Some of Whitman's extant letters to young men, though they do not throw definite light on this question, are of a very affectionate character,[97] and, although a man of remarkable physical vigor, he never felt inclined to marry.[98] It remains somewhat difficult to classify him from the sexual point of view, but we can scarcely fail to recognize the presence of a homosexual tendency.
I should add that some friends and admirers of Whitman are not prepared to accept the evidence of the letter to Symonds.

I am indebted to "Q." for the following statement of the objections:-- "I think myself that it is a mistake to give much weight to this letter--perhaps a mistake to introduce it at all, since if introduced it will, of course, carry weight.

And this for three or four reasons:-- "1.

That it is difficult to reconcile the letter itself (with its strong tone of disapprobation) with the general 'atmosphere' of _Leaves of Grass_, the tenor of which is to leave everything open and free.
"2.

That the letter is in hopeless conflict with the 'Calamus' section of poems.