Yosemite in Spring. The Reign of the Earthquake-The Beauties of the Falls-The Time for Tourists. Yosemite Valley, May 7.
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Kimes Entry Number
013A
Original Date
7-11-1872
Publication
New York Daily Tribune
Page/Column
p. 2. [Scrapbook II, p. 61.]
Location
LC
Recommended Citation
Muir, John, "Yosemite in Spring. The Reign of the Earthquake-The Beauties of the Falls-The Time for Tourists. Yosemite Valley, May 7." (1872). John Muir: A Reading Bibliography by Kimes (Muir articles 1866-1986). 13.
https://scholarlycommons.pacific.edu/jmb/13
William and Maymie Kimes Annotation
Muir begins this long article with scathing criticism of the ""solons of our State Capitol"" saying: ""A great deal of chatter took place at different times during the Session ... but the several bills, after being tossed from House to Senate, from Senate to Committes, were nibbled to death, and we were left to Providence for another year, roadless and moneyless, with only a thousand dollar drop of legislation, for the burning thirst of our rights and wrongs."" He observes that some ""would shed the salt tear for the unmitigated soreness of our Sierra Eden woes"" then goes on to conclude: ""But the billed laws of Sacramento, and paper compulsions and prohibitions of our managing Commissioners do us little harm or good. Human sparrows of improvement will not ruffle El Capitan .... The Falls will manage their harmonies well enough, and the birds will sing, and meadows grow green notwithstanding any quantity of the hush and buzz of the Sacramento flies. Xerxes made laws for the sea we make laws for the mountains-make 'Commissioners to manage Yosemite Valley.' As well make commissioners for the management of the moon."" Muir describes in detail his many observations of the recent earthquake, as well as the marks left by previous ones, then comments: ""We have all become philosophers and deep thinkers. Instead of wasting breath when we meet on the green of meadows or brightness of the sky, we salute by great shakes, solemnly comparing numbers and intensities. What care we for the surface of things! Our thoughts go far below to underground country... Amazons of gurgling, rippling fire flowing in beveled valleys or deep Yosomite canons ... With which our upper valley, in all its glory, will not compare."" Muir pictures the Valley's commitment to spring, saying, ""The scents and sounds and forms of Yosemite Spring-time are as exquisitely compounded as her colors.'' In his lengthy description of the waterfalls, he writes, El Capitan is softened with a most graceful stream that steals confidently over his massive brow in a clear fall of more than a thousand feet."" Muir concludes with comments on the ""Spring visiting campaign"" saying, ""Tourists will find no difficulty in procuring bread and smiles-bread at three dollars a day, smiles free, both articles in abundance, and excellent in quality.""