THE "HARBINGER" AND VARIOUS SUBJECTS.
The following is the prospectus of
THE "HARBINGER."
Devoted to the Social and Political progress. Published simultaneously
at New York and Boston, by the Brook Farm Phalanx. "All things, at the
present day, stand provided and prepared, and await the light."
Under this title it is proposed to publish a weekly newspaper, for the
examination, and discussion of the great questions in social science,
politics, literature and the arts, which command the attention of all
believers in the progress and elevation of humanity.
In politics, the _Harbinger_ will be democratic in its principles and
tendencies; cherishing the deepest interest in the advancement and
happiness of the masses; warring against all exclusive privilege in
legislation, political arrangements and social customs; and striving
with the zeal of earnest conviction, to promote the triumph of the high
democratic faith, which is the chief mission of the nineteenth century
to realize in society.
Our devotion to the democratic principle will lead us to take the
ground of fearless and absolute independence in regard to all political
parties, whether professing attachment to that principle or hostility
to it. We know that fidelity to an idea can never be reassured by
adherence to a name; and hence we shall criticise all parties with
equal severity, though we trust that the sternness of truth will always
be blended with the temperance of impartial candor. With tolerance for
all opinions, we have no patience with hypocrisy and pretense; least of
all with that specious fraud which would make a glorious principle the
apology for personal ends. It will therefore be a leading object of the
_Harbinger_ to strip the disguise from the prevailing parties, to show
them in their true light, to give them due honor, to tender them our
grateful reverence whenever we see them true to a noble principle; but
at all times, and on every occasion, to expose false professions, to
hold up hollow-heartedness and duplicity to just indignation, to warn
the people against the demagogue, who would cajole them by honeyed
flatteries, no less than against the devotee of mammon who would make
them his slaves.
The _Harbinger_ will be devoted to the cause of a radical, organic
social reform, as essential to the highest development of man's nature,
to the production of those elevated and beautiful forms of character of
which he is capable, and to the diffusion of happiness, excellence and
universal harmony upon the earth. The principles of universal unity as
taught by Charles Fourier, in their application to society, we believe
are at the foundation of all genuine social progress, and it will ever
be our aim to discuss and defend these principles, without any
sectarian bigotry, and in the catholic and comprehensive spirit of
their great discoverer. While we bow to no man as an authoritative,
infallible master, we revere the genius of Fourier too highly not to
accept, with joyful welcome, the light which he has shed on the most
intricate problems of human destiny. The social reform of whose advent
the signs are everywhere visible, comprehends all others, and in
laboring for its speedy accomplishment, we are conscious that we are
devoting our best ability to the removal of oppression and injustice
among men, to the complete emancipation of the enslaved, to the
promotion of genuine temperance, and to the elevation of the toiling
and down-trodden masses to the inborn rights of humanity.
In literature the _Harbinger_ will exercise a firm and impartial
criticism, without respect of persons or parties. It will be made a
vehicle for the freest thought, though not of random speculations; and
with a generous appreciation of the various forms of truth and beauty,
it will not fail to expose such instances of false sentiment, perverted
taste and erroneous opinion, as may tend to vitiate the public mind or
degrade the individual character. Nor will the literary department of
the _Harbinger_ be limited to criticism alone. It will receive
contributions from various pens, in different spheres of thought, and,
free from dogmatic exclusiveness, will accept all that in any way
indicates the unity of man with man, with nature, and with God.
Consequently all true science, all poetry and arts, all sincere
literature, all religion that is from the soul, all wise analyses of
mind and character, will come within its province.
We appeal for aid in our enterprise to the earnest and hopeful spirits
in all classes of society. We appeal to all who, suffering from a
resistless discontent in the present order of things, with faith in man
and trust in God are striving for the establishment of universal
justice, harmony and love. We appeal to the thoughtful, the aspiring,
the generous everywhere, who wish to see the reign of heavenly truth
triumphant, by supplanting the infernal discords and falsehoods on
which modern society is built--for their sympathy, friendship and
practical cooperation in the undertaking which we announce to-day.
