“Draw up a statement showing the probable yearly income and expenditure in conducting a farm of —— acres at —— near London. Also the probable amount of the produce of such farm—the kinds of produce which it is best to grow—the amount of assistance required—of superintendence—of risk—the principal sources of pleasure or annoyance in farming occupations—how far they are conducive to health—especially as regards the members of our own family. * * * * * “Check among ourselves, in every possible way consistent with our present position, expensive habits of every kind, and even desires for costly gratifications. Encourage habits of simplicity and economy, and in every way prepare for entering into a state of comparative seclusion and frugality. * * * * * “ADVANTAGES EXPECTED. “Release from many unpleasant restrictions as to the free expression of opinion, to dress, to absurd customs. “Economy in houses, clothes, food, fire, artificial light, and matters of appearance generally. “Superior education for our children. “Superior opportunities of obtaining knowledge ourselves by observations, experiments, &c. “Release from perplexing and harassing responsibilities. “Release from the necessity of compelling the observance, on the part of others, of matters often really opposed to wisdom and sound morality, and very frequently of merely conventional value. “Society. Enjoyment of that of most of the members of our own family, and that of persons of similar views, who might be willing to join in the plan. “Probable power of appearing before the world advantageously by means of discoveries mechanical, scientific, agricultural, or otherwise. “Increased security from infectious disorders, anarchy, injury by change in the national prosperity; also the security which arises from the cultivation of economical habits. “Mitigation of the evils consequent upon the employment of servants. “Improvement of habits by the influence of numbers upon the individual character of members of the Community. “Great advantages of the close union of a variety of talent by the collection of a number of persons, and their intimate organization and knowledge of each other. “Facility for bringing the whole strength of the Community to bear upon one point when needful. “Increased opportunities of producing extensive good. “(Improvements in machinery, farming, &c., may be introduced without producing even temporary distress, if the Community can execute its own labour.)” The “great advantages of the close union of a variety of talent” were seen by a man who had been trained in a widely different school. In the year 1836, Rowland Hill received the following letter from his friend Mr. John Lefevre.[76]