The Washington herald., 1915-01-13

twas IN MS 1dCc d look L ndQ SO OItcn nOUCcQ IN
the faces of men who lived largely without doors,
suggesting youth. The skin curiously clear
and free from lines and the eyes blue and keen,
suggested both health and humor. Muir glanced
up at the mountainous cliffs and said: Here is
where God has done some of his finest sculpture.
See those little up there cnging to the edge,
near the top? Would you believe they are very
much older than some of the big fellows down
here the plain of the valley?" He sighed and
looked about, drawing long breath. "And yet
the government is continually making encroach-
ments on this park. 1t is the only government in
the world that reduces the size of the breathing
spots for the people Surely we need all the space
in them and more. 1t is beautiful thing for
people to have this valley for their own, where
/ they can come and camp and live close to nature.
OF its kind, the Yosemite is the most remarkable
reservation in the world. Nature has lavished her
gifts it."
Though Muir had made himself the prophet of
outdoor California and though he was one of the
most devoted Americans he remained neverthe
less, loyal Scot About his early years in
Scotland he liked to talk at length. There he laid
the foundation for his wonderful knowledge OF
nature. Love of outdoor life is natural to boys"
Ihe said. They are always trying to escape from
the restrictions OF indoor life. When | was
boy my fondness for roaming in the fields cost
me many a whipping. But l didn't mind One
great discovery that the Scotch people made many
years ago had a very good effect me. 1t was
this: There's a direct relation between the skin
and the mind and the character. Most of the
knowledge l acquired in early life was associated
with whipping We were given certain tasks to
do and if we didn't do them were whipped"
A. a.. IL Il ToI,,, Mi
acquired one valuable possession a thorough
knowledge OF the Bible. Many chapters he could
recte word for word, and that training has helped
him in his writing at put some good English
into my head" he remarked "The whipping also
developed fortitudc quality worth having"
Forttudc Muir needed. For, while still boy,
he came to this country to make his way, under
peculiarly difficult conditions. He among the
first to explore the mountains OF California.
There were good many hardships in those
days" he said, but they more than made up
for by the benefits. would start out on long
expedition with supplies except bread and tea.
The tea | never failed to carry along. That ex-
pcrencc taught me that have to pay for every
thing we get in this world. The Bible says that
man cannot live by bread alone. Well, besides
my tea, had the magnihcencc OF nature to mix
with my food. l assure you that it made life in
the outdoors wonderful"
Like many of the philosophers of today, Muir
felt for the hesh-pots OF Egypt. Taste in
food he regarded a means of indulgence not to
be developed, but to be disciplined and put under
restraint. He knew what tyrant it could be and
what mischief it could do to mankind. 81 wish
that could develop some kind of condensed
food" he said, that would make this continual
eating unnecessary. Now when l go off on an
eYOeditiOn into the WIldS | m continually ham,
pered by the food question. In the first place,
have to carry my supplies along. That adds toI
work and suddenly l discover that my supplies
are giving out. Even after the last of them are
gone l find it hard to stop. In this situation
have worked for several days without eating any
thing. Then l forced to go back to civiliza-
ton. Now if could only take enough nourish-
ment before started to last me for several weeks
that is, to sustain my system, l should be re-
leved OF burden
Much as he loved the Yosemite Muir did not
agree with those fanatical people who, in their
devotion to nature, tried to keep out the automo-
bile. He knew that such restrictions could not
be kept up and that measures must be taken to
make the automobile safe those steep noun
tain passes. He lived to see it enter there with
out any serious consequences whatsoever and to
realize that with it went increased appreciation
OF the Yosemte's appeal. What he cared most
about was that the entire world should feel the
marves OF California and the inspiration of living
close to nature He himself example OF
what enjoyment of life in the open could do for
man; not physically alone, but mentally and
morally. He was alert to the end, his last years
enriched with literary success, with widespread
esteem and with the friendship of many kinds OF
people, including some of the greatest in the
world He did fine service for California, and
he will hold distinguished place among those
pioneers who lived to see California become a
mighty State
Those who knew John Muir will speak of him
with warm personal affection. He was of
simple habits and with fondness for the every
day people and for children. Active as his life
was, he produced comparatively little in literary
way. Like many another writer, he often con-
tented himself with taking volumnous notes, in
stead of getting things done. He left behind, |
however, considerable body of writing, both
death he was at work on his autobiography, to |
include elaborate records of his extensive travels,
in this country IN Australia Russia Siberia, India
Manchuria, and South America.