In this passage from Specimen Days, Whitman talks about his youth, stuff he liked doing for leisure, and some jobs he performed. At age 16 or 17 he participated actively in "debating societies", which relates to a certain intellectual trait innate in him, not to mention, the importance of debate in a democratic society like America. Then he goes on to say that he was an "omnivorous novel- reader". To me, Whitman was the type of person who loved to learn about anything in general and life through experience, taste, seeing, smelling, touching and hearing. Whitman also went to the theater in New York and sometimes witnessed some "fine performances".
I would guess that attending the theater was a luxury for the wealthy and middle class. Whitman, being white and middle class, took advantage of this opportunity, and why shouldn't he? Despite the economics factor of middle class priviledge, he probably went more so for the desire to be moved by a "fine performance" rather than for the sake of being able to afford a pricey seat. And attending the theater is a sensual experience in ways that we see and hear the actors on stage and interpret the performance. Also, in Leaves of Grass, the 5 senses is a motiff scattered throughout the poem.
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