Letters to a Friend 



am just beginning to know how fully congenial 

 you are. Would that you could share my moun 

 tain enjoyments ! In all my wanderings through 

 Nature's beauty, whether it be among the ferns 

 at my cabin door or in the high meadows and 

 peaks or amid the spray and music of water 

 falls, you are the first to meet me and I often 

 speak to you as verily present in the flesh. 



Last Sabbath I was baptized in the irised 

 foam of the Vernal and in the divine snow of 

 Nevada, and you were there also and stood in 

 real presence by the sheet of joyous rapids be 

 low the bridge. 



I am glad to know that McClure and Mc- 

 Chesney have told you of our night with upper 

 Yosemite. Oh, what a world is there I passed ! 

 No, I had another night there two weeks ago, 

 entering as far within the veil amid equal glory, 

 together with Mr. Frank Shapleigh of Boston. 

 Mr. Shapleigh is an artist and I like him. He 

 has been here six weeks and has just left for 

 home. I told him to see you and to show you 

 his paintings. He is acquainted with Charles 

 [87 ] 



