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  My Dear Walt Whitman,

Our best & warmest thanks to you for your kindness in sending us the advance copy of "Good Bye My Fancy," which reached us by last mail!

As I was then overwhelmed with work I took the book at once to Wallace & he has had it ever since until today & tho' I am still without opportunity for   reading it—I have had a fearfully busy week—but I could not let the mail go without sending you my personal thanks for your generous gift which I shall prize very highly indeed & take time to absorb & assimilate.

Meanwhile I take this opportunity of Congratulating you upon the successful accomplishment of your life task—finis coronat opus—& the Completion of your "Carte-de-viste to posterity." It must be a great satisfaction to you   to feel that you have finished your work, & to us it is matter for congratulation & gratitude that you have been permitted to do so.

On this, the eve of your 72nd birthday, my thoughts have been much with you, & I am longing to hear some news of you & how you are keeping. Better, I sincerely hope & trust, my good kind old friend.

I am looking forward to spending a pleasant afternoon tomorrow (Sunday 31st) with Wallace & a few of   the friends. It will be a sacred & blessed day with us, full of tender & loving thoughts of you

I send you a copy of the Annandale Observer containing some verses suggested by my recent visit to my native place—

Now as time presses I must close, with kindest regards to all your household & with my heart's best love to you

Yours affectionately J. Johnston   see notes July 8 1891