Letter from James D[avie] Butler to John Muir, 1893 Nov 6.

• Main Author: Butler, James Davie
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: Scholarly Commons 1893
• Subjects: Environmentalist; naturalist; travel; conservation; national parks; John Muir; history; correspondence; letters; glacier; glaciers; Alaska
• Online Access: https://scholarlycommons.pacific.edu/muir-correspondence/1011; https://scholarlycommons.pacific.edu/context/muir-correspondence/article/2010/viewcontent/muir07_1404_md_1.pdf

[letterhead]Madison. Nov. 6/93John Muir, Esq.My dear Friend.We have not yet forgiven you that you did not linger longer in these scenes - fairest on both land and lake. Every step you stumbled on some fond recollection. - For many a day you would have met old friend who make the world warmer, and gained new friends who make it wider. Unless you made unexpected halts on your western way you must already have been at home long enough for your promised letters to reach us. No doubt you have something to do that was perforce left undone while you were among Alpine glaciers - but the busier your life the more need of such a recreation as I have long found letter writing to afford. The census vol. on Alaska was sent me ten days ago. It is a new departure with 74 full page plates - some of them colored. - the best map I have seen of the Muir glacier. - But thus far I do not find mention of Sheldon Jackson's nation-saving philanthropy. My account of his philanthropic endeavors, penned before you were here was printed in The [Nation?]. No. 1477.p.289. My Anna went to Superior two weeks ago and we hoped would be frozen out and come home at Thanksgiving. She however, finds that her brothers have provided a new house with a furnace. We have hence no more hope of her.- But my Agnes and I are all the more counterparts and help-meets. My letter reached Miss Catharine Merrill and has already brought me a reply She speaks of her brother as now on his way home. So he must be ousted from his consulship. You know just before he started for India he lost much by fire. How often the best have the worst lot! - But what is worst? "College Tom" - a quaker job in the [lovelist?] Rhode Island 1700-1800 by his grandson's granddaughter", is a book I would be sorry not to have read. In the 24 years since our [illegible] above the Nevada fall what fugacious years we have passed. What a joy as I wear out is faith in a life beyond life - the lost on earth restored in heaven - where we shall know god better and can serve him more nobly than ...