Creator
Charlotte Hoffman
Recipient
John Muir
Transcription
Permanent address, care Am. Express Co., 11 Rue Scribe, Paris.
Gillespie's,
Skiddaw Hotel,
Keswick,
20 June, 1907.
My dear Mr. Muir:
The pleasantest memory I carry away from Scotland is that of the visit to your birthplace, which proved its right to the title "stormy Dunbar" the minute I stepped off the train.
I blew about for some time before I found the pleasant Westfield villa, and those cordial, kindly ladies, your cousins. They welcomed me most warmly, although I arrived after nine of a Sunday evening, sent Jessie to the hotel where I had left my bag, to bring it after me, and insisted on my staying the night with them, and longer, if I would. Miss Maggie laughingly said, "It's a way you Californians have, this appearing without warning, and leaving your bags at strange hotels! Yhat's just what John did!" And the mother laughed with her.
They asked me a thousand questions about you, and particularly about Helen's health and Wanda's husband - and I was happy to be able to give them good word. Mrs. Lunam somehow expects you and Helen this year. She says she must see you again, and urged me repeatedly to influence you to come if I could.
If I had not had Edna, my charge, waiting for me in Edinburgh, I should have been very happy to stay a few days; but I felt that I ought not to be away even for the night, and left on the early train Monday morning.
Miss Lunam brought a tray with delicious tea and toast and an egg to my room before I was up, and after I had dressed I was taken to say goodbye to Mrs. Lunam, who was sitting up with her best cap on, and ready with further messages of love to you and Helen and Wanda, and again with the plea that you should come again.
She is wonderful, is she not? So keen, and cheery, and alive, in mind at least. Miss Maggie told me she does not get about much now. And I like Miss Maggie very much.
And so I have made my pilgrimage to your native town, with its wild, though graceful sweep of coast, its gently undulating fields sweeping off to the low hills -- the Lorne Hotel, where you got your "early training in mountaineering" -- Oh, ues, I heard all about the scrambles on the roof, cut off by David's difficulties! Why are you so shy? I had to tell them many things thought ought to know about what you are to us -- and I could only tell them part, of course.
Thanks for suggesting that I might go, and please plan to make your cousin happy by visiting her once again. Take Helen. The trip will give her a Scotch lassie's cheeks. And please write to me if you have time. What are you working at now? I hope you are stronger, and that the house is settled and the atmosphere favorable for work.
Affectionately,
Charlotte [Hoffman]
03883
Location
Paris
Date Original
1907 Jun 20
Source
Original letter dimensions: 18 x 22.5 cm.
Recommended Citation
Hoffman, Charlotte, "Letter from Charlotte Hoffman to John Muir, 1907 Jun 20." (1907). John Muir Correspondence (PDFs). 3704.
https://scholarlycommons.pacific.edu/muir-correspondence/3704
Resource Identifier
muir16_0795-let.tif
File Identifier
Reel 16, Image 0795
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
3 pages
Keywords
Environmentalist, naturalist, travel, conservation, national parks, John Muir, Yosemite, California, history, correspondence, letters
