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D. APPLETON CO., 1,3, 5 BOND STREET, NEW YORK. Feb. 21,1893 John Muir, Esq., Martinez, Contra Costa Co., Cal, Dear
Sir: I shall take the liberty of introducing myself and of addressing you directly as the literary adviser of D. Appleton
Co I have been a reader of your articles in the Century and elsewhere, and I also happen to have a more extensive knowledge
of the west, derived from personal observation, than is the case perhaps with most eastern people. You will pardon this personal
preamble to the suggestion which I have been very anxious to make, which is this: It seems to me that a book upon American
mountains and mountaineering, dealing with the great peaks of the west, and perhaps of Alaska, might be written in a way to
attract popular interest. Of course it is a popular rather than a scientific book which I have in mind, but at the same time
such a book to possess any weight should be written by an authority like yourself. Every year sees several books added to
the mass of Alpine literature, and I see no reason why our own great mountains are not worthy of a volume which would make
Americans better acquainted with the magnificent scenery of their own country. I feel that there is no one better qualified
than yourself to write a standard book on the great mountains of the west, dealing not only with scenery, but with mountaineering
experiences, and with the animal life of the mountains, and I hope very earnestly that you may be induced to consider this
suggestion. Of course it will be possible illegible to illustrate such a book in a very beautiful manner. May I ask you to
consider this suggestion at your convenience? I trust that your reply may not be altogether 01431