C[harles] W[alter] Carruth


John Muir


image preview


[4]Shelley in "Prometheus Unbound" written about the same time, makes Prometheus say:"The crawling glaciers pierce me with the spearsOf their moon-freezing crystals."These two instances came to my mind, and possibly if one had time more references might be found.By the way, I have written a sonnet upon "Glacier Bay," and since writing it I find a sentence in your N. P. Alaska article which, as it were, knocks out the enacting clause of my sonnet. It states that those great ice [illegible] discharge their bergs winter and summer. Can this be so? I supposed the northern bays and fiords to be so choked and sealed by the frost that any motion of the glacier during the winter would be impossible.[5][letterhead]However if they do move, I presume I shall have to let them continue their motion even if it does destroy a mediocre sonnet, but I would much prefer that they should hibernate, and suck their paws during the winter months. I have written down the sonnet upon the reverse of this sheet, and you can see whether it would be worth while to reverse a fact in natural history for the sake of it.The very kindest regards of Mrs. C. and the winter to yourself, Mrs. M. and the children, and we would be more than delighted to have a call from you when you are 01864


Oakland [Calif.]

Date Original



Original letter dimensions: 22.5 x 14.5 cm.

Resource Identifier


File Identifier

Reel 08, Image 0475

Copyright Statement


Owning Institution


Page Number

Page 3

