Creator
Joanna [Muir]
Recipient
May [Mary Muir]
Transcription
[4]
I have been taking lessons in writing since coming here, (al- though my writing does not indicate it) and I was just thinking that when you and I live together, we will practice this art together and learn to be beautiful pensman, I am sure you can if you will practice with me, and I think it is delightful to be a nice writer Oh what grand times we are going to have someday. I love to study, better than ever before and am looking forward to long years of mind culture, and keen enjoyment in searching out lovely things of nature and the rich truths in stone for those who hunger and thirst for them. I do not know that I can say any thing new about my studies [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] as vigorously as ever at the [illegible] old branches. Write and tell me all your plans and all your thoughts very very soon, please. Most lovinely Joanna.
[1]
[in margin: It is not necessary to put Normal School on my letters. I have had my pictures taken for my class and I suppose they are very [illegible] pleased. little folks are easily [illegible] you know.]
Oshkosh, Wis. Nov. 16th 1873.
Dearest May
Your little comforter of the 2nd [illegible] is received. Your H[illegible] is superlatively fine, I do not doubt that it did cause a laugh. I do and I had a hearty laugh also, but I don’t see how you dared read it. I have listened to so many essays of late all so heavenly sublime that the contrast was somewhat gl[illegible], although I have just de- clared my intentions of writing on [underlined: Mud pies] when called upon for the sake of a change, however I your [brats?] mine, We do not have to write essays this term but will have to go into it whole sale next term I expect. You ask for a
8
[2]
subject for the next. If you want a matter of fact one I think this will be just the one for you – “Having eyes to see they see not!” You I am sure can enlarge up- on that grandly; so many pass through this world with eyes en- tirely blind to the grandeur of this earth of ours. Mental blindness also you can speak of, making the mind dark even when there is so much light and happiness, and keen delight for us if we are but willing to let the light in. But you know what I mean and are far better able to treat the subject then I. An [underlined: now] there are but five weeks more till Christmas and I am beginning to wonder what is to be done. I have not yet heard from John, If he should come of course we should all go home
[3]
and then we could make fur- ther arrangements then, But sup- pose he should not come, what then, would you come? The next term is only two weeks in length and I think I can master sufficient means to carry me through that, as I can live quite cheaply here, but further I cannot see nor do I need, that is far enough. What think you of Father’s [modus operandi?] isn’t it too bad? I am sure I do not know how it is to terminate, certainly Ma does not want to go away out to Canada and yet now that he has bought a house there I suppose she will be very determined. I had a letter from Annie this morning in which she said she was going to teach in the village of [illegible] this winter. I am glad she will have means of her own again, I think it will do her good too, to have a change. I am glad she has had this opportunity.
Location
Oshkosh, Wisc.
Date Original
1873 Nov 16
Source
Original letter dimensions unknown.
Recommended Citation
Muir, Joanna, "Letter from Joanna [Muir] to May [Mary Muir], 1873 Nov 16." (1873). John Muir Correspondence (PDFs). 1546.
https://scholarlycommons.pacific.edu/muir-correspondence/1546
Resource Identifier
muir02_1227-let.tif
File Identifier
Reel 02, Image 1227
Collection Identifier
Online finding aid for the microform version of the John Muir Correspondence http://www.oac.cdlib.org/findaid/ark:/13030/kt0w1031nc
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
John Muir National Historic Site. Please contact this institution directly to obtain copies of the images or permission to publish or use them beyond educational purposes.
Pages
2 pages
Keywords
Environmentalist, naturalist, travel, conservation, national parks, John Muir, Yosemite, California, history, correspondence, letters
