The Walt Whitman Archive
Commentary
Disciples
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Sunday, September 29, 1889
9.40 A.M. W. just up. Had put a big brown-mixed coat on and was opening the shutter blinds. Very cheery, and looked well. Sat down and spoke with me. I wished to leave him Ashton Bell's name for inscribing in a copy of the big book. He promised to write it and send the book to my house by and by by Ed. I had the Swinburne book under my arm. He asked— "What have you there?" And when I told him he said: "You will like to examine it, as you would a curio—but it is
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not much—not profound—never touches bottom, or near." Again said: "If you are going to Germantown give my affection and best love to Clifford"—adding as he looked out of the window: "It appears to be a beautiful day: isn't it mild, fine?" And then— "The clear sky—how it beams! This might be a day to get out, after all."
Spoke of "Emersonism" as so often before. "Emersonism finds nothing infallible enough for its test—nothing—all is fluid, uncertain"—and then— "Let us stay on the earth," etc. I did not linger. Ed came in with a bowl of water, in which W. proceeded at once to bathe his hands and face. Since Dr. Brinton's advice to Ed to take a University Veterinary course, Ed is inclined somewhat, to stay. I have some hope of it.