_Commencement of a gossipy travelling letter in a New York city paper,
May 10, 1879_.--My month's visit is about up; but before I get back to
Camden let me print some jottings of the last four weeks. Have you not,
reader dear, among your intimate friends, some one, temporarily absent,
whose letters to you, avoiding all the big topics and disquisitions,
give only minor, gossipy sights and scenes--just as they come--subjects
disdain'd by solid writers, but interesting to you because they were
such as happen to everybody, and were the moving entourage to your
friend--to his or her steps, eyes, mentality? Well, with an idea
something of that kind, I suppose, I set out on the following
hurrygraphs of a breezy early-summer visit to New York city and up the
North river--especially at present of some hours along Broadway.
_What I came to New York for_.--To try the experiment of a lecture--to
see whether I could stand it, and whether an audience could--was my
specific object. Some friends had invited me--it was by no means clear
how it would end--I stipulated that they should get only a third-rate
hall, and not sound the advertising trumpets a bit--and so I started. I
much wanted something to do for occupation, consistent with my limping
and paralyzed state. And now, since it came off, and since neither my
hearers nor I myself really collaps'd at the aforesaid lecture, I intend
to go up and down the land (in moderation,) seeking whom I may devour,
with lectures, and reading of my own poems--short pulls, however--never
exceeding an hour.
_Crossing from Jersey city, 5 to 6 P.M._--The city part of the North
river with its life, breadth, peculiarities--the amplitude of sea and
wharf, cargo and commerce--one don't realize them till one has been
away a long time and, as now returning, (crossing from Jersey city to
Desbrosses-st.,) gazes on the unrivall'd panorama, and far down the
thin-vapor'd vistas of the bay, toward the Narrows--or northward up the
Hudson--or on the ample spread and infinite variety, free and floating,
of the more immediate views--a countless river series--everything
moving, yet so easy, and such plenty of room! Little, I say, do folks
here appreciate the most ample, eligible, picturesque bay and estuary
surroundings in the world! This is the third time such a conviction
has come to me after absence, returning to New York, dwelling on its
magnificent entrances--approaching the city by them from any point.
More and more, too, the _old name_ absorbs into me--MANNAHATTA, "the
place encircled by many swift tides and sparkling waters." How fit a
name for America's great democratic island city! The word itself,
how beautiful! how aboriginal! how it seems to rise with tall spires,
glistening in sunshine, with such New World atmosphere, vista and
action!