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  My dear Walt Whitman,

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   see notes Aug 6 1891