A Whitman Chronology

5. 1868–1875

CHAPTER FIVE the lights and shades - Preface, As a Strong Bird on Pinions Free, 1872 The years 1868-1875 include some of Whitman's best and, undoubtedly, some of the worst times. Though discouraged by Reconstruction politics and the practice of democracy in the United States, he takes up the defense of democratic principles, first in "Democracy" and later in Democratic Vistas (1871). Appreciation of his work continues to grow in England, where in 1868 William M. Rossetti edits a volume of selections from Leaves if Grass, titled Poems if Walt Whitman. Poet Algernon Charles Swinburne honors him by linking him to William Blake, and he is noted by a number of literary critics. A friendly correspondence begins with Alfred, Lord Tennyson, and, unexpectedly, with the Englishwoman Anne Gilchrist, widow of the Blake biographer Alexander Gilchrist, who declares her love for Whitman and proposes marriage. On the Continent some of his poems are translated into German and some into Danish, while at home he receives invitations to read at an exhibition of American industry, at the Dartmouth College commencement , and at a meeting of mathematicians at Tufts College. Passage to India distinguishes his 1871 edition of Leaves ifGrass, and some minor poems, widely circulated, keep his name before the public. It is in his personal life that things go awry in this period . Changes in Whitman's family include Jeff's move to St. Louis and his wife's subsequent illness and death; the accidental death of one of Andrew's sons; Jesse's death in the Brooklyn asylum; George's marriage to Louisa Haslam and move to New Jersey, leaving his mother to deal with Edward; and his mother's illness, leading to the breakup of her home and her death in 1873. Just months before his mother's death Whitman suffers a paralyzing stroke, which leaves him "A batter'd, wreck'd old man," as he describes the hero of his "Prayer of Columbus" later in the year. Separated from his beloved Peter Doyle by distance (after Walt goes to live with George and Louisa in Camden, New Jersey ) and from William O'Connor by anger (the result of a bitter argument), Whitman almost succumbs to loneliness and despair. But while slowly adjusting to his physicallimitations , he is able to print a small number of Memoranda During the War and begins to plan another edition ofLeaves and a book of prose and poetry to be called Two Rivulets. 1868 17 JANUARY. Jeff Whitman writes to Walt that he and his family arrived safely in Pittsburgh on their way to St. Louis. Jeff, Mattie, and the children settle in St. Louis late in January, but because of the pressure of work Jeff does not resume correspondence with Walt until July, when he begins to express fears at his wife's persistent throat ailment (Berthold and Price, 124, 125). By September the doctors in St. Louis are recommending a trip East, and Mattie returns to Brooklyn. 24 JANUARY. Whitman attends a lecture by zoologist Alexander Agassiz at the E Street Baptist Church, Washington (CORR, 2:14, nlO). JANUARY. Putnam's Magazine carries a story by William O'Connor titled "The Carpenter." An allegory presenting Whitman as a Christ figure, it appears to be part of the attempt to create an ideal image of the poet. 5 FEBRUARY. Poems ifWalt Whitman, edited by William M. Rossetti, is published in London. 17 FEBRUARY. Whitman writes to Moncure Conway that having his book and his cause fall into William Rossetti's hands was a piece of the greatest "good fortune" (CORR, 2:16). 18 FEBRUARY. In a letter to the publisher ofthe London edition of selections from Leaves, John Camden Hotten, Whitman accepts the proposed terms for sale of the vol- ume III England and the United States. Sales in the United States are to bring an author's royalty oftwentyfive cents per copy, with Whitman retaining full copyright (CORR, 2: 16-17). 19 FEBRUARY. Whitman arranges for the binding of ninety copies ofthe 1867 Leaves (CORR, 2:18). FEBRUARY. Copies of Algernon Charles Swinburne's study of William Blake reach America; Swinburne argues that there is a spiritual connection between the poetry of Blake and Whitman, which further enhances the latter's European reputation. 9 MARCH. Whitman receives from London his copy of Poems ifWalt Whitman. He writes to the publisher, John Camden Hotten, offering (at a price of $40...