I expect, Darling, we must go to some little town or village ten or twenty miles short of Philadelphia till the tremendous influx of visitors to the Centennial has ceased, else we shall not be able to find a corner there.--By the bye, I feel a little sulky at your always taking a fling at the poor piano. I see I have got to try & show you it too is capable of waking deep chords in the human soul when it is the vehicle of a great master's thought & emotions--if only my poor fingers prove equal to the task! (All my heart shall go into them.) Take from my picture a long, long look of tender love and joy and faith, deathless, ever young, ever growing, ever learning, aspiring love, tender, cherishing, domestic love. Oh, may I be full of sweet comfort for my Beloved's Soul and Body through life, through and after death. ANNE GILCHRIST. LETTER XXXIV WALT WHITMAN TO ANNE GILCHRIST _Camden, New Jersey March, 1876._ DEAREST FRIEND: To your good & comforting letter of Feb. 25th I at once answer, at least with a few lines. I have already written this morning a pretty full letter to Mr. Rossetti (to answer one just rec'd from him) & requested him to loan it you for perusal. In that I have described my situation fully & candidly. My new edition is printed & ready. Upon receipt of your letter I sent you a set, two Vols. (by Mail, March 15) which you must have rec'd by this time. I wish you to send me word soon as they arrive. My health, I am encouraged to think, is perhaps a shade better--certainly as well as any time of late. I even already vaguely contemplate plans (they may never be fulfilled, but yet again they may) of changes, journeys--even of coming to London & seeing you, visiting my friends, &c. My dearest friend, _I do not approve your American trans-settlement. I see so many things here you have no idea of--the social, and almost every other kind of crudeness, meagreness, here (at least in appearance)._ _Don't do anything towards it nor resolve in it nor make any move at all in it without further advice from me. If I should get well enough to voyage, we will talk about it yet in London._ You must not be uneasy about me--dearest friend, I get along much better than you think for. As to the literary situation here, my rejection by the coteries and the poverty (which is the least of my troubles), am not sure but I enjoy them all--besides, as to the latter, I am not in want. LETTER XXXV ANNE GILCHRIST TO WALT WHITMAN _1 Torriano Gardens Camden Rd., London March 30, '76._