Title:
Letter from author unknown to [Florence Merriam] Bailey, 1902 Dec 14.
Creator:
author unknown
Publisher:
University of the Pacific Library Holt-Atherton Special Collections. Please contact this institution directly to obtain copies
of the images or permission to publish or use them beyond educational purposes.
Contributor:
[Florence Merriam] Bailey
Date:
1902 Dec 14
2008
Type:
Text
Format:
Image/jpeg2000
Identifier:
muir12_0868-md-1
Source:
Original letter dimensions unknown.
Language:
eng
Coverage:
Martinez [Calif.]
Rights:
Copyright status unknown
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.
Transcription:
(Original in possession of Mrs. Florence Merriam Bailey) Martinez, California, Dec. 14, 1902. Dear Mrs. Bailey: Many
thanks for your magnificent bird-book. I had already ordered a copy from your publishers, but the copy with your card came
first. I hare been reading it, tasting it here and there, and like it better far than I expected, which in your case, with
so much experience in writing and first hand knowledge from long loving wanderings afield with such a brother and such a husband,
is saying a great deal. Any naturalist might well be proud of carrying such an undertaking to so full and happy a conclusion.
It is well proportioned, scientific but not too technical, and delightfully readable all through. It is easily the best book
not only of the birds of the west, but we might almost say of The West in general; for the ground and the sky,- all the vast
wild country is vividly pictured and described in it,-its weird deserts and canons and wide flowery valleys, mountains and
forests, lakes and streams. I have not heard a word from your brother since he left us for home. I sent some nuts, raisins,
etc. by Southern Pacific about ten days ago, hoping they would arrive in time for your Christmas dinner. Please hand him this
shipping receipt so that he may know where to look for them. With best wishes for you all and grand success of every kind
for the new book, I am, Sincerely yours, P. S. The illustrations in general are superb, but that Mearns Quail with the
head of an ancient Aztec in war paint or soap-root lather can hardly be a good likeness. (Above is copy of a typewritten,
unsigned letter)06208