Creator
J. E. Calkins
Recipient
Col. Sellers
Preview
Transcription
2wrote you, I do not consider him in any manner bound. It is for me to go on with my duty of providing for my family, and this, of course, I shall do. If things should so fall out as to make it possible for me to do something toward inducing and aiding Mr. Muir to get out some more of that immortal "stuff" of his I should be more than glad, for my regard for him, and my estimate of him as a man of letters, are unchanged. There is none but the warmest feelings toward him on the part of myself and wife and we are deeply distressed that he should have fallen victim to this pestilent grippe. But, as you can well understand, I cannot hold myself in readiness to drop everything, at any uncertain time in the future, in order to take up the work we outlined that day we were with you. Things will have to take their course and work out.I am very fearful, however, that we shall never have much more writing by John Muir. It is a loss to letters, that I do not like to think of. My whole stock of enthusiasm was set fairly ablaze by the thought that I was to be the one to push him along in this work, and to give up such a prospect as that is not pleasing after one has come to solidly set his heart upon it; but I have no regrets. I think things will work out for the best in the end. I shall always do all I can to forward any plan that can result in giving the world more of John Muir' work, for there is none like unto him. He possesses a gift of genuine inspiration, and there is no one upon whom his mantle may fall. When he goes from us he takes all that precious stuff with him, and the thought of the loss thus entailed makes me melancholy, but not with grief that any of my own Insignificant affairs went awry. I only hope that Mr. Muir may be able to work, and work with great effectiveness, whether I am concerned with that work or not. It would be delightful to be able to aid him, but if that is not to be my fortune I still hope that the work may be done; but I am afraid that it Will not be. We can only wait and hope.I hope to be in Pasadena one of these day s before long, and I shall try to see you and have a bit of talk with you. I am hopeful that we may occasionally meet, and be good friends, and possibly, in some way, be able to save some of the best of Muir's unapproachable literature before the night falls, and he makes his last camp, and crosses the Great Range. If your auto' should happen to whirl you out our way we shall be delighted to be honored with a call, at any time. Our house is small, but its welcome will always be warm for you and Mrs. Sellers.Sincerely yours,j.E. Calkins06246
Location
Los Angels
Date Original
1908 Mar 23
Source
Original letter dimensions: 21.5 x 18.5 cm.
Resource Identifier
muir17_0365-let.tif
File Identifier
Reel 17, Image 0365
Copyright Status
Copyright status unknown
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
