In August, 1829, we visited all the colonies of the society. Those of Frederiks-Oord are spread over a space of two leagues. The small farms, containing each about 9 English acres, extend along the sides of roads, bordered with trees, and of canals, which intersect the colonies in different directions. Each house is composed of one great room, round the walls of which are placed the large drawer-like beds, in which, according to the custom of the Dutch peasantry, the family sleep. A cow-house, a barn, and every building necessary for an agricultural family, is annexed to the farm. Near the house is the garden; beyond it the land to be cultivated. Upon his admission into the colony, each colonist makes a declaration, by which he binds himself to obey its rules, as respects subordination to its officers, moral and religious conduct on the part of himself and his family, modes of working, wearing the colonial uniform, &c. When a family of 8 persons (the number usually adopted by the society) has been settled in a farm, the society opens an account with them, in which they are debited in the sum of 1700 florins, or 141_l._ 13_s._ 4_d._, which is considered as having been advanced for their use under the following heads:-- flor. _£_ _s._ _d._ Purchase-money of 9 acres of land 100 or 8 6 8 Labour previously expended on it 400 ” 83 6 8 Two cows and some sheep 150 ” 12 10 0 The house 500 ” 41 13 4 Incidental expenses 50 ” 4 3 4 Furniture and clothing 250 ” 20 6 8 Reserved fund for extraordinary occasions 250 ” 20 16 8 ---- --- -- -- 1700 141 13 4 The sum advanced for furniture and clothing is stopped out of the wages of the colonist; and as soon as the farm has been completely brought under cultivation, the head of the family is annually debited 60 florins, or 5_l._, as the interest of the remainder of the capital, and the rent of the farm. During three years at the least, the colonists cultivate the land in common, and receive wages, but are allowed to make use of no part of the produce of the farm; though that of the garden and the cows is their own. The farm produce (and it appeared to us to be very trifling), consisting principally of rye, potatoes, and buck-wheat, is taken to the storehouses of the society to be preserved for subsequent distribution, either as prepared food or otherwise, among the colonists, in payment or on account of their wages.