Redwoods. 



2^y 



"Live and let live," say the redwoods. "Sun, air, water, 

 soil, and shade for all." But they say more than this. 

 Mountain oak and laurel that would share the forest 

 life, these because they are able to grow tall — if they 

 have the will — these, if they would enjoy the common- 

 wealth of the sky, must grow straight-trunked and clean. 



For the moment the redwoods seem to us the stoics of 

 the forest, teaching that life is for the strong, the self- 

 reliant. Then beneath our feet we find the most delicate 

 forest carpet of shy wood violets and oxalis. Lilies that 

 need the deep, cool quiet are here and many a rare, 

 small thing that cannot live elsewhere. Ferns and 

 maidenhair bank the slopes. 



"Stand straight and strong, who can," say the red- 

 woods; "protect and shelter the weak." This is the 

 chivalry of the forest ; it is a chivalry the Christian world 

 has hardly learned, despite the Master. 



Brave trees, the redwoods. Burned of all their leaves, 

 they fight for life and bourgeon out again. Around the 

 fallen parent grows up a stately group of children. 



Long life, well lived, strength and resultant quietness ; 

 modesty, courage, beauty and the kindliness of infinite 

 hospitality ! 



An American Wordsworth will one day come to sing 

 these noble trees as teaching the ideal of the social and 

 individual life of the American. 



The Correspondence. 



Hon. James R. Garfield, Secretary Interior, U. S. 



Dear Sir: I herewith enclose a deed of gift to a tract of land 

 in Marin County, California, more fully described by accom- 

 panying documents, and request that you accept it as provided 

 for by the Act of June 8, 1906. . . . 



After having traveled over a large part of the open country 

 in the United States, I consider this tract, with its beautiful 

 trees, ferns, wildflowers, and shrubs, as the most attractive bit 

 of wilderness I have ever seen. 



In tendering it I request that it be known as Muir Woods, in 

 honor of John Muir. . . . Yours respectfully, 



William Kent. 



