
Just a few lines to acknowledge the receipt of the "Camden Daily Courier" for June
2nd 1883 "Unity" Aug 28th 1890 & the accompanying slips "Of that blithe throat
of thine" "Yonnondio" "Halcyon Days" & "The voice of the rain." The
Daily Courier is of especial interest as containing an
admirable critique of Dr Bucke's book & I fear in sending it to me you have
despoiled yourself of one of your treasures but
this will all the more enhance its value to me and I desire to thank you very
cordially for it & for the other papers you so kindly sent.
Mr Wallace has kindly shewn me the post card he received from you on Sept 12th from
which I am extremely sorry to learn that you are suffering from an attack of the Grippe—though from the fact that you were not then
confined to the house we are in hopes that it is not a very severe one & we both hope that
it has by this time passed off & left no bad effects upon you. We hope to hear
better news from
you soon.
We have seen the French article in the Universal Review—in fact I have the number containing it.
Later 8pm
We have had a glorious day for our out-of-door meeting—an ideally perfect day.
Nearly all "the boys" were present with two friends & the reading of my notes
&c which took place in a green field beneath a tree, occupied nearly two hours
& was much enjoyed by every one & by none more than myself for I seemed to
be living over again the happy time I spent with you Much were they all
interested in all I had to say & much do they appreciate
all your kindness to me & thro me to them. They esteem it a high honour to have
been medially brought into personal contact with you & Mr Wallace has been
commissioned to express this to you by letter which he will do probably by next
mail
Pardon my writing more at present as it is close on mail time
With reverential love & gratitude I remain Yours affectionately J. Johnston To Walt Whitman