Transcription:
Yosemite Valley March 26th 72. Evening ---- ----- Dear Emerson Yosemite is waving throbbing in that kind of storm called
Earthquake throbbing while I write. This morning at half past two oclock I was shaken most suddenly from sleep to blessed
life. My cabin was full of strange sounds, was rocking, crazing, swedging, shuddering in so boisterous a way that in crossing
the floor I had to stagger steady as if walking the deck of a schooner in waves. I had never experienced this kind of storm.
Nevertheless I was not in doubt one moment for as the John Baptist Angel said squarely, I am Gabriel , this storm said I am
Earthquake, I rumbled out to the open sky shooting. A noble Earthquake Noble Earthquake The ground so reeled jostled that
I had to steady against a tree. The first shock was sustained for about three minutes with tremendous energy. It was no combination
of chattering dismering tremors, but a most sublime out bloom of fervid passionate throbbings As if God had touched the mountains
with a muscled hand, or were wearing them upon Him as common bones flesh. The air was calm the moon shone free, exposing strange
agitation in the trees They waved whipped as if their limbs had all been pressed close to their trunks then suddenly let