in “Drum-Taps” (1865) and “Memoranda during the War” (1867). His fatigue and night-watching in 1864 brought on a serious illness, from which he has never entirely recovered. In 1870 he published a volume of prose essays called “Democratic Vistas,” a new edition of which has been issued by Walter Scott (London, 1888), with a preface written by Whitman in April of the same year. In this volume he explains that he uses the word “Democrat” in its widest sense as synonymous with the American form of government. From 1865 till 1874 Whitman held a government clerkship in Washington. In February, 1873, the lingering effects of his nursing fatigues and illness during the war culminated in a severe paralytic attack. He left Washington for Camden, N. J., and was recovering when in May of the same year his mother died somewhat suddenly in his presence. This shock caused a relapse. He abandoned Washington and has continued to reside at Camden. Mr. Whitman has been called “the good gray poet.” His admirers, especially in England, have been extravagant in their praise of his works, comparing him with the best of the classic writers, and in this country Ralph Waldo Emerson said on the appearance of “Leaves of Grass”: “I find it the most extraordinary piece of wit and wisdom that America has yet contributed. . . . I find incomparable things incomparably said.” On the other hand, the peculiar form of his writings prevents their popularity, and their substance has been widely regarded as of no value. “Leaves of Grass” has even been condemned for indecency on account of its outspokenness, and when a complete edition of the work was published (Boston, 1881) the Massachusetts authorities objected to its sale in that state on the ground of immorality. Besides the works already mentioned, Whitman has published “Passage to India” (1870); “After All, not to Create Only” (1871); “As Strong as a Bird on Pinions Free” (1872); “Two Rivulets,” including “Democratic Vistas” and “Passage to India” (1873); “Specimen Days and Collect” (1883); “November Boughs” (1885); and “Sands at Seventy” (1888). A selection of his poems, by William M. Rossetti, was published (London, 1868). Besides the complete edition of “Leaves of Grass” that has been mentioned, another, edited by Prof. Edward Dowden, has since been issued (Glasgow, Scotland). A popular selection, with introduction by Ernest Rhys, was published by Walter Scott (London, 1886). See “The Good Gray Poet, a Vindication,” by William D. O'Connor (New York, 1866), and “Notes on Walt Whitman as Poet and Person,” by John Burroughs (1866).
WHITMARSH, Caroline Snowden, author, b.
in Boston, Mass., 1 June, 1827. At the age of five
she was hurried home from the Ursuline convent in
Charlestown, Mass., by the mob that destroyed
it, and afterward, being a delicate child, attended
school but little. She has written and compiled
about twenty-three volumes, chiefly religious and
educational. In 1870 she married James Guild,
of Roxbury. Her books include “Violet”
(Boston, 1855); “Daisy” (1856); “Never mind the
Face” (New York, 1856); and the “Summer-House
Series” on scientific subjects (7 vols.,
Boston, 1859-'64). She has compiled “Hymns for
Mothers and Children” (2 series, Boston, 1860);
“Hymns of the Ages,” the first series with Mrs.
Anne E. Guild (3 series, 1859-'64); and “Prayers
of the Ages” (1867). — Mr. Guild's first wife, Anne
(1826-'68), whose maiden name was Gore, was a
co-worker of Miss Whitmarsh, and the author of
“Grandmother Lee's Portfolio” (Boston, 1857).
WHITMER, David, Mormon elder, b. in
Harrisburg, Pa., 7 Jan., 1805; d. in Richmond. Mo.,
25 Jan., 1888. He moved to Ontario county, N. Y.,
when a youth, and in 1829 was engaged in farming
near Palmyra, N. Y., when Oliver Cowdery,
the village school-master, told him that he
intended to visit Joseph Smith and examine the
alleged discovery of golden plates that bore upon
their face curious inscriptions that no one could
read. In June, 1829, Cowdery and Smith called
upon Whitmer, and, by instruction from an angel
of the Lord, as claimed by Smith, requested Whitmer
to go into the woods near by. On reaching a
secluded spot they all engaged in prayer, when
suddenly a very brilliant light filled the space
around them. A moment later an angel appeared,
and also a table on which were several golden
plates that they were told to examine. They
were commanded to bear witness of their experience
to the world. This they have done by prefixing
a statement to each copy of the “Book of
Mormon,” where it is stated that they, “through
the grace of God and our Lord Jesus Christ, have
seen the plates which contain this record, which
is the record of the people of Nephi.” In June,
1838, Mr. Whitmer withdrew from the Mormon
church, taking with him the original manuscript
of the “Book of Mormon,” and settled in Richmond,
Mo., where he resided until his death, a useful and
respected member of the community. In 1887 he
issued “An Address to all Believers in Christ,” in
which, among his reasons for withdrawing from
the Mormon church, were the ordaining of
high-priests in 1831, the compiling of a book of
doctrines and covenants in 1835, the publication of
many revelations that were made, the organization
of a band of Danites in 1838 at Far West, and
the revelations that favored polygamy. He claimed
to “believe in the doctrine of Christ as it is
taught in the New Testament and the ‘Book of
Mormon,’ the same gospel being taught in both
these books.” In the "Book of Mormon" is a positive
command that “not any man among you have
save it be one wife; and concubines shall he have
none; for I the Lord delight in the chastity of
woman.” He was a faithful believer in Mormonism
to the end, declaring during the last few
hours of his life: “I want to say to you, the Bible
and the record of the Nephites [the ‘Book of
Mormon’] is true, so you can say that you have
heard me bear my testimony on my death-bed.” He
was the last of “the three witnesses” to the divine
authenticity of the record of the Nephites. See
“Early Days of Mormonism,” by James Harrison
Kennedy (New York, 1888).
WHITMORE, Edward, British soldier, b. in England in 1691; d. off Plymouth, Mass., 10 Dec., 1761. He was probably a son of Arthur Whitmore, of York, England. He served in the war of the Austrian succession, and was made lieutenant-colonel of the 36th regiment in 1747. He was promoted in July, 1757, colonel of the 22d regiment, and next year was made brigadier-general. He was at the siege of Louisburg in 1758, and, after the surrender of the town, was left there as military governor. On a voyage to Boston in December, 1761, the ship put into Plymouth harbor to seek shelter from contrary winds, and Gen. Whitmore, going on deck at midnight, accidentally fell overboard and was drowned. His body was taken up next morning near the “Gurnet,” and carried to Boston in the same vessel. On Wednesday, 16 Dec., he was buried with military pomp in the king's chapel. See Richard Brown's “History of the Island of Cape Breton” (London, 1869); Francis
