The Walt Whitman Archive
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Contemporary Reviews
About this Item
Title: Walt Whitman's New Volume
Creator: unknown [unsigned in original]
Date: October 17, 1888
Whitman Archive ID: anc.02001
Source: Boston Evening Transcript [unknown] (17 October 1888): 1. The electronic text for this file was prepared by Whitman Archive staff, who transcribed the text from a representation of the original (e.g., digital scan or other electronic reproduction, microfilm copy). For a description of the editorial rationale behind our treatment of the reviews, see our statement of editorial policy.
Contributors to digital file: Kyle Barton, Ashley Lawson, Janel Cayer, Ken Price, and Elizabeth Lorang
WALT WHITMAN'S NEW VOLUME.
Walt Whitman's new volume of poetry and prose, "November Boughs," is out in handsome shape—flexible dark-red covers, new and unique portrait of the poet at seventy years, from life, and a rare portrait of Elias Hicks, to whom Mr. Whitman devotes some pages of reminiscence. The poems are entitled, "Sands at Seventy." Many of them bear the stamp of full power,—such as "With Husky-Haughty Lips," "Fancies at Navesink," etc.; others show marks of the advancing lethargy of age. The whole mélange is a remarkable work to have been forged in a sick-room. Walt Whitman is exhibiting an astonishing tenacity of grip on life. His brain is as clear in its thinking as ever, and his handwriting bold and strong as of old. He ought to winter in some pleasant Southern city where he could sit by open windows. But as he has not come down stairs out of his chamber more than twice in several months, it is probable—nearly certain, in fact—that he would not be equal to a journey of any kind, even if inclined to take it. He is in the care of affectionate friends, one of whom, Mr. Horace Traubel, formerly an editorial writer on the Boston Commonwealth, is in constant and affectionate daily attendance on him, and has helped him put through the press the volume "November Boughs" (price $1.25) and a forthcoming six-dollar edition of his completed works, both volumes published by David McKay, 23 South Ninth street, Philadelphia.