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ESPEUANZA; 
 
 MY JOUKNEY THITHEK 
 
 AND 
 
 WHAT I FOUND THERE 
 
 ' And better than this home of lovBi 
 We seeli a surer rest above, 
 Where sheltering wings around us cast. 
 Shall hide us from the stormy blast. 
 
 CINCINNATI: 
 
 PUBLISHED BY VALENTINE NICHOLSON 
 1860. 
 
Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1860, by 
 
 VALENTINE NICHOLSON, 
 
 In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States, for the 
 
 Southern District of Ohio. 
 
 This being the first edition of a new book, persons desir- 
 ing to procure copies and failing to find the same in book- 
 stores conveniently near, are informed that a single copy 
 will be forwarded by mail to any address in the United 
 States, postage free^ on receipt of one dollar by the pub- 
 lisher. 
 
 Booksellers supplied on terms of liberal discount. 
 
 Address VALENTINE NICHOLSON, 
 
 CINCINNATI, OHIO 
 
INTRODUCTION 
 
 It is just that the reader who takes up a new book, should find 
 on its pages a concise statement of what the vohime contains. 
 
 Those who introduce either strange persons, or new books to 
 others, assume a degree of responsibility not always well con- 
 sidered. 
 
 A friend, confiding in you, and trusting your discretion, may 
 accept the person, or the book you introduce, as worthy the same 
 confidence reposed in you. 
 
 "Esperanza" signifies "Land of Hope;" "My journey thither, 
 and what I found there," can only be fully imderstood by reading 
 all the chapters of the book. 
 
 A glance over the contents will give a general idea of what the 
 book treats upon. Every chapter has its own peculiar attractions, 
 and each one its lesson of instruction. 
 
 The book is in the form of a series of letters, purporting to 
 have been written by a young gentleman of the city of New 
 York, who starts on a journey to the "Far West;" his object is 
 to seek for a pleasant location for the future home of himself and 
 "Clara," his affianced. 
 
 The first several letters bear date from various points on tlie 
 line of the journey, the others are most of them written at Es- 
 peranza during the visit which he enjoyed there. 
 
 The descriptive history of his journey begins at the depot of 
 the New York and Erie Rail Road. 
 
 (Hi) 
 
IV INTRODUCTION. 
 
 The young gentleman enters the cars and finds them crowded. 
 A lady passenger motions him to a seat beside her. In this early 
 part of the acquaintance they find themselves both traveling west, 
 and agree to bear each other company. He accepts an invitation 
 to visit her home and her friends. 
 
 They make the journey by way of Niagara, Buffalo, Cleveland, 
 Columbus, Cincinnati, stopping for a day or two at some of these 
 points. Various interesting incidents occur, yet the pleasure of 
 reading the book must not be marred by naming them here. 
 From Cincinnati they travel by steamboat down the Ohio river 
 to the Mississippi, down that river a long distance, then up one 
 of its tributaries to Esperanza, the beautiful home of Miss 
 Elmore. 
 
 After twenty chapters of this book had been stereotyped, the 
 opinions and faith of the author were in some respects so changed, 
 that he engaged in a different field of labor. 
 
 The stereotype plates, together with manuscript for additional 
 chapters to complete the volume, were then placed in the hands 
 of the writer of this notice, with privilege to revise, change or 
 abridge the manuscript, and publish or dispose of all at discretion. 
 
 The picture of the "School of Life," at Esparanza, is painted 
 skillfully and in beautiful colors. 
 
 Human life, in purity, peace and love, is compared and placed 
 in contrast with life in lust, discord and jealousy. 
 
 The thoughts of the writer are stated with remarkable clearness, 
 and oftentimes in language very beautiful. 
 
 There is manifested a candor and an earnestness of purpose, 
 proving the author to be one willing "to do, and to dare," for 
 whatever he believed to be the cause of truth. On one subject 
 treated upon, there are opinions advanced, which, to my mind, 
 appear erroneous. I frankly acknowlege the permitting of those 
 sentiments to go before the world, is to me a two-fold cause of 
 regret; first and most, because of the deceptive and poisonous 
 nature of all error, and its tendency to propagate itself wherever 
 the seeds are sown ; and also, because the mind of the author has 
 changed since writing the same. 
 
INTRODUCTION. 
 
 The only alternative was to suppress many vital truths, or 
 permit a few eri'ors to appear in connection with them. Remem- 
 bering the expression of Jefferson, "Error of opinion may be 
 tolerated, when reason is left free to combat it;" believing also, 
 that tmth has nothing to fear from the expression of mistaken 
 opinions, or from the "freedom of thought, freedom of speech, 
 or freedom of the press :" after meditating deliberately, my decis- 
 ion was to "let the tares grow with the wheat until harvest." 
 
 That to which I have alluded as being objectionable, will be 
 found on the pages where the writer was treating upon the ques- 
 tion of love, and the true relation which the sexes should bear to 
 each other. 
 
 Members of the society who are living in such great harmony 
 and happiness at "Esperanza," are some of them represented as 
 having intimate relations of love, and sharing the responsibility 
 of offspring with more than one of the opposite sex. It is my 
 own religious opinion, that upon a correct solution of this one 
 great question, rests the entire subject of redemption and salvation 
 from sin, sorrow and all human suffering. Original salvation 
 must square the account made by "original sin," before the mil- 
 lenial day can dawn on the earth. I believe it, in accordance with 
 the divine law, that no man or woman can ever find entire peace 
 or tranquil rest of spirit, until the affections rest upon one love, 
 with a positive assurance and faith that this one, in a conjugal 
 sense, is entirely and exclusively their own, whose loving sym- 
 pathy satisfies all the deep askings of the soul, hushing into 
 silence all inclination of the spirit to wander abroad for other 
 conjugal connection; every one thus truly mated with their 
 own, will feel pained at the thought of having their partner in 
 offspring mingle the finer spheres of life and love in sexual union 
 with any other ; and that no other unions, except such as are thus 
 wholly one with each other, are worthy of the sacred name of 
 marriage, or can give the right to parties of becoming partners in 
 offspring. 
 
 Christ and the apostles, by example and by precept, bore testi- 
 mony against the popular opinions and customs of both the 
 
INTRODUCTION. 
 
 churcli and the world on the subject of marriage ; may there not 
 be a deeper meaning and other reasons in, and for their course, 
 than even professing Christians have ever thought or believed. 
 
 "I have many things to say unto you, but ye can not bear them 
 
 now." " Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them 
 
 not, for of such is the kingdom of heaven." If little children 
 throughout the entire earth were only permitted to come unto 
 Christ through the divine law of chaste and loving generation, 
 then the noise and confusion of so much disputing on the subject 
 of regeneration might very soon pass away, and especially so, if 
 the little Christians could have the example of all around and near 
 them, living to the line of the Christian prayer: "Thy kingdom 
 come, Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven." 
 
 And now, having given the preceding caution respecting what 
 I deem the principle error in this volume, believing as I do that 
 the truths contained will greatly overbalance whatever of error 
 there may be on the pages, hoping also that whatever influence 
 the book may have upon the minds of those who read it, will be 
 to encourage the growth of virtue, purity and peace in the soul, 
 so that eventually large multitudes of men and women may be 
 able to speak truthfully of themselves, and say, 
 
 " Gently I took that which ungently came, 
 And without scorn forgave : — Do thou the same. 
 
 I submit the book, cheerfully accepting my own portion of 
 responsibility. 
 
 VALENTINE NICHOLSON. 
 
ESPERANZAi 
 
 PROM NEW YORK TO NIAGARA. 
 
 My Friend — It is late, and my mind and heart are full. The 
 roar of the great cataract is in my ear ; the vibrations of the solid 
 rock-ribbed earth jar the windows of my little bed-room, and even 
 shake, with a slight tremor, the table on which I write. 
 
 I feel the soft pressure of your hand, I see the fond glances of 
 your tearful eye, I feel your breath warm upon my cheek, and taste 
 the sweetness of your parting kiss. All is vividly present to me at 
 this moment ; and then the roar of Niagara murmurs so deeply that 
 we are hundreds of miles apart ! Your dear picture, which has 
 rested on my heart all day, now lies before me, and smiles upon me 
 as I look at it with dim eyes. The light falls life-like, through 
 those brown silken curls, on that white forehead and delicate cheek ; 
 the arched brows are full of truth and hope, and the full, loving 
 lips seem ready to open and call me by some dear name. I smile 
 and sigh at once. I press the dear image to my lips and heart ; and 
 I write you the adventures of my first day's journey toward the 
 Land of Promise in the Far West. 
 
 After the happy heart throbs, and the sweetly sad adieus of our 
 moonlit parting hour, I slept sound, awoke with the dawn, and 
 prepared to leave the great city, so many years my home, and ever 
 dear to me as yours, to seek out the home of our future. The sun 
 rose over Brooklyn, and glittered on the bay. I said good bye to 
 old Ocean through the narrows, and looked round proudly on that 
 
8 ESPERANZA. 
 
 magnificent scene, connected with so many happy associations ; for 
 there was Castle Garden, where we had listened to music together ; 
 and Staten Island, and Weewhawken, the scene of men-y Pic Nics. 
 
 But the ferry-boats don't wait for sentiment, and I wa* soon at 
 the New York and Erie Railroad Depot, and saw the iron bars, 
 which, placed end to end, were to bring me over mountain and 
 valley ; and which they have very satisfactorily accomplished. 
 
 The train was filling rapidly — nearly all the seats were taken, 
 when I discovered one vacant half of a seat — a lady occupying the 
 other half. The presumption was, that her husband, or other 
 male protector would soon come and claim it ; but as this was not 
 certain, I went wishfully toward the vacant seat. I think it was a 
 real attraction that drew me. She did not wait for me to ask if the 
 seat was engaged, and then make a cold ungracious answer, as I have 
 seen done so often ; but looking up with a calm bright look, that 
 seemed to scan me thoroughly, she smiled a welcome, and with an 
 indescribable air of self-possessed dignity, motioned me to the seat 
 beside her, which I took. It was the only one, but had there 
 been many, I should have wished to take it. Darling, it is a 
 confession I am beginning, but do not be alarmed. Summon 
 your love and your trust in me, and be sure that I can not be 
 unworthy of either. 
 
 I must describe her. She may be thirty years old ; a little above 
 the medium height, with a well rounded figure and graceful attitudes 
 and movements. Her eyes are hazel, with long, shining, black 
 lashes, her brows well formed, her nose purely cut and slightly 
 aquiline, her mouth moderately large, and beautiful ; teeth white 
 and even, complexion a pearly brunette, with an abundance of wavy, 
 curling, glossy, pretty hair. Her hands and feet are not so small as 
 yours, but delicately shapen. She wears a simple straw hat, and 
 a traveling dress of a severe, but still elegant simplicity. Her 
 gloves, and boots, and the few ornaments she wears are in the best 
 style. But above all, her manner, so gentle, so kind, yet so full 
 of dignity and repose, gives you a feeling of confidence and rest, 
 when you come into her presence. 1 feel sure that you would see 
 her as I do, and with the same feeling. 
 
ESPERANZA. 
 
 As I took tbe kindly proffered seat at her side, I expressed my 
 thanks, and the hope that we should have a pleasant journey. 
 
 " The thanks belong to you, perhaps ;" she answered, with a quiet 
 smile. " A woman traveling alone, should be thankful for protec- 
 tion ; and, besides, said she, looking drolly at some rough looking 
 men, who were searching for vacant seats, " I might have had much 
 les3 agreeable company." 
 
 This might have been a compliment, but it was not, in its manner, 
 or its meaning, but the expression of a sincere thankfulness that 
 some of the coarse, brutified men who passed us could not claim a 
 seat in such disagreeeable proximity. 
 
 "Do you travel far on this route?" I asked, as the train started. 
 
 "I go to Niagara," she said, " on my way beyond the Mississippi. 
 I visited the Falls ten years ago, and go a little out of my route, and 
 stop a day to renew my acquaintance." 
 
 Was it Providence, or Fate, my Clara ? I will believe in good 
 angels, and benevolent destinies. Have I not started in this trust, 
 hoping to be beneficently guided to the home of our happy future ? 
 
 "And you?" she asked, with a smile at the abstraction into 
 which I had fallen. 
 
 "I — it is my own journey. I am also going far west, in search 
 of a home. I also go by Niagara, to see it for the first time." 
 
 " Ah, well — then we may get acquainted," she replied graciously. 
 It is the word, Clara ; for whatever she may be, her manner is 
 queenly. She has in every word, and at all times, the repose of 
 either an unconscious innocence, like that of a little child, or of a 
 conscious goodness, at peace with herself and with every one about 
 her. I have not in the fifteen hours past, detected one movement 
 of affectation or coquetry. I would as soon think of flattering a 
 sunbeam. If I admired her, it was because she compelled my admi- 
 ration; and if I expressed it, it troubled her no more than Niagara 
 is troubled with the enthusiasm of its wonderers. 
 
 I fear that I pain you with these details. I do not wish to be 
 unjust to you, my love, but you can not, at once, understand this 
 woman, nor the kind of feeling I had for her, from the first moment 
 I sat beside her. And you must be patient with me and let me 
 
10 ESPERANZA. 
 
 describe her as fully as possible, for I will conceal notbing from 
 you. Whatever can come into my heart and life you have the right 
 to know. I love you supremely — I love you only. The feeling I 
 have for this pure and beautiful being is admiration, and if I can 
 define it — a kind of devotion, such as one might feel for a superior 
 being, but not the fond and personal love which lives in my inmost 
 heart for you. It is written — though it might have been better, 
 had I continued my narrative without these declarations. But I 
 will now give you, as clearly as I can, the progress of our acquain- 
 tance. 
 
 " Do you reside in New York ?" I asked, as the cars paused a 
 moment at Paterson ! " 
 
 "No!" 
 
 Never was one little monosyllabic so expressively spoken, not even 
 by Rachel. There was a radient happiness in the " no ; " not a 
 scorn or unappreciation of our great commercial city, but her whole 
 face lighted, and her tone seemed filled with the love of some other, 
 and happier home. You will think this a strange interpretation; 
 but do we not know how much may sometimes be told by a single 
 word, or glance, or sigh ? 
 
 '" No," she answered ; " it is my first visit to New York for 
 several years. I wished to look at its familiar streets once more, 
 to visit a few friends, who are still bound in it, and see what 
 progress the world is making." 
 
 I went on to speak with enthusiasm of our improvements — 
 Taylor's, the Academy of Music, the Crystal Palace, etc., but I 
 stopped, when I saw the smile half pitying, half ironical, with 
 which she listened to my rhapsody. 
 
 "Your Taylor's Saloon," said she, "is a barbaric gewgaw, as 
 unpleasant to a refined taste, as a Chinese band is to a musical ear. 
 Your Academy of Music seems ready to crush you with its heavi- 
 ness and profusion of ornament. Your Crystal Palace js a pretty 
 show building of itself, but out of all harmony with its uses ; and 
 with its plows and statuary, steam pumps and pictures, is as gro- 
 tesque and discordant an exhibition as can well be conceived; yet 
 it is a very fair epitome of civilization, and a failure, like that." 
 
ESPERANZA. 1 1 
 
 " But did you find nothing in New York to admire ? " I asked, 
 with a shade of bitterness at this wholesale desecration of our idols. 
 
 "Yes;" she calmly replied, "there are things which discordant 
 institutions can not utterly spoil, and others, which are signs of 
 progress. I found human hearts, not yet crushed or withered. 1 
 saw a few beautiful women and children ; some pictures, with 
 promise in them — and ships, and steamers. I have heard good 
 music well rendered. In making my purchases, I found some 
 sensible, honorable merchants, and manufacturers evincing much 
 skill. For the rest, I found, as always, a vast aggregation of mise- 
 rable humanity, fretting, struggling, and wearing itself out in 
 wretched conditions, with no eye to pity and no arm to save. I do 
 do not wish to see it again, or to think of it." 
 
 "Well, I, too, hope soon to leave it all," I said; "I am going to 
 find some growing little village in the far west, where I can build 
 a little cottage in a little garden, marry a little wife, keep a little 
 store, and be happy. We shall have no opera, but my Clara will 
 play and sing to me ; and we shall take the papers, and magazines, 
 and be very happy." 
 
 I wondered at myself, for this frankness, but it seemed as natural 
 to me to open my heart to her, as to breathe. She turned toward 
 me, and seemed to look through me, into my inmost self, with a 
 calm sad look. I felt the spell of her presence, as if her being took 
 hold of mine. At length she said, in low tones, but clear and 
 penetrating — "■ My friend, this is not your destiny." 
 
 "Why not?" 
 
 " Because I perceive that you are worthy of a higher and better 
 one ; that you are not only capable of a truer life than the one you 
 have — both hopefully and scornfully pictured, but that you have 
 the wish for, if not the idea of, a life which will better satisfy your 
 nature." 
 
 " If you can tell so much, will you not predict my future ?" I 
 asked. 
 
 " Your future is before you," she said, with a certain impres- 
 siveness, I can not describe. " It will be fulfilled from day to day. 
 This now, is the future of your yesterday. Were you not brought 
 
1 2 EsPERANZA. 
 
 to me ; and will not this meeting influence all your future life ? 
 Should I speak to you in this way, if I were not assured of it?" 
 
 Every sentence she uttered, plunged me into deeper depths of 
 unknown feeling, and newly awakened, or forgotten thought. It 
 was abruptly, almost rudely, but very earnestly, that I asked — 
 " who are you ? " 
 
 The light of a beautiful smile swept over her face, and dimpled in 
 her cheeks. 
 
 " I am a human sister of yours," she said, " if you please to own 
 me. I am some years older than you, and a good deal wiser. For 
 the rest, I am what you see, and feel me to be." 
 
 " I am well satisfied with all I see and feel," I said. 
 
 " That is not quite true. With what you see, perhaps ; not with 
 what you feel. Your attraction to me conflicts with your idea of 
 duty to another. You distrust yourself, and still more, the little 
 wife, that is to live in the little cottage, in the little garden, and so 
 on, like the house that Jack built." 
 
 " Distrust her ! " 
 
 " Oh, only her estimation of your present occupation and emo- 
 tions." 
 
 It was my thought : but, Clara, dear ! how could she know it ? 
 It is true, that you often have intuitions, which tell you of my feel- 
 ings, before they are spoken ; but that is because our hearts are 
 one : — how should this woman be able to penetrate my most secret 
 life, and read in it things which I have tried to conceal from myself. 
 For it is true, that this life, even that which I go to seek, and hope 
 to enjoy with you, does not satisfy me. Yet it seems the best that 
 is possible to us, here upon the earth. 
 
 " But I have not satisfied your curiosity," she continued, after a 
 pause of a few minutes, during which she seemed to be considering 
 as to what she had best tell me. " You see that I am a woman and 
 a sister ; my age, and external appearance are open to your obser- 
 vation. You can judge of my mind and culture, by my conversation. 
 There is no reason to complain, I think, of distance or reserve, in 
 my behavior. If the form and features, looks and tones, are the 
 expressions of the Spiritual or inner life, it is for you, according to 
 
ESPERANZA. 13 
 
 your opportuaities, to get acquainted with me. Why should you 
 not know me, as well as I know you ? " 
 
 " I don't know why ; but you seem to belong to some world I am 
 not acquainted with. I met you in the cars, as I might any other 
 lady traveler. It is not strange, in this country, for a lady to travel 
 alone, any distance. You have been to New York, visiting and 
 making purchases, and there is nothing unprecedented in that, still 
 I feel that I do not know you. There is a mystery somehow or 
 somewhere, which I can not yet unravel." 
 
 " All in due time, my friend, if you prove worthy ; " she replied 
 gaily, '' but, in the mean time, would'nt you like to know some little 
 particulars ; whether I am married or single ; whether I afli called 
 Susan or Kate ; or Brown or Smith ? " 
 
 "No," said I, heroically. "Those are all external, accidental, 
 or conventional matters, and of slight importance. Your being 
 married or otherwise can be nothing to me, and what is in a name ? " 
 
 " It is convenient, sometimes — you have one, I hope." 
 
 Here I had been as good as asking a lady her name, and had 
 not yet given her my own. I apologized for this stupidity, took a 
 card from my pocket, and gave it to her. She looked at it musingly 
 and said — 
 
 "Frank is a good name, and Wilson a common one; was your 
 father a clergyman ? " I nodded assent. " Your mother was a 
 Harding; excuse my questionings; curiosity is a woman's weak- 
 ness, you know." 
 
 I answered afl&rmatively, with an increasing excitement of my own. 
 
 "Then we are almost relations," said she; "for I knew your 
 mother, and loved her before you did. She was my teacher, before 
 her marriage. I have often wished to see her, before she went 
 away ; and now she is very pleasant to me." 
 
 Clara ! was it the Spirit of that sainted mother, who guided 
 me to that woman, who seems to me so good, and pure, and wise ? 
 But you shall judge, for I shall write all I can of her. She would 
 love you, and you would feel toward her as I do. I asked her 
 no question further, but left her to tell me what she would ; but she 
 said no more for a time, looking out upon the savage scenery of the 
 
14 ESPERANZA. 
 
 mountains through which we were passing. I had the unopened 
 morning papers, but had no desire to read. The presence in which 
 I sat, even with the various spheres around me, and amid the roar 
 of the train, and the fljing scenery, seemed to raise me up to a new 
 plan of feeling and thought. I sat in this presence, which seemed 
 to surround me, in a life-sphere, with which my own mingled, like 
 the harmony of musical chords. I find it difficult to express this 
 sense of the pure, rich life of this woman, which seemed to the 
 inner sense like the prevading aroma of apple blossoms, and gifted 
 with a penetrating power like magnetism. 
 
 Seeming to read, or rather to feel, my thoughts, she turned to 
 me and said : " I am very glad that I have met you ; and that you 
 are so well developed, and so little injured, as I find you. You 
 have your mother's looks, and her heart. She was a pure, good 
 woman, bound up in her creed, which fettered her reason, but could 
 not destroy her afiectionate nature. Are you free from the bondage 
 of her theology ? " 
 
 " I reverence the memory of my mother," I said, " and I try to 
 believe and do as the world wishes me to." 
 
 " But not with entire success, I imagine," she said kindly. 
 " "What your mother wished, when she was here, and what she 
 wishes now, may be quite different. She sees now that many of 
 her former ideas were erroneous, and seeks to impress your mind 
 with her present views of truth and goodness. Do you not find 
 your deepest life revolting against the creeds and forms in which 
 you were educated ?" 
 
 " It is true — but I fear, sometimes, that it is wrong to yield to 
 such feelings ? " 
 
 " Do you find that they incline you to wrong doing ? " 
 
 " Rather the reverse." 
 
 " Do your beliefs and your loves seem to you to be matters of 
 volition ?" 
 
 " I can not see that they are." 
 
 '' Is it not best, then, to leave them in freedom ; giving the soul 
 liberty to expand, and grow, and advance in its true life ? " 
 
 I could not answer, for I was full of thought. This may not 
 
ESPERANZA. 15 
 
 come to you as it did to me, so much was in the tone, the manner, 
 the pure articulation, and musical modulations ; so much more in 
 the expression of her face, and the magnetism of her presence. I 
 pondered what she said, and the far reaching meanings of which 
 her few words were but a faint shadowing. 
 
 " If belief is spontaneous and involuntary," I said at length, 
 " if love is a free attraction of the Spirit, not to be controlled by 
 others, nor even by ourselves, what becomes of all our sects, creeds, 
 and social laws?" 
 
 She only smiled at this question. 
 
 " Marriage, for example, is a solemn promise, or contract to love 
 one and one only, until death shall part them." 
 
 "No longer ? " she said very quietly, " What then ? " 
 
 " This world is as far as our laws can compel obedience, or pun- 
 ish the violation of a contract," I replied — but my mind darkened 
 with the doubt, whether such contracts can bind, or such penalties 
 ensure the love of any being. And I found employment for all my 
 reflective powers; in which I was not disturbed; for she sat in 
 perfect composure, inviting no conversation, and, as I imagined, 
 silently aiding me in the solution of these problems. 
 
