My First Summer 



be the grandest rock in the world. Well 

 it may be, since it is of such noble dimen- 

 sions and sculpture. A wonderfully impres- 

 sive monument, its lines exquisite in fine- 

 ness, and though sublime in size, is finished 

 like the finest work of art, and seems to be 

 alive. 



July 17.- -A new camp was made to- 

 day in a magnificent silver fir grove at the 

 head of a small stream that flows into Yose- 

 mite by way of Indian Canon. Here we in- 

 tend to stay several weeks,- - a fine location 

 from which to make excursions about the 

 great valley and its fountains. Glorious days 

 I '11 have sketching, pressing plants, study- 

 ing the wonderful topography, and the wild 

 animals, our happy fellow mortals and 

 neighbors. But the vast mountains in the 

 distance, shall I ever know them, shall I be 

 allowed to enter into their midst and dwell 

 with them? 



We were pelted about noon by a short, 

 heavy rain-storm, sublime thunder rever- 



[ 162 ] 



