Letters to a Friend 



semite, though not quite so open, and I venture 

 to say that you will yet see the valley many 

 times both in and out of the body. 



I am glad you are going to the coast moun 

 tains to sleep on Diablo, Angelo ere this. 

 I am sure that you will be lifted above all the 

 effects of your material work. There is a pre 

 cious natural charm in sleeping under the open 

 starry sky. You will have a very perfect view 

 of the Joaquin Valley and the snowy, pearly wall 

 of the Sierra Nevada. I lay for weeks last sum 

 mer upon a bed of pine leaves at the edge of a 

 [ ] gentian meadow in full view of Mt. Dana. 



Mrs. Hutchings says that the lily bulbs were 

 so far advanced in their growth when she dug 

 some to send you that they could not be packed 

 without being broken, but I am going to be 

 here all summer, and I know where the grand 

 est plantation of these lilies grow, and I will box 

 up as many of them as you wish, together with 

 as many other Yosemite things as you may ask 

 for and send them out to you before the pack 

 train makes its last trip. I know the Spircea 

 [ 82] 



