual greatness America offer'd, he 
said instantly, "What would 
you say to Washington,
Lincoln, Grant and 
Emerson?"

[*locomotor 
ataney*]Walt Whitman 
PersonalIt 

In America Poetry beyond all 
precedents, [true] the Poet [it] has to do with actual facts,
with the concrete states, with 
the purpose of the 
Republic

I sometimes think it 
alone is to define [and] 
the Republic and give it 
dignity. -- What [we are] the humanity of These States is 
most in danger of is 
an overwhelming worldliness
and materialism: what is
most lacking is a fervid and
glowing Nationality a patriotism
condensing all parts of the 
Union into one. Who can 
[supply the] fend [this] that danger & fill 
this [that] lack but [such] --a [rare] if the class ???? of loftiest poets?Franklin Pa. Oct 29/80. 

books sent 

Walt Whitman
Camden N.J.
Dear friend, 

I thank Mr. 
Stedman for pointing the way
to the Centennial Edition of 
"Leaves of Grass". I have twice
tried and failed to get a copy
from New York.
and go
W