Transcription:
South Manchester, Apr. 4th, 1877. My dear Mr. Muir: It is so long since I have heard from you, or since I have written
to you that I really do not know whether I owe you a letter or not, but having a little spare time this morning I am going
to venture a few words, in hope that sometime I may have a response. Your last letter seemed so different from you and your
other ones, that I am inclined to think that city life has changed you somewhat. You seem more interested in those about you,
in people generally, than you used to be, and I am glad of it. I feel sure there is nothing like mixing with the world to
enlarge one's ideas, and to give one command over themselves and others. How we long for California, I cannot begin to tell
you. Father's health is so poor, and he is so depressed that I long to take him away from business and cares of that kind,
but he is getting old and quite feeble, and it is hard to start him. I hope every year that he will go out, and now look forward
to the coming fall, but it yet a far way off, and many things may come to us before then, so we dare not make any plans. I
think we have all so changed that you would hardly recognize us. Harry has a beard and is a large and rather stout man. Rob
is the tallest and largest of us all, measures over six feet. Louise is a full grown and very pretty young woman - the child,
has gone from them all. I had a letter from Mrs. Moore some time ago. She was at Capri, and expected to spend her winter
in Rome, which she has done, I hear through C.W. S toddard . I am sorry to hear that she may never return to her husband,
how much truth there is in the story I cannot say. Do you ever see my friend Mrs. Fay? She does not often mention you. Where
is your book? I have been long expecting to hear some news of it. We are just beginning to see a little green grass, just
the least color here and there, and I suppose you are in the full glory of green grass and wild flowers. What a wonderful
country it is and how much of nature's beauty one loses being shut up in our houses here for six months. Hoping you are still
within reach, and have not gone off the top of one of your mountains. I remain, Yours sincerely, Anne W. Cheney