Creator

J. E. Calkins

Recipient

John Muir

Preview

image preview

Transcription

[illegible]But, of course, it takes time to bring such a thing to pass. There are things to be considered, things to be arranged for, and things to be done. While, frankly, I should very much like to see the arrangement made, in whatever way we determine, I understand that there are a good many things for you to settle before you enter into such an undertaking. I don't know but I am a little startled that you should speak so favorably of the proposition, and find so little to criticise in it. At least I am disposed to take all this as a very pleasant compliment. You will be good enough to understand that my hat is off to you.I suppose that the essential merit of the plan, if we are to assume that it has merit, lies in the one broad claim that it looks to greater facility for work. When this claim is put under analysis it sub-divides into several smaller ones:-an increase of domestic comfort, possibly; assistance in the mere manual part of the work; and after these such minor advantages as might accrue to you from my own intense interest in your work, and the wish of all of us to make our home seem homelike to you, and your own absolute freedom to do as you please. If these incidentals shall happily contribute to your peace of mind, and your convenience, we may assume that they will enable you to do your work with greater facility, and this, in turn, means more work, and also easier work. It is primarily because I am so anxious to see your writing proceed that I have had the temerity to suggest the basis of this plan on which we might get together and push things a little. I shall be glad, as will my wife and son, to do whatever may be possible to assist you in case you conclude that it will be well to put some such plan into effect.The only ground for uneasiness at this time is the danger that you may have another serious attack of the grippe, such as laid you low and knocked out a lot of good time for you late last winter. We only hope that you may escape such an affliction this winter, even though you linger at Martinez. We have rain here too, upon occasion, but continued sulky weather, excessive fogginess, and thegeneral state of meteorological pouts that afflicts the vicinity of San Francisco Bay in wintertime [illegible] are hopefully lacking here. And I believe you would like it, once you were settled. We earnestly hope to hear of your continued good health and activity, and we are equally strong in hope that the good news from Miss Helen will not give place to anything less encouraging.I have no news to give you, and I am personally so uninteresting that there is nothing to be said about myself, so I am just going to ask you to let us hear from you as you feel moved to write, or have something to say, and with that subscribe myself[illegible]04410

Location

Lordsburg, Calif.

Date Original

1909 Jan 21

Source

Original letter dimensions: 21.5 x 18.5 cm.

Resource Identifier

muir18_0091-let.tif

File Identifier

Reel 18, Image 0091

Copyright Statement

Some letters written to John Muir may be protected by the U.S. Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.C.). Transmission or reproduction of materials protected by copyright beyond that allowed by fair use requires the written permission of the copyright owners. Responsibility for any use rests exclusively with the user.

Owning Institution

University of the Pacific Library Holt-Atherton Special Collections. Please contact this institution directly to obtain copies of the images or permission to publish or use them beyond educational purposes.

Page Number

Page 2

Keywords

John Muir, correspondence, letters, author, writing, naturalist, California, correspondent, mail, message, post, exchange of letters, missive, notes, epistle

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