Creator
Julia M[errill] Moores
Recipient
John Muir
Transcription
[3]
to the good of others – how could it be otherwise. I think I must have spoken of her & Sister Mina being with her this winter. They are in good health – though we all think Sister Kate works too hard. I wish she could be one summer with you in the Yosemite. You ask so kindly after the children that I must tell you of them. Merrill writes fully and very satisfactionly every week. He is studying hard & being ad[illegible] accordingly. He says he is perfectly well and very happy – that his work is very hard – but that he can do what any other man in his class can! I hope most sincerely that his long association with men of greatness and [underlined: goodness] will make him what
00729 Indianapolis Feb. 3d 1876 232 North Alabama St.
[1]
My Dear Mr Muir,
I wish you could know how often you have been in my thoughts, and if you did you would not care that I have not replied before to your kind note of Nov. 30th There are some people that I love very much, and yet to whom, I think, much cannot be added of good. Somehow their happiness is so [illegible] their own souls – that whether I write to them or not does not “mak much differ” as an old friend Mr Kirkwood used to say. In this I would not imply selfishness or indifference – nothing of the kind. I know you so well, that I have perfect and entire confidence
[Page 2][2]
in your friendship. Have you not proved yourself my friend – and I thank God for your affection for myself and my children. You are brought to my mind in very many ways. I think of your lonely, nature filled life ( a contradiction you will say) and its contrast to ours with our cares and worries & its little ness – and I breath stronger for thinking of you. Then – you come before me in your beloved Yosemite – breathing the pure air – Strong in muscle & limb walking, running, climbing – going whither you will! I go back to myself shut up in the house as I have been for months – feeble and good for little or nothing. Do you wonder that I almost envy you – that I love to think of you? I thank you for the “friendly chat” wh. you held with me in the Fresno forest. Next time ‘May I be there to see!’ Last night Miss Hendricks sent me a Sacramento paper containing a notice of your lecture. Your success delighted me much – as it did her – but I knew you would not fait. Miss Ely’a and I had talked it over before hand. When I spent a very pleasant day with her some ten days ago – and we wished we could take wings and be present. I have been sick since before Thanksgiving – but am once more improving – and hope soon to be able to resume my duties and go about as usual. I wish you could see and talk with my sister Kate. Her life grows richer and deeper every year. So consecrated as it is
[Page 3]
[in margin: 949]
5 [4]
what I so earnestly desire – an honest God fearing and God serving man. He was made to be in the thick of the battle – and if his armor is all on he will answer the end – whether he fall early or late. I always think of you two as friends – and ever must so consider you. My Janet & Katy Grayson are together in our little home this winter – they are two fair girls – and make the home bright with their sweet ways. They study well – wh. opens daily to them a new world. Charles is a fair sturdy youth, no longer the little boy –(him we have lost) He has no bad habits. can walk faster & eat more & is as well advanced in his studies as any boy of his age in town.
[Page 4]
We talk of the coming out of your new book. When is it to appear? Does your interest in it and [illegible] enthusiasm Keep you from getting homesick for the Valley? I am very much afraid when it does come – that it will be so scientific I shall not be able to understand it. Miss Hendricks has told us much about you - and has showed me your picture which I think very good. She never tires telling me of your kindness to her – of her enjoyment in the Valley – and of her disappointment that she could not accomplish more. Then too – I feel acquainted with your friends the Keiths – and am glad to know them.
We have had a kind of Indian Summer winter – until this week – and now we are all frozen up – and ‘snowbound’.- Just the day for letter writing. I enclose a little note wh. Mr Davis sent me sometime ago – it will tell its own story. Mr Davis is improving & attends to his business tho his eye sight will never be what it was. My sisters wish to be remembered to you. We have all enjoyed everything we can lay our hand on from you, and are always so glad to hear from you. May God bless & keep you & grant you long life and health!
Affectionately Julia M. Moores
I close in haste you will make all needed corrections. 00729
Location
Indianapolis, [Ind]
Date Original
1876 Feb 3
Source
Original letter dimensions: 29.5 x 12.5 cm.
Recommended Citation
Moores, Julia Merrill, "Letter from Julia M[errill] Moores to John Muir, 1876 Feb 3." (1876). John Muir Correspondence (PDFs). 333.
https://scholarlycommons.pacific.edu/muir-correspondence/333
Resource Identifier
muir03_0368-md-1.pdf
File Identifier
Reel 03, Image 0367
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
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.
Pages
4 pages
Keywords
Environmentalist, naturalist, travel, conservation, national parks, John Muir, Yosemite, California, history, correspondence, letters