 The train stopped for dinner, and I rose and asked my companion if 
 she would dine with me. 
 
 " Excuse me," she said, in an entirely different, and playful 
 mood. " I am not fortunate in Kailroad dinners ; and prefer to 
 cater for myself. Will you not join me ? I have enough for both." 
 
 I could not resist the temptation. She opened a basket, filled 
 with delicious peaches, plums, and a kind of cake, which seemed 
 made expressly to eat with them. When we had eaten, she poured 
 from a small traveling flask, into a goblet that packed with it, a 
 glass of a bright, pure, delicate wine, and drank it ; and then, pour- 
 ing out another, gave it to me. There was no afiectation of offering 
 it to me first. She took it simply as her right, and to set me the 
 example. Was it not beautiful? I had drank good wines, but 
 never such as this — and as I tasted the last drops, enquiringly, she 
 answered, and said : 
 
 " I saw the grapes ripen, and helped to pick them. I assisted in 
 
IG ESPERANZA. 
 
 making the wine, and know that it is pure and good. It has the 
 aroma of our home; the love of my loved ones. 
 
 I wirihed to ask of that home, and those loved ones, but I could 
 not — for if you think I have any familiarity with her, I have not 
 yet succeeded in describing her. True, her presence is repose ; her 
 sphere is full of kindness ; she seems to know my thoughts ; her 
 own are often spoken without a word. But a familiarity, or the 
 indulgence of an impertinent curiosity, or paying a trifling compli- 
 ment to her, I can not imagine. I think she might pass around the 
 world, and never see a man who would not treat her with reverence. 
 
 It is very late, my Clara, and the day's ride, even with so much 
 to interest me, was long and wearisome. New thoughts and feelings 
 also helped to exhaust me ; though the influence that inspired them 
 seemed to sustain me. I must finish my letter. 
 
 We left the New York and Erie Koad, as you will see by the map 
 I gave you, at Elmira, and came to Canandaigua, and thence, 
 over a flat, dull country, to Niagara. Over the last portion of the 
 route the road was uneven, the cars noisy, and my companion rested 
 and perhaps slept. As we approached our journey's end, she 
 pointed me to the broad river Niagara, Grand Island, and Navy 
 Island, and the distant lights in the Canadian villages. 
 
 " What hotel," I asked, ^' do you propose to stop at ? " 
 
 "It is indifferent — we will try the International." 
 
 " Shall I see to your baggage ? " I asked, hoping now to ascertain 
 what I had not wished to inquire. 
 
 "Yes, if you will take the trouble," and she gave me a check for 
 her trunk. " You will want my name to enter on the register. 
 Just now, I do not happen to have any at my disposal. Perhaps 
 you will lend me yours." 
 
 Forgive me, dear Clara, for what I am about to confess to you. 
 I have asked her forgiveness, with tears, and she has pardoned me. 
 I said, hastily, and most mistakingly : 
 
 "Shall I write Mr. Frank Wilson and " The word was 
 
 not spoken, but she knew what it would have been, and quick as 
 lightning, yet very gently and sadly, said — 
 
 " Sister ! " 
 
ESPERANZA. 17 
 
 " The word recalled me to myself. I silently handed her into 
 the omnibus, at the station, secured our baggage, and vehen we 
 came to the great hotel, I waited my turn, and wrote on the register 
 "Frank "Wilson and Sister." Two adjoining rooms were given us, 
 and we went to supper. She ate sparingly ; but conversed cheer- 
 fully about the morrow, and challenged me to a trip to Canada, 
 below the Falls, before breakfast. With a pleasant good-night, she 
 left me in the parlor, and went to her room; and I to mine. 
 Clara ! I would have given so much, rather than to have thought 
 that unspoken thought. I was wi'etched as I deserved to be. Your 
 picture looked at me reproachfully. I had forfeited her esteem. I 
 took out my paper, but could not write. 
 
 As I sat in this mood, listening to the solemn roar of the near 
 cataract, there came a knock to my door. My heart bounded to 
 meet it. I opened ; it was she ; but how radiantly, how divinely 
 beautiful. Fresh from a bath, her traveling dress exchanofed 
 for an exquisite white wrapper, she came to me with a bright 
 smile, and in a voice of music said : — 
 
 " Brother : have you not something to say to me V 
 
 " Yes, one word;" I said, with the tears gushing from my eyes, 
 and sinking on my knee before her — ''Forgive !" 
 
 She bent down, silently, and gently kissed my forehead. Peace 
 came into my heart. She gave me her hand, and I rose and pressed 
 it to my lips. 
 
 " Good night, my brother ! " she said softly, and, like an angel, 
 vanished. 
 
 Good night, my Clara ! 
 2 
 
II. 
 
 A DAT AT NIAGARA. 
 
 Darling ! I have seen Niagara ! Henceforth this wonder of 
 nature is to live in my memory, associated with thoughts and feel- 
 ings which will mold all our future. How much I wished that you 
 were with me ! Yet, I have the fear, that, though it might have 
 been a happier day for me, it would have been less full of the des- 
 tiny, that this future has in store for us. 
 
 I slept sweetly, with your image on my heart, lulled by a mur- 
 mur that seemed to come from the center of the earth, mingling in 
 deep throbbings with the roar of the nearer rapids. I was waked by 
 a light, playful tapping on the door, which might have connected 
 the two rooms, and I sprang up, and opened my blinds to the sun- 
 shine, and the mist-cloud, tinged with rainbows. ., 
 
 In a few moments I was in the great reception-room, on the first 
 floor, where my beautiful companion welcomed me with a cheerful 
 " good morning." When I apologized for being late, she said, 
 " You write long letters. I went to sleep by the scratching of your 
 pen. I hope you have given me a favorable introduction." 
 
 We sallied out of the hotel, and I took a new look at her, with 
 rested eyes, and by the morning light. She seemed younger and 
 fairer than yesterday ; for her silver gray walking dress was the 
 perfection of a morning costume for such a jaunt as ours; and it 
 was only when she spoke, in her more serious moods, that it seemed 
 that she must be as old as I judged her yesterday. 
 
 " Shall I be your guide ? " she asked, " for every rock and tree 
 
 seems familiar to nie, and it is a great pleasure to introduce one to 
 
 strange scenes " 
 18 
 
ESPERANZA. 19 
 
 " Yes — I am strange to you ; but I ought not to be. It is you 
 who are really strange ; and I seem so to you only because I am 
 natural You see so little of what is genuine in men and women, 
 that a simple honesty and natural freedom surprise you. 
 
 " Now, lend me your eyes, as well as your ears ; follow me down 
 this stairway, and do not look up until I tell you." 
 
 I did as she directed. I went down the hundred and fifty feet of 
 precipice, by a very convenient, but provokingly artificial covered 
 stair case, with the roar growing every moment more tumultuous. 
 I followed my guide, with downcast eyes, seeing only the broken 
 masses of limestone, agitated waters beating among them, and a 
 pair of delicate feet and ancles, picking their way daintily over 
 them. The roar grew louder and nearer; the ground trembled ; the 
 spray came in gusts in my face, when, gaining the surface of a flat 
 rock, my fair guide laid her hand on my arm, and said, reverently, 
 '' look up." 
 
 A torrent of bright water seemed pouring out of heaven. Those 
 who are disappointed with the first view of Niagara do not get such 
 a view as this. I stood in an ecstasy of astonishment and delight. 
 My eye swept along the American fall, near whose extremity I 
 stood, past the walls of Iris Island, into the great Horseshoe, where 
 the mass of the mighty river pours down, and whence come those 
 deep pulsating thunders, to the Table Rock of the Canadian shore. 
 
 I shall not attempt to describe the indescribable majesty, and 
 terror, and beauty of that scene. The waters, which pour over the 
 rim of the cataract, a deep blue, almost green, fell in the morning's 
 sunlight, in vast columns of glittering diamonds, and then rose 
 again in clouds of mist on which were painted arching rainbows. 
 
 Retracing our steps, we were soon seated in a row boat, and em- 
 barked upon the boiling cauldron, into which this world of waters 
 pours its everlasting flood. The morning breeze from Ontario blew 
 gently up the great gorge, that the cataract has opened, which is 
 spanned by the beautiful Suspension Bridge ; and this upward breeze 
 saved us from the misty showers, while an extra fee to the boatman 
 induced him to skirt along the eddy of the American shore and 
 Goat Island, so as to cross the great gulf as near as possible to the 
 
20 ESPEEANZA. 
 
 principal fall. I had the best view, and the fullest enjoyment of 
 the scene. Its terrors were lost to me, in its glorious majesty and 
 beauty ; and, the feeling of sublimity, with which I was impressed, 
 mingled harmoniously with my sentiments toward the strange, but 
 beautiful, and I believe and am sure, most pure and noble woman, 
 who sat by my side, enjoying all my enjoyment of these new emotions. 
 
 The sublimity of Niagara is like that of the ocean and the stars, 
 but more concentrated. 
 
 Our boat was swept down by the torrent, and made its landing 
 among the rocks, where, refusing the proiFers of accommodating 
 Jehues, we walked gaily up the road built on the side of the 
 almost perpendicular precipice. But, at every few steps, I stopped, 
 and turned to get a new view. The sun was now shining full upon 
 the whole long line of the falls, whose height seems lost in their 
 extent. From the middle of the great Horseshoe, where I could 
 see that the mid channel of the river lay, there rose a cloud, like the 
 smoke of a furnace, high in the heavens. The white gulls were 
 sailing in the air ; and the scene grew in beauty, as it lost in the 
 terrors of proximity. 
 
 My fi'iend looked on it all, calm, silent, pointing to one feature 
 or another with finger or parasol, saying few words, but, as I saw 
 and felt, watching my features, as if to see how they reflected the 
 scene ; sometimes she laid her hand upon my arm, sometimes on 
 my shoulder. Once, when half way up the cliff, her enthusiasm 
 broke forth, but not at the cataract. " Oh ! my dear flowers," she 
 exclaimed, and in an instant she was clambering up the steep side 
 of the cliff, I could hardly tell how, and eagerly picking the wild 
 flowers that grew from the clefts of the rocks, where the moisture 
 was dripping from every seam of the limestone strata. 
 
 When she came down, with a hand full of lovely little flowers, 
 her eyes were bright and moist, and her cheeks flushed. 
 
 " Here they are, the dear ones ! " she said ; " the same that T 
 found here ten years ago. They are not only sweet and beautiful, 
 themselves, but fragrant memories cluster round them." 
 
 "You were not alone, then ; — nor with indifferent company VI 
 remarked. 
 
ESPERANZA. 21 
 
 She looked iu my eyes with her clear, open look, and said : " I wag 
 with one I dearly loved — but a true friendship is not indifference. 
 Do you feel it so ? " 
 
 " I shall be very grateful/' I said, with real humility, " for what- 
 ever you can give me." 
 
 She took my hand, and we walked up the rest of the ascent, hand 
 in hand, like two children. 
 
 Here stands the Clifton House, the resort of most English, and 
 many American visitors, with its pleasure grounds laid out too 
 precisely to harmonize with the savage aspect of rock and flood 
 around. We passed along the margin of the great gulf, stopping at 
 many points to get new views of the scene, until we stood on Table 
 Rock ; and then, from the very margin of the descending river, fol- 
 lowed its torrents down into the chasm into which they plunged. 
 
 She stood alone with her thoughts and memories, her face now 
 calm and pale ; her eyes looking either back into the past, or for- 
 ward into the future. She had advanced to the edge of the over 
 hanging rock. I knew there was no danger to her steady nerves 
 and well-poised spirit; but the rapid fall of the water, as I looked 
 past her, made her body seem to rise, and I remembered, with a 
 shudder, the fate of the young girl, whose fall, a few rods from thia 
 spot, has found affecting record. I sprang forward, and caught her 
 firmly by the wrist, to ensure her safety. She turned with a sweet 
 smile, and said : 
 
 "The spirit-world is beautiful, and I have some dear friends 
 there, but my work here is not accomplished. This life has come 
 to be too rich in blessings, to be thrown aside. We need not be in 
 haste to meet the future, because of the eternities." 
 
 Clara ! how precious seemed to me this calm and beautiful 
 faith in the unseen world. 
 
 " But this life," I said, " is so poor, in its hopes and possibilities, 
 and worse than poor in its realities to most, that they can scarce be 
 blamed for flying from the present if they have any reasonable hopes 
 of a happier future." 
 
 " Suicide," she said, '' is a violence to nature, only justifiable as 
 an escape from something worse. It is sometimes a right, in a 
 
22 ESPERANZA. 
 
 world, whose imperfect conditions admit only a choice of evils. But 
 all destinies are onward, and the fruition of all our hopes is before 
 us. Century by century this river eats its way through these rocky 
 strata. The mountains crumble, and the valleys are filled up. The 
 tree grows from its germ to its destined strength and beauty. Hu- 
 manity also grows and advances toward its future." 
 
 " True of the race, or the races," I said, " this may be; but how 
 of the individual victim to the imperfections and wrongs around us ? " 
 
 " The eternities are ours, and justice is the supreme law. You 
 ask God to be merciful. He will not be what he is not for your 
 asking; but it is enough, if He is just. He is accountable to all 
 His creatures. Evil, privation, discord, are stages in progress ; they 
 have their uses to the undeveloped spirit; but let us be thankful 
 that we are emerging from them ; and that the time has come for 
 truth, riches, and harmony. Happiness is the universal aspiration, 
 and the universal destiny." 
 
 "■ Happiness for all VI asked. I can not tell you, Clara, with 
 what a look of angelic pity, mingled with surprise, she turned to me. 
 
 " For all ! " she repeated softly. " Can you believe there is in all 
 God's universe, one human soul destined to an existence unworthy 
 of his goodness ?" 
 
 I have never felt so ashamed of a creed which dooms our brethren 
 and sisters to utter and eternal despair. But my mind was darkened 
 with other doubts. 
 
 " You talk," I said, " of happiness on the earth. Are we worthy 
 of such a social state, as some of our sanguine reformers have ima- 
 gined. Is humanity yet good and pure enough to live in a 
 harmonious society ? " 
 
 She walked away from the brow of the rock on which we were 
 standing, a few steps ; then turned and stood before me. 
 
 "Look at me," she said; "I am, as I told you yesterday, a 
 human sister of yours. Am I good enough to deserve happiness ? 
 Were yc'J. as good as you believe me to be, do you not think we 
 could live harmoniously, purely, and happily?" 
 
 " Were all like you, I could believe any thing," I hastened to 
 say. 
 
ESPERANZA. 23 
 
 " It is not a question of all, but of some. There are those, who 
 are wiser and better than I, living nearer to the life of the heavens. 
 There are many who, in various degrees, are so far freed from igno- 
 rance, error, and evil habits, physical and spiritual, as to be able to 
 live in the harmony of a true life. I am but one of many loving 
 women, who enjoy upon the earth, a foretaste of the freedom and 
 harmony of the beautiful life of the heavens." 
 
 I was impressed with the simple truthfulness of every word she 
 uttered ; yet, it was so strange, so different from what I had ever 
 heard. I looked around, to be sure it was no dream ; but more than 
 the fact of my wakefulness was a testimony in my spirit, that what 
 she said not only might, and should be true, but was a living and 
 present reality. 
 
 A group of fashionable ladies from the Clifton House passed by 
 us ; and their coquettish airs, and frivolous conversation, offered a 
 contrast which deepened my impression. 
 
 " You have excited my curiosity, and my hopes," I said. " Will 
 you not enlighten me further?" 
 
 "I have said too much, not to say more," she replied; ''but 
 this world requires such things as breakfasts. If you please, we 
 will take a carriage here, and go round by the Suspension Bridge. 
 It is an example of human achievement in one direction. Let us 
 not undervalue ourselves. 
 
 We entered a carriage, and after an interesting drive, and a view 
 of that beautiful work, and its surroundings, came back to the hotel 
 with an appetite. 
 
 Night. — The evening of my second day of absence from you, 
 beloved One, has closed around me ; the evening of a day full of 
 new sensations and new emotions. How much of life is sometimes 
 crowded into a single day ! 
 
 After breakfast my guide went to her room to write some letters, 
 and I wrote you the account of our morning's ramble. When I 
 had finished, I went down, and found her ready for our visit to Goat 
 Island, which separates the American from the British fall; though, 
 as the boundary line of the two countries runs in mid channel, 
 
24 ESPERANZA. 
 
 it gives us the whole of the lesser fall, and more than half the 
 greater. 
 
 The mid-day had grown sultry, and I found my guide dressed in 
 a charming robe of light blue stuff, which floated in ample folds of 
 unstarched gracefulness. I am not good, you know, in describing 
 costumes. I could never answer your question, " what kind of a 
 bonnet had she on ? " I only know that, in this case, the entire 
 dress seemed as clear and pure an expression of herself, as her 
 language or gestures. She gave me several letters, in the most 
 tasteful envelopes, directed to gentlemen and ladies in various places, 
 in a handwriting full of elegance and character, and sealed with a 
 seal of curious device — a peculiar ring, encircling nine stars. I 
 afterward saw such a ring, on the third finger of her right hand ; and 
 she wore a broach with nine golden stars, set in a peculiar fashion. 
 
 Going toward the rapids above the fiills, which themselves form 
 a spectacle of great power and beauty, we passed over the bridge, 
 which spans several piers ; how built, passes my engineering skill. 
 Near the further end we found a group of ladies and gentlemen, 
 looking at the place where the poor man clung so many hours, and 
 then went over. As we passed along, meeting groups of visitors, I 
 saw several gentlemen salute my guide, with great respect. She 
 returned, or rather invited their salutations; but no one approached 
 to speak to her. 
 
 " In heaven's name, who are you ?" I would have exclaimed, but 
 I was held, as by a spell, from making any obtrusive inquiry. We 
 walked slowly through the walks of this beautiful, and though much 
 visited, still, secluded place ; for the island is large, nearly covered 
 with forest trees, with cool walks among them. At the best points 
 of sight are seats for the accommodation of visitors. 
 
 As we sat on one of these, where we had watched the adventurous 
 little steamboat, the Maid of the Mist, with her deck load of mummy 
 looking passengers, dressed in yellow oil-cloth cloaks and hoods, to 
 save them fx'om the showers of spray, while she ran boldly into the 
 foam-gulf, and then fell off rapidly down the tumultuous tide — as 
 we sat here in the deep noon-tide, after seeing this wondrous voyage, 
 without caring to make it, she said : 
 
ESPERANZA. 26 
 
 '' It is time, my friend, that we were better acquainted. Can 
 you shut out the old world of forms, customs, and prejudices, as 
 these torrents separate us from the lands on either side ? " 
 
 "I can try," I said, with a curious sense of a Robinson Crusoe 
 isolation, in very pleasant company. 
 
 " Well, try. First of all, how do you like me ? " 
 
 The question took me a little by surprise. I am afraid 1 blushed, 
 and hesitated ; but, remembering Robinson Crusoe, I summoned 
 courage, and answered : 
 
 "I admire you more than any woman I ever saw; I respect you 
 deeply, and am ambitious of your good opinion and friendship. I 
 hardly know how to answer to the word like. It seems too weak an 
 expression, for the kind of devotional feeling you inspire." 
 
 She smile a gratified smile, which was not one of vanity, but of 
 hope ; not of pride in herself, but pleasure at my frankness of 
 expression, and perhaps my power of appreciation. 
 
 " In investigating some things," she said, in her quiet and 
 unpretending manner; "it is needful to begin with the outside, 
 and work inward ; but with the human ch-aracter, it is best to 
 begin at the center, and work outward. Will you tell me of your 
 loves?" 
 
 Clara ! I have a faint suspicion that I blushed again. But she 
 sat, holding my hand in hers, like a dear elder sister, and looking 
 so sweetly kind ! Once, and not long ago, I think I should have 
 fallen on my knees, and said — 0, divine angel of my life, I love 
 you, and you only. But that was before I knew my Clara. So I 
 answered bravely : 
 
 " I love the dearest and most charming little girl in the world. 
 We are engaged to be married next spring ; meantime I go with what 
 means I have saved, and a little my mother left me, to find a home." 
 
 1 thought a shade of sadness passed over her countenance. It 
 might have been the remembrance of my mother. It might have 
 been the thought that so many such anticipations of happiness as 
 ours, have never been realized. She said, then : 
 
 " Does it seem to you, my friend, that this love, and this union, 
 will fill up the capacity of your loving life ? Do you feel secure and 
 
26 ESPERANZA. 
 
 justified in making the irrevocable vow, to love this dear one, and 
 no other, " till death does you part." 
 
 "It seems to me/' I said, " that this love so fills my being, as to 
 shut out the possibility of another ; and I hope that even death may 
 not part us." 
 
 ''If it is a true and integral love, it will not," she said; "but 
 every passion asserts its eternity. No one, until taught by bitter 
 experience, ever expects a love to change. But they do. The love 
 that seems to fill our desires and capacities, at one time, in a few 
 years nay seem poor and mean; and expanding souls find a capacity 
 for more loves, than they can often find to fill them. Will you tell 
 me what idea you have of freedom ? " 
 
 I will not try to tell you my answer, Clara ; for I just then caught 
 sight of the " meteor flag of England," on the opposite shore, and 
 launched out into some apostrophe to liberty worthy of a ward meet- 
 ing. I was checked by a droll look of surprise, and mj' lady said : 
 
 " We are not talking of such external matters, as they discuss at 
 Tammany Hall. Our political freedom is well as a step in progress, 
 but not much to boast of." 
 
 Now I had boasted of it so much, even in the sacred precincts of 
 Old Tammany itself, where I have inhaled so much bad air, gin, and 
 tobacco, in " our country's cause" that I felt it necessary to vindicate 
 myself. So I said — 
 
 " You will allow that this is a free country, I hope." 
 
 "Not very," she said, with a smile of provoking assurance. 
 
 " Do not the people make their own governments, constitutions, 
 and laws ? " 
 
 " With some slight exceptions, perhaps. A few millions of 
 negroes do not vote." 
 
 " They arc represented by their masters and owners." 
 
 " All the women." 
 
 " They have their husbands and brothers to vote for them and 
 protect them." 
 
 " Yes — I read of a case of this protection, a day or two ago, in the 
 papers. A man killed his wife with a club. But this is not all. 
 Leaving out all slaves, and women, and children, who seem to fare 
 
ESPERANZA. 27 
 
 pretty much alike, a majority governs, and the minority is governed, 
 x\nd even of the majority — are you not politician enough to know 
 how wire-pulling, caucus nominations, and party discipline reduce 
 the number who govern to a few individuals, self-appointed, and not 
 the most worthy ? Does it surprise you that a woman should know 
 something of politics ? I have associated with men, and lived at 
 times, in the heart of this turmoil." 
 
 It was all too true ; and I concluded to let Hail Columbia sing 
 itself, as best it could. 
 
 " Now, let us come back to my question. Have you the freedom 
 in your spirit, to always do the right yourself, and to allow his 
 rights to every human being ? " 
 
 " This involves the question of what is right ? " I replied ; " is 
 that settled ? " 
 
 " The first right is the right of each one to settle that for himself, 
 and to pursue his own right, in his own way, so long as he does not 
 interfere with the equal right of every other. The Declaration of In- 
 dependence asserts the principle crudely, but well enough — in the 
 Right to Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness. It is a 
 tautology ; for either term includes the others. The right of Life, 
 includes all the conditions and uses of life ; Liberty includes all 
 freedom of thought, passion, and action. The Pursuit of Happiness 
 means, that happiness, being the true end of existence, no one has a 
 right to deprive us of its means, which a. e in a freedom to follow 
 that attraction which is proportional to destiny." 
 
 Do I tire you, my Clara, with these details ? I know I can give 
 you but a faint impression of the eloquence, with which all this 
 was uttered; but I wish to write it down while it is fresh in my 
 mind ; and I wish also to fulfill my promise, in giving you a full 
 account of every incident of my journey. I shall wish to read it all 
 over again, on my return. So, patience, love I" 
 
 " What I wish you to think of," she said, after a little pause, " is 
 whether you, who arc, in many respects, so pure and intelligent, 
 have the idea of a true freedom, which will not allow your soul to 
 bo bound, nor allow you to bind another. Are you tolerant of 
 human deficiency and error, while you have a standard of absolute 
 
28 ESPERANZA. 
 
 right ? Can you leave even this loved one whom you wear on your 
 heart, free to love another — if another love should come to bless 
 her — or would you make it a curse ? This is the first central ques- 
 tion for you to solve. Study it well." 
 
