Transcription:
10 Castle Street, Edinburgh, Dec. 14, 1894. My dear Mr. Muir: Your Mountains of California has reached me, rendered all
the more valuable to me by your kind inscription. I have already read your excellent truthful study of the D. Squirrel and
promise myself much pleasure in the remainder as soon as the dark days are past, but my occulist has forbidden me to use my
eyes more than is absolutely necessary with artificial light, so I am perforce obliged to do my reading in the evening by
another voice, viz. either my wife or daughter, both willing helps. I hope the year that is now drawing to a close has upon
the whole been a fortunate one for you and that 1895 will be as happy as my wishes could desire. I wish to give you (and possibly
your wife and daughters too) a hearty laugh during the Christmas holidays by reading a new book by the author of our ain Folk
called the Humour of the Scot, which goes by the same mail. You will, I daresay, recognize some very old Joe Millers, but
there are some new ones which will, I fancy, be appreciated by you. I have been looking in vain in Scribner and the Century
for your dog story . Do give it to the world and also your personal adventures in Alaska with the missionary, which have not
been forgotten by the inmates of 22 Drummond Place now reduced in number as one of the boys is married and the younger has
gone to London to follow his practice as a Doctor. The old coupld have still your friend Willie, who sends his kind regards
and best wishes. I am, Yours sincerely, David Douglas