The _Harbinger_ was launched, and it weathered the, storm for four
years, until its editors sought other and wider fields for their
genius. Besides the motto on the prospectus, they took the following
from Rev. William Ellery Channing: "Of modern civilization, the natural
fruits are, contempt for others' rights, fraud, oppression, a gambling
spirit in trade, reckless adventure and commercial convulsions, all
tending to impoverish the laborer and render every condition insecure.
Relief is to come, and can only come from the new application of
Christian principles, of universal justice and universal love, to
social institutions, to commerce, to business, to active life."
It was printed in quarto form, sixteen pages to every number, with
clear type and in excellent style. The index of the first volume bears
a list of twenty-two names as contributors, and it contains many worthy
ones. The New York names were as follows:--
Albert Brisbane. William Henry Channing. Christopher P. Cranch. George
William Curtis. George G. Foster. Parke Godwin. Horace Greeley. Osborne
MacDaniel.
The New England names were:--
Otis Clapp, Boston, Mass. William W. Story, Boston, Mass. T. Wentworth
Higginson, Boston, Mass. James Russell Lowell, Cambridge, Mass. J. A.
Saxton, Deerfield, Mass. Francis George Shaw, West Roxbury, Mass. John
G. Whittier, Amesbury, Mass.
Other contributors were:--
E. P. Grant of Ohio. A. J. H. Duganne of Philadelphia.
The Brook Farm writers were:--
George Ripley. John S. Dwight. Charles A. Dana. Lewis K. Ryckman.
In the second volume are two more of the Channing family as
contributors, Dr. William F. and Walter, and also the name of James
Freeman Clarke, of Boston, with an additional writer from Brook
Farm--John Orvis.
Mr. Ripley and Mr. Dana wrote most of the editorial Associative
articles. Mr. Dana was the principal reviewer, and noticed the new
books. Mr. Dwight wrote an occasional article on Association, reviewed,
and attended to the musical and poetical department. He also earnestly
advocated the doctrines of social and industrial life suggested by
Fourier. Translations in prose and poetry were common. Parke Godwin and
W. H. Channing assisted in translations or selections from Fourier's
writings. George William Curtis wrote the musical correspondence from
New York, and among the poetical contributions in the first volume, is
one from J. G. Whittier, "To My Friend on the Death of His Sister," and
five poems by Cranch, Higginson, Story, Lowell and Duganne; also poetic
translations from the German by Dwight and Dana, as well as original
poems by them.
The paper was not local. It aimed high as a purely literary and
critical as well as progressive journal, and I must ever consider it a
fault that it did not chronicle more of Brook Farm life. We look almost
in vain through its pages for one word of its situation, finding none
except in some allusions to it in the correspondence from abroad.
Occasionally the school was advertised in a corner, but for the rest it
might as well have been published elsewhere as at Brook Farm. The
leaders, feeling that the life there was an experiment, and perhaps a
doubtful one, were not disposed to gratify a curiosity which they
probably considered morbid, by yielding to it. This was a mistake. It
was a mistake, as much as it would be for us to leave out of our
letters to our friends the petty incidents of daily life, and describe
only grand principles and outside events. It is only to those loved
most by us that we recite the trivial things, for we know that those
trivialities link us closer than anything else, filling all the chinks
in our friendship or love. It was a disappointment to those who desired
to know often of the spirit of the workers, and of the little events
that happened there, not to find more notices of them.
In many other respects the _Harbinger_ was a grand success. In all that
pertained to music, criticism, poetry and progress no journal stood
higher. I cannot tell of its pecuniary success for I do not find any
memorandum of its finances. The first number commenced with a story
translated from the French of George Sand (Madame Dudevant) entitled
"Consuelo"--in some respects the sweetest story she ever wrote. It was
translated by our neighbor, Mr. Francis G. Shaw, who would oftentimes
mount his horse, and, with his little boy, a tiny fellow, on a pony by
his side, gallop over to see us. How hard it is for me to realize that
afterward the same little fellow, as Col. Robert G. Shaw, led his
colored regiment through fire and smoke and the whizzing bullets up to
the cannon's mouth of bloody Fort Wagner, and there laid down his life
for his country.
Francis George Shaw was of a Boston family and a gentleman of means. He
took great interest in our experiment and its hoped-for results. I have
not words to praise his kindness, and his gentlemanly manner and
bearing towards us all. He looked on life from a high standpoint.