 " I will try to do so," I said, with a feeling I never had before. 
 Clara, we must try to leave each other in freedom. God forbid that 
 even my great love should be a bond to you. 
 
 We walked in silence, broken only by the musical roar of the 
 cataract, the tenor of the rapids, and the basso profundo of the Falls j 
 walked away from the latter, and past the former, to the upper end 
 of the Island, where the glassy river ripples calmly against the shore, 
 in beautiful contrast to all the foam and tumult, heard in softened 
 murmurs from below. 
 
 Here we sat down on a grassy bank, by the water's side, secluded 
 from observation by a clump of evergreens, which also protected us 
 from the sun. 
 
 " Is it not beautiful," she said, after looking up the river. " I 
 have a friend who crossed up there," pointing up the eastern channel, 
 " when the ' Rebels' were on Navy Island yonder, and the loyal 
 troops were raining shot, shell, and rockets among those trees. A 
 very fine spectacle at night, he says, with the sound of the cataract 
 for an accompaniment. Happily, the trees sustained all the damage. 
 But a truce to all wars, great and little. To-morrow we go on our 
 iourney J is it not so ? " 
 
 "Bo loef" 
 
 " If you choose to accompany me, toe do. Have you any settled 
 route ; or selected destination ? " 
 
 " I had thought of going to Wisconsin ; crossing to Minnesota, 
 and then south through Iowa, and perhaps to Kansas, and back by 
 the rivers — or even round by New Orleans and the sea." 
 
 " A good route enough. But let us see if I can induce you to 
 vary it. I go up the lake to Cleveland ; then across Ohio to Cin- 
 cinnati; then down the Ohio and Mississippi, to my home. Has it 
 ever strack you as a possibility that a home which makes mc happy, 
 might answer for you ? " 
 
 " If I knew where it was ? " 
 
ESPERANZA. 29 
 
 Can not you trust mc to take you there ? Then, if you do not like 
 it, or me, the world is all before you, save what you leave behind." 
 
 Though couched in a playful badiuage, I felt that there was an 
 earnest good faith in this invitation. I held out my hand, and let 
 a beneficent destiny, as I believe it to be, lead me onward." 
 
 "You are very good," she said, with an expression of joy ; "you 
 do well to trust me — better than you now imagine. Oh ! my home ; 
 if this were there, and you were one of ours, do you know what I 
 should be doing ? Stop, I'll show you j will you please unlace my 
 gaiter ? " and she held her little slender, foot to me, just as your 
 little sister Flora might. - And, with a trembling hand, and, I con- 
 fess, a throbbing heart — for I am not so good as I wish to be — I 
 unlaced the pretty boot, and took it off, and then the other. 
 
 " Thank you ! " she said, with the utmost simplicity ; and then, 
 while I wondered, she carefully unclasped her garters, and pulled 
 off a pair of most gossamer webbed stockings. I don't know what 
 made me tremble, or how I could doubt. I am ashamed of myself. 
 I am ashamed of the world in which I have lived. But my doubts 
 were soon ended. Laying her things by my side, she took up hei 
 skirts, as gracefully as possible, raising them nearly to the knees, 
 and walked into the river, and stood there, dabbling her white feet 
 and most beautiful limbs in the cool water — a picture of radiant 
 happiness. She seemed to me, Clara, not a Venus new risen from 
 the sea, but the goddess of a holy freedom, that had just descended 
 from the shining heavens. 
 
 When she had enjoyed the coolness of the pure water, which had 
 come all the way from the Great Superior', and the Lake of the 
 Woods, she said, expressly to wash her feet, she came and sat down 
 in an attitude a painter, or even a sculptor, would have loved to 
 copy, and let her limbs dry. As I admired them, she looked at 
 them, and then at me with such a happy look. 
 
 " I think they are pretty," she said. " I am very glad my body 
 is beautiful ;" and after a moment's pause, she added softly — " I am 
 also very glad that you are so good. Say to your Clara, that she 
 has much right to love you, for you are worthy, and will be 
 more so." 
 
30 ESPERANZA. 
 
 I write it, dear Clara, just as it was said. Then she dressed her- 
 self without my help ; and I knew she had given me another trial, 
 and was thankful, very thankful, that I had borne it so well. And 
 then she put her arm in mine, and we walked slowly back, scarcely 
 looking at the Falls or rapids, to dinner. 
 
 And dinner, I would have you know, is rather a sublime affair at 
 the International. So I dressed for it ; that is, I dressed as much 
 as our fashions allow a gentleman to dress. And when I went into 
 the drawing-room to escort this newly found sister of mine to the 
 table, I found her superb as a princess. I will try to tell you 
 " what she had on." Her hair was dressed, rather simply, away 
 from her forehead, with a knot of the little wild flowers of the morn- 
 ing, which she had kept fresh. Her dress was a very rich brocade 
 of pale lilac, trimmed with falls of rich lace, and made just within 
 the fashion. Her white round shoulders, and beautiful bust are all 
 her face and contour promised. She wore diamonds and turquoise; 
 but every ornament seemed to have some special use and meaning. 
 I have the idea that she dressed, not for the company, not for any 
 impression she might make on a crowd of visitors; certainly not 
 for admiration, but for me. It was another lesson — to show me 
 that a true life includes the beautiful. That if we would win people 
 to knowledge, virtue, and happiness, we must not begin by outraging 
 their taste. How many reformers have made this grand mistake. 
 
 When I advanced near her, I know not how the feeling of 
 familiarity had vanished, but her style, elegance, superb beauty, and 
 more superb manner — impressed me as if she were a queen — not 
 an actress queen, putting on haughty airs of royalty, but a 
 queen of nature, born to her sphere, and living in its constant recog- 
 nition and use. _Do not think it strange, Clara, that my heart 
 swelled with great throbbings, as I approached her, and I bowed to 
 her with a genuine humility. Her pure, calm eyes surveyed 
 me, from head to foot, and with aft approving smile she extended 
 her hand to me. The gong sounded its brazen summons with 
 its most civilized dissonance, and she took my arm, and we went to 
 dinner. 
 
 I wish I could do justice to that dinner. It is a large, high room; 
 
ESPERANZA. 31 
 
 at the end a recess, iu which was stationed a band of music. A 
 regiment of colored waiters, drilled into a droll, stiff, imitation of 
 military evolutions adapted to a dining-room, brought and removed 
 the courses, with great pomp and ceremony. The band played some 
 appropriate march at each remove ; then there was a waltz for the 
 the soup, and fish was eaten to a polka. It was a little tiresome, 
 perhaps ; it made our unsophisticated country friends stare a little, 
 but they soon got reconciled to it, as we do to every thing. I was 
 very much amused, and commented freely to my companion. 
 
 " You see attempts every where," she said, " at order and har- 
 mony. They are often imperfect and grotesque, but they show the 
 direction of our aspirations. 
 
 " Here is a collection of strangers, inharmonic and discordant, 
 whose only safety is to hold themselves apart, in little knots and 
 coteries. How few here, have any real knowledge of, or trust in, 
 much less any love for, those around them. We are played to by a 
 hired baud ; we are served by hired waiters, who labor under the 
 burden of caste. It is cold, discordant, or at best indifferent and 
 mercenary. 
 
 " Can you imagine, in a far more beautiful room than this, a com- 
 pany of free, pure, and loving men and women — all acquainted with 
 each other, all harmonized in groups of friends and lovers ; genial, 
 hopeful, happy; the music by an artist group playing with enthu- 
 siasm, and rewarded by plaudits ; and the table served by those 
 with whom it would be a labor of love, so that every dish would 
 come with its own blessing ? Can you not imagine such a dinner as 
 this?" 
 
 " In heaven, perhaps ; " I answered, almost bitterly. 
 "Whatever can be truly conceived of the Earth-life," she said, 
 " is possible, and practicable. Ideas were given for realization. I 
 see that I must make a personal application. Do you not think that 
 you and I are capable of being members of such a society ? " 
 
 " I believe," I answered, " that you are capable of any good 
 that is possible. As to myself, I am not sure that I am good 
 enough." 
 
 *' Could you not cheerfully play in the band that furnished music 
 
32 ESPERANZA. 
 
 to such a feast, and feel rewarded when I, and those younger, and 
 more beautiful, and dearer than I, thanked you for that portion of 
 the repast ? " 
 
 Such a question did not need an answer. 
 
 " Can you not ftmcy yourself very happy to stand behind my 
 chair, and supply my wants, and those of others you might admire 
 more and love better ?" 
 
 You know it would make me happy to be of any service. 
 
 " Others have devotion, enthusiasm, friendship, love, as well as 
 you. Civilization, with its bigotries, false methods, and discordances, 
 tends to cultivate isolation and selfishness in us, and to make us 
 believe there is little else in others ; but it is not truly so, my friend. 
 Humanity is better than we give it credit for. There is more devo- 
 tion, more heroism, all around us, than we reckon. There are fifty 
 men in this room who would risk their lives to save mine ; who 
 would brave great perils to save a house on fire — who would 
 volunteer on a folorn hope in any great emergency. There are few 
 women here, frivolous as our social habits make them seem, who are 
 not capable of great exertions, and great devotion. The human 
 heart is full of heroic qualities and aspirations, seeking for spheres 
 of action." 
 
 I shall tire you, dearest, if I go on giving you these con versationsj 
 but they had an inexpressible charm for me. 
 
 Our dinner itself, was of little account. I have long been half a 
 vegetarian, and the flesh of most dead animals disgusts me. It is but 
 a modified cannibalism; and some of these dead bodies, set on our 
 tables to be eaten, I know had better be in the cemetery. I am not 
 satisfied with myself when habit, or some remnant of savageism in 
 my nature, tempts me to eat food worthy only of a savage or a beast 
 of prey. I could not imagine this pui'e and lovely woman, putting 
 flesh between her lips. She quietly waved away the soup, declined 
 fish, asked the waiter to remove the side dishes nearest us, and took 
 a potatoe and some maccaroni ; and afterward some pudding, and 
 fruit. Of course, I followed her example. I could not have done 
 otherwise, had I wished. 
 
 But here is a difiiculty. I felt that for me to eat flesh, in the 
 
ESPERANZA. 33 
 
 presence of this woman, in ray present relation to her, would be an 
 indelicacy approaching sacrilege. It seemed to me in the strength 
 of her pure presence, that I could never taste it again. But how 
 shall I reconcile this conscience with politeness, when I sit by a 
 lady who devours pork chops and sausages ? But this was a ques- 
 tion not to be discussed at table, and I postponed its further con- 
 sideration. 
 
 Rcmerobering the little draught of delicious wine in the cars 
 yesterday, I turned to the long wine list, on the bill of fare, and 
 passed it to my friend. She ran her eye over it and said, "it is 
 not needful, unless you require it. The water is good, and wine 
 belongs to occasions. If we are to have any to-day, it will be fur- 
 nished us." 
 
 "What this meant, I could not conceive ; but a few moments after, 
 a waiter came with the compliments of a gentleman whose name I 
 did not distintly hear, and filled our glasses with a beautiful hock 
 wine. She said, in a low tone, " that elderly gentleman, near the 
 
 head of the table ; he is Mr. , Senator from .■" * He 
 
 bowed to us with much dignity ; and my friend raised her glass to 
 her lips, with a sweet recognition of his friendly attention. But, 
 though the wine was excellent, she drank but little. Later, another 
 gentleman sent us champaigne wine. I recognised him as one of 
 those who had saluted us on Goat Island. She tasted this as before, 
 but would not permit me to order wine and return the compliments, 
 as I wished to do. And I see now that it was a very " snobbish" 
 notion that made me desire it. 
 
 " It is natural to wish to return presents, compliments, and hospi- 
 talities; but if you reflect a moment, you will see that it is not 
 delicate to do so at once. It is as if you were anxious to discharge 
 a debt. If you meet these gentlemen, at any future time, you will 
 have the right to reciprocate, after I have introduced you. You 
 are not too old or too proud to have a mentor." 
 
 * In the revision of these letters for publication, I have thought proper 
 to carefully erase or change every personal designation that might com- 
 promise any one. — Editor. 
 
34 ESPERANZA. 
 
 "No," I replied, as we rose from the table, "I am only too 
 happy." 
 
 In the evening we had music and a dance. When I entered the 
 drawing-room, I saw my friend surrounded by a group of ladies and 
 gentlemen, among whom were the two whom I have mentioned. I 
 did not go to her at once, respecting the mystery which enveloped 
 her. It was her supreme right to be incognito, if she chose, and a.s 
 long as she chose. In casual glimpses, I saw her engaged in an 
 earnest conversation with the group that had gathered around her, 
 and who listened to her with an affectionate respect which gave me 
 much pleasure. Pretty soon she invited me with a movement of 
 her fan, to approach, and introduced me to the ladies and gentlemen. 
 
 "This is my brother," she said, "who has been very kind to his 
 
 unknown sister. Mr. , said she, turning to the senator, will 
 
 you introduce me ? The best of men, even, have some curiosity." 
 
 The gentleman took my hand with a benevolent smile, and said, 
 " Mr. Wilson, I have great pleasure in presenting you to my dear 
 friend, Miss Elmore.* 
 
 I did not feel any better acquainted, though the name solved 
 many mysteries. I had heard my mother speak of her very lov- 
 ingly, and of her family. 
 
 Music interrupted further conversation. A professor of the piano- 
 forte displayed his skill, playing with a facility of habit, but a lack 
 of feeling. 
 
 A lady sang, in a manner that showed long and careful training, 
 but it seemed to me with a superficialness and meretriciousness, that 
 gave us only the mere shell of the compositions she essayed. 
 
 Mr. asked Miss Elmore to favor us and the company, and 
 
 was warmly seconded by the rest of the group — all but me. I 
 confess that I feared that she would not succeed — that in some way 
 she should fall from the pedestal where I had enshrined her. She 
 made no excuse, but looked around to see if no one else wished, or 
 
 * For convenience sake I substitute, iu print, this name, for the real one, 
 of a woman, whose relations might object to such publicity, and for other 
 reasons which -will become apparent. — Editor. 
 
ESPERANZA. 35 
 
 was invited to play — then took the arm of her friend, and walked 
 with the most perfect, simple dignity to the piano-forte. A murmur 
 of inquiry and approbation went round the room; which a moment 
 after was hushed in a silence so profound that we could hear the 
 ticking of a clock, and the sound of the cataract. She stood so 
 poised and graceful ; her movement in taking off her gloves was a 
 tableau; she sat down — I know no other word — regally. I saw a 
 
 gleam of pride in the deep eyes of Mr. . I never waited for 
 
 music with a more excited expectancy. 
 
 She began by a light, trickling run ; then struck several chords 
 of very unusual combinations, and fell into a prelude, which was an 
 evident improvization, and took up little passages of several operas, 
 as if she were thinking over with her fingers, what she would 
 choose. Finally, she struck thrillingly into the prelude of the 
 cavatina in I Puritani. I can not tell you of voice, or execution. 
 She seems perfect in both ; but the soul, the feeling, the spell of 
 power, with which she gave this noble composition, was so fai 
 beyond any thing I had conceived of, that I can not pretend to 
 describe it. It may not have been to others what it was to 
 me. But the group in which I was, sat spell-bound, and I saw 
 tears run unchecked. When the last note died away the hush con- 
 tinued — there was not a sound. The clock ticked, the cataract 
 murmured ; and it was not until she rose, and bowed with a bright 
 smile, that there came from every side tumultuous plaudits and 
 encores. Gentlemen pressed around her, and begged her to favor 
 them again — to sing some thing, any thing, even to play if she could 
 not sing. 
 
 She sat down, and all returned to their seats. She commenced a 
 series of graceful variations on the air of Home, Sweet Home. '' Sing 
 it ; Oh ! sing it," came to her in appealing murmers. She looked at 
 me with a happy smile, and sung the dear old song, as it could only be 
 sung by one whose memory and heart is filled with a home of beauty 
 and love, and happiness. And this time, there was no lack of tears, 
 and no attempt to conceal them, and no stint of the plaudits which 
 followed, in the midst of which she glided gently back to our corner, 
 and received our congratulation. 
 
III. 
 
 BUFFALO, AND A PILGRIMAGE. 
 
 I WRITE to you, angel of my life, from the bosom of Lake Erie 
 and the cabin of a steamboat, whose motion must account for any 
 peculiar eccentricity in my chirography. The noble boat rolls gently 
 on the swells of this blue inland sea. The passengers have retired 
 to their state-rooms, and I write by the cabin lamp, alone. In 
 twenty-four hours I hope to have a letter from you. You are well 
 and you love me, but none the less do I wish you to tell me both. 
 
 I took one last, lingering look at Niagara from the verge of the 
 American fall ; reserving for my final view, that which is the first 
 to most visitors. After breakfast, we took the cars for BuiFalo, 
 bidding good-bye to some pleasant acquaintances, who, I hope, may 
 
 be our friends in the future. Senator shook me kindly by 
 
 the hand, and said : " You are highly favored, Mr. Wilson ; and it 
 will be your own fault if you do not have a very pleasant journey. 
 I wish you much happiness." 
 
 " I hope, sir," I replied, " that I may be worthy of my good 
 fortune and your good wishes ; " and so we parted. 
 
 Miss Elmore had been very kind to me all this morning ; but 
 there was a musing sadness in her looks, and a tender melancholy 
 in her tones, which interested me. She said little, during the ride of 
 twenty miles, and we were soon in the heart of a finely built, enter- 
 prising city, and took an omnibus to the American Hotel. 
 
 '' I stop here," she said, when we were in the parlor, " to make a 
 pilgrimage. Y'ou can join me, or not, as you choose. It may be 
 neither pleasant nor interesting to you." 
 
 " I shall never lack interest or pleasure in your society," I 
 answered. Now, Clara, it was not a compliment. This is not a 
 36 
 
ESPEEANZA. .37 
 
 ■woman to be flattered. She accepted what I said, just as I said it — 
 as the simple, frank expression of my thought. If she had thanked 
 me, or made any similar acknowledgment, I would not have spoken 
 in this way again. 
 
 " Oh ! here is my old friend of ten years ago," said she, going to 
 a piano-forte in the corner, and striking the keys ; " but it has 
 changed in that time, or I have. I played and sung to him, and 
 with him here, in this very room, and with this very instrument. 
 I remember what I sung ; " and she struck with a beautiful feeling 
 into that beautiful and once favorite song — 
 
 " 0, Pilot, 'tis a fearful night, 
 There's danger on the deep ; " 
 
 and when she came to the lines 
 
 " Fear not ; but trust in Providence, 
 Wherever thou may'st be," 
 
 she sung them with an expression that thrilled me. 
 
 " I sang it to him," she said, rising from the instrument, and 
 going to the window, opening on Main street, " and he has had 
 reason to trust. We will make our pilgrimage. It is not every one 
 I would allow to go with me, but you will know him one day, and 
 you are wortky." 
 
 I gave her my arm and we went into the street, walked round a 
 few squares, passed through the little enclosure of an old Court 
 House, and came to a prison. 
 
 Here, then, was the pilgrimage. I was curious, but Miss Elmore 
 is not one you can ask questions of. I was very sure that at the 
 proper time, she would tell mo all that was needful. On my knock- 
 ing at the gate, the jailor came and opened it. She passed before 
 me, saying, " We are strangers, and wish to see your prison." The 
 man, with a droll, puzzled look, seemed to have no especial 
 objection ; but asked, " is there any particular person you wish to 
 see?" 
 
 " No — not at present," she answered. " A friend of mine once 
 had the good fortune to be a guest of your establishment. I have 
 the curiosity to see a place he has described to me." 
 
30 • ESPERANZA. 
 
 We were admitted without further delay ; first into the yard, 
 then through another door into the jail. There are four ranges of 
 small cells; two on the ground, two reached by galleries. The 
 cells open outward toward the walls. The windows are cross-barred 
 with iron, and the doors of the cells the same. The light is faint, 
 and the air foul with that sickening fetor, which belongs to the 
 emigrant ship, the hospital, the prison, and the crowded homes of 
 poverty and ignorance. The cells were full of vagrants, small 
 thieves, burglars, counterfeiters, accused persons waiting trial, and 
 witnesses. As we went in, a chorus of prisoners in the further cells 
 was singing with great unction a highway man's song, beginning — 
 
 ' In Dublin city I was bred and born, 
 
 On Stephen's Green I die forlorn ; 
 'Twas there I lear'nt the saddler's trade. 
 
 But was always counted a roving blade." 
 
 We followed the jailor round the lower tiers of cells, then went up 
 to the narrow gallery that gave access to the upper tiers. Wheu 
 we had come to the further cell on the right, it was empty. 
 
 '* Will you permit me to enter this cell a moment," she said, in 
 a low, tremulous voice, to the jailor. 
 
 He unfastened the door with the customary professional joke, and 
 she entered. It had been papered at some time, and was in better 
 condition than the other cells ; but of the same size — about four 
 feet by eight. After a glimpse of the interior, I called away the 
 attention of the jailor by some inquiry, leaving her in the cell. In 
 a few minutes she joined us, looking pale but serene, though I saw 
 traces of tears. As we went out, I saw her silently give the jailor 
 a gold dollar; and as we walked up the grassy slope, she turned and 
 looked a moment through the window, covered with dust and spider's 
 webs, opposite the further cell. 
 
 I drew long breaths as we gained the pure free air of the open 
 street. We passed a theater not far from the jail, opposite which 
 she paused and looked up a moment, then smiled and said — " now 
 we will take a pleasanter walk." 
 
 So we walked down Main street, which is the Broadway of Buffalo, 
 
ESPERANZA. 39 
 
 down among the warehouses near the harbor, and going up the 
 creek, passed over a bridge, looked at the fine array of shipping — - 
 steamboats and propellers — and then soon found ourselves walking 
 on a hard sand beach by the side of the lake, whose waves were 
 breaking musically at our feet. Then we clambered up the outer 
 shelving side of the long government breakwater, and walked along 
 that and the pier which forms the outer side of the harbor, until we 
 passed around the little light-house at the end, and then sat down 
 on the smooth rocks in its shadow. The beautiful city lay fair 
 before us, and all its hum and clatter came softened across the 
 water; while westward stretched the blue lake, north opened the 
 Niagara river, its outlet, and opposite on the Canada shore, could 
 be seen the grassy mounds, which mark the site of Fort Erie. 
 
 " It is a famous place in border story," said my companion and 
 guide. " In the war of 1812, the little village that was the Buifalo 
 of that day, was burned by the British troops and their Indian 
 allies. They have diflferent allies now, but the same mode of war- 
 fare. They still burn unoffending and defenceless villages. 
 
 " Over there they had a little experience of Yankee valor. The 
 fort was taken by storm; I believe it was blown up, and some 
 gallant men were buried in its ruins ; but I confuse the stories of 
 these old quarrels. Let me tell you of one of a more recent date, and 
 of more personal interest." 
 
 I changed my place and sat at her feet, prepared to listen. I 
 find myself loohing up to this woman, just as naturally as I would 
 look down to some others. There is a sphere of freedom surround- 
 ing her, which permits every one to take his proper place; and 
 there seems also a sphere of power, the action of forces, which har- 
 monize all around her, by bringing all to their true relations. So I 
 sat at her feet and listened. 
 
 '' Nearly twenty years ago, before you were old enough to care 
 much about politics, an ambitious lawyer was elected governor of 
 New York. I remember it well, for my father was an active par- 
 tizan on the other side, and his frankly expressed opinions of the 
 man were not in the least complimentary. I think he has not 
 changed his opinion of him ; and I am certain that I have not. 
 
