RAMBLES AMONG WORDS: THEIR POETRY, HISTORY AND WISDOM

[WHITMAN, WALT] Swinton, William. RAMBLES AMONG WORDS: THEIR POETRY, HISTORY AND WISDOM. New York: Charles Scribner, 1859. First edition. Original sage cloth, gilt. "Swinton was assisted by Whitman in preparing this book." --Joel Myerson. Some general fading, spine gilt dulled but legible, and some chewing along fore-edge of rear cover, but a tight clean copy with no rubbing. This playful etymological work emphasizes the sensual and spiritual aspects of language, sounds, and semantics. This copy is inscribed by one George William Ranson in 1859 and has his well-informed critical pencil annotations throughout the text protesting much of what is said. BAL was uncertain of the extent of Whitman's involvement with this scarce book, but noted that several scholars (Charles Feinberg, Harry Warfel, and Gay Wilson Allen) argued that Whitman "had a hand in it." Myerson makes the blunt statement quoted above and cites more recent research than BAL. A rare volume; even the four reprints cited by Myerson are uncommon. Swinton had an interesting career. As a war correspondent with the Union Army he committed some crime, possibly spying, and was ordered shot, but at the last minute was instead expelled from the front lines by General Grant. After the war he briefly partnered with Mark Twain in a "newspaper syndicate" in Washington, DC, and he was later chair of the literature department at University of California. BAL IX:97:col.2. Myerson D3.