Letters to a Friend 



wholly alone in the midst of this metallic, 

 money-clinking crowd. And so you are going 

 to dwell down there, and how rosily you will 

 write about it ! Well, I hope you may realize 

 it all. Independence in quiet life must be de 

 lightful indeed, after the battles and the bur 

 dens of these heavy years. In any case it is a 

 fine thing for old people who have worked and 

 fought through all kinds of strenuous experi 

 ences to have thoughts and schemes so fresh 

 and young as yours. We all hope to see you 

 soon. 



Cordially yours, 



JOHN MUIR. 



July 23rd, [1877.] 



I made only a short dash into the dear old 

 Highlands above Yosemite, but all was so full 

 of everything I love, every day seemed a meas 

 ureless period. I never enjoyed the Tuolumne 

 cataracts so much. Coming out of the sun land, 

 the gray salt deserts of Utah, these wild ice 

 waters sang themselves into my soul more 

 [ 183] 



