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  Mr. Whitman—

Your [illegible] was received a few days ago. I had [illegible]mined that if writing for a while [illegible] correspondent except my son in Texas [illegible] I would wait a good long spell, I wo[illegible] to learn how much of purely spontaneous [illegible] you do feast in the (of choice) humble [illegible] strange farmer living down here in [illegible] also was curious to see if you would spontaneously be sending me and little Walt the new volume which you are to bring out this summer. But getting with yours the picture of [illegible] Burroughs, I suppose it will be perhaps well enough to write now. ☞ I have no faith in Ph[illegible] Physiognomy as a practical thing if in any way, but the [illegible] the book seem fully indicative of talent [illegible] tho' perhaps [illegible] strongly expresses im[illegible] than an [illegible] greater share of the [illegible]ood [illegible]ing which I glory in [illegible] trust in [illegible]. Perhaps tho' he is on[illegible]ny way. [illegible] sometimes doubted this [illegible] something well, he is too scrupulous [illegible]sible", the other times "well, he is to[illegible] very honest."—However, if [illegible] now, or   about to be a fruit farmer "on the banks of one of the noblest and most fruitful rivers" (poetical but irrelevant [illegible]—namesake of our oldest [illegible] May of [illegible] son) there is a bond. If "similitude [illegible] me and J.B.—I had the honor to be [illegible] in introducing fine Apples and Pears to, [illegible] out in backwoods county. Thomas Bartlett; [illegible] Belle Lucrative, and L.B. De [illegible] Jersey &c [illegible] were unknown 'till Willwell came to the front. Ah! Those fine fruits were the only luxury I could have for some years after the end of the war. They and "Leaves of Grass" have stood alone in making me Jubilant. My interest, profit and pleasure have been much distracted by fruit-rotting so generally of [illegible] years. But memory's pleasures can [illegible] some degree.

But getting [illegible] you and me, dear comforter [illegible] Burroughs hints at your meaning to [illegible]low, wherever you may go, and [illegible] to meetings with friends [illegible] or letters [illegible] or sights of "shows" [illegible] (Centennial editions, or what not) or please   of any sort or source—to [illegible] that you still live and can yet love to find [illegible] most that I [illegible] care for between us. But know this that while I earnestly and strongly desire you should take no interest in [illegible] mine that would cause you one bit of sorrow or anxiety if bad luck should befall us in any way—[illegible] still, myself, children [illegible] my not enthusible and mostly [illegible] wife are delighted, flattered, and feel ourselves highly distinguished any time we get anything of any sort from Uncle Walt or big Walt Whitman as the children say.

(My & Wife's dreadful "tempers" may wreck us any time—so care not much for us.

We are doing finely in all our farming operations. Health tolerably good. Little Walt came to us after an interregnum of about twice the usual time [illegible] that may have helped some, but mostly [illegible] lingered over so long and [illegible]n this caused us all to regard [illegible] with threefold pride and tenderness [illegible] of what papa had to get over—the [illegible]ving and a "back-heart bobolitionist

 

If I shall not write much again for a good long time, please excuse me, and [illegible] on the other hand (looking at the [illegible] I shall be so foolish as to write too much (which I hope I shall not) then excuse that, and your cha[illegible]ll shine conspicuous.

J.N.J

Since writing the above, I first notice the red chalk mark alongside the lines where Burroughs invites "George" (who is "George?") to come there and look at a farm that is for sale. Knowing how some of your Northern people wish to run from your [illegible] winters, I will say is "George" [illegible] of a Southern as [illegible] as a North[illegible] more? I would not recommend my section [illegible] for a Northern man to make a fortune except in raising clover or other hay. But a Whitman would find many friends and fine m[illegible] here [illegible] nothing very or extra healthy [illegible] or striking in scenery.