
A few lines only—of loving greeting and good wishes.—
I saw Dr Johnston yesterday afternoon for a few
minutes. He told me that he had received a letter from Traubel, & had
sent it to the office to me. But as I have not been to the office since (been out of town on
business) I have
not yet seen it.
I understand that he reports you to continue about the same, without any visible improvement, but also no worse—I am glad to hear of your driving in the open air, & am sure you will derive benefit from it.
Since I began this letter Revd S. Thompson
called here & I accompanied him part way home to Rivington. Cool evening, but air deliciously
fresh, sweet, tonic & bracing. Beautiful sky & cloud effects,
with most delicate & lovely variations of colour & shade on hill & moorlands.
Quite a cold wind though all day, but fresh & tonic.
Had a good time on Sunday evening. Bright warm sunshine, clear atmosphere & a wonderful sky. Got up into the fields above Rivington (alone) commanding a wide view seaward (westward). Had L. of G. with me & read most of the "Song of Myself," carefully & studiously. Cattle grazing near, every influence sweet, sanative, & beautiful beyond expression.

Last night was almost equally beautiful, but colder, with strongish wind. I had a walk again round the nearest lake—L. of G. as usual my companion.
Dr J. is expecting an assistant soon, & I hope that he will be able to share some of my evenings here with me.
Some of the friends were here on Saturday,—Dr J amongst them. But he would probably tell you after his return.
If only my letter could convey you a breath of our English air tonight!—vitalizing bracing, sweet,& exhilirating.

It may at least convey loving thoughts & wishes—or some hint of them—the most untold.
In a recent letter I referred to two early notices of L. of G. in the "United States Review"
& the "American Phrenological Review" as wonderfully appreciative, & apparently heralding
a better acceptance than has come. How stupid it was of me not to see that they were your own! I
supposed them to be written by friends in sympathy with you, & was astonished by their powerful
& kindred style.
Dr Bucke let daylight into it at once when he told
me you had written them, & it astonishes me now that I should have
needed to be told.—
I hope that tomorrow, or the day following, will bring further news of you—& I trust better news.—
With a heart full of love & good wishes
Yours affectionately J.W. Wallace
Here at Johnston's. Had tea with Dr & wife, & have since had a good time reading a good, long letter from Warry p.c. from yourself, & a short letter from our dear friend Traubel.
This mg. I received your long kind letter of July 19 & 20 which Dr J. has just read. (am sending a copy on to Dr Bucke).
Grateful thanks to you for the letter—It grieves us very much that you
have to report "bad days and nights" & that the "bladder affliction has returned." Loving
sympathy & best wishes to you.
Thank you for your kind considerate approval of my negative decision (for the present) re visit to you. But I live in hopes that the circumstances which now prevent my coming will set me at liberty before long. If only I could do something when I come!
I have been deeply moved by letters from Traubel
& his wife, full of the most ardently affectionate & tactful appeals to come
over—letters which, in any event, I shall prize while I live
All lovers of yours are indebted to Traubel for his long & loyal service to you. And it will be a great joy to me if I am privileged to see him & his good wife for their own sakes.
Wonderful how your friends are united in affection & comradeship—not only towards
you, our supreme & dearest friend—but towards each
other:—a brotherhood
destined to expand more & more & to bring to fact & reality the cherished dream of ages.
As I write Johnston is busy on the other side of the table cutting photographs, mounting them &c for you looking quite aglow with happy activity
Dull sky outside, threatening rain—passing cabs, cars &c rattling or rumbling along the street.
Love to you from both, & from the friends to whom I have shewn shown your letter. Greenhalgh said it did him good to read such a kind, brave, cheerful letter despite its bad news of your condition
J.W. Wallace
