Hottest & most prostrating day yet—good bowel action—I have washed all off in cool water & sit here half naked in solitude writing this—A welcome lively letter from O'Connor—Dr Channing's daughter Grace (& other folks) has (& have) compiled a book, "Walt Wh—Calendar," & are now north seeking a publisher—Dr C has put this job (seeking a grand N Y publisher) in the hands of Stedman—& that's the way the situation stands at the present moment—dont you sorrow for poor Stedman?—think of such temperature as to-days!
—An artist S Hollyer has etched me from a photo Mary Costelloe call'd the Lear—I guess it is pretty good—I shall not forget one for you soon as I can get one—
—I send proofs 105 to 117 inclusive—there will be ab't 20 more—I am more comfortable than you may suppose
Sunset
Have had & enjoyed my dinner, roast lamb, potatoes & onions, a slice of good bread, tea & roast apples—(only eat two meals a day)—
—This I suppose will be high revel (for two or three weeks now) for excursions & vacations & country trips &c—20 cars went out in one train from here to-day—yours yesterday rec'd
Walt Whitman