Letter from Annie K[ennedy] Bidwell to John Muir, 1878 Feb 9.

Creator

Annie K[ennedy] Bidwell

Recipient

John Muir

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Transcription

Rancho Chico,Feb. 9th, 1878.My dear Mr. Muir:I have but a few moments at my command this morning, but feel impelled to use them in writing you a few lines of thanks for the beautiful and highly prized specimen of sand carved wood, and for your views regarding Prof. G[unning]. In the meantime I had written Sallie [Kennedy] to ascertain from Dr. Gray, visiting Washington, his opinion of the professor's ability, the latter professing the most cordial and intimate relations with Prof. Gray. Her reply I enclose, which you are at liberty, if you desire, to shew confidentially to Prof. Allen and Mr. Swett.However I would prefer you suggest to them to ascertain from Boston the standing of Prof. Gunning among scientists, as it is painful to me to appear hypocritical in acting friendship for the Professor while I expose him. You can appreciate my position, though I can say I have not acted toward him in any way my conscience condemns. I told you of his letters to us, and the nature of our friendship, and it is now just where it then was. I still confess to him my unbelief in his peculiar views, and drive him to the wall if I can so there is no hypocrisy. He says forty teachers urge him to establish a school of Natural History at Santa Cruz, and he tells of lectures in San Francisco when twelve hundred were present, and the hall crowded, and I can not quietly sit by and fail to warn the innocent seekers after knowledge that they ought to ascertain how reliable is the information they are absorbing, or hope to absorb. His lectures here he pronounces miserable failures, so very few attending. Believing him unreliable I could not ask him to lecture, so he wrote for, and obtained, the Congregational Church. The pastor thereof having some enemies who decline to enter his church under any circumstances influences some to absent themselves, the rainy weather others, while some "have read the reports of his lectures elsewhere and do not like their tenor," while some say he is no scientist in our opinion." I am sorry for the Professor, but glad so few have been instructed by him here. He says his audiences here have been "simply ridiculous." To-day I heard from reliable source that he says he has been told that our pastor, Mr. Ellis, has kept persons away. That is not so, for Mr. Ellis has attended several himself, and told some of his people to hear him and judge for themselves, as he intended doing. I have refrained from influencing for, and it would doubtless be construed against him, for which I should rather be glad than otherwise. To-day Mr. Knowlton accompanied him to the "foothills" in search of fossils, specimens of which Mr. Knowlton has shewn him, and which elicit his admiration and wonder.I will read the works to which you refer, in so far as I can, and shall always be grateful for any suggestions regarding desirable works which you may think profitable to me.Your article on the "Humming Bird of the Sierra" was charming. (I hope none of your articles may escape me.) Mamma read the article and wrote me that she thought it "the loveliest article she had ever read." But adieu, and believe me,Ever sincerely yours,br>Annie K[ennedy] Bidwell

Location

Rancho Chico, [Calif]

Date Original

1878 Feb 9

Source

Original letter dimensions: 15 x 25 cm.

Resource Identifier

muir03_0708-trans.tif

File Identifier

Reel 03, Image 0708

Copyright Status

Copyright status unknown

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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 3