Dec. 25 6 p m—have been out to-day in the wheel chair—& down to the kitchen at the table for my supper—now sitting as usual up in my den—J A Symonds from Switzerland has sent the warmest & (I think sh'd be call'd) the most passionate testimony letter to L of G. & me yet—I will send it to you after a little while—
Yesterday went out (two hours drive) to the Harleigh Cemetery & selected my burial lot—a little way back, wooded, on a side hill—lot 20 x 30 feet—think of a vault & capping all a plain massive stone temple, (for want of better descriptive word)—Harleigh Cemetery is a new burial ground & they desire to give me a lot—I suppose you rec'd the Critic—
Dec 26 noon Perfect sunny day—Tom Donaldson here last evn'g—sold a little pocket-book L of G. to-day, & got the money—am feeling fairly (inclined to heavy) to-day—plain indications of rheumatism in my right arm—both my parents had r but not yet in me—Shall have a currying & then get out in the wheel chair—
Walt WhitmanSudden death of a special friend & neighbor I have known from her 13th—a fine young handsome woman—typhoid—buried to-day—