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.)
"We are surrounded by great difficulties. I see no immediate chance of
obtaining a capital sufficient for a good experiment, and until we have
the capital to organize upon quite a complete scale, I should say that
it would be a very great misfortune to dissolve Brook Farm. No
uncertain prospects should exercise any influence; the means must be
had in hand before we made any decisive movement towards a removal or
organizing in a more favorable location, even if you were perfectly
willing to leave New England and the neighborhood of Boston. As I said
I spoke of it, and should be urged to make at once the greatest efforts
to obtain capital only under the fear that circumstances might force a
crisis upon you.
"I have touched merely upon generalities to-day; after further
correspondence I will write you more in detail. I will also come on and
see you if you deem it advisable. The other experiment keeps me here at
present; I think that next week I shall test it. I am greatly rejoiced
to hear that you are getting on well with the translation.
"A. BRISBANE."
I present in contrast, the draft of a letter by Mr. Ripley, showing the
difference in the ideas of the two men. Among the social organizations
at this date, was the Community founded by Mr. John A. Collins, at
Skaneateles, New York, to whose friend the letter was addressed. This
movement was based on "community of property" which was denounced by
the school of Fourier as a fallacy. I commend the letter to careful
perusal. It is beautiful in language; its spirit is transcendent.
"BROOK FARM, MASS.
"MY DEAR SIR:--I thank you for sending me the circular, calling a
convention at Skaneateles for the promotion of the community movement.
"I had just enjoyed a short visit from Mr. Collins, who explained to me
very fully the purposes of the enterprise, and described the advantages
of the situation which had been selected as the scene of the initiatory
experiment. I hardly need to say that the movers in this noble effort
have my warmest sympathy, and that if circumstances permitted, I could
not deprive myself of the privilege of being present at their
deliberations. I am, however, just now so involved in cares and labors
that I could not be absent for so long a time without neglect of duty.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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