Title:
Letter from John Muir to Helen Lukens Jones, [1902 Jan ?].
Creator:
John Muir
Publisher:
University of the Pacific Library Holt-Atherton Special Collections. Please contact this institution directly to obtain copies
of the images or permission to publish or use them beyond educational purposes.
Contributor:
Helen Lukens Jones
Date:
[1902 Jan ?]
2008
Type:
Text
Format:
Image/jpeg2000
Identifier:
muir12_0148-md-1
Source:
Original letter dimensions: 22.5 x 14.5 cm.
Language:
eng
Coverage:
[Martinez, Calif]
Rights:
Copyrighted
The unpublished works of John Muir are copyrighted by the Muir-Hanna Trust. To purchase copies of images and/or obtain permission
to publish or exhibit them, see
http://library.pacific.edu/ha/forms
Muir-Hanna Trust
1984
Transcription:
First draft of letter - in note-book 59 (43) Jan. '02 Mrs. Helen Lukens Jones, Pasadena, Cal. My dear Mrs. Jones:
I have looked over your Idyllwild, and hinted some changes. I think the description of the trips to the hotel and to Mt. Jacinto
should be shortened and the gen eral view from the hotel and that from the mountain top should be extended. In particular
you should not mar the artistic form and effectiveness of your main picture by stopping and dwelling on the view of the sea
from the telescopic car. Leave that for the summit view, and describe everything in sight, simply saying that glimpses of
the sea are gained on the way up. Never try to make too much of subordinate features or subjects, and avoid queer uncommon
words and involved sentences, etc, etc. and you will continue to gain in power of expression. I congratulate you on the success
already attained, while greater is already in sight. I never heard of bears descending trees to attack men, when unmolested
and unhurt, nor of their coming down head foremost. Tell your father that I have written to Washington, as ha requested, and
that I wish him the success in forestry affairs which his faithful work deserves. With best wishes, ever faithfully yours,
J. M.02890