Wealth did not corrupt him. He was a Christian in large heartedness and
philanthropy. He recognized his Maker's image in all men; the garment
he saw through; the color he saw through; and he desired above all
things the education, progress and culture of all the human family.
Appended is an additional list of all the advertised contributors of
the _Harbinger_, during its publication at Brook Farm, not including
those already mentioned:--
John Allen, Brook Farm. Jean M. Pallisse, Brook Farm. S. P. Andrews,
New York, N. Y. William Ellery Channing, Concord, Mass. Joseph J.
Cooke, Providence, R. I. Fred. Henry Hedge, Bangor, Me. Mark E.
Lazarus, Wilmington, N. C. E. W. Parkman, Boston, Mass. J. H. Pulte,
Cincinnati, Ohio. Samuel D. Robbins, Chelsea, Mass. Miss E. H. Starr,
Deerfield, Mass. C. Neidhart, Philadelphia, Pa.
The presence of a weekly journal on the farm, with its varieties of
current literature, poetry and music, could not but awaken in many of
the colaborers most pleasurable emotions. Prose articles and poetry
from it were discussed by daylight and by the fireside, by the
roadside, in the shops, on the farm--in fact, everywhere. The "Admiral"
was wild over Hood's "Bridge of Sighs." It was so quaint; the rhythm
was so unique; it was so full of sentiment; it was so tender; it
displayed so touchingly the sorrows of a young heart, and was so in
harmony with the humanitarian sentiment of our lives, that he and
others could but repeat it over and over, and the poet's rhymes kept
ringing both in our physical and mental ears. The lines--
"One more unfortunate,
Rashly importunate
Gone to her death.
* * * * *
Take her up tenderly,
Fashioned so slenderly
Young and so fair."
were repeated times without number. Cranch's, Story's and Duganne's
poems were favorably criticised, the authors being friendly to the
Association, and the verses of our own members touched tender spots.
When Mr. Emerson's poems were published, there was quite a desire to
know what his sonnet to our friend William H. Channing was like. The
disappointment was great when, instead of a grand, glowing sonnet to a
great-souled man, it took up only an exceptional point of feeling in
his mind on the Abolition question, on which they were not quite
agreed. Quite a little discussion took place between two young persons
as to the propriety of the lines,
"What boots thy zeal, O glowing friend,
That would indignant rend
The Northland from the South?"
The one party contended that "boots" was entirely inadmissible in
poetic phrase. "What boots? Cowhides or patent leathers?" said he,
whilst the other contended that the whole scope of the meaning made the
poetry. But still the first stuck to his point, that a grand sentiment
needed grand words as well as grand ideas, and "boots" was a homely and
inadmissible word with which to express a high sentiment.
Among the many volumes noticed, "Festus," by Philip James Bailey, was a
constant source of admiration and criticism in some of our circles, and
we had many varied ones. Listen to what Mr. Dwight said of it at the
time in the _Harbinger_: "There are more original and magnificent
images on a single page of Festus than would endow a dozen of the
handsome volumes most in vogue. The conclusion you come to as you read
on, is that his wealth of imagination is illimitable, and that you
might as well cut a cloud out of the purple sunset atmosphere, as a
figure from the boundless atmospheric beauty of this poem."
"Festus" still retains its charm for me.
The _Harbinger_, as may be seen, was to be published by the Brook Farm
_Phalanx_, not _Association_. The reason why the name was changed was
because "Association" was not a definite one, conveying distinct
impressions to the public mind, like "Community"; and the name
"Phalanx," although to American ears, new in its connection, was
expressive, and was also adopted by a number of social experiments just
starting, and it was desirable to have them all associated in name as
well as in general doctrine. The name "Community" was rejected because
all the societies organized under that name held their property in
common, which the "Association" distinctly did not.
There were other changes made at this time, more important in idea than
in practice. The name "Areopagus" was applied to an enlarged general
council, and our leader got in this connection, without warrant, the
name of "the Archon."
"Come!" said jocose Drew to him one day, as he sat on the wagon-seat
ready to start for the city, "we are waiting for you!"
