LEAVES OF GRASS

The great American poet, essayist and journalist - Walt Whitman  - was born 196 years ago today.
And one of his books is on the shelves in the Bullis Room:

Leaves of Grass

By Walt Whitman

Published: Boston, James R. Osgood and Co.,  1881-82

It appears that this Bullis copy is the next-to-last edition, based on information we found at  The Walt Whitman Archive (http://www.whitmanarchive.org/published/LG/).  This site lists the six American editions of Leaves of Grass that were published in Whitman's lifetime. These editions covered a period of time from 1855 to 1891-92. You can find details about each one of these editions, at the link above.

If you're interested in finding out more about Walt Whitman, the man, you can find a good introduction to that on today's edition of The Writer's Almanac with Garrison Keilor (http://writersalmanac.org/). This site also includes an interesting paragraph, which we quote:

Whitman spent the last 20 years of his life revising and expanding Leaves of Grass, 

issuing the eighth and final edition in 1891, saying it was

 "at last complete — after 33 y'rs of hackling at it, all times & moods of my life, 

fair weather & foul, all parts of the land, and peace & war, young & old."

(From: The Writer's Almanac with Garrison Keiler, May 31, 2015)

Since the poet spent so much of his life "hackling" at this work in all kinds of weather, moods, places, ages, it seems only fair that we should make an effort to appreciate the results. So we invite you to stop by the Bullis Room and take a look at this 134 year old book with us. (If you'll put on our white gloves, we'll even let you hold it! Honest!)

ON THIS MEMORIAL DAY

WE HONOR ALL THOSE WHO HAVE DIED WHILE SERVING OUR NATION.

CHARLIE BULLIS'S POPPIES

(Photo taken May, 2010)

BULLIS BOOKS ABOUT HORSES

Somewhere in the Bullis family history, there must be several horses - here and there. One reason we make this assumption is that the Bullis collection has several books on the subject.

So for all you horse-lovers out there, we invite you to stop in and take a look at one or more in this group of fiction and non-fiction books about your favorite animal:

Morgan Horses: 

A premium essay on the origin, history, and 

characteristics of this remarkable American breed of horses;

tracing the pedigree from the original Justin Morgan, through

the most noted of his progeny, down to the present time.

By D. C. Linsley

Published in New York by C. M. Saxton and Company, 1857

(Note: This book has numerous portraits, to which are added

information about general use and management of horses.)

Black Beauty

by Anna Sewell

Published in New York by Dodd, Mead, 1941

(Note: You read this as a child - is it time for you to enjoy it again?)

Special Report on Diseases of the Horse

By L. Pearson and others

Published in Washington D.C., G.P.O., 1923

Examination of a sick horse, fundamental principles of disease of the

eye, nervous system, heart, wounds and their treatment; 

also how to shoe a horse

Wild Animal Ways

By Ernest Thompson Seton

Published in Garden City, New York, Doubleday, Page & Company, 1916

(Note: This collection of short stories contains one titled"Coaly-Bay, The Outlaw Horse." 

The first sentence explains: "Coaly-bay sounds like Kolibey, which is an Arab title of nobility, and those who saw the handsome colt, and did not know how he came by the name, 

thought he must be of Arab blood." 

So the next time you're in MPL, you can look at these books - or any other in the collection - by inquiring at the front desk and making arrangements. It's as simple as that.

A LETTER FROM MRS. BAYLORD

There's another interesting letter we found among Nettie Bullis's papers, but she is not the writer. It is dated March 1, 1914 and signed "Mrs. Baylord."

In the first paragraph Mrs. Baylord indicates that she is answering Nettie Bullis's letter to her.  She then writes about her three cats: Willard, Tiger and Snoopy, and adds that Sniffi is dead. She also writes about gardening and sewing.

Mrs. Baylord mentions Eleanor,  a teacher named May Contast and the Ward Boys, as well as Mr. Day (who is a trustee--of what, she doesn't say).

The letter ends:
"With love to you
Mrs. Baylord
This is your stamp thank you just the same"

And then she adds this recipe:

"Taffy or Vinegar Candy

Three cupfuls of sugar, one half cupful water, one half cupful of vinegar.  Stir before putting on the stove, but not after, one tablespoonful of butter and teaspoonful of vanilla. Cook until it hardens. Just before removing from the stove stir in a little soda in a few drops of hot water. When cool to handle pull with the tips of the fingers."

So we're asking you to let us know if have any information about any of the people mentioned in this letter. 

And if you try the recipe, please let us know how it comes out!

ANOTHER YEAR, ANOTHER LETTER

Document: 117      From Nettie Bullis to Cousin Eleanor      Date: June 4, 1911
From Address: Macedon, NY

"My dear Cousin Eleanor,

Ever since I sent you the Easter card, I've meant to have written and told you how I appreciated your nice long letter received sometime ago.

It has been a most perfect Sunday, with a refreshing breeze this afternoon. If June is anything like May was, we will have plenty of warm days without even a breeze.

How sad about Uncle John's death. I am so sorry for Aunt Josephine and the girls. A paper came yesterday from San Antonio. It seems so sad that some of his relatives weren't there.

Examinations come next week; I have several to try. At present I am debating on whether to go into this years class or not. Mr. Crane said that I thought to go in; Miss Ladner said she thought as I did, that it was a foolish waste of time. I don't like to take the time from my studies, to learn an essay and then get up and deliver it in public. Did you have to write an essay when you graduated? I have got one nearly written on the topic "Life like every other blessing derives its value from its use." I think the law requires one to write an essay, but not to deliver it: it is the custom here, however, to deliver them.

You wondered at my knowing that old-furniture was one of your fads. Something you said the summer you were here led me to believe as I did. I have not fixed up any old pieces lately, yet there are a number that need fixing. A friend loaned me some of her last years Ladies Home Journals, that contained articles on old furniture and house decorations. You wrote you would send me some clippings on furniture when you get them together. I assure you I shall appreciate them. Aunt Helen sent up the Saturday Evening Posts of 1906. With the articles on furniture by the Shacheltons. I hope I can get papa to help fix up the fireplace in the sitting room, this summer. I am very fond of fireplaces, there are two in this house, yet I have never seen an open fire.

A week ago I fixed  a flower bed on the south side of the house and planted part of a package of mixed flower seeds. "A wild garden mixture" said to contain over 400 kinds of flower seeds. I have to let every thing that comes up grow, weeds and all, for I fear I might make a mistake and pull flowers instead of weeds. As I was fixing the bed my thoughts involuntarily turned back to the days when I used to go with Aunt Amy after dirt for her plants. She was a great lover of flowers.

Last fall Papa built a new front stoop. It is 10ft wide and 20ft long; or rather, I should say that he built at it, he has not got the railing up yet. I hope he can get it up soon, and get it painted so that we can start some vines. I imagine it will be a pleasant retreat for the summer, but honestly, cousin, I was sorry to see the old stoop go. Our great grandfather Bullis probably built it when he built the house.

You asked if I saw much of Jessie and Aunt Lydia. I saw Aunt Lydia Thursday afternoon, but I have not seen Jessie since the fall of 1908.

Do you intend to teach school this coming fall? I don't know for sure, what I shall do, I think I shall do some sewing about the first thing after examinations. I have not done any lately, and have run rather short of clothes.

I have a hard cold now, which seems rather out of place in this kind of weather. I hope you are well.

It is getting late and if I don't stop you will be glad that I am tardy in answering letters. With much love,

Nettie

Write me again soon.