Transcription:
Following notes written on margins cut from newspapers--originals in possession of Mrs. Sarah Muir Galloway . East bank
of Lily valley, 00467 Feb. 27th, '69. Dear Sister S: I thought I was free from all epistolary obligation, but along comes
your November dare speaking of long silence, though I lately mailed an office full of letters. But never mind. My sheep are
lying down and with my pencil and newspaper scraps I will soon satisfy your letter appetite. This is a bright warm cloudless
day. Nature is in deep close green again, and about twenty of her spring flowers are enjoying perfect life in the sweet nursing
sunshine. The banks of the valley before me are peopled with countless multitudes of lilies, so it is called Lily Valley.
I gathered a little coiled boragewort a few minutes ago whose sweet fragrance stirred the long silent memories of summer in
our old Dunbar garden. It must have something in common with the pansies and dusty millers of our little plots. Strange, is
it not, that so gentle and unmaterial a thing as the fragrance of a flower should live with memory so bright and fresh from
youth to age safely anchored in the soul among all the tides and currents of life, and linked for our enjoyment with others
so widely separated. But goodbye, I must not bore you with too long a letter. Alas, how little a letter contains. Please
write soon, Cordially, J. Muir I forgot to take paper to the field, and did not wish to lose the moment of inspiration.
North end of Twenty-Hill-Hollow, 00488 Feb. 27, '69 Dear Sis. S: The time goes swiftly by and I have not heard from you
since the last time, nevertheless I write yet again. I was sitting upon one of the dome hills at the south end of this hollow
a few hours ago looking at my sheep that were feeding over the creek below me, when I was startled by a sudden swish and the
hasty troubled outcry of my dog who was at my side. Our fright was caused by the grey eagle that dwells here. I suppose it
mistook Fannie for a long eared hare, as she lay partly concealed by the brow of the hill. The hare is a beautiful animal
and exceedingly swift. No dog can compel them to enter a hole, but as soon as they hear the beat of the eagle's wing they
dash for the nearest burrow for life. I have seen an eagle standing within four feet of a hare watching it at the mouth of
its burrow like a cat watching a mouse, the hare looking full in the eagle's face, calm in his safety. The eagle strikes them
down with his pinion. This Hollow is one of the most beautiful places of my range, which is about 10 sq. miles. It is surrounded
by 20 hills, and there simmer first unfaulds her robes. But alas, how little a letter contains. Please write soon John Muir
Cascade Creek, Feb. 27, '69, 00489 Dear Sis. Sarah: I'm with you once again near one of the loveliest, leaping, singing
streams that ever sparkled on these plains. The slant rays of the sun are purpling the mountains and the banks and cross valleys
on Rock river are in deep shadow. This is a land of banks and braes, and oh, how grandly they are lighted. In no one thing
does California differ from Wis. in natural beauty more than in the color and quality of her light. I must gather and corral
my sheep for this glorious day is done.I rec'd a paper from Dave and two from mother. But alas, once more my sheet is full.
John Muir Bank of Castle Creek near Rock river, 00490 Feb. 27, '69 . Old King David called herding following the sheep,
and so it is called here. In good weather they travel a certain round, arriving at night about the same time. I am within
sight of my gray box of a shanty, and will reach it in about an hour. I wish you could look on the loveliness