"Ah!" was Mr. Ripley's reply, "I see you have the _wag_-on, and are now
waiting for the Archon!"
The government was vested in a General Council consisting of four
branches: First, a Council of Industry, composed of five members;
second, a Council of Finance, of four members; third, a Council of
Science, of three members, and fourth a President, who, with the
chairmen of the other three councils, constituted a "Central Council."
The Council of Industry was appointed by the chiefs of the several
series devoted to manual industry; the Council of Finance, by the
stockholders; the Council of Science, by chiefs of the series devoted
to educational, literary and scientific matters, and the President by
the concurrent vote of the three series.
The Areopagus, whose duty was advisory, consisted of the General
Council; the chiefs of the several groups and series; stockholders
holding stock to the amount of one thousand dollars or more; all
members of the Phalanx over the age of forty-five who had resided on
the place for two years or longer; and of such other persons as might
be elected by this Council on account of their superior wisdom, merit
or devotion to the interests of the Association; no person voting who
was not a member of the Phalanx.
There was a curious and interesting addition to the constitution in the
"Council of Arbiters," which was to consist of seven persons, "the
majority of whom shall be women." To this council individuals and
departments were to bring all complaints, charges and grievances not
provided for in other ways. They were to take cognizance of all matters
relating to morals and manners, and to report to the General Council
all cases wherein their decision was not complied with. The reader can
judge by this that there were men and women who understood "woman's
sphere," and were ready to assist her to it quietly and naturally, long
years ago in this little band.
A considerable number of arrangements were made to secure what was
considered justice in the relation of capital to the Phalanx, its
members and its stockholders. The capital stock was divided into three
classes, namely: loan stock, or that which received a fixed percentage
for use; partnership stock, depending on the general product of the
Phalanx for its dividend; and labor stock, that represented the
dividend to labor.
The arrangements for the dividends on stock of the several kinds were
quite complicated, and, under the light of after events, seem farcical;
but the constitution makers believed they were arranging matters not
only for the Brook Farm experiment, but for all who might adopt the
social life of the Phalanxes, present and future. Looking at it in this
light, the constitution might deserve more thought than can be given to
it now.
There was a preliminary article, written and signed by George Ripley,
President, from which the following extracts are made:--
"At the last session of the Legislature of Massachusetts, our
Association was incorporated under the name which it now assumes, with
the right to hold real estate to the amount of one hundred thousand
dollars. This confers upon us all the usual powers and privileges of
chartered companies. We have introduced several branches of profitable
industry, and established a market for their products; and finally, in
the constitution which follows, we have applied the principles of
social justice to the distribution of profits in such a manner that the
best results are to be expected.
"Nothing is now necessary to the greatest possible measure of success
but capital to furnish sufficient means to enable us to develop every
department to advantage. This capital we can now apply profitably and
without danger of loss. We are well aware that there must be risk in
investing money in an infant association as well as in any other
untried business, but with the labors of nearly four years, we have
arrived at a point where this risk hardly exists. Not that we have
surmounted all the difficulties of the enterprise; these are still
sufficiently abundant. But we have, by no means with ease, laid the
foundation, and now stand ready to do our part in rearing a
superstructure, which approaches more nearly to the ideal of human
society than any that has as yet existed--a society which shall
establish justice between all interests and all men; which shall
guarantee education, the right to labor, and the rights of property to
all, and which by actual demonstration of a state of things every way
better and more advantageous, will put an end to the great evils which
at present burden even the most fortunate classes.
"What we have already been able to accomplish ought to give weight to
our words. We speak not from abstract conviction, but from experience;
not as mere enthusiasts, but as men of practical common sense, holding
in our hands the means of escape from the present condition of society,
and from that still more frightful state to which in all civilized
countries it is hurrying.
"Accordingly, we calmly and earnestly invite the aid of those who
perceive how little security existing institutions offer against the
growth of commercial feudalism on the one hand, and pauperism on the
other--of those whose sympathies are with the unfortunate and
uneducated masses; of those who long for the establishment of more true
and genial conditions of life, as well as of those who are made
restless and fiery-souled by the universal necessities of reform.
