Creator
Moses Woolson
Recipient
John Muir
Transcription
[4]
Heavens! When I send you account of Alaska, don’t I wish I were there to gaze upon those [work?] wonders with you? What a book you will have when it is done! Poetry, science & [illegible] in one commendable work! I know you will build yourself up a “monument more durable than brass” as Horace says When I was a boy and studied geography, now lonely, far-off seemed California. It seemed the ultima thule of the north. There was not a town put down upon the map. And still more lonely seemed the region of Alaska, then not named thus I remember a line in Campbells “Pleasures of Hope” [thus?] “The wolfs long howl on [Oonalasku’s shores?”] Now as the world has it that far-distant region is brought home to our “business and bosoms” I occasionally hear from Hirane Tubbs of your city. He has a ripe walk 611 – 613 Front St. I had his boy with me I guess. My regards to the Carrs, and tell Swett that I like his contributions to the Journal of Education.
Truly y[illegible]
[Moses Wools?[illegible]]
[1]
Concord, N.H.
Feb. 14th 1880
My Dear Muir,
Both your letters — one to me, — the other to [Madam?] came duly to hand. The latter is out of town, but will be at home in a week, and will then be pleased with your letter to her – as I am with mine. You will find enclosed a printed form of acceptance of the Geology which please make out and transmit The officials in the State Department desire some voucher for the deposition of their books, and that is all it means. [The?] accounts for their Stewardship. So please, remember business is business and
[Page 2]
[2]
So return as soon as you can the enclosed filled out. As to the geology, they would expect, as a matter of courtesy your book, when it is done. Remember it is the State that sends it, and not myself or Hitchcock. You speak of the handsome treatment our State has received from the geologist Hitchcock. You ought to have been in our legislature and heard the cursings he got for his extravagant use of the money voted for that purpose. I don’t think our people are altogether satisfied with him any way. Year by year he got a little more out of our legislature until in all [I?] [illegible] 30,000 was taken – more or less. Hitchcock is close, not entirely
00888
[3]
reliable / I do not mean in his [scientific?] statements. He has employed a great many assistants, and he has dealt [riggardly?] with them. However let [this?] pass. Gunny does not pass current here. He doesn’t post himself up with the new developments, He is an unconscionable bore, lectures too long and is tedious. His f[illegible] is drawing – blackboard illustration. In this he excels everybody I know of. And on the whole he awakens an interest in p[illegible] also [knows?] nothing about geology whatever. therefore he is a useful man. Summing him all up, he lives upon his past [acquaintances?], and does not learn any thing new. I am glad the Carr’s have come out right and as you say, the [illegible] are a bad lot
Location
Concord, N[ew] H[ampshire]
Date Original
1880 Feb 14
Source
Original letter dimensions: 20.5 x 25 cm.
Recommended Citation
Woolson, Moses, "Letter from Moses Woolson to John Muir, 1880 Feb 14." (1880). John Muir Correspondence (PDFs). 518.
https://scholarlycommons.pacific.edu/muir-correspondence/518
Resource Identifier
muir04_0040-md-1.pdf
File Identifier
Reel 04, Image 0039
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
