Creator
W. H. Trout
Recipient
John Muir
Transcription
[4]
I am not certain that I mentioned anything about father’s death in my previous notes It occurred on Dec 2d 1878 his illness lasted near three months his death was not untimely or unexpected his labor was done and he was awaiting the rest that remaineth for the people of God I send you a pamphlet with a notice about a month since one of my aunts died 3 day after fathers death Mrs Trouts brother died and two weeks ago we attended her father’s funeral Altogether makes up quite a record of family mortality in quite a short time If this letter is more than usually reflective the reason is obvious Since fathers death I have been receiving good letters from absent sisters hinting very plainly that I ought to come to the front and occupy the breach where once stood the fallen in the army of Christ the one who best could have filled it has fallen earlier in the fight that is John whom we all miss much more than father Edward only partially fills his place fathers is still vacant and may remain so but believe each of us will according to his own ability and his own way [deleted: will] work for the cause of the Redeemer and the good of humanity [in margin: 422] Well John I have written quite lengthy but am not much nearer the end than when I began so I may as well stop for this time Hoping to hear from you soon I remain as ever your friend W. H. Trout
[in margin: Our shop is on ¾ time again this winter all over our country there seems to be two machines to do the work of one]
00775 [1]
Peterboro Feb 14th 1878
Dear Friend John
You will find enclosed Draft for $92.00 my half your account Charles wrote me about a week ago that he had been trying to make up his for some time past but had not succeeded and did not see any very imediate prospect at doing it: advised me to send on which I am now at length doing Dating this letter suggests to my mind the fact this is the last day of my 44th year tomorrow being my 45th birthday also that it is 12 years the latter part of
[Page 2]
[2]
since we had the last of your personal acquaintance which you may depend has been appreciated none the less for the lapse of time some of the liveliest and brightest spots in life’s memory are the scenes of that old Hollow and the recollections connected with yourself and Dan The time seems to have sped swiftly I have not much to mark its passage or does it seem to have to left its impress heavely on me An occasional grey shining in my beard a [few?] crow feet near the angles of the eyes and a form slightly more stooped from application to work are the only visible changes since you last saw me The changes with you are I think even less
[in margin: Hattie has had another daughter lately in all she had 8 sons and two daughters she is a brick]
[3]
When shall we ever see each other to correct our observations as you scientific men would say and compare notes of life’s journey There is no thoroughly absent friend or relative that I would rather wish to see However the chances I think are small there is not much I suppose to bring you back to Old lanada and there is no great probability of my seeing your country but I may be rather fast you are not a Californian strictly and solely you are a citizen of the world a cosmopolite the broad domain of scince is your estate but you can’t occupy it when it would lead you out among the stars you must stay on Terra Firma So in your perambulations may by Canada and old friends [underlined: will] come in for a turn
Location
Peterboro, [Canada]
Date Original
1878 Feb 14
Source
Original letter dimensions: 18 x 23 cm.
Recommended Citation
Trout, William H., "Letter from W. H. Trout to John Muir, 1878 Feb 14." (1878). John Muir Correspondence (PDFs). 404.
https://scholarlycommons.pacific.edu/muir-correspondence/404
Resource Identifier
muir03_0719-md-1.pdf
File Identifier
Reel 03, Image 0718
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
2 pages
Keywords
Environmentalist, naturalist, travel, conservation, national parks, John Muir, Yosemite, California, history, correspondence, letters
