Letters to a Friend 



the spring. I hope that you enjoy your labor 

 in your new sphere. 

 My love to all your family, and I am 

 Yours most cordially, 



JOHN Mum. 



Yosemite, December 6th, 1869. 



I am feasting in the Lord's mountain house, 

 and what pen may write my blessings ? I am 

 going to dwell here all winter magnificently 

 "Snowbound"? Just think of the grandeur of 

 the mountain winter in the Yosemite ! Would 

 that you could enjoy it also! 



I read your word in pencil upon the bridge 

 below the Nevada, and I thank you for it most 

 devoutly. No one or all the Lord's blessings can 

 enable me to exist without a friend indeed. 



There is no snow in the valley. The ground 

 is covered with the brown and yellow leaves of 

 the oak and maple, and their crisping and rust 

 ling makes one think of the groves of Madison. 

 I have been wandering about among the falls 

 and rapids, studying the grand instruments of 

 [71 1 



