Title
August-November 1875, Sequoia Studies from Yosemite, South End of Belt at White River Image 40
Preview
Transcription
River bank where current so slow so deep so smooth motion is only revealed by leaves & acorns floating slowly dreamily ripples above reflecting outflowing sweet [dulcet]
mirrors the grand walls feather pines evergreen, thin [thin] bits of [brown] & yellow [enlivening] green peaks Silver fir ranks straight & arrowy above
Ouzel [ ] turning [pebbles] on shallow margins or swimming & diving making beautiful stir like a duck throwing up [ ] gleaning food. Trout leaping ftns [fountains] silver scales blinding with every flash with the crystal waters poplar extending along the brook & golden rods leaning over with pea & agrostis ripe & wrinkled yet waving to every air ripple, color above beneath reflected color of mountains too as well as level dark ground of pool, the canvas for the color, [filmy] streaks of light streaming across shining foliage the fall of leaves & then rustle in autumn winds now Indian summer
Ouzel always here swims well with feet & dives over waterfalls head long – leaves shiny cobwebs [ ]
Pausing in my studies this peaceful restful afternoon I chance to think of the thousands needing rest, the weary in soul & limb toilers in town & plain dying for want of what these grand old woods can give & though I suppose it may be of no avail I yet shout Ho Come to the Sierra forests The King is waiting for you King Sequoia & there is health & life in his [very] looks, in the air he breathes, in the birds he keeps, in the squirrels that gambols in his arms, & the flowers that blow & the streams that flow at his feet.
Our crude imperfect circle [often] engenders a multitude of wants in the birds he keeps in the squirrels that [gambols] in his arms & the flowers that blow[blown] & the streams that flow at his feet. & law-givers are ever at their wits end devising the jail & the theatre & church have been invented & compulsory [sensation]. Why not add compulsory [recreation] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] be bad without a [cowbird] [gorging] [on] [ ] but I venture to say that [mandatory] governmental recreation would be found of yet more importance. Our forefathers have forged chains of duty & habit wh [which] bind us notwithstanding our boasted freedom & we ourselves add link to link – [groaning] the meanwhile & making medicinal laws for relief in desperation. Yet few seem to think of pure rest or of the [natural] healing powers of pure nature. How hard to fall or shake people out of town. Earthquakes cannot do it nor even plagues. These only cause the civilized to pray & ring bells & cower in the corners of bedrooms & churches
Date Original
1875
Source
Original journal dimensions: 20 x 15 cm.
Resource Identifier
MuirReel24Journal10P238-307.tif
Publisher
Holt-Atherton Special Collections, University of the Pacific Library
Rights Management
To view additional information on copyright and related rights of this item, such as to purchase copies of images and/or obtain permission to publish them, click here to view the Holt-Atherton Special Collections policies.
Keywords
John Muir, journals, drawings, writings, travel, journaling, naturalist
