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  Walt Whitman, Esq., My dear Sir:—

At the suggestion of a friend some weeks ago I began to read your poems, and have become so much interested in them from my hasty perusal of them that I have decided to make them the object of my studies during the present summer. I have one difficulty, however, and it is the occasion of my writing this letter to you. From the various libraries of this city,—public and private,—to which I have access, I   have been able to secure but two different editions, neither of which quite satisfied me. One was "Leaves of Grass," published in Boston by Thayer and Eldridge, in 1860–61; the other was "Leaves of Grass", published in Philadelphia by David McKay, in 1884. As I said above, neither of these quite satisfied me. The poems were classified in each one in an entirely different manner from the other, which at times proved very confusing.

I write to you, therefore, to ask if you will direct me where I can secure what   you consider the best edition of your poems, so that when I secure it I may feel that I possess that which bears the author's mark of approval.

Before closing this letter I wish to express my appreciation of the many beauties of your verses, & to testify as to the pleasure, comfort, and instruction they have put at my service.

Believe me, Very sincerely yours, John Phillips Street.