40 ESPERANZA. 
 
 " Buffalo was then a city of less than half its present size, but its 
 leading men were a set of unscrupulous borderers, and at the head 
 of the dominant party in this district. They secured this man's 
 nomination, and he paid the price. The price was to aid them in 
 sending a much better man to State Prison, and keeping him there. 
 He was elected. It was a triumph, and the victory was celebrated 
 by a grand illumination. Buffalo was in a blaze, cannon thundered, 
 and rockets rose. But, as sometimes occurs, the elements took 
 part in the performance. All day a gale from the southwest had 
 been increasing in fury. The waters rose in the harbor and in the 
 streets. In the midst of the festival, the glare of the illumination 
 lighted a scene of terror and death. The heaped up waters swept 
 over all this point of land, where was then a little village of dwel- 
 lings. The celebration was interrupted by the crash of these falling 
 houses, and the shrieks of crushed and drowning victims. The 
 sailors of the harbor, the hardy steamboat men, gave all the aid they 
 could ; but when morning came, it lighted up a pitiful scene. The 
 wreck of houses and furniture was floating in the harbor ; a score 
 or more of the stiff corpses of men, women and little children lay in 
 the watch-house, under the market yonder; vessels were stranded 
 high up the streets, others, attempting to gain the harbor had been 
 thrown on the beach below. Afterward the general government 
 built the brakewater. 
 
 ''I said that this governor paid for his nomination. His friends, 
 here, had been trying for two years to send a man to the State 
 Prison. He was a contractor, builder, financier ; one of those who 
 build cities. A man of great constructive and administrative power; 
 upright in intention, I should think. In a financial crisis, in his 
 efforts to continue his Avork of making this the city he foresaw it 
 must be, he made himself, or was made, amenable to the laws. 
 With or without his knowledge, the persons who managed his 
 finances, multiplied the endorsements of his co-adjutors here — men 
 whose fortunes he had made — by forgery. When this became 
 known, he placed his property in their hands, to pay his creditors ; 
 and trusted to their professions of sympathy and promises of aid. 
 
 They seized on the millions intrusted to them, and then he refused 
 
ESPERANZA. 41 
 
 to leave the country, or submit to this robbery, they threw him into 
 jail, kept him a year in that cell, and then failing to convict him 
 here, after several trials, took him to another county, where, with 
 their own judge to try him, their own jury to convict, their own 
 nominated governor to give his personal presence and influence, they 
 secured his civil death, and their safety. It was a bold strong game. 
 They had money and political influence, and were unscrupulous in 
 the use of both. An amiable, able, and I think essentially an 
 honest man, was torn from his wife, and sent for five years to Auburn. 
 There was great sympathy for him, and petitions were sent from 
 the whole State, but he was very safe, as long as their own man 
 was governor. A pardon would have endangered every thing." 
 
 " And was it your sympathy for this victim of a mercenary 
 treachery, that made you visit that prison ?" 1 asked, for, though a 
 hard case, it was only one of thousands as bad, and I could not see 
 in it the element of a personal interest. 
 
 ' Oh ! no," she said, seeming to read my thoughts ; " this is but 
 the introduction. The honest felon, the crafty governor, and his 
 clique of alternate employers and tools, are little to me. They have 
 their reward. One of them has been President; another hopes to 
 be. But there was here, at that time, a volunteer Knight Errant, 
 whom you will know hereafter ; and you may as well learn now, 
 this little passage in his history. It will be a good introduction." 
 
 Ah ! thought I, here is the center of this mystery. When a 
 woman speaks of the man she loves, there is no mistaking. She 
 speaks of him, as she can speak of no other. I wished to see how 
 she would bear the test of this revelation. 
 
 This is not all, dear Clara; I must tell you all the truth. When 
 she spoke of this man, with the consciousness that she loved him, 
 there came a deep, dull pain into my heart. I tell you the fact. I 
 do not try to account for it. I feel it yet ; but I will tell you the 
 whole, and you may understand it. 
 
 '' Mr. Vincent," she continued, pronouncing this name as if each 
 
 tone that made it was precious to her, " came to Buff'alo, when he 
 
 was twenty-one years old. He came here, it seemed by chance, for 
 
 he left New York without any plan, but to see the world. He was 
 
 4 
 
r 
 
 42 ESPERANZA. 
 
 a student, and at this age a philosopher, and a man of letters. Soon 
 after he came here, he became editor of a daily paper; as such, he 
 made a thorough exposure of all the iniquity I have narrated, and, 
 of course, brought upon himself the vengeance of these men. He 
 fought them step by step, and so excited the public that they were 
 obliged to admit their prisoner to bail, and to take him to a distance 
 to convict him. 
 
 "I don't see how he went through the contest that came. He 
 was very young, for such a position. But he was an eloquent 
 writer and speaker, and his personal qualities aided him. I am 
 partial, perhaps, but he was called handsome then; you will see him 
 and can judge. He walked these streets, I have been told, as if 
 he owned the city ; I know that many loved him. Too free, or too 
 prudent to marry; too generous and honorable to injure any one; 
 he rather avoided love than sought it. But you will know him and 
 I need not describe him. 
 
 "The contest was fierce and unequal. It was right against might. 
 A youthful adventurer with his pen, against all the wealth, and 
 influence, and consequent respectability of this city. His society 
 was tabooed, until ladies who would have him, were obliged to make 
 up special parties, when he was invited. The contest raged every- 
 where; this city, where it is now forgotten, was divided into two 
 parties of his friends and his enemies. He had numbers and honesty 
 — they had wealth and position. 
 
 " He was attacked in the streets by hired ruffians, but fought 
 with spirit enough to beat them. 
 
 " At another time, an organized company of men came, in the day 
 time, posted sentries at the door of his office up Main street, and 
 marched into his editorial room, picked and prepared to inflict upon 
 him a personal chastisement. He received the delegation with a grave 
 courtesy; inquired their business; and when it had been stated by 
 their spokesman, and he had respectfully declined the honor they 
 intended him; just as the men deputed to seize him were gather- 
 ing around, fifteen to one, he drew two little brass pistols from his vest 
 pockets, and pointing them at the nearest, gave them such an earnest 
 assurance of receiving their contents, that the meeting adjourned. 
 
Esperan;:a. 43 
 
 "When it was found that he was not to be bribed at any price, 
 nor intimidated by any means ; a gang of desperate ruffians was 
 hired to tar and feather him, and destroy his press and types. The 
 conspiracy was deliberately formed, money contributed, and the 
 ruffians were disguised, partly intoxicated, and paid to do their work. 
 A large wagon and two horses were provided to carry him off, gagged 
 and helpless, into the forest ; a rope to bind him to a tree, and tar 
 and feathers to complete the outrage — which would, undoubtedly, 
 have ended in murder, had not a providence watched over him. 
 
 "It was before the day of spiritual manifestations, but it is, per- 
 haps, as remarkable as most of these. "While this gang, concealed 
 in the shadow of a building, at ten o'clock in the evening, where 
 my friend was accustomed to pass from his office to his boarding 
 house, was waiting for him — he was walking home alone, in the 
 moon-light, without a thought of danger. He was on the very block, 
 round the corner of which the black&ned men awaited him, with gag 
 and ropes, and their wagon was in the next street. 
 
 "Just then he met an acquaintance, a clerk in one of the banks, 
 who passed, then turned back, stopped him, and asked him to turn 
 and walk back. As they went, he said.: 'You must go home with 
 me to-night, I have something to say to you. I don't know how 
 it is, but something is wrong. I was at a party on the street 
 below ; it was a pleasant party, I was dancing, and engaged to dance 
 again. I never left such a party before, but to-night I could not 
 stay. Every one wondered, and pressed me to stay longer, at least 
 to supper, but I could not. There was no reason, only I was com- 
 pelled to come. When I passed the building below, I saw some men 
 hiding in its shadow ; I remembered that you boarded in the street, 
 and in a moment I met you.' 
 
 " Mr. Vincent would have gone back to investigate this mystery, 
 but his friend pursuaded him to go to the hotel where he boarded. 
 The next morning it was found that the gang, though foiled in part, 
 had completely demolished the printing office." 
 
 "But was nothing done?" I asked. 
 
 " No ; the conspirators were not known until long afterward. 
 They had influence enough to hush up investigation. The mayor 
 
44 ESPERANZA. 
 
 of the city, it was afterward proven, was at the head ')i the 
 conspiracy. 
 
 "Finally, a grand jury, mostly from the country, was found to 
 indict Mr. Vincent for libel. He had called one of those lawyers 
 the tool of his employers. For this, he was tried; a corrupt, and 
 drunken judge, who owed them money, tried the cause, and an 
 ignorant and weak-minded jury was persuaded to bring in a verdict 
 of guilty. He refused to leave, even at the request of his own 
 bail and counsel, and was imprisoned four months in the cell to which 
 we made our pilgrimage." 
 
 "But what said his friends, and the public?" I enquired; "was 
 no effort made in his behalf?" 
 
 "There was no lack of sympathy and indignation. A mob sur- 
 rounded the jail and would have torn it down. The Sheriff asked 
 him to speak to the crowd, and he sent them peacefully away. 
 Still he was treated with cruelty. Presents were stopped at the 
 door, and visitors often could not gain admittance. But he had 
 books, and his violin, and his writing materials were smuggled in, 
 and his manuscripts out, in spite of the jailor. It is quite a ro- 
 mance. The people paid his fine by a complimentary benefit at the 
 theater we passed. They offered him an ovation; but he declined 
 it. They would have elected him to any office in the popular gift, 
 but he was not ambitious. He had done his work, and had another 
 destiny. The wrong was exposed, and the power broken ; he had 
 the trial and the discipline of the imprisonment in that foul dun- 
 geon; and the world has had the benefit of that experience. Some 
 day, when I shall sit on one side of him, and you the other, you 
 will see what it has done for him. To labor well for humanity, 
 one must see all the phases of its development." 
 
 We walked back along the pier. 
 
 "Here," she said, "he used to ride on the beach, his horse's feet 
 washed by the turf. One day he rode along the pier, and round the 
 light-house. The waves were dashing over the pier; the way, you 
 see, is very narrow, but a horse feels the will of his rider. One 
 strong will may govern many." 
 
 "Has this man such power as to control those around him?" I 
 
ESPERANZA. -J 5 
 
 asked; wishing to know how much my compauioii might be under 
 such an iuflueuce. 
 
 ''I think he has such power," she said, '' but I do not see that he 
 makes often voluntary use of it. He wishes all men and women to 
 be free, and to act for themselves. In those days, he experimented 
 sometimes. He had a magnetism that could excite or paralizc. He 
 could throw an impressible person into a two-day's trance. He 
 cured the blind, and many diseases. I think he tested the power 
 to make one love him ; but that he has ever since refrained from 
 using it. I can not find that he ever used it harmfully. 
 
 ''This city, and the hills and waters here, are full of associations 
 with his adventures. When the frontier war broke out, his friends 
 were engaged in it ; but he went from camp to camp, as if it were 
 only a study. When a man has a distinctive work to do, a real 
 destiny to accomplish ; he has years of practice — he makes many 
 studies and sketches. The world calls his efforts failures, but they 
 insure success. To succeed in any thing but the real life work, 
 would be a failure indeed. To fail in lesser enterprises, or have 
 them prove fruitless, is often the condition of the final success. Mr. 
 Vincent could have been Mayor of Buffalo, Member of Congress 
 or have risen to any political station he might have desired ; but at 
 every turn he put aside such ambitions, and kept to his far higher 
 mission. Of that you will soon know, and be able to form your 
 own opinioo." 
 
 We passed the rest of the day pleasantly, with conversation and 
 music. Two or three gentlemen called, and conversed with Miss 
 Elmore earnestly; but I was not invited to join them. She seems 
 to be consulted, looked up to, and reverenced; but there is a mystery 
 I can not fathom. Were we in Europe, I should think she was a 
 secret agent of a revolutionary society. Here, her mission evidently 
 has nothing to do with politics ; yet it is certain that she can have 
 no narrow or selfish object. 
 
 We came to the boat in the evening and stood upon the deck until 
 we came round the light-house. She took a long look at the city, 
 a look full of loving remembrances. 
 
 As she stood by my side, in the soft twilight, I said — 
 
46 ESPERANZA. 
 
 '' You have been very good to me. I thank you for your con- 
 fidence. You loved Mr. Vincent much." 
 
 " Loved !" she said, with a glow of feeling ; " loved ? I love him 
 noio, and ever shall." 
 
 I stood silent. The dull pain sank on ray heart. I did not say 
 one word, Clara ; but she must have felt me. 
 
 " Mj dear friend," she said, taking my hand, and holding it 
 between both of hers ; " I love this man with more devotion than 
 any other. But it does not hurt me that others love him as much 
 or more than I do. I have my own place in his heart and life ; aa 
 he has in mine." 
 
 " It is nothing to me," I said, " whom he loves, or you." I 
 was angry at myself, and therefore rude to her. 
 
 "My brother!" she said, softly; "you must not be unjust to 
 yourself or others. All pure and true loves come from the Heavens 
 to bless us. They come singly or in groups and clusters of loves, 
 and all in harmony, and all to bless. Why should we shut our 
 hearts against them ? / shall not. Good night." 
 
 She glided quickly to her state-room. I walked up and down 
 the deck a few moments, let the night breeze cool my fever, and 
 came here to write to you. 
 
 My heart throbs like the engine of this vessel which bears me 
 from you. I have been frank to you, dear Clara, but I can not 
 explain, for I do not understand. Pardon mo, and pity me, if J 
 need it. I wish to be, and to do, right. I know that I love you ; 
 for in the thought and hope of you, I find rest. 
 
 Blessing of my life, good night ! 
 
iV. 
 
 CINCINNATI. 
 
 My blessed Clara I — When I recorded my name on the regis- 
 ter of the Burnet House, this evening, your precious letter was 
 given me. I was shown to a charming room, with a large bath-room 
 attached. The hotel is grand, spacious, and luxurious beyond my 
 expectations. I took a bath and then read your letter. Itisunro- 
 mantic, I know, but after a long day of dusty travel, I did not feel 
 that I had a right even to come into the presence of your written 
 words, until I was in a condition to enjoy the ineffable sweetness 
 and purity that breathes in every line you have written. The letter 
 and picture will lie together on my heart to-night, and I shall sleep 
 happily. Thanks and blessings for all the love you send me. 
 
 When I entered the name of Miss Elmore, after my own, I ob- 
 served the expression of the bland countenance of Mr. Coleman, 
 whom I knew at once by his resemblance to his brother, in New 
 York; I was glad to see an added gleam of sunlight; and, I doubt 
 not, I was provided with a better room, and treated with more defer- 
 ence, than if I had been a solitary traveler; for a man is judged, if 
 not always known, by the company he keeps. 
 
 After landing from the steamboat, at an early hour this morning, 
 
 we have traversed the great State of Ohio, from its northern central 
 
 meridian, to its south-western extremity. The sun rose to us over 
 
 the blue waves of Lake Erie; its setting beams were reflected from 
 
 the beautiful river Ohio. It was my first salutation a la helle 
 
 riviere. This is called the Queen City, you know. Her majesty is 
 
 a little sooty, and wears a crown of smoke. I shall pay my respects 
 
 to her to-morrow. It is Sunday and we remain here until Monday 
 
 But now I must give you an account of the day. 
 
 47 
 
43 ESPERANZA. 
 
 After writing my long letter of last nighty I slept soundly, rocked 
 by gentle billows, and sootiied by the regular working of the ma- 
 chinery, and did not wake until it stopped at the dock at Cleveland. 
 When I came into the saloon, I found Miss Elmore, bright, rosy, 
 and smiling, waiting to walk the short distance to the railroad 
 depot. 
 
 "You will not see much of this pretty place," she said, "for v.e 
 have much to do at Cincinnati, and I have promised to spend out 
 Sunday there." 
 
 " We," and " our." Well, Clara, they are terms that may include 
 many. All of life is before us; all is new in the future; all our 
 relations are to be defined. I feel that we must be brave, and true, and 
 shrink from nothing that is right ; as well as be careful to do nothing 
 wrong. 
 
 And so " we" took our places in the cars, and were soon whirling 
 across this great, fertile, and well peopled State. You will find our 
 route on the map. We took the line by Columbus, the State 
 Capital, and the Little Miami Railroad. I shall not describe the 
 cities and villages through which we passed, because I saw but little 
 of them, and because it is better done in the Guide Books, and 
 Gazetteers. 
 
 But the face of the country, alternately rolling and broken, but 
 with no mountains in sight, and the evidences of abounding fertility 
 attracted my attention. I called the State well peopled, and so it 
 seems to be on the census list, but when you look over it, you can 
 see that it would support twenty times its present population. 
 
 As we went south, the country grows richer, the forest trees of a 
 more gigantic growth, and the corn-fields moi'e magnificent. Oh ! 
 these corn-fields of the West; none of your little patches of a few 
 rods square; but we passed through miles and miles of bright wav- 
 ing maize, and great fields of wheat of golden richness, ripening for 
 the harvest. The wealth of this fertility is wonderful. A Quaker 
 sat behind us, as we passed through the great Miami valley. Ho 
 took a quiet pride in my exclamations, at these glories of the wealth 
 of nature, and volunteered some information in regard to it. 
 
 "Do you livein this region?" I asked him. 
 
ESPERANZA. 49 
 
 "Yes," he said, "I have a little farm of three hundred acres, 
 down here by Loveland." 
 
 There's a name for you, Clara ; but they have a right to love such 
 land. 
 
 "What is this land worth an acre?" 
 
 "Well, about fifty dollars, on an average." 
 
 "Is it under high culture?" 
 
 "I don't know as I understand what thee calls high culture. We 
 get about as much off as we cleverly can." 
 
 "Oh ! I meant rotation of crops, and manuring, and all that sort 
 of thing," said I; for you know, Clara, I take a great interest in 
 agriculture, and read the reports of the meetings of the Farmer's 
 Club, with much assiduity. 
 
 " I suppose I ought to manure my land some," said the bland 
 Quaker, " but I never have; I never could find time. As to rota- 
 tion, I have grown corn on one bottom every season for fifty-two 
 years, and it still grows from fifteen to twenty feet high, and I have 
 to reach up to get at the ears. I am afraid that if I went to putting 
 on goo-an-no, I should have to use a ladder." 
 
 The group of farmer-looking men sitting around confirmed the 
 old man's testimony. One had a corn-stalk twenty-one feet high. 
 Another had climbed into a weed strong enough to bear his weight. 
 Others had raised crops of wheat, corn, and Irish and sweet pota- 
 toes, which I can not pretend to remember. 
 
 "No wonder that people go West," I said to Miss Elmore, who 
 had been listening to this conversation with a quiet interest, which 
 took in and comprehended every thing. 
 
 "And they continue to go West," she said. "They come from 
 New England to Ohio and Michigan. They go from these new 
 States, with their forests unfelled, and their lands uncultivated, 
 to Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota, and Kansas, and from beyond the 
 Mississippi to California and Oregon." 
 
 "And why?" 
 
 "The reason commonly given, is that the lands are cheaper. 
 Great tracts of land in these settled States have been bought as invest* 
 menta, or for speculation. Prices are high ; but they are ruled by 
 
50 ESPERANZA. 
 
 markets and other conditions. But this is not all. Emigration is the 
 protest against the institutions, customs, and conditions of civiliza- 
 tion. It is the blind search after a better social state; it is the 
 universal pursuit of happiness, the right of which is bravely asserted 
 in the Declaration of Independence." 
 
 "Is this pursuit ever successful if" 
 
 "You will not wish me to say no, because you are one of the 
 seekers. But how can it be, when men carry about with them the 
 conditions of their discontent? They might as well try to escape 
 from their dyspepsias. A man moves with his family, his bonds, 
 his habits, his diseases, his ignorance, and selfishness, and bigotries. 
 Ah! if he could leave all these behind, there might be hope for 
 him. Of what account is a little more or less labor, a few bushels, 
 more or less of produce? These form but a small part of the ele- 
 ments of happiness. Wherever he goes, he sees the same sun, and 
 sky, and stars, lives on the same earth, and mingles with the same 
 humanity. The same restless fever of unsatisfied desire burns on. 
 They change the place, but keep the pain." 
 
 "What would you have? What is the remedy? Are men to be 
 content?" 
 
 "By no means! Content in bad conditions? Content with igno- 
 rance, poverty, disease, and all forms of slaveries, within and 
 without? no! To be content with evil is the condition of de- 
 spair. Discontent is the first sign of hope. Emigration, change 
 of place, is an eflFort, which will lead to others. The more discon- 
 tent with the present, the nearer the hope of the future." 
 
 "But what are these conditions of happiness, for which we are 
 all blindly seeking?" 
 
 She smiled at the question, as if it was ridiculous not to know, 
 or absurd to ask. 
 
 "You must excuse my ignorance," I said; "I have neither read 
 nor thought much of all this, and I need to be instructed." 
 
 "I hesitated to answer," she replied, with a sweetness that was 
 the best possible answer to my last remark, "because it was a ques- 
 tion which might require three words or three volumes. Reading 
 might not have made you wiser; and few think in the right direction. 
 
ESPERANZA. M 
 
 "Look at it. For two thousand years, religion has been preached 
 as the panacea of social evils ; and when the Church has embosomed 
 as much discord and misery as can be found out of her pale, then 
 we are told that we are not to look for happiness in this life, but 
 only content. As if the good G-od had decreed all miserable genera^ 
 tions here, and eternal torments hereafter ! 
 
 " Social happiness has been sought in political liberty, and its 
 result, in the present forms yet achieved, has been only to awaken 
 men to a keener sense of unhappy conditions. 
 
 " A few seek happiness in honors or wealth. Honors and wealth 
 are beautiful and good ; but not a social state in which they are the 
 result of intrigue and injustice. 
 
 " Property is plunder ; position is an imposition ; and power is 
 usurpation. The world is a society of Ishmaels ; every man has 
 one hand upon his neighbor's throat and the other in his pocket. 
 All are robbers and all are robbed, but the strongest and most 
 cunning get most of the spoil. All are oppressors and all are 
 oppressed ; but the weakest, the ignorant, the women, and the 
 negroes somewhat the worst. The picture is strongly drawn; but 
 if you consider it, you will find it true." 
 
 She turned to the window, and gave me the next hour to consider; 
 and I did, honestly and faithfully. Clara, it is all too true. How 
 can God answer for such a world ? 
 
 She must have known my thoughts ; for when she turned to me 
 again, she said — 
 
 " The Eternal Justice will be satisfied, and the Infinite Love will 
 be made manifest, in the law of growth. If this were the begin- 
 ning or the end, we might doubt and despair. But much allow- 
 ance must be made to an infantile race. When humanity sliall 
 have arrived at the stage of manhood, we may expect somethino- 
 better." 
 
 This was a little vague to me. I wished to know what were 
 those social conditions, which would make men happy, and therefore 
 content. 
 
 ''The first condition," said she, ''I have told you, is freedom. 
 All seek it. The fugitive slave runs away to Canada in search of 
 
52 EsPERANZA. 
 
 it, but it is not there. He changes the form of slavery and not the 
 fact. The fugitive wife runs away from her husband — or vice vena 
 — but society holds her in a severer, though perhaps a less repulsive 
 bondage." 
 
 "But is this really so? Are men and women so enslaved?" 
 
 She looked incredulously at me, as if distrusting my seriousness 
 in asking the question; but seeing that I was truly in dead, stupid 
 earnest, she said: 
 
 "Are you free to go and speak to that lady yonder, though you 
 knew that she desired it as well as you? Is not every woman 
 guarded by her husband, or father, or brother, or by 'what will 
 people say,' against all freedom, as much here as in Turkey ? 
 
 "What are the natural rights of woman? Are they not personal 
 freedom, genial companionship, the free exercise of her intellect 
 and talents, love, maternity ? Does society allow her these 
 rights?" 
 