"But by the increasing number, whose most ardent desire is to see the
experiment of Association fairly tried, we are confident that the
appeal we now make will not be received without the most generous
response in their power. As far as their means and their utmost
exertions can go, they will not suffer so favorable an opportunity for
the realization of their hopes to pass unimproved."
I cannot say that I think all parties in the Association were pleased
with the changes in the constitution. They were not simple enough to be
easily applied and quickly comprehended, and were too weighty and
cumbersome for the little society.
Early in the second spring (1844) of my sojourn at the farm it was
decided to build a large unitary building on the high ground, almost
directly in front of the Eyry, though at some distance from it, on the
eastern verge of the slope facing the meadow, and nearly in line with
the distant town road. It was late when the preparations were concluded
and the work was commenced. There was not money enough in the treasury
to pay for it, but it was thought that means would come. The result of
the season's work was that the foundation walls were laid, the first
floor was boarded, and thus it was left for the winter.
It was to be an oblong, wooden building, with an entrance on a level
with the earth terrace. The lower floor was divided into some five or
six apartments, with parlors, a reading room, reception rooms, large
dining hall, with an adjoining kitchen and bakery. From the main hall
or entry, which was on the left of the centre of the building, arose a
flight of stairs which led out on to a corridor or piazza which
extended across the whole front of the building. This corridor was
duplicated by one above it, and the roof jutted out to a line with the
lower story and covered them both. Pillars supported the roof, and were
attached to and supported the corridors. On the lower corridor or
piazza were the entrances to the suites. There were seven doorways that
entered seven houses, as distinct as any other seven houses, except in
being connected by the corridors and being under one roof, each house
containing two suites. Thus could privacy be maintained and sociability
increased.
The building would add wonderfully to the advantages of the
Association, and being near the centre of the domain, would diminish
the travel which consumed a great deal of time. It would give room for
increased numbers; would furnish a suitable assembly room, and more
especially would it give to the larger families a chance to place their
members together in the natural family order. It would also allow the
other buildings to be used exclusively for family purposes, and if
success increased the resources of the Association, the main building
would be enlarged by adding wings to it.
The proportion of unmarried persons in the Association was large, and
young men predominated. They had, in a general sense, a good home in
the Association, but there was lacking the family circle to draw around
at night, and a good deal of motherly care and sympathy. They were
reliable young men, and many of the families would not have objected to
having them joined to their evening circles, had they not been crowded
themselves; to having a sympathizing care over them, and to looking
after many of those trifling things that make the difference between
comfort and discomfort.
It was a theory that all should have a home--that the Association, as a
general home, should not take the place of the private family; and it
was also considered a duty by many to join to their family circles one
or more of these single persons. It was proposed in the apportionment
of the rooms in the new building, to place a family in each house and
proportionately distribute the young men, when desirable to do so,
among them. This would give all a more equal chance, and not doom the
young and productive members to reside in attics, or in groups in any
place convenient for the Association, in its crowded state, to put them.
Extracts from the Financial Report to the Association.
"The Direction of Finance respectfully submit their annual report for
the year ending Oct. 31, 1844:--
The income of the Association during the year from
all sources whatever has been . . . . . . .$11,854.41
and its expenditures for all purposes,
including interest, losses by bad debts,
and damage of buildings, tools and
furniture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10,409.14
leaving a balance of . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,445.27
from which deducting the amount of
doubtful debts contracted this year . . . . 284.43
--------
we have . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1,160.84
which is to be divided according to the Constitution.
"By the last yearly report of this Direction it appears that the
Association has been a loser up to November 1, 1843, to the amount of
$2,748.83. In this amount was included sundry debts against associates
amounting to $924.38 which should not have been included. There were
also some small discrepancies which were afterwards discovered, so that
on settling the books, the entire deficit appeared to be $1,837.00.
"To this amount should be added the proportion of the damage done to
the tools, furniture and general fixtures and depreciation in the live
stock, by the use of the two years which the Association has been in
operation previous to that time. The whole damage of this property by
the use of these years has been ascertained by inventory to be $365.54,
according to the estimates and statements prepared by Messrs. Ryckman
and Hastings, which are herewith submitted.
