The Press: A Walk with Walt

"Gods! what a glorious morning it was! Just enough of enervating, voluptuous heat—and just enough breeze to fill the wings of the zephyrs—and just enough sunshine to reflect a sparkle in the eyes of beautiful women—and just enough people . . . on the pave to make one continued, ceaseless, devilish, provoking, delicious, glorious jam!" Thus ecstatically did young (22) Editor Walt Whitman of Manhattan's daily Aurora (circ. 5,000) sing the praises of New York in the spring of 1842. It was a notable newspaper era. Besides Whitman's Aurora, New York City boasted...