Transcription:
Jan. 30. 1913. Mr. John Muir. My dear Sir: Last evening I road your Lessons of the Wilderness In the January number
of the Atlantic Monthly . As there was but one Blacksmith Preacher in that community and he had a dominate brother named
Charlie. I perceive At once that the man so mercilessly pilloried by your pen was none other than my father. Instead of the
restful sleep I might have otherwise enjoyed I spent my might in retrospect. Beginning with myearliest recollection the period
embraced in my homelife was reviewed and dwelt, upon. Every act, word, incident that, would shed light upon the subject you
have committed to, history was pressed into service in mysearch for light and truth. My father, the pro ? , priestand, king
of that household stood before me. No weakness,faults or failinge Were omitted. His prevailing characteristics were examined
and, reviewed. The motives that underlay his acts and dominated his life were analyzed and critically examined. As I have
read and re-read your two col-