Creator
John Muir
Recipient
[Mary Merrill] Graydon
Transcription
[illegible]
Martinez, Feb. 28, 1893.
My dear Mrs. Graydon:
I am glad to hear from you once more. You say you thought on account of long silence we might be dead, but the worst that could be fairly said is "not dead but sleeping,"-hardly even this for, however silent sound friendship never sleeps, no matter how seldom paper letters fly between.
My heart aches about Janet - one of the sad, sad, sore cases that no human wisdom can explain. We can only look on the other side through tears and grief and pain and see that pleasure surpasses the pain, good the evil, and that, after all, Divine love is the sublime boss of the universe.
The children greatly enjoy the [illegible] Riley book you so kindly sent. I saw Mr. Riley for a moment at the close of one of his lectures in San Francisco, but I had to awkwardly introduce myself, and he evidently couldn't think who I was. Prof.David Starr Jordan, who happened to be standing near,though I had not seen him, surprised me by saying, "Mr. Riley, this man is the author of the Muir. glacier." I invited Mr. Riley to make us a visit at the ranch, but his engagements, I suppose, prevented even though he had cared to accept, and so I failed to see him save in his lecture.
I remember my visit to your home With pure pleasure, and shall not forget the kindness you bestowed, as shown in so many ways. As to coming again this year I thank you for the invitation, but the way is not open so far as I can see just now.
I think with Mr. Jackson that Henry Riley shows forth one of the good sides of human nature in so vividly remembering the little I did for him so long ago. I send by mail with this letter one of the volumes of ' ''Picturesque Cal. for him in your care as I do not know his address. Merrill Moores knows him, and he can give him notice to call for the book. It contains one of my articles on Washington,[illegible] and you are at liberty to open and read it if you wish.
Katie I have not seen since she went to Oakland, though only two hours away. But I know she is busy and happy through letters and friends. I mean to try to pass a night at McChesney's, and see her and find out all about her works and ways. The children and all of us remember her stay with a great blessing.
Remember me to the Hendricks family, good and wholesome as sunshine, to the venerable Mr. Jackson, and all the grand Merrill family, your girls in particular, with every one of whom I fell in love, and believe me, noisy or silent,
Ever your friend,
JOHN MUIR
Location
Martinez, [Calif]
Date Original
1893 Feb 28
Source
Original letter dimensions: 33 x 21.5 cm.
Recommended Citation
Muir, John, "Letter from John Muir to [Mary Merrill] Graydon, 1893 Feb 28." (1893). John Muir Correspondence (PDFs). 245.
https://scholarlycommons.pacific.edu/muir-correspondence/245
Resource Identifier
muir07_0838-trans.tif
File Identifier
Reel 07, Image 0838
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
Copyrighted
Copyright Statement
The unpublished works of John Muir are copyrighted by the Muir-Hanna Trust. To purchase copies of images and/or obtain permission to publish or exhibit them, click here to view the Holt-Atherton Special Collections policies.
Owning Institution
Holt-Atherton Special Collections, University of the Pacific Library. Please contact this institution directly to obtain copies of the images or permission to publish or use them beyond educational purposes.
Copyright Holder
Muir-Hanna Trust
Copyright Date
1984
Pages
1 page
Keywords
Environmentalist, naturalist, travel, conservation, national parks, John Muir, Yosemite, California, history, correspondence, letters
