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3 attach your autograph. Did you know I accompanied my sister as far as Battle Mountain on her journey home. Well I did,
and we stopped at Lake Tahoe, and sailed over these wonderful wa- ters from nine A.M. until four P.M. ever amazed at the varied
beauties thereof. Beautiful gems seemed to sparkle in the sunlight as the spray was strown up by the boat. Even saphires of
exquisite brilliancy, and emeralds, innumerable gems. I sit now and closing my eyes see it all, and look down into the wondrous
beauty of the water; silver, pearl, blue, green, underlined: black , and underlined: purple , and in all their varied shades.
Is there else where such won- drous water? It passed any concept- tion of water I had ever had, and is to me a constant wonder
enjoyment. I had thought the water of the big Spring at Big Meadows must sur- pass all other waters, so wondrous clear beautiful
it is; but Lake Tahoe surpasses it immeasurably. I did 768 1 Rancho Chico Jan 27th 1878 My Dear Mr Muir. I had set
apart this evening for you, but as on similar oc- casions, have been interrupted by visit- ors, until now it is almost too
late to move than commence a letter; but com- mence one I must, having really worried over my delay in responding to your
very welcome received last month. General thought it so instruct- tive and interesting that he enclosed it to my sister to
read; who reports that she also enjoyed it, and asks me to say to you that you will receive a pamphet, containing engraving
of Sir Joseph Hooker, which will be rather out of date as she was not able to get it under six weeks from the time she