Pleasant sunny day out & I am getting on fairly considering—the long fearful obstinate bowel-block seems to be edged upon, even started, (or suspicion of it)— have pretty good nights—must have five or six hours sleep—no vehement pain night or day that I make acc't of—bladder trouble not pronounced at present—use the catheter most every day—eat my two meals daily or something of them, farina, roast apple, rare fried egg, mutton & rice, &c. &c.—Dr Longaker, (652 north 8th st: Philadelphia) comes every 2d day, & I like him & his doings—there has been some little correspondence bet'n him & Dr Bucke—the latter is well—I got letter to-day. Wish you to pass this scrawl to J W W[allace], as he may like to know particulars—the Nat[ional] Review comes to-day & I have been looking at W Sharp's piece—(all guessing ab't future American National Literature seems to me guessing on the weather of years f'm now)—the proofs of "Good-Bye My Fancy" are slowly getting along—have sent back 31 pp: to be corrected—(there may be ab't 45)—don't you look out for anything stirring—it is small any how, & mostly to untune (let down) clinch what I have said before, pass the fingers again carelessly over the strings & probably some parrot-like repetitions & to close the book avoiding any thing like trumpet blasts or attempts at them—intend it to be bound in with "November Boughs" & make it supplementary part.
Tuesday 31st 1 pm—Dr L has just been—thinks matters are going along satisfactorily—Dark glum day—& I am too, but it is blessed to be no worse, & even indication of turning better—am sitting here same way in big chair alone &c:—drizzling out—God bless you & all—
Walt Whitman