Transcription:
4 in the gush ardor of full bloom in places called desolate gloomy wintry snows where that dwarfed crumpled pines are pelted
with hail rocks, but as frail flowers of human kind are protected by the hand of God blooming joyously through a long beautiful
life in places times that are strewn with the wrecks of the powerful the great so in these far mountains where are the treasuries
of snow storms live in safety innocence these sweet tender children of the plants, Had looked long well for Cassiope but in
all my long excursions failed to find its dwelling places begin to fear that we would never meet but had a presentiment of
finding it today as I passed as rockshelf after reaching the great gathered heaps of everlasting snow something seemed to
whisper Cassiope Cassiope that name was driven in upon me as as Calvinists say looking around behold the long looked for mountain
child. I do not care to write much because you seem so near I hope that you will all be very happy in your new home not feel
too sorely the separation from the loved places people of Wis in margin: Remember me to my Doctor to all of your boys. I
am most cordially your friend John Muir 00482