“I wouldn’t give a mile of the dear old Sierras, with their honesty, sincerity, and magnificent uncouthness, for one hundred thousand kilometres of the picturesque Vaud.” Preferring the rugged character of California's mountains to polished European scenery · Letter from Lucerne, 1895 Beauty Memory Nature
“Papa was never so fond of his country before, as in this land that has been so great, so powerful, and so very, very hard and wicked.” Contrasting affection for America with his impressions of Europe's violent history · Letter to his younger son, 1878 Love Memory War
“Be thankful, my dear boy, that you are an American.” A patriotic conclusion drawn from contemplating Europe's long history of conflict · Letter to his younger son, 1878 Memory War
“Thus far London has only seemed to me a sluggish nightmare through which I have waked, and Paris a confused sort of hysterical experience.” A vivid description of the disorientation he felt on first encountering Europe · Letter to Anna Harte, Crefeld, 1878 Memory Solitude
