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  My dear Walt Whitman,

A few offhand words only while the opportunity exists (my last chance for this mail.)

Johnston called on me just before I left the office tonight & walked with me to the Station. He had just received "Good-Bye My Fancy" & lent it to me that I might look it over tonight.

I took the first opportunity of doing so, & have read, I think, all the  matter that I had not previously seen, & glanced through the whole book in its ensemble.—

I will not attempt any description of my emotions & thoughts in doing so.—But it has been a sacred hour with me, full of deep, complex & tender feelings & thoughts.

When I have leisure I hope to read it with greater care & to absorb it as fully as may be.

How I long to know how you are now! My thoughts are with you continually. 

But as this American mail arrived in Bolton late, any communications to me will not be delivered here till tomorrow morning. How eagerly I shall await the postman's visit!

The weather here all this week has been wet & cold (for the time of year.) I hope it is better with you for your sake.

R.K. Greenhalgh is coming here to spend the week end with me, & on Sunday (your birthday) Dr Johnston & perhaps one or two other friends will come over.—I propose to read extracts from your books & to discuss your teaching in reference  to Religion—(but informally— & if the weather permits—outdoors) At any rate we shall unite in loving thoughts & talk about you, & in best wishes. (I wished to have a full meeting of the friends but different circumstances & my own health prevent it).

I thank God that you have been enabled to finish your work so nobly & so fillingly. I pray Him that your remaining life may be visibly blessed by Him—as indeed I doubt not but it will.

(Like the evening songs of birds, your even'g songs seem to me more penetrating & sweeter—more to touch the soul than the more joyous & stronger songs" you sang before—blending with them & confirming them. Loving congratulations to you)

My heart's best love & tenderest wishes to you always J. W. Wallace