"Of this sum, $365.54, we have charged one third, $121.85, to the
account of the current year, and two thirds, $243.69, to the account of
the two preceding years. To the same amount should also be added sundry
debts which have since proved to be bad, amounting in all to $678.08,
and also an error in favor of I. Morton amounting to $17.74, which has
since been discovered in his account, so that the total deficit of the
preceding years will appear to be as follows:--
Deficit on settling the books..... $1,837.00
Damage on furniture and fixtures..... 243.69
Bad debts, including debts of
associates considered doubtful....... 678.08
I. Morton............................ 17.74
Total.............................. $2,776.51
"From this amount is to be deducted the value of the farm produce
consisting of hay, roots, manures, etc., on hand November 1, 1843,
which was not taken into the amount of last year, but which has been
ascertained to be $762.50, as well as the value, $49.13, of the family
stores which were on hand at the same time, but were also omitted from
the amount.
"Deducting these two amounts ($762.50+$49.13= $811.63) from the deficit
as above stated we have:
Deficit.......... $2,776.51
Farm produce and
family stores....... 811.63
Real deficit for
1842 and 1843.... $1,964.88
"It was the opinion of a majority at least of this Board that this sum
must be chargeable upon the future industry of the Association, and
that no dividend could be declared until it had been made up.
Accordingly the quarterly statement for the quarter ending August 1,
1844, was based upon this opinion, and a deficit of $526.78 declared to
exist at that time. It is but justice to say that that statement was
made up in the absence of one of the members of the Direction, Mr.
Ryckman, who on seeing it objected entirely to the principle which it
embodied. Subsequent consideration has convinced the Direction that the
statement was in that respect erroneous, and that the transactions of
previous years ought not to affect the operations of this, in the way
proposed in the statement. It should be borne in mind that the deficit
before spoken of is not a debt in itself, but is the difference between
the amount of our debts and our joint stock, and the nominal value of
our assets. The Association is not bound to pay the sum or to make it
good in any way. It pays interest upon it, but can never be called on
to pay the principal. The sum total of the actual liabilities of the
Association, that is, of debts and obligations which it is bound at
some time or other to pay, is much exceeded by the cost value of its
property. Its joint stock, which it is not bound to pay, much exceeds
the deficit we are speaking of, so that clearly the deficit is not to
be paid, but only the interest upon it, that is, five per cent per
annum forever. So that it is evident that the principal is by no means
chargeable upon the industry of the present or of future years, but
only the interest. And even if the said deficit were a debt to be paid
it would still, as we conceive, be perfectly just and legitimate to
issue stock for its amount to those members by whose labors it was made
up. Because in that case we should merely, in consideration of such
labor, bind the Association to the yearly payment of the interest
aforesaid according to the terms of our joint stock compact.
"This is, as we are persuaded, the only way whereby labor can receive
justice. If a hundred dollars in money is invested in our stock, we
issue certificates for that amount, and why must we not do the same
with an investment of a hundred dollars' worth of labor? The claim in
the latter case seems to us even more imperative than in the former.
The dividend of each year ought, as we are convinced, to be made with
reference solely to the difference between its gains on the one hand,
and its expenditures and losses on the other.
"The earlier losses of the establishment must be regarded as the price
of much valuable experience, and as inevitable in starting such an
institution. Almost every business fails to pay its expenses at the
commencement--it always costs something to set the wheels in operation;
this is not, however, to be regarded as absolute loss. This is the view
which is to be taken of the condition of the Association at the
beginning of the present year.
"The true value of any property is precisely the sum on which, in the
use for which it was designed or which it may be put to, it pays the
requisite interest. The price of railroad stock, for example, is not
regulated, either by its original cost or by the present intrinsic
worth of the property it represents, but by the dividend it pays and by
the condition and durability of the railroad. For any other use than as
a railroad the property of the road is of course comparatively
worthless, but that consideration has no effect upon its value.
"The case is entirely the same with the property of this Association.
As long as it is able, in the use and under the management of the
Association, to pay the stipulated interest--five per cent per
annum--upon the stock shares by which it is represented, so long those
stock shares will be worth par, whatever may be the nominal cost of the
property, or its value for any other purposes than those of the
Association.