 I have never thought much of this, Clara dear. I have heard 
 about the woman's rights women, and read their droll proceedings 
 in the papers. I went to hear Mrs. Rose, and Lucy Stone once. 
 They want to be lawyers, and doctors, and preachers, and vote, and 
 run for office. But this idea of women being free, in any such 
 sense of freedom as Miss Elmore speaks of, I had never thought about. 
 And yet I see that she has this freedom, and that on it depends 
 much of her wonderful fascination. Beautiful as she is, good, and 
 true, and noble, as I see and feel her to be, I can not conceive of 
 her as the wife of any one. She seems a heroine, who might 
 command an armyj I think she would preside in a Senate with 
 admirable dignity ; I doubt not that she is loving and faithful to 
 the deepest life of love; but still, Clara, I can not but see how far 
 removed she is from all the women I have ever seen. She enjoys 
 my astonishment very much. 
 
 Here, then, we are, in the Queen City of the West. In the 
 morning we are to take a little ride, and look at the city from one 
 of the surrounding hills. I shall also try to get a peep at the river 
 and steamboats. Good night, darling; I will finish my letter to- 
 morrow. 
 
ESPERANZA. 63 
 
 Sunday Morning. — '' And this is the great city of the West," I 
 said, as we stood on the brow of a hill to which we had ascended up 
 zig-zag roads, in a carriage from the Burnet House, an hour after 
 sunrise. The sky was clearer than I expected, for the chimneys of 
 a thousand manufactories and furnaces had ceased to belch out their 
 clouds of bituminous coal smoke. I could see all the compact, well 
 built city; the river skirting in a semi-circle beyond, and then pass- 
 ing off to the south-west; the Kentucky suburbs of Covington and 
 Newport, and the circle of hills that surround the city. Miss El- 
 more surveyed it all in silence, and then, remembering her office of 
 guide, said to me : 
 
 " This is Cincinnati, an embodiment of thrift and piety, a city of 
 manufactories, ware-houses, steamboats, and churches. There is 
 not a public square, park, or parade ground, in the city. The 
 ground is all built over. There is a noble Cathedral in the Grecian 
 style, and you see the cross glittering on many a spire. A third of 
 the city is German, and two-thirds of the Germans are Catholics; 
 nearly all the Irish, of course. That tall misshapen spire belongs 
 to a Presbyterian Meeting House. I^ is very characteristic, dark, 
 ugly, pretentious. The yellow excrescence on the top is a fist." 
 
 "A fist?" 
 
 " Yes, a doubled hand, with the index finger pointing upward. It 
 is generally mistaken by strangers for the representation of a yellow 
 washed ham, a symbol of the chief trade of the city. The build- 
 ing is surrounded and shut in by stores. The Catholics keep com- 
 merce at a more respectful distance." 
 
 "But, excuse the question, Miss Elmore, this pork trade you 
 spoke of?" 
 
 "It is very quiet now. Those large buildings by the canal yon- 
 der are the pork-houses. In the winter three hundred thousand 
 hogs are driven or brought on the cars and steamboats, killed in the 
 suburbs, drawn into the city, and packed in those ware-houses. 
 Then Cincinnati deserves its name of Porkopolis, and its oflPense is 
 rank, and smells to heaven. A very unpleasant smell it is. But 
 it is a part of civilization, and thoroughly characteristic." 
 
 "Why do you say characteristic?" 
 
54 ESPKRANZA. 
 
 "Because the animal, in his filth, gluttony, diseases, and destiny, 
 is a representative of the impure, sensual, selfish, and miserable 
 lives of most of those who fatten, buy, sell, and eat him. O Mosea 
 and Mahommed ! ye lived in ages of darkness, but ye knew better 
 than to eat pork. Let us change the subject." 
 
 "Excuse me; are the people of Cincinnati more hoggish than 
 civilizers in general?" 
 
 "Oh! by no means ! In many respects they are a very amiable 
 people. I know them well. They mingle southern warmth with 
 northern prudence ; and eastern thrift is softened by the rough, 
 large-hearted, whole-souledness of the West. I should like the 
 Germans but for their tobacco, in which they are steeped." 
 
 "And the lager bier?" 
 
 "Oh ! that is not a very bad concoction ; far better than whiskey. 
 But these people are so genial, familiar, and good-hearted. There 
 is a sphere of friendliness, you find in no eastern city; an outflow- 
 ing humanity and benevolence which reconciles you to every thing. 
 Boston has more intellectual culture and refinement, New York 
 more dash and splendor, New Orleans more fascination, but for 
 genuine, unaffected, honest goodness, commend me to Cincin 
 nati." 
 
 There, my Clara, as an impartial traveler, I send you the result of 
 my second-hand observations; and the little experience I have had 
 confirms their truth. Every one you meet looks as if he would 
 be really glad to render you some service; and would take it as a 
 favor if you would stop and talk with him. 
 
 We drove around what is called Mount Auburn; saw some very 
 beautiful villas and gardens ; and on the hill sides, some of the 
 vineyards, for which the city is famed. The wine made from the 
 Catawba tastes a little harsh at first. I thought it not so good as the 
 ordinary Rhine wines, but after a little you get to like the flavor; 
 and every patriotic Ciuoinnatian is ready to swear that the whole 
 world does not produce such wine. 
 
 When we returned into the city, the driver, an Irishman, took 
 good care that we should see what he thought its most attractive 
 portions. Going down Vine street, Miss Elmore pointed out the 
 
ESPERANZA. 56 
 
 German Theater, and three other public buildings, which are 
 spacious, and convenient enough, but not very ornamental. 
 
 "Yonder/"' she said, "is the Turners' Hall, where the young men, 
 by gymnastic exercises, combat the ill effects of coarse eating, beer, 
 and tobacco. There is the Liberty Hall, owned by a society of 
 fifteen hundred infidels, who glory in their negations. The Canal 
 is a sort of boundarj' between the German and native populations, 
 and this northern quarter is called ' over the llhine.' Yonder are 
 the People's Theatre, and Mechanics' Institute — curious specimens 
 of Italian and Gothic architecture — but if you look about among 
 the better class of private residences you will find many evidences 
 of graceful art." I forgot to say that our Jehu, whose Christian 
 name was Patrick, went out of his way to drive past the Cathedral, 
 and though the same space and cost might have been more imposing 
 in Gothic, it is a credit to the Church and an ornament to the city. 
 I don't know how it may be, in fact, but it seems as large as both 
 Grace and Trinity. 
 
 We had good appetites and a charming breakfast. When we sat 
 at the table and looked over the bill, my companion, who likes 
 to play guardian and guide, called the waiter, gave him a small 
 paper package, and some very careful, but inaudible instructions. 
 Can you conceive of a woman, whose whole appearance and manner, 
 though full of gentleness and almost infantile loveliness, is yet so 
 full of a sweet charm of power, that every one must obey her, with 
 a most cheerful obedience ? I see it, even in the waiters at the 
 hotels ; I feel it in myself, so that I am compelled to analyze this 
 feeling. It grasps me like a fate; but it seems also like a most 
 benevolent and beautiful destiny. And, Clara mine, I know and 
 feel, through all my being, that I love you, not less, but more, for 
 this influence. 
 
 The waiter came with some beautiful corn-bread, French rolls, 
 and two cups of the most delicious chocolate I ever tasted. 
 
 " It is a little pet weakness of mine," she said, when I looked 
 round with admiration at the rare beverage. "It comes to me from 
 a dear friend in Havana. I have no doubt it is the best in the 
 world." 
 
50 ESPKRAKZA. 
 
 " But the flavor." 
 
 " There is a very slight addition of orange flowers and vanilla." 
 
 "But is not this indulgence against your principles ?" I asked. 
 
 " Pray, sir, do you happen to know what my principles are?" 
 
 I thought I knew, but I found myself at fault. "I supposed," 
 I said, " you objected to the use of all stimulants." 
 
 " Oh ! how mistaken the young gentleman is. Have I not been 
 indulging in your exhilerating society for four days past ?" 
 
 " But I mean pernicious stimulants." 
 
 " I certainly do not drink whisky. You have not observed me 
 smoking. Cofi'ee is harsh and acrid ; there are black teas of delicate 
 flavor and not very harmful, as an occasional luxury. You saw me 
 drink wine. I think I take a pint a year. Each stimulant, if pure, 
 has a specific action ; it goes to a particular organ or group of 
 organs. Chocolate, such as this, with the added flavors, excites 
 gently, but very perceptibly the faculties of beauty, love, and 
 music." 
 
 " Then you will sing," I said, hoping for more of the happiness 
 I had tasted at Niagara. 
 
 " Not this morning. I have visitors and business after breakfast. 
 You will write or walk. We will meet at dinner." 
 
 She went to her room, and I have written this continuation of my 
 letter. This business and these visitors ? Well, they are none of 
 mine; so I will go and see the steamboats. 
 
 Good by for a little. 
 
 Night. — Blessings on Phonography ! How should I ever be 
 able to write you all I wish, without its time-annihilating aid ? I 
 was never so thankful for having learned it with you as to-night. 
 You will see why. But I will go on all orderly with my narrative. 
 What a thing it is to travel ! 
 
 I took my walk down to the river. The beautiful Ohio, just 
 here, is not the most romantic looking stream that meanders over 
 the planet. Did you ever think how these long rivers run over its 
 circumference, and what a droll figure they cut, when contemplated 
 horizontically, and philosophically ? The color is a bluish brown, 
 like weak cofi"ee and skim-milk. By the way, I found it the same 
 
ESPERANZA. 
 
 in my bath-tub this morning. They filter it for the table, and it 
 compares well with the Croton. 
 
 There is no mistake about the chocolate ; it is musical. I found 
 myself singing, and even whistling ; but I had a rival in the latter 
 accomplishment, in a steamboat, which came down the river with 
 the water foaming at her bows, and her tall pipes vomiting black- 
 ness. She came round handsomely, so as to make her landing with 
 her head up stream, in the orthodox fashion, in the meantime blow- 
 ing a signal that might, I think, be heard to Lake Erie. It is like 
 the scream of a locomotive, but compares with it as the ophicleide 
 does with the piccola; or a cannon to a pop gun; or better, as the 
 steamboat to the locomotive. 
 
 If you shared my passion for steamboats, I think I would describe 
 these that lie, in a long line, side by side, each with its nose resting 
 on the shelving bank of the river. There is nothing in or around 
 New York at all like them. The steamboats of the western waters 
 are mi <jcneris. The lake boats are large and lofty. They partake 
 of the characteristics of the Hudson river boats, the ocean steamers, 
 and the Ohio and Mississippi boats. But these : they are flat 
 bottomed, so as to draw as little water as possible, and glide easily 
 over the bars. Their bows, instead of being sharp, like ours, cutting 
 the water like a knife, are flat and rounded like a duck's bill. 
 There are no wharves, as the river rises and falls, at its own good 
 pleasure, twenty or thirty feet ; and the boats haul up, or spar off 
 from the shore as it rises and falls. Their guards are close to the 
 water. All the smaller boats have one broad wheel at the stern, 
 instead of two at the sides. They have two smoke pipes, not near 
 the center, but close to the bows, like two great ears or horns ; and 
 a row of long, high-pressure boilers under them. The hold and lower 
 deck are appropriated to freight, and the deck hands and passengers ; 
 the main deck has a long cabin, with a range of state-rooms on 
 each side, over which is the promenade hurricane deck, oflB.cers* 
 room, pilot house, &c. There, that will do for steamboats. 
 
 As I stood on the upper deck of one of the finest — and really a 
 magnificent boat of this kind — I saw four ferry boats, two above 
 and two below, plying rapidly, backward and forward. It was 
 
5?, Ei^PEIlANZA. 
 
 droll. Each passage was a letter S, for cvbd the ferry boats, with 
 their little wharf-boats oa each side, were obliged to make the 
 lauding with their bows up stream. 80 when they started they 
 went up, turned, went down, turned, and b}' a series of graceful 
 curves, came heads up again; and as the river is narrow, these 
 curves constituted the entire voj-age. 
 
 I crossed on the lower ferry, to Covington, walked up the bank 
 of the river toward the government barracks, at Newport, crossed a 
 very handsome suspension bridge, over a small river, which, run- 
 ning in a channel out of all proportion to its present size, looked 
 like a small boy in his father's great coat, and came back by the 
 upper ferry; my first visit to the State of Henry Clay, and the 
 Mammoth Cave, and the "hunters of Kentucky." But I saw none 
 of the latter. 
 
 But all this seems very trilling. What I liked better was the 
 great steam engines that pump the Ohio into a reservoir, for the use 
 of the city. A steam engine is such a human thing. It is the 
 embodiment of the mind of the inventor, and the muscular power 
 of all the men that dug, and smelted, and cast, fashioned and finished, 
 the iron of which it is made. 
 
 We dined sumptuously, calmly, delightfully. Among my many 
 faults, darling, is that of eating, not wisely, but too much, and too 
 fast. But it is not possible to do any rude or unrefined thing in 
 Miss Elmore's presence. She is a refining spirit, toning and tem- 
 pering all to her own pure standard. I find myself unconsciously 
 doing as she does, copying her manners, and not so much trying to 
 please her, as resigning myself to the influence of the beautiful 
 sphere that spreads around her. She was dressed in a rich light 
 blue, trimmed with white, and wore pearls instead of diamonds. 
 An elderly gentleman, a resident of the city, was her guest, aud sat 
 ou the other side of her. He, too, ate only beautiful food. When 
 we came to the dessert she said to me in a low tone — 
 
 ''Now you can pay your respects to Cincinnati, and compliment 
 our guest, by sending for a bottle of sparkling catawba." So I 
 called for a card, and ordered a sample of Mr. Longworth's vintage." 
 
 *'Ah I" said the old gentleman, when his glass was filled, with a 
 
ESPERANZA. 59 
 
 glow of very visible satisfaction — '' you are going to try some of 
 our native wine. We think no small deal of it; and our Ohio 
 Legislature, when they passed the Maine Law, made an exception 
 in favor of the native article." 
 
 " Which has led, I presume," said Miss Elmore, " to a pretty 
 extensive naturalization of less favored potables." 
 
 *' Well, I believe there is some adulteration going on," said he; 
 but this is the genuine catawba," he added, looking at his glass 
 lovingly, and sipping off the bubbles as they rose. 
 
 " It is very well," Miss Elmore said, tasting her glass delicately; 
 '' but it docs not taste like ours. You must try mine after dinner. 
 This has something of the harshness and discord of the civilization 
 which produces it. How do you find it, Mr. Wilson?" 
 
 I had tried the still catawba before, this was sweeter and softer, 
 and the sparkle and carbonic acid make very common liquids 
 palatable. " When I can shut out the remembrance of my first 
 love, the delicious Widow Cliquot," I said, " I think I may get up 
 a small flirtation with this ruddy squaw, Catawba." 
 
 Our Cincinnati friend was amiable enough to credit this as a jest 
 worthy of his favorite wine ; and after a merry dessert, we adjourned 
 to Miss Elmore's room, which I found to be an elegant private par- 
 lor, with a bed-room adjoining. I had not asked for such a room, but 
 they knew her here, and she may have written to announce her coming. 
 
 " So you go to-morrow," said our Cincinnatian, with a tone of 
 sadness. "It is an angel's visit; we get a glimpse of brightness, 
 and it is gone." 
 
 " My dear old friend," said Miss Elmore, laying her hand ten- 
 derly on his shoulder, as he sat beside her, and looking in his face 
 with an expression of confiding love, "we must get off to-morrow, 
 so as not to keep our friends waiting for us, and you must work 
 clear, or cut loose from these civilized bonds, and come and be 
 happy with us." 
 
 " My work is here, for a time," he said. " I must stay while I can 
 do good to the cause, and help to prepare others to join us. In a 
 few years my active life will be over, and then the old man will 
 come and take his rest, and enjoy a oalm and happy sunset." 
 
60 ESPERANZA. 
 
 " Your place is ready whenever you can cnnie, and if you can 
 gather a little group of true ones to come wiih you, they will be so 
 welcome. The hard work is over, and we live in plenty and peace." 
 
 '* And Mr. Wilson, our young friend, here, does he go to join 
 
 you?" 
 
 " He goes with me," said Miss Elmore, " but with no bond upon 
 the future. I have tried, and can trust him. If our life proves to 
 be his, he will be with us; if not, there will be no harm. We have 
 been very careful about visitors, and to avoid intrusion ; but we are 
 now growing strong enough to venture something for the good of 
 others. So long as our life was an experiment, I think we did well 
 to keep it in all secresy. Now, that it is a forever assured success, 
 which nothing but some great convulsion can destroy, we may begin 
 to give the world an idea of the happiness that awaits it. If Mr. 
 Wilson does not belong to us, he will make a good report of us. 
 
 "I have only one stipulation to make," she said, turning to me, 
 " and that is for others. I could trust you, for myself. You will 
 promise vs, in your letters, after we leave the Mississippi, not to 
 give localities. All the rest you are welcome to give to your friends, 
 or to the whole world." 
 
 I gave the required promise, and was glad to know what I might 
 properly communicate to you, and, if it prove of interest enough, to 
 all who may choose to read; for as I go on with this narrative, as 
 I remember each day more clearly, and write it down in these rapid 
 characters with more facility, I turn my thoughts to the many who 
 may be as interested as we, in what promises to be a curious adven- 
 ture, for I confess the mystery increases hour by hour. Each hour 
 develops something new in this admirable woman, and I have already 
 grown impatient to see a society in which, though she must be a 
 ruling destiny, there must yet be those who are worthy of her beau- 
 tiful dominion. I was not sorry to learn that we take the first boat 
 down to-iuovrow. 
 
 "Now, sing me one little song," said our visitor, "and I will go 
 and get ready for the evening." 
 
 Miss Elmore, with that cheerful promptness with which she does 
 every thing, and which adds a charm to her kindness, opened a cabi- 
 
EsPEBAtrZA. 61 
 
 net piauo-forte, and sang, in low, sweet tones, Mrs. Hemans' little 
 song — 
 
 " Come to the sunset tree ; 
 
 The day is past and gone. 
 The woodman's axe lies free. 
 And the reaper's work is done." 
 
 The thoughts of one, and the hopes of the other, I could feel, 
 were in the home of which she had been speaking, and which I, 
 before many days, am hoping to see. When the la&t tremulous note 
 sank into the repose of silence, I saw that her long lashes were 
 wet, and the tears were running unchecked down the other's fur- 
 rowed cheeks. I will not swear that my own were dry. He rose, 
 grasped her hand, and as she bent toward him, he pressed his lips 
 to her forehead, and with a fervent "God bless you!" left us. 
 
 "The dear old man!" said Miss Elmore, as she came and sat at 
 the window beside me. "For twenty years he has worked and 
 hoped for some kind of social reorganization. He was a sanguine 
 disciple of Fourier, and believed that all we required was the power 
 of wealth to make harmony out of discord. He saw a hundred poor, 
 meagre, and, of course, abortive eflForts; but he hoped and believed 
 through all. Now, what he has so long wished has come, and though 
 not in his fashion, he is happy in the fact of success, and in the hope 
 of spending his last years in the personal enjoyment of something 
 approaching a harmonic life." 
 
 " And then, so soon to die ! " I said, sadly ; for I thought how 
 little time he had, after a long life of toil and disappointment, to 
 enjoy this happiness. 
 
 "Not so soon, perhaps. Our friend is sixty, with a vigorous 
 constitution, and living a pure life, as one can live here, where the 
 very air is loaded with impurity. If he will come to us, we will 
 give him twenty years of calm, restful life. And when, in the wise 
 and voluntary separation of the spirit, in the death of age, and 
 the birth to a higher life, we shall lay his form away, and cover it 
 with flowers, his spirit will be with us still, in a more intimate 
 communion. 
 
 "Please don't wander off again. I would like your company thia 
 
62 ESPERANZA. 
 
 evening;'' slie continued; changing her manner to its usual play- 
 fulness; and I took this as a signal to leave her. As I passed the 
 office, a gentleman, and two ladies ; brother and sisters, apparently, 
 inquired for her, and were shown to her room. I went down into 
 the reading-room, and read the newspapers till tea time. 
 
 Just at twilight, we walked out on Vine street, and up toward the 
 center of the city. We entered a large, square building, ascended 
 two flights of stairs, and found our excellent old friend waiting to 
 show us into a neat hall, capable of seating two hundred people. It 
 was nearly filled, with an audience of old and young, but mostly of 
 those not yet past the meridian of life ; intellectual, tasteful, aspiring 
 and hopeful. The sexes were about equally divided. 
 
 At the end of the hall v,-as a raised platform, with a desk and 
 chairs for speakers. Behind, on a higher elevation, and extending 
 across, was the choir of singers, with a melodeon fur accompaniment. 
 Over this platform, was painted on the wall, what I took to be 
 a symbol of this society. It was a golden crescent, on a ground of 
 blue, in which was a triangle composed of three gulden stars. 
 Around them were budding branches — symbols of growth. Over 
 them was a scroll, on which was inscribed with golden letters on a 
 white ground, the words, <' Freedom, Frateunity, Chastity." 
 
 As we walked through the room, a murmur ran over it, and 
 every eye was turned to Miss Elmore. Our friend conducted her 
 to the raised platform, which she ascended; she looked around with 
 a happy smile of recognition, bowed graciously, and took her seat. 
 I was shown to a vacant one in the corner, where I could see all. 
 
 Our friend, who seemed the presiding officer, now rose, placed 
 upon his breast a scarf of blue, embroidered with golden stars, and 
 said, ^^ In the name of our Sacred Orders, I open this meeting for 
 Harmony, Growth, and Aspiration to the True Life." 
 
 I took my note-book, that I might lose nothing. There was 
 a small choir of four male and two female voices, besides the leader, 
 who accompanied — a musical group of seven. The leader took his 
 seat at the instrument, played a delicate prelude ; and the choir 
 sang a quartette, doubling the tenor and bass, with a perfection of 
 time, harmony, and style, I have seldom heard equaled. It had the 
 
ESPERANZA. 63 
 
 true effect of music, harmonizing the whole audience to one common 
 feeling. The outer world was lost to us. The president then said ; 
 " Are there any candidates present for the Order of Growth?" A 
 young man, of nearly my own age, and his two sisters, came 
 forwtird. The youngest did not seem more than twelve years old. 
 They stood before the stand. 
 
 "Do you come in freedom?" was asked of them. They answered, 
 " We are free." 
 
 " Do you accept, and will you endeavor to order your lives by, the 
 principles of equity, progress and harmony, that have been unfolded 
 to you ? " 
 
 " We accept, and will endeavoi'." 
 
 '' May all good spirits guard, and guide, and strengthen you in 
 the Order of Growth, with whose symbol I now invest you;" saying 
 which, he presented to each a symbol of the order, and continued: 
 
 " My children ! be faithful to the trust that is now given you, and 
 the work in which you have engaged. Cultivate all your faculties ; 
 improve ail your gifts ; let the vigor of your lives flow out in all 
 uses, that none stagnate or waste. Develope your whole beings in 
 harmony ; aspire to all purity of thought and life, obey the moni- 
 tions of your guardian spirits, and so prepare for the True Life on 
 the Earth, and the transcendant Harmonies of the supernal Heavens. 
 May all good angels bless you." 
 
 As they bowed reverently, the choir, which, with the audience, 
 had risen during this most impressive ceremony, sung a song of 
 welcome, which was a rhythmical rendering of the charge just 
 given. 
 
 The little group took their seats together, with a glow of happi- 
 ness, and a moment after, Miss Elmore rose, and stood before us. 
 
 Not when she came to me first, a forgiving angel ; not when she 
 stood on Table Rock ; at no time had she seemed so beautiful as 
 now. There was a flush on her pure cheek ; a light in her eye ; a 
 divine radiance all around her; yet ter manner was calm, and full 
 of dignity and sweetness; and her voice low, rich, and without 
 a tremor. I could not help looking at her. I forgot myself, and lost 
 Bome sentences, and no transcript of words will give you any idea of. 
 
64 ESPERANZA. 
 
 the charm of her manner ; but I must send you what I can of her 
 address, though I know well that it is like a pressed flower; its 
 beauty half preserved, and all its freshness and fragrance wanting. 
 
 ''Dear Friends!" she began, after looking round on all, with 
 a loving regard, " I am very happy to meet so many of my human 
 brothers and sisters, who, amid this Babel of a discordant and 
 oppressive civilization, can respect their interior attractions toward a 
 purer, freer, and nobler life than civilization aflFords. 
 
