Letter from John Muir to Mina Merrill, 1913 May 31.

[Original letter returned to Miss M. Merrill] -. ¦ Martinez, California, May31,1913.Dear Mina Merrill:I am more delighted with your letter than I can tell- to see your handwriting once more and know that you still love me. For through all life\u27s wanderings you have held a warm place in my heart, and I have never ceased to thank God for giving me the blessed Merrill family as life-long friends. As to the Scotch way of bringing up children, to which you refer, I think it is often too severe or even cruel. And as I hate cruelty I called attention to it in the boyhood book while at the same time pointing out the value of sound religious training with steady work and restraint.I\u27m now at work on an Alaska book, and as soon as it is off my hands I mean to continue the Autobiography from leaving the university to botanical excursions in the northern woods, around Indianapolis, and thence to Florida, Cuba and California. This will be volume Number 2.It is now seven years since my beloved wife vanished in the land of the leal. Both of my girls are happily married and have homes and children of their own. Wanda has three lively boys, Helen has two and is living at Daggett, California. Wanda is living on the ranch in the old adobe, while I am alone in my library den in the big house on the hill where you and sister Kate found me on your memorable visit long ago.As the shadows lengthen in Life\u27s afternoon we cling all the more fondly to the friends of our youth. And it is with the warmest gratitude that I recall the kindness of all your family when I was lying in darkness. That Heaven may ever bless you, dear Mina, is the heart prayer of yourAffectionate friend, John Muir[Envelope addressed Miss Mine Merrill, 2443 Talbott, Indianapolis, Indiana]