Letter from Mary E. Newton to John Muir, 1864 Apr 17

may your life and health be precious in His sight. I suppose you have heard from Emma of late, that Mr Basset had moved into the Mondell with Mr Pelton and Emily, also of old Mrs Jacksons death. We had a letter from father Newton a few days since they are very well I am hoping to visit them this Summer or Fall. Sister Katie, Willie and I intend to go on East in June. I shall go to my Vermont home first. That would be a fine trip for you to take. You had better go on with us. Father & mother Newton would be delighted to see you, and the mountain scenery would suit your taste for wildness & beauty. Willie often speaks of you he says give John my love & tell him to come & see us. Prairie du Chin April 17th, /64Dear Friend John Accept many thanks for your letter, which was very welcome and would have been replied to before but on account of my own health and many cares I have been unable to do as I would. I have been quite unwell for two or three weeks past but hope to soon be well again. We have been having dark unpleasant weather for weeks past. Spring seems to linger in the lap of winter. I am anxiously waiting for warm sunny days, and again behold our beautiful earth clothed withCan you not make us a visit this Spring? Mr Newton joins me in sending his kind regards. I hope you will soon let us hear from you. Sincerely your friend M E NewtonP.S. I will enclose a photograph of myself. I wish I had one of Mr Newton to send. Mine is not a very good one. verdure and beautified with flowers. Spring is my favorite season, with joy yet with sad- ness shall I hail its return. My Elmer is not here, none but a mother can know how much such a sweet prattler is missed each day, and I might say hour my thoughts are upon my angel boy, oh how fondly my heart strings were entwined around him, I will not murmur God has but taken the gift be lent me, to him- self. Soon I shall go to him. How much we need the influence of the Holy Spirit constantly to keep us in duties path, and keep our thoughts upon the author of all good. This a dark rainy day I did not feel able to go out to church and am home with Willie who sits on the floor with his00351toys. Would that I could look in upon you and know how time glides with you. Emma tells me you were about to leave your sisters when you wrote her. Where you are and what you are doing is what I am quite anxious to know. I trust you are well and happy and that you are enjoying the richest blessings earth can give is my most sincere wish. I shall ever feel an earnest solicitude for you, your regard for our dear sister has greatly endeared you to us, beside you have that real worth of character I most highly esteem. I feel that God will bless and prosper you and may you be the means in His hands of bringing to Christ, I feel assured it is your desire to benefit mankin