 " Long and earnestly, through all the ages of our progress, 
 humanity has aspired toward the true life of the Future, that now 
 dawns upon us. Failing to find it here; growing faithless of its 
 possibility on earth, the good have looked for harmony and hap- 
 piness only in the life of the Heavens, and while they have daily 
 prayed, ' Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on Earth as it is in 
 Heaven ;' they have either prayed without faith, or looked forward 
 to some mystical, and illy conceived millennium. 
 
 "The kingdom of Heaven is its life of Freedom, Harmony and 
 Happiness ; and that Life we can enter upon here, whenever we can 
 place ourselves in its conditions. The Earth, our home, is adapted 
 to the exercise and satisfaction of all the faculties we now possess, 
 and therefore to the enjoyment of all the happiness of which we are 
 now capable. 
 
 " I speak, dear friends, no longer as a theorist in Social Science; 
 no longer do I reason of possibilities, and assure you that the 
 attractions of the Human Soul are in proportion to its destinies, as 
 the axiom which proves a True Life and a True Society practicable. 
 I have a happier duty to perform : to tell you that the problem 
 is solved ; that our millennium is begun ; that there exists, even now, 
 not only the germ, but the well grown, vigorous plant, of a healthy, 
 social life. 
 
 " I no longer say to you that such a life is possible for us ; I say 
 that it now exists for us, and opens its loving arms to receive those 
 who are ready to enjoy its blessings ; and to enfold, in the bosom of 
 plenty and peace, all who can come out of the discordances of 
 civilization. 
 
ESPERANZA, 66 
 
 "The Life of Harmony, which has come down to us from the 
 Heavens, is like a tender plant, to be cherished with care ; and 
 great secrecy has been deemed needful to guard its earlier unfoldings. 
 But I am the witness and the proof that such a society exists ; and 
 though I am not ready, even here, to proclaim its locality, or to 
 subject it to the risk of an incursion of crude and undeveloped 
 persons, who might bring discord into its harmonies j I can, and do 
 tell you, that all who advance truly, in the orders of harmony, will 
 realize all that they can hope, and more than they can now conceive 
 of in the life of our society. 
 
 "It is a home of freedom. The limbs and organs of your body are 
 not more free in all their functions, than are the members of our 
 society. There is no government, but the self-government of 
 developed and harmonized faculties. As in the heavens, attraction 
 is our only law. Each one finds his place, and work, and enjoy- 
 ment, in obedience to his spontaneous desires ; fur health is the law, 
 and disease the rare exception. It is a freedom of which you can 
 hardly conceive; but we have found it the first and most absolute 
 condition of harmony, and every attempt to impose the life or 
 thought of one, as an authority to control another, has produced a 
 discordant jar, which we hastened to remedy. We have found, as 
 we were taught, that there is no truth but in freedom; and that 
 freedom is not only consistent with, but an absolute condition of 
 order. 
 
 " Our home is a home of plenty. The earth seems blessed with 
 an abounding fertility. Our granaries are full. Our trees and 
 vines are loaded with fruitage. Our active, spontaneous, irrepres- 
 sible industry, has accumulated all the necessaries of life, and many 
 of the luxuries of art. Our surplus has a convenient market, and we 
 readily exchange all we do not care to use. 
 
 " It is a home of love. In the exercise and outflowing of all 
 faculties, attractions and ambitions, we still find that the central 
 life is the life of the heart. Our love is as free as our thoughts and 
 lives. Raised above the plane of sensual excess; our energies 
 flowing out in industry and art; in the daily intercouse of life, 
 giving from all faculties to all faculties ; " our purified, ennobled, 
 
66 ESPEIIANZA. 
 
 and emancipated loves, become to us only sources of good. These 
 relations are thus made sacred ; and not, as over the earth, sources 
 of disease, evils, and sufferings innumerable. Our children are the 
 pure and beautiful offspring of wisdom and love ; never the de- 
 formed, diseased, discordant progeny of ignorance and disgust. We 
 are happy in our loves, and very happy in the children that bless 
 them, and who promise to bless the world by being born and 
 nurtured in the harmony of a true life. 
 
 " I bring you a cheerful greeting from the heart life of this home; 
 and I tender its welcome to all of you who may become, in all 
 respects, worthy to become members of our society. But we must 
 be patient of growth. You would not wish to mar our harmony, by 
 coming before you were ready. It is better, for the time, tiiat we 
 be assured, beyond all doubt, that each one who comes to us is in 
 every way worthy to become a partaker of our life. Whatever is 
 not of us, must be cast out. AYe can not assimilate crude and hurt- 
 ful materials. A selfish, jealous, discordant civilizee would be to 
 us like a mote in the eye, or a sliver in the hand. He would be 
 like an unskilled player, or an untuned instrument in an orchestra. 
 
 "Dear friends, if you would be worthy of all the freedom and 
 happiness of a harmonic life, purify and harmonize your own beings, 
 attune your lives to our harmony, which is but the harmony of your 
 own true natures. It is a spiritual unfolding of the inner life of 
 man, now comprehended, now possible, now realized by a few, and 
 ready soon to be extended to all who can partake of this life of the 
 heavens." 
 
 So far, I have taken down what was said and done; but at this 
 point, her eye sought me, and by a glance I understood, placed the 
 seal of secresy on what followed. It related to certain movements 
 of the general organizat-ion, of one of whose branches I was a guest, 
 and I can no more divulge what I understood to be conSdential, than 
 I could visit a family and betray its seoi'ets. 
 
 At the close, when Miss Elmore had taken a most affectionate 
 and affecting leave of them, in words that filled all eyes with tears, 
 in which there was more of hope and joy than sorrow, she went to 
 the instrument and sang a song worthy of the home of which she 
 
EsPERANZA. 67 
 
 had told us. The choir then sang its parting song of benediction; 
 and in a moment she was suriounded bj a group of those who 
 pressed to touch her hand, and to express some hope of a future, to 
 which she was the guiding star. 
 
 We went home in the fair moonlight. We then went to her 
 room, when she brought a curious little decanter and glasses, and 
 said : — 
 
 "Mj father, I said you must taste our vintage. It bears the 
 aroma of the home to which I hope soon to welcome you. You 
 must bring along those beautiful and loving hearts that are forming 
 and clustering here, and all come together as soon as they are 
 ready. I see that you can not be spared here yet. But the time 
 will come and your reward is sure." 
 
 We drank from the delicate glasses to that hope. 
 
 *'Here," she said, handing him the little decanter and our fairy 
 glass, "keep these in our remembrance; and now to our business." 
 
 She held out her hand to me; it was my signal of good night. 
 I took it, and pressed it reverently to my lips and heart. She look- 
 ed at me with an earnest, inquiring look, as if she would read my 
 soul, but said not a word. 
 
 And I came to my room and have written. And now, dear one, 
 the morrow takes me further on this journey. Day and night we 
 shall move on down the current of these great rivers. But I shall 
 write you every day, and give you faithfully, oh ! most faithfully, 
 the life that comes to me. 
 
 May the angels guard you from all pain and sorrow, and keep 
 your love pure as mine. 
 
V. 
 
 THE OHIO AND THE MISSISSIPPI. 
 
 "Once more upon the waters," dearest Clara. In some former 
 phase of my existence, I must have been a water fowl. Now we are 
 " Going down the river — the 0-h-i-o." I surrender myself to all the 
 idleness of this week's voyage, very happily; but let me proceed with 
 my orderly narration. 
 
 I wrote late last night, but still I did not sleep. I thought and 
 lived over the day and evening. The sweet voice still sounded in 
 my ears ; the life portrayed to us, excited my imagination, and the 
 world of civilization seemed such a sordid, miserable sham. I 
 needed no Thackaray to draw it. After a time I fell asleep and 
 dreamed that we — you and I — were the inmates of this home ; but 
 it seemed far away in cloudland, and I looked down on the groaning 
 earth with a great pity. 
 
 We made a late breakfast. Miss Elmore was calm, and a little 
 pale. I think she longs for her home, and for the society of those 
 she loves. I have a very humiliating consciousness that my com- 
 pany is but dull to her. But she was kind, delicate, and almost 
 tender, in her voice and manner. I offered my services toward any 
 preparation for our journey ; but she found nothing for me to do. 
 
 "We can take our choice of boats," she said, pointing to the list 
 of those up for New Orleans. " The river is high, and one of those 
 will suit us as well as a packet — so we shall not need to change at 
 Louisville." 
 
 Before breakfast was over, our good friend made his appearance, 
 very glad to see us, and bringing intelligence of a fine boat, nearly 
 loaded, going in the afternoon, and so sure to suit us, that he had 
 engaged two state-rooms. 
 63 
 
EsPERA>,ZA. 60 
 
 So, after breakfast, we went down to the public landing, and there 
 found the ** Effie Afton/' with steam up, colors flying, freight com- 
 ing on board merrily, and every appearance of a speedy departure. 
 
 ''You will allow me to arrange for our passage," said Miss 
 Elmore. Two minutes after, I think the captain would have placed 
 his boat and himself at her disposal. I don't see but a fresh water 
 sailor is as gallant as a salt. Captain Ilardstein is as pleasant as a 
 pet Walrus. Very confidentially, and as a special favor, he informed 
 us that though the bills said twelve o'clock, five would answer every 
 purpose. 
 
 Miss Elmore had her own work to do ; but I am fit for nothing, 
 after a passage is engaged, and before the hour of starting. It is 
 only to wear away the iutermediate time. So I lounged in a read- 
 ing room, and bookstores, and a meager picture gallery, and a horri- 
 ble museum. I sauntered by the river and the canal. I went into 
 lager bier gardens, and looked at great manufactories. At last 
 came dinner time, and I went joyfully to meet the happiness of our 
 last dinner here. All the morning, in my lonely saunterings, I 
 compared the life I saw, with the beautiful life that may be ; and 
 the women I saw with this woman, who, at least, is no dream, but 
 a living reality. 
 
 '' You have been a truant," she said, as she held out a frank 
 hand to welcome me, when I entered the drawing-room, " Are 
 you enamored of Cincinnati, that you have deprived me of your 
 company, all this morning ? " 
 
 " I do not forget," I said, with a humility, which had no pretence 
 in it, " how little I can be to you, and how kind you have been to 
 give me so much of your society." 
 
 " Well, have I any other ? Besides, I have much hope of you. 
 I have been at work this morning ; but we will make much of the 
 coming days ; for it will not be long now before I shall have rivals, 
 who will dispute my claim to you. You are to prepare yourself, 
 like a gallant knight, to defend your fortress." 
 
 This seemed absurd enough, but she appeared serious. I see that 
 there is one ; but I have no expectation of finding other women 
 like this. 
 
70 Esi'EilANZA. 
 
 We dined, and at five o'clock shook hands with our Cincinnati 
 friend on the steamboat ; then backed out into the stream, came 
 round handsomely, and pointed our bows toward the setting sun. 
 
 And here we are on the river, and here I begin the record of this 
 voyage — of the length and duration of which I am in a state of 
 blessed uncertainty — but what matter, so it be blessed ? 
 
 I began my letter last evening, sitting on the guards or balcony 
 outside my state-room, and writing by the red light of a western 
 sun-set, while we glided past the panorama of the Indiana shore. 
 As the light faded. Miss Elmore came and joined me. I put up 
 my writing, as she sat at my side, and began to tune a small, sweet- 
 toned guitar. Soon her fingers swept over it, and brought out the 
 harmonies I love. She seemed to muse and meditate in music, 
 which became the expression of every thought, emotion, and memory 
 Soon she began, in a low voice, to sing old familiar tunes — the airs 
 of her childhood and ours. It was very pleasant to hear the old 
 songs we have so often sung together; and I ventured to join in 
 them. And so we glided along. 
 
 We were alone, but not unobserved. Forward, there was a group 
 of the colored waiters, listening in silence and with great enjoyment; 
 nearer were passengers, but all at a respectful distance. There was 
 not an ill-mannered remark, nor the least intrusion. It was no 
 repulsion, or haughtiness of manner that kept them thus apart from 
 our little communion ; but a perception of that sweet dignity and 
 purity, which commands universal respect and admiration. I could 
 see it in the look and manner of every one. As the night closed 
 round us, she laid the instrument down ; our friendly visitors 
 retired, and we sat conversing. 
 
 " We are now fairly embarked on our voyage," said she. " You 
 are the first person, not initiated into our society and principles, who 
 has been invited to visit us. But we grow strong, and secure in our 
 strength. You are to be trusted personally; and the time approaches 
 when the world will be ready to reap the benefit of our work. You 
 will see things which will seem very strange to you ; but if you 
 can lay aside the prejudices of education and custom, I think they 
 will not seem false or unnatural." 
 
ESPEKANZA. 71 
 
 "I can not feel that I am so prejudiced, as to think our society 
 perfect ; " I replied, '^ or to condemn another which secures in a 
 greater degree the true objects of society ; the improvement or 
 happiness of all who compose it." 
 
 " Society perfect ! " she said, with a voice of deep scorn, softened 
 by pity. " Perfect ! This society that produces and perpetuates 
 ignorance, poverty, disease, sensuality, bigotry, and all despotisms 
 and slaveries ? A society where the rich plunder the poor ; where 
 the learned oppress the ignorant ; where disease, wickedness, and 
 crime are the support of three great learned professions ; where 
 birth is a curse, and life a burthen ; where nine-tenths die prema- 
 ture deaths of exhaustion, and the diseases of evil habits; where 
 body, mind, and heart are alike enslaved, and where there is not 
 the first condition of happiness in a true freedom ? I shall show 
 you something better than this." 
 
 " You speak much of freedom, as a condition of happiness. Do 
 you think freedom compatible with civilization?" 
 
 " Every human condition has its own laws. The selfishness of 
 civilization requires the isolate household, marriage, the slavery or 
 ownership of woman, jealousy or the property feeling, applied to her 
 as well as every thing else, and so on. If you will think it over, you 
 will find all social moralities belonging to this civilized condition." 
 
 " And does a difi"erent state bring different ideas of morality ? " 
 
 '' That is not a very wise question. Are not all social morals 
 conventional, and related to the system which they guard ? For 
 example, it is very moral and highly respectable, in the polite 
 Empire of China, to have twelve wives ; in Turkey, four; Solomon 
 is nowhere condemned for his fimily establishment, which the 
 morality of the age sanctioned, but for worshipping strange gods. 
 England has one code of morals and respectability ; Italy another. 
 In France, maidens are recluse, and married women free ; here 
 liberty belongs to the unappropriated." 
 
 " But still, there must be an absolute right, above all these 
 customs and conventionalisms I" 
 
 " Ah ! that is what you have to find, and what we have found. 
 Now think out for yourself, what this absolute right is ; and then 
 
72 EtJPERANZA. 
 
 you ■will see how near we have come to its realization. Grood night, 
 and happy dreams. Will you help me to see the sun rise ? " 
 
 With a kind pressure of the hand she left me, and retired to her 
 state-room. I went forward to the bow of the boat and enjoyed the 
 freshness of the evening breeze, and the music of the gurgling 
 waters that foamed around our prow. Soon I saw^ a cloud of smoke 
 below J a line of glaring reil lights; then two tall chimneys, and 
 soon an upward bound steamer, illuminated like a floating palace, 
 rushed roaring past us. And I retired to my berth, to think and 
 dream. 
 
 On a boat, the bustle of the day begins early. A bell is rung to 
 waken all drowsy passengers. But I did not wait for the bell. I 
 heard the dash of water in the state-room next mine, and sprang 
 from a wide and comfortable berth, enclosed with musquito nets, 
 to perform my own ablutions. I found Miss Elmore fresh as the 
 rosy morning, on the hurricane deck. We were gliding through a 
 fine country on both sides of the river — Indiana and Kentucky — and 
 in the distance were the spires of Louisville, where we arrived just 
 after breakfast. 
 
 A traveler should give some account of manners and customs. 
 Those of a western steamboat are unique. 
 
 The great cabin of our boat, (and all these boats are much alike) 
 is, perhaps, two hundred feet long. The first thirty feet from the 
 forward entrance is liberty hall. Here is the clerk's office, the bar 
 or saloon, as they call it, and the barber's shop. Each is a state- 
 room ; and drinking and shaving are both done in the space forward. 
 Here the floor is bare, or covered with coarse matting, and spittoons 
 are plentiful. Then begins a carpet, and the extension tables of the 
 great cabin, which are closed up in several divisions, after every 
 meal, and where parties sit playing the favorite games of the West, 
 euchre or poker. The last thirty feet is the ladies saloon, furnished 
 more pompously than the rest ; but not separated until 10 o'clock 
 at night, when folding doors close up this sanctum sanctorum. 
 
 When the first breakfast bell rings, the captain or clerk, generally 
 the latter, takes his place at the head of the table, which is, of course, 
 its after extremity. On all water-craft, the bead is the tail, and 
 
ESPERANZA 73 
 
 precedence is to come last. All the ladies, and gentlemen attending 
 ladies, seat themselves near the head of the table, but the whole 
 double line of forlorn male bipeds remains standing, until every 
 lady is seated ; and if any one can not get her curls arranged or her 
 collar pinned in season, they all wait with the most wonderful 
 patience and gravity. 
 
 When the master of ceremonies is satisfied that every feminine is 
 in her seat, he gives the signal for the second bell ; and the un- 
 privileged male passengers sit down and fall to without further 
 ceremony. 
 
 We stopped at Louisville two hours to discharge and receive 
 freight, and Miss Elmore accompanied me on a tour of observation, 
 but we saw little peculiar or worthy of notice. A northerner looks 
 for some sign of slavery, but I could not see that there were any 
 more negroes than in New York, or that they differed materially in 
 their condition. 
 
 I asked Miss Elmore about it. *' There are great hardships 
 incident to slavery," she said, "but travelers can see but little of 
 them. Slaves are sold, rather oftener than our free girls at the 
 north. I am not sure that they find harder masters, or that it is 
 more difficult to get away. Year by year, as many wives are killed 
 by their husbands in New York city, as negroes by their masters in 
 the whole south. Children are whipped, abused and starved, by 
 bad parents at the north, as negroes are by bad masters at the 
 South. Every Legree here, can be matched by some sensual, 
 drunken husband and father there. A good man is a good husband, 
 parent, or master. A bad man finds the means in either place to 
 wreak his badness on some one under his control." 
 
 "But the law affords relief in one case, which it does not in the 
 other,'' I said. 
 
 " Are you quite sure of that ? In how many cases does the law 
 interfere to protect wife, or child, or apprentice from the cruelty of 
 a brutal husband, father or master ? There is law and custom, 
 public opinion and humanity, here as there. There is but little 
 difference. When men and womea are far enough advanced to own 
 themselves, they will not be owned. When they can govern them, 
 
74 ESPERANZA. 
 
 selves, they will not be governed. In New Orleans the relation of 
 master and slave is usually very mild, I know a bookseller, whose 
 smartest clerk is a mulatto slave j and he wears diamond shirt 
 studs. I know a large cotton house, whose head clerk is the 
 property of the firm ; and I have seldom seen a more competent or 
 gentlemanly man of business. He lives iu a neat cottage, and has 
 a wife and family. All slaveries are wrong, and an evil, but it does 
 not appear that all wrongs and evils are concentrated in one. I, 
 who believe in universal freedom, rate them all alike, differing only 
 in degrees of misery, as circumstances make them differ." 
 
 We returned to our steamer, now ready to start. The abundant 
 rains had swollen the river, and our captain had decided to save his 
 toll by " running the chute," instead of going through the canal and 
 locks, which in the three miles between Louisville and Porth\ud, raise 
 or lower the boats a hundred feet. There was a mile of swift, and, 
 in places, foaming rapids ; but our big pilot took the center of 
 the current, and with a full head of steam, the smart " Effie" went 
 over flying. It was grand. We were forward on the upper deck, 
 and had the full enjoyment of it. It was good railroad speed, but 
 that on a steamer seems rery different. The falls of the Ohio are 
 not much as a cataract, but very good boating, when there is water 
 enough — short and sweet, and soon over. 
 
 After this little excitement, I turned my thoughts homeward, and 
 have written thus far on a letter which I will send when it is full. 
 I sit and write, and think of you and home, so far in the northeast, 
 and then of the unknown home which I long and yet almost fear to 
 see and know. This fear comes of a selfishness, I find, in my heart. 
 I can see your right to the freedom that is said to reign in this 
 home ; but I cannot think of you as enjoying its possible results. 
 You are mine. But I also find myself growing selfish in my friend- 
 ship for Miss Elmore. I am disturbed at the idea of seeing her 
 loving and being beloved. I see that this is absurd, and wrong, and 
 hateful. I see that she and you, and every one should be free from 
 every bond on your spirits — free to love all that is lovely to you ; 
 and I know that I would not have the love that was owned as 
 
ESPERANZA. 75 
 
 property j and yet I cannot get rid of the feeling which men have 
 for whatever they claim as their own. 
 
 During the long, sunny day, the passengers either clustered around 
 the card tables in the cabin, or on the shady side on the guards, in 
 groups. They fell into conversations on various subjects — they 
 discussed the Maine Law, Kansas, the Eastern War, Knownothing- 
 ism, Spiritualism, and all the exciting questions of the day. Free 
 Love and Woman's Rights included. A country Magistrate gave 
 hi.s opinions as from the bench of justice; an itinerant lecturer on 
 various reforms was fanatical on all, and some gentlemanly, but 
 hot-blooded young southerners felt bound to flash fire at every slur 
 on the peculiar institution. 
 
 It was as good as a play. A pale methodist parson, of the Church 
 South, defended slavery and denounced rum ; preached piety and 
 put down the " isms," with a warmth that was very amusing. He 
 had so many sides to combat — repelling now the assault of an 
 abolitionist, now of an infidel; and whipping his little testament out 
 of his side pocket to quote chapter and verse on every subject. 
 When it came to a dispute on any question of fact, he ofi"ered to bet 
 a Bible ! . 
 
 But he seems a very innocent man, and one we should call rather 
 green, in spite of his white neckcloth. A lovely little girl, five years 
 old, the daughter of a radical passenger, bound for Minuesota, gets 
 into his lap, and talks with him. She was curious to know what 
 book he was reading. He told her it was the Holy Bible. 
 
 " Oh ! " she cried, " I have got a leetle hit of a one at home, and 
 it is full of the silliest stories ! " Here her mother interfered, and 
 put a stop to her heresies. 
 
 Once, as they were gathered near our state-room, the discussion 
 grew warm on the " isms of the day," as the preacher termed 
 them. 
 
 " There's the Woman's Rights question," said he, " that a set of 
 infidel and abolitionist women are agitating. Its all against the 
 Bible. Read what St. Paul says. He prea<;hed the true doctrine. 
 He says, ' wives obey your husbands,' and he would'nt allow a 
 woman to teach," And out came the little testament. "Now, who 
 
76 ESPERANZA. 
 
 are the women that are lecturing about Woman's Rights? Why, they 
 are a set of infidels. Mary Wollstonecraft, that wrote the first book 
 on Woman's Rights, was an infidel, and opposed to marriage. Funny 
 Wright was an infidel and an Owenite. Mrs. Rose is a rank infidel 
 and makes speeches at the Tom Paine Festivals in i^ew York. Lucy 
 Stone is'nt much better; for she got married under protest. I tell 
 you they are all infidels, free-love folks, abolitionists, and spirit- 
 ualists." 
 
 Miss Elmore, who was standing near me, looked round at me 
 with a benevolent smile, which the preacher took for an approval 
 of his sentiments. 
 
 *' That's so, is'nt it, marm ?" said he. 
 
 •' Do you wish to know what I think about these matters ? " she 
 asked, quietly. 
 
 " Yes, I should, for you seem to be a sensible woman, and when 
 I meet a sensible woman, I always like to get her judgment." 
 
 " Then you differ a little from St. Paul, I think, for he did'nt 
 allow women to teach." 
 
 A roar of laughter at the minister's expense showed the sym- 
 pathies of the audience. 
 
