LETTER XXXVIII

ANNE GILCHRIST TO WALT WHITMAN

_Round Hill, Northampton, Mass. Monday, Sept., '77._

DEAREST FRIEND:

I have had joyful news to-day! Percy's wife has a fine little boy--it was born on the 10th, and Norah got through well & is doing nicely; so I feel very happy.

Since then Per. has gone to Paris where he is to read a paper before the "Iron and Steel Institute" on the Elimination of phosphorus from Iron--which is also a little triumph of another kind for him--for the Council which accepted his paper is composed of eminent English scientists, & eminent foreign ones will hear it.--I need not tell you it is indescribably lovely here now--no doubt Kirkwood is the same--the light so brilliant, and yet soft--the rich autumn tints just beginning to appear--the temperature delicious--crisp & bracing, yet genial.

The throng of people is gone--but a few of the pleasantest of the old set remain--& a few interesting new ones have come!--among them Mrs. Dexter from Boston, who was a Miss Ticnor, daughter of the author of the book on Spanish literature--she and her husband full of interesting talk. Also Mr. Martin B---- and his wife--a fine specimen of a leading Bostonian. Besides these also a physician from Florida whom I much admire--with a beautiful firm tenor voice--very handsome & graceful too, a true southerner, I should say--(but of Scotch extraction).

Next week we go to Boston.

I went over the Lunatic Asylum here the other day & saw some strange, sad sights--some figures crouched down in attitudes of such profound dejection I shall never forget them--some very bright and talkative. It is said to be the best managed in America. Dr. Earle, who is at the head, is a man of splendid capacity for the post--a noble-looking old man (uncle of those Miss Chases you met at our house).

I can't settle to anything or think of any thing since I received Percy's letter but the baby & Norah. Love to you & to Mrs. Whitman[25] & Hattie[26] & Jessie.[27]

Good-bye, dear Friend.

ANNE GILCHRIST.