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  My Dear Walt Whitman

I have just finished the work of a busy day & I thought I would write you a line or two by this mail (which goes in half an hour) just to send you a word of affectionate sympathy & loving greeting.

Two hours ago I received another good kind letter (of May 2nd) from our mutual friend H.L.T. in which   he tells me that there was then "no change" in you, & that you had not been out, of late. This we are sorry to hear & it grieves us much to know that you are not gaining strength as we expected. But as that letter was written 11 days ago it may not represent your present condition by any means; & we devoutly hope that by this time things are better with you, that the weather & other circumstances have favoured you & allowed you to get out a little now & then. God grant that this   may be so, my dear brave old Friend!

I met Wallace in the street this afternoon & we had 10 minutes' talk—a good deal of it about you, wondering how you were &c.

I send you a Manchester paper in which you will see your name quoted.

There is nothing very new with us here. The weather keeps very changeable—one day bright, sunny, warm & genial & the next cool & dull,—but the vegetation is progressing wonderfully; the beautiful green fans expanding and   covering the bare branches, the grass greening, the flowers opening &the birds carolling in vernal-born ecstasy.

If only we could be assured of your recovery how glad our hearts would be today! But we cease not to think of you & to hope for you—

Good night to you & God bless you now & always! is the heartfelt & oft repeated prayer of

Yours most affectionately & devotedly John Johnston. To Walt Whitman   see note May 22 1891