 " Yes, marm ; but giving your opinion will not be the kind of 
 authoritative teaching, which the apostle intended." 
 
 " Perhaps soj but if my opinion should happen to carry convic- 
 tion with it, how would it be ? " 
 
 " I think it would be very well, marm, if it was the right kind 
 of iin opinion." 
 
 " But St. Paul says nothing about a woman teaching truth or 
 falseliood — he says she must not teach." 
 
 And here was another laugh, at the preacher or the apostle, I 
 could'nt tell which. 
 
 "Now," she continued, "when you will allow that a woman's 
 opinion may be as good as a man's, and that she has as good a right 
 to its expression, I will give you mine." 
 
 This was a poser, which divinity could'nt get over ; and amid the 
 laughter of the delighted audience, he was compelled to withdraw 
 his appeal. 
 
ESPERANZA. 77 
 
 When we were alone, I asked Miss Elmore why she refrained 
 from the expression of her sentiments on these subjects. 
 
 " The good I could have done," she said, " would not have com- 
 pensated for the inconvenience, and it would have been bad economy. 
 This poor little parson would not have been benefited; the rest are 
 working their way out to the light very well, as it is. My views 
 would not satisfy the partisans of any faith, and their expression 
 might make our voyage unpleasant. What I did was as well." 
 
 "But you will not refuse to tell me your thought on these sub- 
 jects," said I. 
 
 " Oh, no. You are my pupil ; and as you bLlieve in the divine 
 mission and right of women to teach the most interior truths, I 
 shall not refuse you. If men originate principles, women give them 
 form and vitality. The law of sex applies to the intellectual and 
 moral world, as well as the physical. 
 
 " Abolition is the protest against an evil, seen more clearly, 
 because distant. Men labor to abolish negro slavery and neglect 
 their own, for the same reason that they send missionaries to convert 
 the heathen, and neglect the pagans of their own parishes. 
 
 " The Maine Law is a futile effort of a democratic majority to 
 usurp and exercise the powers of a benevolent despot, and force 
 people to do right against their inclinations. The agitation will do 
 no harm in the end ; for though it may be established that the right 
 to drink whisky is guaranteed by the constitution of the state, it 
 will be found to disagree with that of the individual. The struggle 
 tends also to freedom ; for in defending the individual right to do 
 wrong, men may stumble also on the idea of a right to do right." 
 
 " But can there be a right to do a wrong ? " 
 
 '• Not in the abstract and ultimate ; but there is the right of 
 individual conscience, and every one must be left free to do what he 
 thinks right, so long as he does not interfere with the same right in 
 another. This freedom is the condition of experience and knowledge. 
 As men come to the understanding of principles, they can seize 
 upon the absolute right." 
 
 *' The absolute — that always confuses me. In human actions 
 every thing seem* relative. The right of to-day becomes the wrong 
 
78 Esi'ERAN/A. ^ 
 
 of to-morrow. What is right to do under certain conditions, is very 
 wrong under others." 
 
 " That all falls under the law of relations, which is as infallible 
 as mathematics. All principles are absolute, immutable, eternal. 
 Proportions, relations, and adaptations have their laws. A wise 
 expediency is the absolute right. We carry out absolute principles, 
 by truly measuring relations. In building, the level, the plumb 
 line, the measure and square, never vary; but we apply them to 
 produce all convenient forms and relations. In our conduct, we 
 have one object — happiness; the means are the adaptation of our 
 faculties and passions, to the objects of their satisfaction within our 
 reach. You will think this all over, and it will come clearly to you. 
 Work it out like a problem in geometry. You will find that all 
 sciences are exact sciences when you know them. Rather, you will 
 find that there is only one science, and when you get to the central 
 truth, you can see clearly all the circumference." 
 
 Thus, dear Clara, does this woman talk with me. Thus does she 
 instruct me ; and yet there is not the least pedantry or pretension 
 in her manner. It is so calm, gentle and loveful ; her eyes beam 
 in mine with a light so soft and clear ; her smile is so sweet ; her 
 tones and modulations so musical, that I am charmed, and yet there 
 seems no possibility of my having for her a sentimental, much less 
 a sensual, passion. I try to analyze my feelings. I try to tell you 
 the actual truth ; but I think that I do better in giving you these 
 details, and allowing you to form your own opinion. Whatever my 
 present feeling, or future relations to her, I know that I have 
 never loved you more dearly than now ; and I never seemed to 
 myself to be so worthy of your love. 
 
 I rose early this morning, waked by the rushing steam. We had 
 made a landing at Shawneetown, a lively little river port in south- 
 eastern Illinois. We were to stop some hours, and the engineer 
 blew off steam, and damped his furnaces. I will go on with our 
 voyage. 
 
 Last evening a group of passengers gathered round the table in 
 
ESPERANZA. 79 
 
 the ladies' s cabin, which, though a part of the long open saloon, 
 and free to every one, so far as I can see by any printed regulation, 
 is held sacred to the lady passengers, and their friends, and is 
 scarcely ever intruded upon by any other. The more quiet and 
 studious men occupy the tables nearest ; the card players are further 
 forward, and those who drink toddies and tell stories are at the 
 forward extremity. If the Captain went through the boat every 
 evening and pointed out each one's place, they would not be better 
 arranged. 
 
 We were sitting, reading and conversing on general trifles ; a sweet 
 pretty Irish woman was exulting in the hope of meeting her soldier 
 husband in St. Louis; a Kentucky lawyer was carrying on a desperate 
 flirtation with the bar-keeper's wife, a plump Bowery beauty with a 
 turn-up nose ; I was making studies of the party, and comparing 
 them with 3Iiss Elmore, who held in her hand a volume of Tennyson, 
 when I heard angry exclamations from the other end of the boat. 
 There were oaths, a movement, and then a sharp pistol shot. I 
 started to my feet, and involuntarily looked round to where Miss 
 Elmore was sitting. She was gone — she was half way up the cabin. 
 I followed her as quickly as possible. The passengers were many 
 of them pale ; some were escaping through the state rooms ; others 
 were gathering about two men who were clinched in what seemed a 
 deadly encounter. One was armed with a bowie-knife and the other 
 with a revolver. One shot had been fired, when they closed, but 
 in such a way that neither could use his weapon. But the man 
 with the revolver, a powerful man, threw ofi" his assailant with the 
 bowie-knife, and raised his pistol with a quick but deliberate aim, 
 when Miss Elmore glided between them, raised his hand so as to 
 make the shot harmless, and at the same time holding up her other 
 hand, awed back the man with the knife, who was preparing to 
 spring upon his antagonist. The Captain was just in time, as he 
 rushed into the cabin, to see this tableau. But there was no 
 necessity for his interference ; and Miss Elmore, by a look or sign, 
 checked his advance. 
 
 " Gentlemen! " she said, with a very deliberate emphasis — ''You 
 surely forget that you are in the presence of timid women ! " 
 
80 ESPERANZA. 
 
 " There is one here, brave enough," said the pistol man, "and 1 
 honor courage any where." 
 
 " Then you should honor this gentleman," said she, pointing to 
 his opponent, who had put up his knife ; " for he has no lack of it. 
 You are both brave, strong men ; and you know what belongs to 
 gentlemen, for you can respect a woman. Now," said she, with a 
 smile, " I do not find gentlemen so plentiful, as to allow them to 
 be wasted. If there is any wrong between you, you know how to 
 right it. A brave man can atone for a fault as well as avenge an 
 insult, and, under the circumstances, and considering the scarcity of 
 men who are honorable enough to do both, I think you had better 
 do the handsome thing." 
 
 " Madam ! " said he with the pistol, " I will do any thing under 
 God's heavens you wish me to. I may have been mistaken about 
 the play, and wrong; but I can't take the lie from any body." 
 
 " No body should give the lie," said she, looking at the other, 
 with her clear, calm look, " where a mistake is possible." 
 
 " I was hasty, Madam, and I apologize," said he, with a quick 
 frankness. 
 
 " f]nough said," replied the other, offering his hand. " I was 
 likely as not wrong about the play. It's no consequence any how, 
 but as I had my shot, I'll stand treat." 
 
 " And you will play no more to-night ? said the beautiful peace 
 maker. 
 
 " Not a deal ; if you will take a glass of champagne with us." 
 
 The glass was brought. She raised it, and said, " gentlemen, 
 you always mean well, but you sometimes forget yourselves. I 
 wish you better memories ! " 
 
 The toast was drunk, and applauded. Miss Elmore had just 
 tasted her glass, and now returned with me to the ladies' cabin. 
 
 The fainting lad}' had so far recovered as to be in a comfortable 
 fit of hysterics ; and the passengers who had escaped from the cabin 
 came back in time to get a glass of the peace-ofi"eriDg. 
 
 " Are those men gentlemen ? " I asked Miss Elmore, when I got 
 the opportunity." 
 
 " Yes and no." 
 
ESPEUANZA. 81 
 
 " Does the question admit of both answers ? " 
 
 " Almost every one does. It depends on what you understand 
 by the term gentleman. These men are brave, frank, generous, sensi- 
 tive, and honorable, as they understand honor." 
 
 " But they seem to me to be two professional gamblers." 
 
 " So they are ; but why not gentlemen, as much as lawyers who 
 help fraud and oppression for a fee ; preachers who teach doctrines 
 they do not believe, for a salary; speculators who gamble in stocks 
 and staples; financiers who loan capital to usurers and swindlers, 
 and share their plunder; soldiers who make a business of slaughter 
 and kill according to orders ? Why may not a gambler, who stakes 
 his living on either chance or skill, be as good a gentleman as 
 these ? " 
 
 " But why call any of them gentlemen ? " 
 
 " A man may have the elements of a gentlemanly character, and 
 not be strong enough to control his circumstances. So we must be 
 charitable, and call those gentlemen who might and would be, if 
 they had the opportunity." 
 
 The scenery of the Lower Ohio has elements of beauty. The 
 foliage is of great richness ; the grass of a deep vivid green ; but I 
 miss every where the noble back ground of mountains, lifting their 
 blue summits against the sky. But the sun-sets are glorious. At 
 times the bluffs on the river side are high and picturesque. The 
 boats we meet and pass, give animation to the voyage. The flat 
 boats loaded with coal, or lumber, or corn, which glide down with 
 the current, have their interest. Sometimes you see a corn sheller 
 at work — sometimes a fiddle is playing. Still it is all an idle, mo- 
 notonous life enough. I do'nt know what we should do without our 
 discussions, which seem to be a school of popular education. 
 
 The parson still attacks the " isms of the day," but upholds his 
 own with great fervor. He is a great advocate of total abstinence. 
 
 " But how about that advice of your friend Paul, to " take a little 
 wine for the stomach's sake ? " asked an objector. 
 
B2 ESPKEAXZA. 
 
 " Medicinally ; we allow it to be prescribed as a medicine," said 
 the preacher. 
 
 "Oh! then Paul was a doctor," said a Hoosier ; "I wonder 
 where he got his diplomj ? " 
 
 " He was an inspired man," said the preacher, " and knew what 
 was right." 
 
 " Look here ! " said a quiet, slow spoken man, with a twinkle in 
 his eye; " St. Paul, we are told, cured a great many people of their 
 diseases by praying for theui, laying on of hand?, and even by their 
 having handkerchiefs and aprons brought to them, that he had 
 touched. Now, I should like to inquire why he did'nt cure 
 Timothy's dyspepsia, and other infirmities, when he liked him so 
 well, instead of ordering him to take his bitters, and setting such a 
 bad example to all posterity ? " 
 
 The preacher was entirely unprepared for this question ; and as 
 he stammered and hesitated, the free thinking crowd did not restrain 
 their triumph at his discomfiture. 
 
 So we glide along. I walk on the upper deck ; or stand on the 
 bows ; and I think of you all the hours, and of the fast increasing 
 distance that separates us; then I think it is the same sun that 
 shines for us both ; the same bright stars, the same blue sky that 
 bends over us, and the same Providence that enfolds us. 
 
 We made Cairo, the great city of some dim future, at the junction 
 of the Ohio and Mississippi, late in the night. I looked out but 
 could see little in the misty moon-light. Our St. Louis and up river 
 passengers went ashore here. The rosy little Irish woman, whom 
 every body was in love with, came past my door, as I stood wrapped 
 in my dressing gown, looking out upon the scene. She held out her 
 hand to me. 
 
 " Good bye, you little darling, God bless you," said I, with more 
 warmth than I should have used, had I ever expected to see her 
 again. 
 
 Her reply was eloquent and characteristic. She said never a 
 word, bat as quick as a thought, or the impulse of a loving woman, 
 
ESPERANZA. 83 
 
 held up her pretty lips to be kissed. And I kissed her as I would 
 a very nice fat baby ; and she ran off without a word ; but turned, 
 and waved her handkerchief to me and the rest, as she went up the 
 landing. 
 
 In the morning we were steaming down the great, turbid, mighty, 
 monotonous Mississippi, through which flow the currents of a thou- 
 sand rivers to the distant sea. I can never tell you of its melancholy 
 grandeur. 
 
 You will look on the map and see its windings, and fancy us 
 steaming down — down those long reaches, going at times three 
 hundred miles to gain one. The great, impetuous river, filled with 
 the energy of all the thousand torrents, of which its life is made, 
 goes tearing along through interminable forests. In its windings, 
 it washes away the banks on one shore, uprooting great trees, and 
 filling its bed with snags and sawyers ; while a vast sand bar is left 
 on the other side to be covered in time with the cane brake jungles, 
 made of those long, slender, jointed reeds, you see in New York 
 sold for fishing poles. The great fields of these are of a beautiful 
 light green ; but the sad havoc of the river on its banks, is a me- 
 lancholy ravage. And such sameness. For hours and days the 
 only change is in finding the perpendicular wall of undermined earth 
 and forest, now on the right hand, and then on the left, as the river 
 bends to the west or the east. If I go in the cabin, and stay for 
 hours, when I come back it is the same. The only change is that 
 the foliage indicates a more southern clime. The moss hangs pen- 
 dant from the boughs of the cypress, and on the shore I see the palm, 
 whose leaves supply us with fans and hats. 
 
 I have promised to write no particulars of time or distance below 
 Cairo. I can not, therefore, give the days ; not that I do not trust 
 you, but for fear of accidents. 
 
 We pass the hours in reading poetry, aloud ; in music, when we 
 feel musical ; and in long conversations, of which I can give but a 
 meager record. But I must finish one, of which I have given a 
 part. It was renewed at intervals, for my fellow voyager is sparing 
 of conversation, and leaves me much time for reflection. Every day 
 I see how wisely and beautifully she has taught me. 
 
84 ESPERANZA. 
 
 •' You began," said I, " to speak of these ' isms,' our clerical frii'iiJ 
 is so fond of denouncing. Will you tell lue further about tlniu '! " 
 
 " I will tell you all you can hear," she said. " He spoke bitti ily 
 of this question of Woman's llights, and its advocates. Mary 
 Wollstonecraft, the wife of Godwin, and the mother of Mrs. Slielli'y, 
 was a beautiful and heroic spirit, not very wise. Slie loved mu( h 
 and suffered much; and hud an instinct for freedom and a true life. 
 Few more lovely and feminine spirits have ever lived. She reject d 
 the popular theology, as did most intellectual persons of her time. 
 But she also repudiated marriage, and the slavery of women. When 
 Thomas Paine wrote his Rights of Man, she applied the sam ■ prin- 
 ciples to a vindication of the Rights of Woman. 
 
 " Frances Wright had a more manly spirit. She was a woman of 
 heroism and benevolence; a better logician, 1 think, but less insiuc- 
 tive, and affectionate. 
 
 " The estimable ladies who attend Woman's Riglits conventions 
 are doing their work of agitation, from various motives. The love 
 of distinction, the hope of success, the consciousness of power, and 
 the want of a sphere for its exercise, have their share as motives. 
 But they all shrink from the central wrong in the lot of woman — 
 her being owned and appropriated in marriage." 
 
 " And here," said I, " you come to the Free Love doctrine, I 
 have seen so much discussion about." 
 
 " Any question of freedom will bear discussion. So long as men 
 live in the isolate dwellings, and discordant selfishness, of the society 
 of civilization — each robber in his den — woman must b^ appropi-i- 
 ated, and owned; and custom and law must guard this own r.ship, 
 as slave laws guard the ownership of slaves. But in a true society, 
 woman can be free, and of course love may be as free as thought, or 
 belief." 
 
 " There is one ' ism' more — Spiritualism ; I wish to know more 
 of that," said I, at our next conversation. 
 
 " What do you know already ? " she asked, with a fine lighting 
 up of interest in her expression. 
 
 " Very little, that is satisfactory. I have read of the phenomena, 
 and went two or three times to hear the raps. The communications 
 
ESPERANZA. «5 
 
 seemed vague, and the phenomena of doubtful origin. I could not 
 see the use of it." 
 
 "Do you believe in the continuance of individual consciousness, 
 after the death of the body ?" 
 
 "I hope it." 
 
 '' Hope in the possible is a good basis of belief. Attractions are 
 proportional to destinies. The testimony of spiritual phenomena is 
 abundant. Immortality is as possible as life. I have as good evi- 
 dence of the existence of spirit friends, and intercourse with them, 
 as I have of your existence, and of my conversation with you. It 
 would be just as hard to disprove one as the other. But you will 
 probably soon have better opportunities of testing this for yourself. 
 Our society lives in open and constant communion with a spiritual 
 society, with which it is in Harmony; and it is to the earth, what 
 that society is to the heavens. If you come into the life of our 
 Harmony, you will find spirit-friends, and spirit-loves in the 
 heavenly society. We will not argue about it or speak of it more, 
 now. We will wait and see what is for you." 
 
 On and on ; running down those long, interminable, forest-lined 
 curves of the river, swept our good steamer, night and day. Some- 
 times we brushed over the branches of a tree, whose root was 
 anchored in the bed of the sti-eara. 
 
 At last, one bright but very warm afternoon, I saw a little town 
 in the distance ; and laying at the landing a beautiful little steam- 
 biiat, with a single smoke-pipe. Miss Elmore was standing on the 
 upper deck, forward, by my side, looking through a pocket spy- 
 glass. She held out a white handkerchief, and let it flutter in the 
 wind. In a moment a broad white flag, with a golden star, made 
 of nine other stars, rose from the deck of the little boat ; and at the 
 same moment there was a burst of blue smoke ; and soon came 
 booming up the river the roar of a cannon. 
 
 The booming echoes had scai-cely returned the s'^und, v.-hen there 
 burst upon the air a peal of trimphant music such as I never heard 
 
86 ESPERANZA. 
 
 before. It was like a bugle, but many times louder, coming with a 
 power and sweetness of sound which enveloped me in extacy. It 
 was like no earthly music, but seemed poured upon us from the 
 clear blue sky, a torrent of melody. I looked round in surprise to 
 my companion, and she, delighted at my astonishment, pointed 
 where the fairy little boat was throwing off a jet of steam ; and I 
 saw now that it was the boat, herself, welcoming her expected 
 passenger. Instead of the usual shrieking whistle, she was provided 
 with a full harmonic chord of musical toues, so that she could give 
 bugle signals to a great distance. The single toues were wonderful; 
 but when the chords were given, it was like a tornado of harni(uiy; 
 grand, overpowering, indescribable. It was like musical thunder, 
 or a harmonized Niagara. Not the " voice of many waters," but 
 the voice of steam. 
 
 Miss Elmore looked up to the wheel-house and nodded at the 
 pilot; and said to me, " come, my friend, our voyage here is ended." 
 
 I went to my state-room and hastily packed my things. We said 
 good bye to our friends, and went on shore, and the Effie Afton 
 plowed on her way. 
 
 I finish my letter at the little Post-office here, and kiiow not how 
 soon I can mail another. Good bye, my dear love. Love me and 
 trust riie. 
 
VL 
 
 THE ARRIVAIi. 
 
 Dear Clara. — Each day of absence falls with an added weight 
 upon my heart, and almost every day has increased our distance. 
 You are so far away ! I cannot forget the convexity of the earth 
 that rolls up between us, nor that, when I look at the sunset, its 
 last light had faded from you more than an hour. Nor can I forget 
 the long days that, even with the most rapid modes of transit, must 
 elapse before this letter can reach you. But I will be patient, and 
 trust you with the Providence that hath guided me to this home of 
 our Future, as I now believe it to be. 
 
 I have much to tell you — so much, and so important, that I can 
 only hope to tell you all I wish, by beginning where my last letter 
 ended, — ^and continuing my narrative, as if I were writing a 
 history. 
 
 The little Steamer "Fairy,'' you will remember, was fired up 
 and ready, and gave us a musical welcome. 7 deposited my letter 
 in the post office, Avhich occupied a small coraer of the bar-room 
 of the tavern and grocery, and went on board. Miss Elmore had 
 gone directly from the Effie, and was at home in the beautiful 
 saloon, where I found her seated, with a boy, five years old, in her 
 lap, and two young girls kneeling, one on each side of her. 
 
 She held out her hand to me, her fece radiant with some srreat 
 
 o 
 
 joy, and introduced me first to the boy Vincent, and then to the 
 two girls, one a petite brunette Laura, the other a fair girl, of the 
 medium height, with blue eyes and chestnut hair, named Eugenia. 
 " You will soon know these dear ones, who have come to wel- 
 come us," said she, "and now I must introduce myself. In the 
 
 world of civilization, I am Miss Elmore, or whatever name is con- 
 
 87 
 
yB EsPKRANZA. 
 
 venient. Here and in our home, I am called Melodia. The name 
 will sound strange at first; but you will soon grow accustomed to ii." 
 
 "And this young gentleman, Master Vincent — is he the sou of 
 the fiiend you told me of?" I asked. 
 
 A strange, bright smile came over her face, and was reflected by 
 the two younger ladies. Melo lia simply nodded assent, but made 
 no further observation ; while the handsome boy, Avho had been so 
 careful not to interrupt our conversation, now began a series of 
 ingenious questions respecting our travels and adventures, and 
 before they were half answered began to tell his own. 
 
 I went on deck to look at the gem of a boat. With no misplaced 
 finery, she is the perfection of every thing at once strong, light, 
 and graceful in steamboat architecture. There was exact order, 
 neatness, and polish every where ; and every thing about her 
 showed how use can be joined to beauty. The pilot house is a 
 domed octagon lanthorn ; her high chimney is as graceful as a 
 C'lumn ; the arrangement of her little saloon and state rooms the 
 perfection of convenience and elegance ; and her few ornaments of 
 carved shell and coral work, with paintings of water lilies and 
 other aquatic plants and animals. Below, a compact boiler furnished 
 steam to an engine worthy to propel such a boat. The freight was 
 carefully stored ; every thing was in its place, and when the Fairy, 
 with lier starry flag flying, rounded out upon the turbid Mississippi, 
 fired her parting gun, and waked the echoes miles away with her 
 triumphant melodies, I felt pioud to step on such .^craft. 
 
 But I must not forget her officers and crew. There were but 
 five, besides the young ladies in the cabin, and the boy Vincent, 
 who was every where, and equally interested in all departments. 
 As soon as we were well underway, steaming down the river. Miss 
 Elmore, or Melodia, as I must now learn to call her, came and 
 walked around the boat. I looked in vain for servant, chamber- 
 maid, or any common boatman. The five men on board were 
 dies^ed nearly alike, in light caps, blue jackets, and duck trowsers. 
 There was no captain or command. Tliey seemed equally capable 
 of taking turns in the pilot house or ei gine room, so that only two 
 were on duty at a time, leaving the other three at liberty to rest. 
 
EbPERANZA. 89 
 
 or seep, or amuse themselves. They changed at intervals of two 
 hours ; and tl;e one who had been busy with the fui'nace and 
 engine, was i exi walking on deck with one of the ladies, or playing 
 the violin with a guitar accompaniment, in the saloon. We «ere 
 ten i ' all, little Vincent included ; and I had never seen any family 
 where 1 felt so soon and so happily at home. Laura, with her 
 spaikling black eyes, glossy hair, and piquant n z retrousse, ^old 
 mt ail about their trip to New Orleans and their visit to the French 
 riicatre ; and hen sung, I am su-e, h^If the a rs of ihe opera, while 
 detailing the plot. The more sedate Eugenia, whose hair was all 
 ringle s and wild flowers, which she had gathered where we came 
 on board, and who might have stood for a Flora, if the goddess of 
 flowers had ever taken passage on a steamer, asked me of New 
 Yovk, where she had once lived, and knew how to pity all who 
 w^re condemneJ to live there, she said. Her frank, confidino-, 
 sis eily ways made me acquainted with her at once and always. 
 
