The Walt Whitman Archive
Commentary
Interviews and Reminiscences
About this Item
Title: Walt Whitman Ill
Creator: Anonymous
Date: April 6, 1890
Whitman Archive ID: med.00607
Source: The New-York Times 6 April 1890: 1. Our transcription is based on a digital image of a microfilm copy of an original issue. For a description of the editorial rationale behind our treatment of the interviews, see our statement of editorial policy.
Contributors to digital file: Brett Barney and Shea Montgomerey
 image 1 |
WALT WHITMAN ILL.
———
TOO MUCH SPRING AIR HAS GIVEN THE
POET THE GRIP.
PHILADELPHIA, April 5.—
Walt Whitman has not been out of his quaint little cottage home for ten days. Lying upon his old-fashioned four-post bed in a room strewed with newspapers, periodicals, and proofs, the poet said:
"Ten days ago I was tempted by the coming on of lilac time and the almost human tenderness in the atmosphere, to get up and go out, and as I was being wheeled about by my faithful attendant, I don't think I ever enjoyed the faint perfume of Spring in the air as I did that March afternoon. But I staid just a little too long in my unaccustomed wanderings, because I had not been out before during the month of March. It was after sunset when I got back to my home, and I enjoyed my supper better than I had for many a day, and slept all through the night. But when I woke up in the morning I knew I had the grip, and I had it bad. Thus far I have not sent for a doctor, because I feel sure I can wear the disease out. I take an occasional milk punch, which invigorates me, and but for an uncomfortable feeling in the throat I wouldn't mind it much.
"But such a day as this I begin to feel the joy of living again, and when I can once get into the open air constantly I shall soon be myself again. I can read the magazines, and my friends from abroad keep me advised as to what is going on in the world. I have this morning had a most delightful letter from John J. Pratt, the American Consul at Belfast."