"In accordance with these views and for other considerations which we
shall hereafter allude to, this Direction is altogether of opinion that
the results of this year's industry ought to be divided irrespective of
the results of former years, and certificates of stock issued to those
persons who are entitled to such dividends.
"To some persons it may perhaps seem remarkable that a dividend should
be declared when the Association is so much in want of ready money as
at present, but a little reflection will show anyone that it is a
perfectly legitimate proceeding. A very large part of our industry has
been engaged in the production of permanent property such as the shop,
the Phalanstery and the improvements upon the farm. These are of even
more value to the Association than so much money, and a dividend may as
justly be based upon them as upon cash in the treasury.
"As soon as the Phalanstery shall be completed it will become necessary
to establish different rates of room rent. It is a matter of doubt
whether such an arrangement is not already desirable. In our present
crowded condition, indeed, the general inconveniences are distributed
with tolerable equality, but still it is impossible to avoid some
exceptions, and it might contribute to the harmony of the Association
if a just graduation of rates for different apartments should now be
established. As far as possible no member should be the recipient of
peculiar favors, but when all are charged at an equal rate for unequal
accommodations, this is unavoidable. For the same reason a difference
should be made between the price of board at the Graham tables, and
those which are furnished with a different kind of food. It is only by
this means that justice can be done and differences prevented.
"C. A. D."
The first thought that will arrest the attention of some in reading
this report is the smallness of the figures. It does not appear to-day
that the corporation was much of a financial affair, for there are
thousands of persons in our land now who could easily sustain such an
institution and pocket its yearly losses; but we must bear in mind that
the intervening years have changed the value of money, and its relation
to property. A fair price for a mechanic's labor then was a dollar for
a day of ten to twelve hours; the same persons would now receive three
to four times as much for less hours. We should remember also that the
colossal fortunes of to-day were not in existence then. The means at
the command of the Association were very small, and the wonder is that
with so little money capital the enterprise should have attracted the
wide notice it did.
In this report was an allusion to the Graham table. In the dining room
there was always, at the time of which I write, one table of
vegetarians--those who used no flesh meats, and generally no tea or
coffee. They passed under the name of "Grahamities," from the founder
of the vegetarian system in America, Dr. Sylvester Graham, whose name
is still connected with bread made of unbolted wheat because it was by
him considered the very perfection of human food. These persons were of
both sexes, different ages and occupations. They worked on the farms,
in the schools, the houses and the shops. They had the diet of the
place, minus the meat and sometimes the tea and coffee. Little
attention was paid at first to this departure from common habits, but
by degrees the numbers increased until they began to be a power. Their
constancy, their earnest belief, soon swept away all ridicule, and the
proof that they could do their share of daily work was not wanting.
Among the number were many very devoted and cheerful persons.
Dispensing with meat, with the restricted diet, led some to say: "Our
table does not cost as much as the others, for we eat no meat, saving
the expense of it to the Association, and we drink no tea or coffee,
saving that cost also. Let us have the money we have economized, spent
for us in things that we want, in additional fruit and vegetables, or
in some articles of diet that we need to replace the food we do not
use." The answer to it was that the Association furnished certain
things, and if the members did not eat them it was their loss, as it
could not be expected that the Association could cater to individual
tastes. But after a while the injustice was made apparent, and it led
to the notice we have just read in the report.
I have been requested to give my personal testimony as to the effect of
a vegetarian diet as seen at Brook Farm. I willingly do so. For two or
three years the farmers, mechanics and others worked side by side, and
no one could conscientiously say that in ability to work in any field
of labor, physical or mental, the vegetarians were out-matched by their
companions. Their health was fully maintained and their mental
cheerfulness was surpassed by none.
From this report it can easily be learned that no important financial
progress had been made at Brook Farm, and that any accumulation of
wealth was yet in the future. The Brook Farmers were working in hope.
It was still an experiment, and as an experiment it will be necessary
for me to point out by-and-by the defects which will answer the often
asked question, "Why did Brook Farm fail?" But it is well to bear in
mind the starting point. Most men of business go into trade with a
capital, some reserved fund, but the Brook Farmers had none, and as
they progressed, the want of it was more and more felt. "It is the
first step that costs," as the French proverb says, and the Brook
Farmers had a great many first steps to take, steps that no others had
taken, and inevitable costs and losses must occur. But we pass on into
the second spring of my Brook Farm life.
