Letter from John Muir to Helen [Muir], 1893 Sep 23.

[4]or anywhere. for every place is sweet & beautiful where you are. O dear! I wish I could just jump on a train this evening & never stop until I got home - But two weeks will soon be past Tell mama I was so glad to get her letter saying that her eyes were better give my love to Wanda & Mama & grandma & Maggie & Dave & everybody that you know I love. I must go now & see if mamas telegram has come to tell that you are all well It was 10 o\u27clock in the forenoon when I telegraphed & it is now five [in margin: in the afternoon Good night my love. Your devoted papa John Muir][1][letterhead]New YorkSep 23, 1893.My dear HelenIve got back to New York & will soon be back to Martinez, & I will be very glad. I came across the sea in a big ship. It sailed very fast, but it shook a good deal & I could not sleep very well. But I feel happy to get back into our own country again & so near our own home. I got your nice letter & mamas just the day before I left Liverpool. You write so well that I could hardly believe that my own little Helen had written that letter. If any more letters have gone to London they will be sent back to California by my cousins at [Berkanhead?]. [2]I am with Mr Johnson at this nice club just now but I have a room at the Holland House & expect to get an answer to the telegram I sent mama as soon as I get off the ship. I want to speak to Mr Johnson about writing a book & so I will have to be here a day or two but you may be sure I will make haste to get home to see you all once more after my long long rides & sails & walks in [illegible]land & Ireland & England & Belgium & Switzerland & France & Italy. You can find all these countries in your geography I suppose.[3]I have to stop a day at Chicago also & two or three at Portage but I think Ill be home in about two weeks, & then wont we have a grand time together. I brought a few nice things in my satchel only a few because they make so much fuss about baggage in the custom house. You must have been studying very hard I think for you can write so well I m glad you are going to the redwoods to enjoy the beautiful trees & shells & mosses & the waves of the sea. I would like to be with you there0173