Brook Farm: Historic and Personal MemoirsCodman, John Thomas
History
Brook Farm: Historic and Personal Memoirs
Codman, John Thomas
Brook Farm Phalanx (West Roxbury, Boston, Mass.)
1. Are you ready from an interest in the cause of Association to endure
the sacrifices which all persons must suffer?
2. Could you by yourself, or your friends, command a few hundred
dollars sufficient to start your business?
3. Could you, without help, make and iron off ox carts, horse carts,
one horse wagons, etc., in a style that would ensure their sale in the
neighborhood of Boston? Can you shoe horses and oxen?
4. Are you single or married?
5. In fine, have you confidence that by your manual labor in the
branches you have mentioned, you could do more than earn your living in
Association?
I shall be happy to hear from you as soon as convenient. I am
Yours truly,
GEORGE RIPLEY.
_A Model Questioner--a Woman._
UTICA, Jan. 18, 1844. SIR: I have the happiness of being acquainted
with a lady who has some knowledge of you; from whose representations I
am encouraged to hope that you will not only excuse the liberty I
(being a stranger) thus take in addressing you, but will also kindly
answer a number of questions I am desirous of being informed upon
relative to the society for social reform to which you belong.
I have a daughter (having five children) who, with her husband, much
wishes to join a society of this kind. They have had thoughts of
engaging with a society now forming in Rochester, but their friends
advise them to go to one that has been some time in operation, because
those connected with it will be able to speak with certainty as to
whether the working of the system in any way realizes the theory. The
first question I would put is,----
1. Have you room in your association to admit the above family?
2. And if so, upon what terms would they be received?
3. Would a piano-forte, which two years ago cost three hundred and
fifty dollars, be taken at its present value in payment for shares?
4. Would any household furniture be taken in the same way?
5. Do you carry out Mr. Fourier's idea of diversity of employment?
6. How many members have you at this time?
7. Do the people (generally speaking) appear happy?
8. Does the system work well with the children?
9. Would a young man (mechanic of unexceptionable character) be
received having no capital?
10. Have you more than one church, and if so what are its tenets?
11. Have parties opportunities of enjoying any other religion?
12. What number of hours generally employed in labor?
13. What chance for study?
14. Do you meet with society suitable to _your taste?_
Although my questions are so numerous that I fear tiring you, yet I
still feel that I may have omitted some inquiry of importance. If so
will you do me the favor to _supply the deficiency?_
Please to answer my questions by number, as they are put.
Hoping you will write as soon as possible, and do me the kindness I ask,
I remain,
Yours respectfully,
A. HUDSON.
_From a Minister._
NORTH BRAMFORD, CONN., June 1, 1843.
_Mr. G. Ripley,_
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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