And here another character came into our circle, and joined in work on
the farm. He was very enthusiastic. His wife had lately died, and he
brought her body to Brook Farm as to Holy Land and buried it in the
little grove by the side of our first and only grave, so that there
were now two mounds that the gardener ornamented with sods, shrubbery
and flowers.
I do not think this new friend had a fine face. His features were not
large, and, if we except the full forehead, not very attractive. His
mouth was small, and his dark brown hair asserted its rights in spite
of brush and comb, and would not lie gracefully down over his brow, and
it added to the look of determination there was in the little man's
countenance, shown by the lines in his face and the rigid and spare
muscles, a "hold on" expression which so well coincided with his
character.
New England at this time put its fingers in its ears and stifled the
beatings of its heart that kept time with justice, in order that the
peace of our country should not be disturbed by men who thought slavery
a curse, and proclaimed it so. Rev. John Allen was then in a pulpit,
and dared to speak his mind to his people, at which they rebelled and
would not hearken. "Speak I must; speak I will," said he, "or we part!
Let me but preach a sermon once a quarter on the subject of slavery!"
But the church said, "No." "Let me then but preach once in six months,"
and the church said, "No." Finally he said he would continue with them
if they would allow him to preach one sermon a year on the subject--I
doubt not that that _one_ would have carried flint and steel enough to
set fire to all the tinder in the congregation--but the church would
not listen, and they parted.
He had one little child, an infant a year or two old, who, deprived of
his mother, was brought to the farm and had a great deal of attention
and pity bestowed upon it. This little boy brought a misfortune which
threatened the lives of the members, the business and life of the
Association. He was the pet of his father, who took him to Boston on
his lecture tours and brought him back, for Mr. Allen was engaged to
lecture for the cause. The child had never been vaccinated, and being
ill at the Hive, it was discovered that he had symptoms of small-pox,
which disease he had taken somewhere in the city. Imagine the commotion
among the persons who had handled and fondled the young darling, and in
the Association in general! But the bravery of men and women who had
dared to leave their homes and share the fortune and fate of this young
Community was everywhere displayed.
The child was isolated and cared for, but in due time backaches and
headaches foretold the coming of the dreaded disease, and preparations
were made for anticipated results. The Cottage was vacated, and the
sick were conveyed thither. The disease took a variety of forms. There
were those who had nothing but the symptoms, or a pustule or two; some
had a few dozen on them, scattered from head to foot; they were almost
absolutely well; they refused to be made invalids of; they kept at work
on the farm or were only disabled for a day or two when the disease was
at its height. The lighter cases increased in number, and finally the
Direction saw it was useless to try to isolate all, and that the
disease must have its run, and they must trust to fate for final
results. The worst cases were in the improvised hospital, under the
care of kindly nurses. "Hired," say you? No; not a bit of it! but dear,
kind women and men volunteered to attend to this sacred duty, and after
weeks of imprisonment, came out with the glory of having protected
every life, and the Associated family lost not a member. There were
more than thirty cases. The simple diet, the pure air and the healthy
mental stimulus of cheerful lives, with the knowledge that they were
something more than in name a united body, must have had its effect,
for the whole trouble passed away like a summer shower, and left no
permanent impression on the society. There were three or four extreme
cases, but only one or two persons who bore scars that were
defacements, and there was no panic in our midst. The members took the
whole matter with wonderful coolness.
Like a shower it wiped out the army of visitors! When any persons came,
an attendant warned them of our condition ere they reached the Hive
door, and they precipitately retreated. Occasionally only, a carriage
or a few persons travelled the accustomed ways. Not until the epidemic
had passed did the interminable throng resume its accustomed walk, or
strange faces appear at the "visitors' table," and our many constant
and cheerful friends greet us again as of yore. The labor of the
Association was much disarranged, and there was loss in many ways, but
it was truly to be congratulated that it escaped from such an unusual
danger as comfortably as it did. From the first days of the Community
until its close, there was only one death on the farm, and that of the
person described in a former chapter.