Title:
Letter from John Torrey to daughter [name unknown], 1872 Aug 25.
Creator:
John Torrey
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:
daughter [name unknown]
Date:
1872 Aug 25
2008
Type:
Text
Format:
Image/jpeg2000
Identifier:
muir02_0884-md-1
Source:
Original letter dimensions unknown.
Language:
eng
Coverage:
San Fransisco
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:
illegible letter of Jan. 4, 1874 illegible also Sept. 11, 1872 Letter of illegible Sept. 28, 1892 San Francisco, August
25th, 1872. My dear daughter: We arrived here on the 9th inst. after a ride on the oars of 3,300 miles with less fatigue
than you and I experienced in some of our travelling last spring. The whole journey was intensely interesting - of which I
shall have much to tell you when we meet. Remaining in 2. Fr. four days (one of which was Sunday), and wishing to visit the
Yosemite before commencing our business at the Mint, ,we left on the 13th for that celebrated and remarkable place,and remained
there nearly four days, visiting some of the most interesting localities. The journey to and from the Valley was easier than
when I went there seven years ago. We had only about 12 miles of horseback instead of about 50 in 1865, but the descent and
ascent of about 5,000 feet over a very steep and rough bridle-path was not at all improved. To visit, on horseback, the various
points is also very laborious; but the grand views that are thus obtained amply repay the cost. In the Valley I met with Mr.
John Muir, a Scot, who has resided there more than three years, making observations on the geology, and showing clearly, as
he believes, that this deep excavation was made by glacier action - when the slowly moving ioe, reaching thousands of feet
above the highest mountains, - ploughed out the valleys, the present border of high peaks, domes, etc. being only the harder
portions of the rook. This Mr. Muir is a second Hugh Miller, for he was a common workman, and is self-taught. I met people
that I knew in all the places that we halted at along the road among the YA: rest Rev. Br. Hall of N.Y., who with all his
family had just left the Valley. we encountered them in a narrow pass on the side of a mountain, and it was with difficulty
that we got by each other. I told you about Mr. I.H.Redfield and daughter joining us at Cheyenne, on their way from Colorado
Mountains. They went with us to Yosemite and we put up at the same hotels. They are with us here at the splendid Hotel called
the Lick House. I cannot tell for a few days what our movements will be, but I shall Inform Herbert when I know. I was very
tired when we returned from Yosemite late last evening, but am now quite bright. This morning I heard Rev. Dr. Stone preach
and this afternoon Dr. Hall. Give much love to Herbert and the boy . Remember me to Henry . Your loving father, JOHN TORREY
On my return from the Valley I found a number of letters waiting for me -among. them yours of the 7 inst. Herbert's of the
10th. 06086