Transcription:
Lakeport, Cal. Jan 14, 1907 Dear John Muir The greater the man, the simpler the title, Bless your kind heart to remember
me with a New Year greeting . I have only looked at the pictures for the present, anticipating much pleasure and interest
in perusing the book I was under an intense nervous strain all day and as twilight deepened into darkness I sat alone watching
the snow flakes falling and thinking what is life , what am I, that I should be ground to powder and almost crushed out of
corporeal existence and no one to understand what one, suffers; To move and grind as the great glaciers are grinding . Then
I thought I must need it, else it would not be Just then the old man came with the mail and when I opened your book I said
This is my compen 03815