
Having seen by a paragraph in the Pall Mall Gazette that some of your books can be
obtained from you, I write to you for I should like to have some of those that are
mentioned. First I wish to have the new one, Goodbye, My Fancy. There it is mentioned
that there is a "small Leaves of Grass, latest date, with 6 portraits, Morocco
bound."
This I should like to have very much. The edition which I now have of Leaves of Grass
is that of 1881 called "author's copyright ed." published by David Bogue, London. I
also have in a separate pamphlet, Preface to original edition 1855. But the small edition of the book
that you now have would be greatly prized by me.
As I do not know the prices of either it or the new one, I am sending you by POO £ 1. and if there is anything
further to pay, I will remit it immediately on hearing from you. I would like also
to know what price is the other book mentioned in the newspaper, a large volume of
Complete Poems &
Prose, 1000 pages & whether it contains anything more than is contained in
Specimen Days & Leaves of Grass. My edition of Specimen Days is 1883 by Wilson
Glasgow, with a photograph.
I cannot write without saying how greatly I value and care for your writings. I have
done so for many years, & I always watch with greatest interest for any news of you in the Pall
Mall Gazette.
Your most beautiful poems on Death in Leaves of Grass appeal very strongly to me, but this is only singling out one series in that most beautiful book. Many beside these are very precious to me.
I wish you most earnestly every Blessing that the New Year can bring you, & peace &
freedom from suffering. Peace, the truest Blessing, any of us can enjoy, & a
happy looking forward to a fuller happiness in the New
Life, when the Spirit can live its true life of joyous vigour unhindered.

I have November Boughs
Address Miss Ashley 16 New King Street Bath England

