Letter from John Muir to Mary [Muir Hand], 1910 Aug 4.

Los Angeles. Cal., Aug. 4, 1910.325 West Adams Street.Dear Sister Mary:-A letter from you is a strange sight, something like a long period comet. The last I heard Sarah was rapidly recovering, but I have not yet heard whether she had returned to Pacific Grove. Before this last illness she was better than she had been for many years.I am glad you mentioned James Whitehead, for as we grow older all these auld lang syne people become more and more interesting.Helen and her husband came up in an automobile from Daggett to the old home at Martinez about a month ago intending to spend two months there, but she stayed only ten days and hurried back to Daggett, because the change of climate began to have a serious effect on her sore lung. She writes that she is now about as well ever, but after staying away two years on the desert and having her old trouble come back so promptly as soon as she returned home shows she will never be likely to stay at Martinez. She will probably remain on the desert or thereabouts permanently.I have been here a long time writing. One book is in the hands of the publishers, Houghton Miflin Company, and will be brought out next spring, but this winter three or four chapters taken from the book will appear in the Atlantic Monthly. I have another book, mostly on animals, for young folks, now on hand; which will probably be completed by next spring. Yes, the two grandchildren are interesting little fellows and it is a great pleasure to see them, although I have not been stopping at the ranch for any longer than a few weeks at a time all winter and spring.I am pretty well and find that I can write as well as ever and am trying to get off as much as possible of work that has been neglected.I am glad Joanna is getting a change from that marshy Port Norfolk with her interesting children. I trust that the health of all the family will be restored in your dry breezy air.With all good wishes, dear Mary, and rejoicing in your health, and the welfare of all the Hands, I am,Ever affectionately your brother,[ILLEGIBLE