"The work I contemplate will form a neat 12mo. volume, of from 200 to 280 pages, such as Lyell's 'Tour in the United States,' or Gorrie's 'Churches and Sects of the United States.' It will be published in New York and London at the lowest possible price, say, within one dollar; and it is my intention, if possible, to illustrate the work with views of Communities now in progress, or of localities rendered interesting by having once been the battle grounds of the new system against the old. "Please make known the above, and favor me with the names and addresses of persons who would be willing to assist me with such information as I require. "Trusting that I shall receive the same kind aid from you that I have already received from so many of my friends, "I remain, very respectfully, yours, "A.J. MACDONALD." Among the manuscripts in Macdonald's collection are many that were evidently written in response to this circular. Many others were written by himself as journals or reports of his own visits to various Associations. We have reason to believe that he spent most of his time from his arrival in this country in 1842 till his death in 1854, in pilgrimages to every Community, and even to every grave of a Community, that he could hear of, far and near. He had done his work when he died. His collection is nearly exhaustive in the extent of its survey. Very few Associations of any note are overlooked. And he evidently considered it ready for the press; for most of his memoirs are endorsed with the word "_Complete_," and with some methodical directions to the printer. He had even provided the illustrations promised in his circular. Among his manuscripts are the following pictures: A pencil sketch and also a small wood engraving of the buildings of the North American Phalanx; A wood engraving of the first mansion house of the Oneida Community; A pencil sketch of the village of Modern Times; A view in water-colors of the domain and cabin of the Clermont Phalanx; A pencil sketch of the Zoar settlement; Four wood engravings of Shaker scenes; two of them representing dances; one, a kneeling scene; and one, a "Mountain meeting;" also a pencil sketch of Shaker dwellings at Watervliet; A portrait of Robert Owen in wood; A very pretty view of New Harmony in India ink; A wood-cut of one of Owen's imaginary palaces; Two portraits of Frances Wright in wood; one representing her as she was in her prime of beauty, and the other, as she was in old age; A fine steel engraving of Fourier. In the following preface, which was found among Macdonald's manuscripts, and which is dated a few months before his death, we have a last and sure signal that he considered his collection finished: PREFACE TO THE BOOK THAT WAS NEVER PUBLISHED.