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Galashills, 23 Dec. 1894. My dear Mr. Muir: To my amazement and my shame, I find that it is almost exactly twelve months
since I got your esteemed letter. I do not know how to apologize for leaving your letter so long unanswered. I meant to write,
but time slipped on, and the earth has been allowed to complete almost a revolution in its orbit before I have finally made
up my mind to perform a duty so long delayed. I was proud to receive your letter. It was a pleasing remembrance of a pleasant
time, the enjoyment of which was so greatly due to you. I shall always look back with pleasure on my Norwegian trip, from
which I derived much information contributed mainly by yourself. To me your companionship was invaluable. Your intimate knowledge
of glacial action contributed in what I regarded and still regard charming language, rendered the trip more than a pleasure
to me. Without you the scenery we passed through would have been grand and awe-inspiring, but your eloquent descriptions of
how the fjords had been scooped out and the rocks shown down by the mighty ice rivers gave the whole an interest and a meaning
otherwise it would have been without. And what was one of the most enjoyable features of our trip was the fun and laughter
in the saloon, Where we sat, at least. And now I have to thank you for another proof of your friendship. Yesterday I received
a copy of your work on the Mountains of California. It is a graceful gift, gracefully made. Of course I have not had time
to read it, but I have dipped in here and there, and I find it an exquisite piece of word painting. You possess rare descriptive
powers. I anticipate great pleasure from the perusal, I have already read several of your contributions to the Century, which
I fortunately possess. I do not suppose you have ever met with any of our old comrades of the St. Sunniva? It is not likely
-- I have not. Of our two Kenwick friends, one only I have seen, and merely to nod to, Mr Lynne. By the way, you may be interested
to know that Mr. Lynne and Mr. Turnbull have become brothers-in-law, the former having married a sister or the sister of the
latter. Last summer I went no further for my holidays than Inverness. I went there, however, by way of the Trossacks and
Caledonian Canal, a charming trip. I thank you much for your invitation. I am afraid, however, I shall never be able to accept
it. Distance and increasing years are alike prohibitive. I should be delighted if I saw any prospect to meet you once more.
I notice your trip had nearly a tragic end. I hope the shake has left no evil effects. I do not know if you passed through
Kansas City on your way home, but I regretted afterwards I did not think of it, to ask you to call on my two sons who are
employed there in Messrs. Swift Co. establishment. They would, I know, have been delighted and I feel certain you would not
have refused. AS I am near the end of my paper, and I dare say have exhausted your patience, I will conclude by wishing you
a very happy New Year, and many returns. I will be delighted to receive a letter from you again. Your very sincere friend,
John Turnbull