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Pretty fair with me personally to-day—warm spell over two weeks but I keep up amid it (but every week or month a button or peg gives out—most of the time mildly—but I realize it well enough—my sight & hearing are quite markedly dulling)—warmth shaded a little to-day & cloudy any how—ate a rare egg & some Graham bread & coffee for my breakfast—eat two meals a day & moderate & plain, but relish them—sit here alone, as now, quiet & middling comfortable—rather an unfair night last (not common)—bladder botherations—bowel action this forenoon—I enclose Eldridge's rec'd to day, as you might like to know—Where & ab't Marvin I don't know—I will send you "Donnelly's Reviewers" right away—I lent it to a friend & have just sent for it but could not get it this forenoon—Mrs: O'C is yet at Wash'n, but expects to break up soon I think—

Yr's rec'd & welcom'd as always—love to you & 'Sula & Julian—I have a big book (my "complete works" in one Vol. rather cumbersome) for you, John—send these (both) to Dr Bucke—

Walt Whitman

The "Donnelly" booklet comes now & I send it to you same mail with this—

  Dear Walt:—

You will see by the enclosed card that I have returned to the Internal Revenue service. I regretted to leave Los Angeles and the practice of law, but times got very hard there, and although I had some important cases and good fees in prospect I was unable to realize the cash proceeds; so I applied and got my present portion—same that I held before.—I hope to resume practice in the state, some time in the future, when I have paid my debts and saved a little money.—I am now a citizen of California and hope to always remain such. I should not be contented to settle down in the East, again, I think.—

The death of William O'Connor though long anticipated, was a great shock when the news came—What a wealth of intellectual enthusiasm and power was there extinguished, if it could be so: but I don't believe he or any of us can go out like a child's carlacue in the night. I have faith to believe that we shall all meet again on the other side of Jordan, & if we can only have such good times as we had of yore in Washington  I shall be content. My mother is still living in Boston at the age of 75, well and hearty. Thank God—I have not seen her for two years, and more.

I read with much emotion in the Philadelphia & Camden papers the account of your Seventieth Birthday dinner. I was especially touched by John Burroughs letter.—I am indebted to you for many papers—Always glad to get them.—Address me until further notice simply Internal Revenue Agent. San Francisco. Cal. I hope you are fairly comfortable.—God bless you my old and long tried friend—"With fond affection and recollection.

Ever yours Charles W. Eldridge