 The leading spirit of the group of young men who united in the 
 duties of navigating this boat, is Mr. Alfred. What surname he 
 may havi- borne formerly, I know not but it is not mentioned here ; 
 and he may Lave chosen Alfred or accepied it, as more appropriate 
 than the one given at his chrisening. I must introduce him, for I 
 hope you may become better a-quainted. When Melodia brought 
 me to him, lie looked from her eyes to mine, seemed to take me in 
 a a glance, and held out his hand as if I had been his best fiiend, 
 leiurned after a long absence. With them all I felt as if I had 
 returned, not come. When I asked Melodia of this she said that 
 to know her — to become acquainteil with the spirit of her thought 
 an life, made me also acquainted with all who lived the same life. 
 
 Alfred, a man of perhaps thirty year-^, strong, manly, vigorous, 
 with a cle r grey f-ye, and brown beard, is the impersonation of 
 em igy. He impressed me as a man who would infa'libly accom- 
 plish whatever he undertook, and be able to command all men and 
 means necessary for that purpose. I felt a great reliance on him; 
 a trust that could not be shaken, fur integrity was the expression 
 of his life. 
 
 I saw that Melodia, as T soon learned to call her, leaned upon 
 
 S 
 
90 EsiKRANZA. 
 
 hiiu as if he were an Atlas, and trusted him, as one trusts an 
 unfailing spring. 
 
 I he youngest of our sailors, except little Vincent, was Edgar, a 
 blue eyed son of mirth, always sparkling with good humor and 
 merry conceits. But I must not prolong these introductions. 
 We have a little voyage before us, and I will do my best to give 
 you a good account of it. 
 
 An hour after we came on board there was a musical signal for 
 supper, which we found served up in the little saloon. All came 
 but the pilot and engineer for the time being. Melodia took ihe 
 head of the table as by natural right, and gave me a seat on one 
 side while Alfred took the other. The pretty Laura sat next me, 
 the fair Eugenia oj^osite ; next Eugenia sat Edgar, and next Laura 
 a young man who seemed more tho\ightful and poetical than 
 talkative or mirthful. Little Vincent sat at the foot of the table; 
 and I could not avoid seeing the striking resemblance he bore to 
 Melodia. Such was our group. 
 
 The table was set with a delicate repast of rice and southern 
 hominy, bananas and oranges, with guava jelly, and lemonade 
 reddened with claret; add some light warm biscuits and fresh 
 butter, and the supper was complete. 
 
 I cannot describe the geniality of tliis group. It was evident at 
 a gla- ce, — it was palpable to my feeling that it was a loving group, 
 full of ten lerness and devotion. There was not one there who 
 would not have died for Melodia, no one who was not devoted to 
 Alfred. Stranger as I was, just escaping from the discords of 
 civilization, I could not but feel the beauty of this harmony of a 
 purer life. 
 
 I could not but see how quietly and beautifully it had arranged 
 itself. I Avould not liave been any where but where I wa< ; ihe 
 two persons most attractive to me on either side ; and it was the 
 same, I think, with every person there 
 
 The supper was eaten with a delicate deliberation, hut also with 
 great enjoyment. Little Vincent sent his plate for a second 
 portion of guava, remarking that the sea air always gave him 
 a famous appetite. He also made a brave attack on the bananas. 
 
EsrEUANiiA. 91 
 
 The conversation at table was marked by as much propriety, as 
 geniality of feeling. A rough jest; a rude remark; any boister 
 ousness would have been discordant. The tones were low and 
 sweet, and even the humor of Mr. Edgar was toned to the precise 
 kvy of tlie ciicle. In the general conversation there were occa- 
 sional duels ; and I could not but remark the delicate tact, which 
 yet seemed unconscious and habitual, with which Laura addressed 
 some sprightly remark to me, when Melodia was listening to some 
 matter of home interest from Alfred ; or with which Eugenia asked 
 a qiiescion of him, when she turned to me. It was the same with 
 the others ; a fitness and adaptation, which seemed perfect; yet I 
 fe t assured that no one had planned it; but that the group had 
 formed itself in the most spontaneous manner. 
 
 Long before we rose from the table, Edgar went and relieved the 
 engineer, while Laura's friend took his place at the wheel : and yet 
 this change did not mar the harmony. They seemed just as well 
 adapted to their places as the others: two genial, cultured, well 
 mannered young men, proud of their duties, and happy in their 
 society. Master Vincent pitied them for having waited so long, and 
 urged upon them all the dainties of the tnble as a compensation. 
 
 After our little supper, to which the pilot added the music of his 
 steam organ, which, controlled by the valve, was capable of soft 
 as well as loud tones, and wondrous modulations, we all went upon 
 the promenade deck, when I saw that we were no longer plowinor 
 down the broad Mississippi, but were stemming the current of a 
 much narrower stream — one of its western tributaries. The 
 country was low, the scenery melancholy, with the cypress forests, 
 and pendant mosses; but away in the northwest I saw the outline 
 of hills in the distance ; and the steam organ pealed out the familiar 
 music of "Home, Sweet Home," and all turned their eyes in one 
 dire;'tion with looks of love and joy; and as we stood in a group, 
 forward, near the pilot house, the voices joined in a perjfect harmony, 
 accompanied by the softened organ notes, in singing the dear old 
 song, the full, clear tenor of the pilot joining with the rich, mellow 
 bass of Edgar, who was playing engineer below, while the fine 
 baritone of Alfred harmonized lovingly with the noble soprano of 
 
9:^ EiiPEiiAXZA 
 
 Melodia. The scene, the circumstances, not less than the perfect 
 hai'mony and feeling of the music affected me to teare. I tried to 
 join in the song, but my throat swelled, and I sank upon a stool 
 and gave free vent to my emotions. 
 
 When the song was ended, the pilot turned on a full head of 
 steam, and roused us from these soft memories, with the grand 
 song of Liberia, from I Puritani. You may judge how grand iib 
 effect must be, so given. It was as if the Heavens were singing t 
 the I'larth a song of Freedom. 
 
 Then we had more music : beautiful songs, and duets, and 
 choruses, while the shades of evening were descending. Old 
 songs linking us to the past, with many sad or pleasing memories : 
 and new songs, carrying me into the spirit of the future, with 
 which 1 had now begun to make acquaintanceship, and which, 
 until now, has always seemed so distant. 
 
 As the sun sunk in the west, the full moon rose and silvered the 
 waters in our wake, playing upon the broad lily leaves of the river 
 margin, and the backs of the sleeping alligators. Our little Fairy 
 glided along noiselessly, all but the murmur of parting waters, 
 and the cascade-like sound of the swift revolving wheels. And 
 now a mist rose from the waters and obscured the banks ; and the 
 moon was veiled in the fogs below. The channel was too narrow 
 and difficult to go on in darkness ; so the pilot sought an eddy in 
 the stream ; a small anchor was dropped, the furnace damped, 
 steam blown off, and we lay by for the night. 
 
 I sat by Melodia. She held my hand silently in both of hers, 
 as if she vvould feel out my emotions ; then said : " We near our 
 journey's end, my brother ; to-morrow will take us to our home. 
 You see here a little group of our family. How do they seem 
 to you?" 
 
 " As if I had nlways known them." 
 
 "That is well. It is the home feeling. Where a true affiniiv 
 exists, and we recognize our own, nothing is strange to us. We 
 seem to have found those for whom we were seeking, and from 
 whom we have been only for a little while separated." 
 
 "It was my feeling." I said, "when I found yon." She smiled 
 
J:i'bi•I;KA^ZA. 93 
 
 a quiet smile, which said as plainly as words could, "And "^ 
 also?" 
 
 "But this is not all,'' I continued, "1 must confess that I have 
 no claim upon you, and no possible right to feci as I do: and yet I 
 am disturbed, and almost jealous. 1 perceive all the merit of this 
 brave, manly, energetic, handsoene Alfred: it seems quite natural 
 ! ikI you should love him. It is evident that he has gone on this 
 t-xpedidon, and taken charge of this boat, and the business of the 
 voyage, expressly to be with you a few hours sooner. Still I am 
 t:o!.bled. I find my heart growing heavy and bitter, when I 
 seem to have less of your society and sympathy than when we 
 Wfie alone. 
 
 " You do well to be frank, my friend;" she replied, "though I 
 do not need the revelation. I knew it, and had foreseen it. The 
 liabi s of a very selHsli civilization cling to you. Its thoughts 
 and feelings are in your life, like the taint of disease, or the poison 
 of malaria. You must become clear and free from all this. We 
 seek only true relations ; we earnestly wish to avoid all false ones. 
 This is our freedom and our happiness." 
 
 "But to know the true." 
 
 "The test of a true relation, is the unmixed happiness it gives to 
 all who are truly related. The sentiment I have for Alfred is 
 painful to you, either because it is false in itself, or because it meets 
 some element of falsehood in you. \\ hich do you think it?" 
 
 " I know it is my ov.^n selfishness," I replied. "Forgive me. 
 It is absurd and ungrateful, and I will overcome it." 
 
 Just now, Alfred himself came aft and jomed us. Holding me 
 by one l:and, Melodia extended to him the other, and drew him to 
 her side : "Here, Alfred," said she, with sweetness, "is a young 
 gentleman, who pays you the compliment to be jealous of you." 
 
 Alfred laughed heartily, and grasped my hand as heartily, 
 exclaiming: "Well, Mr. Wilson, which do you think has most 
 Ciuse to be jealous, you or I ? You have been journeying together 
 all tlie way from New York ; spending one day amid the romance 
 of Niag '.ra ; another in a pilgrimage to Buflfalo ; sailing on Lake 
 pjrie ; spending Sunday at Cincinnati ; and then steaming, with 
 
9 1 Et^PERANZA. 
 
 abundance of solitude to sweeten as best you could, down the Ohio 
 and Mississippi. Now, I ask you, as a sensible young gentleman, 
 am not I the one to be jealous, and call you out, and insist upon 
 walking on shore with you with a case of pistols, at daylight?" 
 
 I could not but laugh at the absurdity of my position. 
 
 "But instead of that," said he, with the most perfect frankness 
 in his tone and manner, " 1 have to thank you for every kind word, 
 and every affectionate thought you have had for her. My love is 
 only equalled by my trust " 
 
 "This is the perfect love, that casteth out fear," said Melodia, 
 softly ; and when she gently pressed my hand, I knew that she 
 also pressed the other, and far more fondly, and yet I felt in my 
 lieart such a confidence in the entire nobleness of both, that all 
 bitterness went from me. Had we been two brothers, with our 
 loved sister between us, we could not have been more at peace. 
 
 The pleasing reverie in which we sat was broken by the light 
 roll of a drum ; and the next moment we were greeted by the music 
 of a band, playing exquisitely on four saxe horns, with the drum 
 most delicately beaten by my little friend Laura, who seemed to 
 throw into it all the charm of her lively manners, — and a silver 
 triangle, skilfully handled by Eugenia. It was a new surprise. 
 They play as well as the Dodworths, in the perfect chiming har- 
 mony of family music, but with a more pure and tender feeling — 
 with a more loving unity than I had ever heard. I sat entranced. 
 
 But the mists creeping out from the shore, and enveloping us, 
 warned us to retire to the little saloon, where Melodia sang to us, 
 accompanying herself on the pianoforte. Alfred leaned over her to 
 turn the music, and sometimes joined his voice to hers. 
 
 " You love music," she said, when she rose from the instrument, 
 and came where I was sitting. " There is much pleasure in store 
 for you. It is the pprpetxial aspiration for harmony in the woi'ld 
 you have left, and the perpetual expression of it in that to which 
 you are going." 
 
 " To which I have come," I said. 
 
 " Our group here, is but a little fragment ; but a very happy 
 one. To-morrow night we shall all be happier. Now, good night 1" 
 
E.-.PKKAXZA. ' 95 
 
 she said, stooping to press a pure kiss upon my forehead ; " good 
 night, all my dear ones ; " and she gave a hand to each, and each 
 cue kissed the foir hand reverently. 
 
 The little Vincent had become so tired, helping to work the boat, 
 that he had been asleep in his berth hours before. Melodia went 
 and kissed his little rose bud lips ; and charging Laura to show me 
 my state-room, passed to her own. 
 
 They all retired but one, who took his lamp and a book, to keep 
 wa ch in the pilot house. Laura sat on a cushion at my feet. 
 Though fa.igued with the emotions of the evening, I was far from 
 being sleepy. I sat, thinking of you, who are never out of my 
 tlioughts whose image ever lives in my deep heart ; and still, 
 darling one, I so ftlt the sphere of affection around me, and was so 
 softened in its influence, that my great love for you seemed only 
 to open my heart to other sentiments, tender and beautiful ; but 
 whether of the same kind, I confess myself at a loss to determine. 
 
 And as I mused on this, thinking of my distant home with you, 
 and of this near home, to which I feel myself so lovingly welcomed, 
 Laura was looking up into my face, with her dark eyes, as if she 
 would read my soul. There was tenderness, sympathy and 
 curiosity in her looks. I stooped toward her, and she put up her 
 hand, and pushed back my hair from my forehead, as if she could 
 better read my thoughts. Her round, plump arms were bare to 
 the shoulder; her dress of perfect neatness, so appropriate to the 
 voyage that I had not noticed it, made modest r( velation of a 
 b'\autiful bust. She seemed very charming. Her manner was so 
 sisterly and confiding, that I offered her a kiss. It was nc 
 pas-::onate impulse, but the expressi'>n of a brotherly regard. 
 She drew back gently, gravely shook her head, and said : 
 
 " No, my friend, you must not be in haste, and you must make 
 no mi tnkcs. We do not kiss idly or profanely. A week hence 
 you will know bettor whom you have a right to kiss. It may be 
 me ; but I think not. At least, I must be sure, first, that you will 
 not repent it.'' 
 
 "Do you think th-it possible?" 
 
 "With you? yes. Not often with us." 
 
96 ESPERANZA. 
 
 '•But imagine me your brother." 
 
 '•Were you a iliousand times my brother, I should not kiss you 
 if I diJ not love you ; and if 1 loved you, I should kis you all ihe 
 same." 
 
 ' Are you sure you do not ? " 
 
 •'No: I ! ave been feeling you. You are too mixed. You do 
 ! ot recognii?" your own emotions. You are liable to makf mistakes. 
 Ynu are selfish. You must wait. Come, sleep and dream of me." 
 
 iShe took my hand and led me to such a cosy little state-room, 
 with a nice bed in ii — not a berth — with a lace musquito bar, 
 and ev>'rything in the neatest order ; and bidding me a cheerful 
 '•o-ood nio-ht," went to her rest. 
 
 n the early dawn, a southerly breeze dissipated the fog, and the 
 Faiiy was under way long before sunrise. Our group assembled 
 on the promenade deck, to greet each other, and the world's 
 illumination A 1 nature was rejoicing in the opening day. If a 
 tender and pensive thought of you, so distant and so dear, made me 
 less cheerful, the rest were happy in the hope of seeing those they 
 loved in a few hours. As we stood aft, in an interlocked group, 
 wa ching the changing sky of the dawn, and the first ray of sun- 
 light shot across the scene, our grand organ pt aled out a song of 
 welcome to the sun, as sublime as his upiising; and after the 
 prelude, our voices joined in singing a glorious morning hymn — 
 religious in the deepest sens ■, and yet in harmony with all around 
 us, so ilat it seemed to combine the songs of birds, the lowing of 
 herds, and aM the music of nature. 
 
 'I hen all went joyfully to their duties, all but Melodia, Alfred 
 and m , who remained on deck, to watch the growing splendors of 
 the scene. We were passing through a broad, lake-Lke opening of 
 the river ; water fowl were flying over it ; birds were caroling on 
 the shore, and beyond the fringe of trees, we saw the smoke of 
 distant plantations. 
 
 Alfred and Melodia wore the aspect of serene happiness ; bu' 
 there was a perceptible difference. He seemed to be in possession 
 of what he most valued and desired, and to be supremely blessed: 
 while she looked forward wih a joyful hope to a still greater 
 
ESPERANZA. 97 
 
 happiness. I watched well the countenances of both. It was 
 evident that she was to him the "bright particular star" that 
 centered his fondest aspirations; but, while it was apparent that 
 she also loved him, with a fond trust and tender reliance, I knew 
 well that she loved another with a still deeper devotion — that while 
 she was a sun to him, her soul revolved around another center of 
 loving life. 
 
 And yet, dear Clara, I could see, and I could feel, no jar — no 
 discordance. We have seen such things, in our world, causes of 
 SI rife and misery. Here all these attractions seem accepted, 
 harmonized, and a means of increased happiness. I have been 
 absurdly selfish ; I have felt even the pangs of jealousy toward Mr. 
 Vincent and Alfred, but I feel them no longer. They are 
 unworthy of that great true soul, whom I both reverence and 
 love. I have said it, my Clara ! May you so enter into the 
 harmony of this love-life, as to be able to accept with me this 
 reverential love, which I feel ennobles me, and makes me more 
 worth V to be yours. 
 
 After a little Melodia went below, to kiss the slufnber from the 
 eyelids of the litle Vincent, and prepare him for breakfast. Alfred 
 ;ook my arm, and we walked the deck together. 
 
 "You feel your welcome, I tru-t, Mr. Wilson," said he, when 
 we had t;iken a turn in silence. " Your love for Melodia makes 
 you a brother to me, if you can accept such a relation. This is the 
 spirit of Harmony — th^t of the discordant society we have lefil; 
 wouhl make us vengeful foes." 
 
 " It is new to me," I replied, "but very real. I am at peace. 
 I fed the love-life of this little group circulating around me. I 
 see how it is all combined, knit together, and harmonized by these 
 interlacing attractions." 
 
 " You see well," said Alfred, smiling ; "you will soon see more. 
 The same harmony of a sweet passi n^l lif^' pervades all the groups 
 of our society. The same loves are every where a bond of unity 
 instead of a source of discord, because every one is free, and we 
 hold no property, either in the bodies or souls of men or women." 
 
 I have thought much of this expression, Clara. No property in 
 
9B ESPERANZA. 
 
 bo ly or soul. I fiar that I have very selfishly hell you as my 
 property. bo;iy and soul — but I can do so no more. You must be 
 your own ; anJ what of yon, or the expression nf your life, is truly 
 mine, mu-;t flow freely fo me, wi hout clu cli <»r claim, or bond or 
 chain. The immortal loves must be free as the immortals; not 
 the helots an i slaves of civiliza;ion. I see so (d ady, now, in he 
 lig'it of my recent expetience, and in contrastini^ the sphere of th s 
 life ofharmonv.on which I am entei'ing. w th the selfishness of our 
 rapacious .^ocial dissonance, that P^-eedom is the condition of Order, 
 aad Harmony, and Happiness. 
 
 When I said this to Alfi-ed, he took my hand, and pressing it 
 warmly, said : — " My brother, I claim the riglit to weLome you 
 to our family and home. You are mos'. nearly relaed to me, 
 bi'cause you love the one I most love on the earth. Tliis is a bond 
 of true fellowship, and I shall claim the right to serve you every 
 way in my power, while you remain, and to see to the preparation 
 for your joining us in tl e future." 
 
 As I accepted this frank proffer of friendship, the s'gnal for 
 breakfast was given, and we descended to the saloon, wlieie we 
 found an excellent repast, prepared by the skillful 1 ands of the 
 spr ghtly Laura, and the calm and beautiful Eugenia, who 
 welcomed us to their hospitable an I elegant board, for such it 
 truly was. containing a meal of various edibles, all harmonizing 
 to the taste, and presenting the best materials for nu'rition. The 
 orange and banana, of which there was a large sore on board, were 
 fresh from the New Orleans market ; the ripe figs from tl e SHme 
 place were delicious ; the cream was preserved in the ice house, in 
 the hold. 
 
 We saf as at the evening meal, only that Laura and Eugenia 1 ad 
 changed places. Vincent slill felt the influence of the j^ea air on 
 his Hppetite, but wis also very happy in the prospect of joining his 
 pl-!ymates, and giving them a circumstantial narrative of the ad- 
 ventures of his voyage. 
 
 But 1 shall make this letter too long, even for one of mine, if I 
 wri e every circumstance and conversation of this qnii t, but not 
 ujQuventful diiy. 1 wandered over our little craft, admiring every 
 
ESPERANZA. $9 
 
 porlion of it. Ic seemed every where a labor of love. Ti e caiviiigs: 
 ;ire ex;[uisiLe. The paiutinys were done with a woiiJeifi.l per- 
 fection of d. sail, whirh never could have come from merceiieiy 
 labur. It was evident that the artist^ had loved the ixiai, and had 
 done their best to beautify ;ind aJorn it. And it was the same 
 with tlie tiuish of every part. Ii hai a cheerfi.l and haimoniz.ng- 
 sphere, and might well •• walk the waters like a thing of life," foi 
 ii seemed permeated with vi.ality. 
 
 " .sn't she a beaiuy ?" said Melodia, as I s ood admiiing her, 
 and the ease w ih which she glided over the wa.er. 
 
 " s>he seems tit to bear you and yours," said 1. 
 
 "Sue was built for and by us and ours, i duubt if there is one 
 of all our family, old enougli to do any thing, who has not done 
 some work on our Fairy. 80 she is a pet, and we all love ner like 
 a livintj thiny^, 
 
 •' aid what did you do?" I asked. 
 
 She led me to one of tl.e most beautiful paintings ; a clusler of 
 marine planis, with two fishes lying in the clear water under them 
 in heir shadow, lookii-g so alive and real, tiiat you stood still for 
 fear il.ey would be fiightened, and dash away. 
 
 "This is mine ; and I helped to arrange the upholstery of the 
 siloun, and contributed the pianoforte, because I had two, and this 
 WHS jus: large enough. Alfre 1 modeled and helped build the hull, 
 au.l wood work. Mr. Vincent planned the engine, and every one 
 was I midous to do some thing for our lit le Fairy, h is so of all 
 our work, as you will see." 
 
 Laura shoAved me the little model kitchen on the boiler deck, 
 with sream pipes from the boiler, for heating water and cooking. 
 It comnmnicated with a little s ore-room and ice-house, in the 
 i.olJ. 'I'he wa er was carefully filtered into the most tran-lucent 
 I'Uri y ; and so, on the whole craft, everything was in the most 
 or lerly pe fee ion. 
 
 As we ascended the river the navigation became more difficul , 
 but our boa' wa-< of Ight draught, and abundant power, so hat 
 she went over the hai's handsomtly ; or if she ever stuck fast, 
 her reversed, wheels took her off in a moment, and she tried 
 
100 ESPERANZA. 
 
 again. With conversation, music, anil a restful life, the day 
 glidetl on. 
 
 Advancing westward, the country became rolling, and in parts 
 broken, wi.h romantic glens, and bold bluffs on tlie river. We 
 were appro cliing the hills we had seen in the blue distance. The 
 eyes of the loving friends around me were bent upon them with 
 looks of joyful hope. I had never seen Mtlodia so lovely as this 
 day. Soft fires were burning in her eyes, which some imes 
 brimmr^d wih tears ; her cheeks were fluslied, and her voice 
 deepened to a tenderer melody. The Fairy boat glided on, up ihe 
 windings of the stream, which every hour displayed new beauties. 
 
 Our dinner was trore pensive than joyous. But it was easy to 
 see how happy were all, in tlie hope of soon reaching the home, 
 which was so linked to the deepest life of all. All but me ; to 
 whom it was a new world, to which I was then a stranger — 
 stranger to its localities, almost to its life ; but not quite ; for had 
 I not lived in the sphere of one of its most potent influences, and 
 was I not then the friend and brother, and welcome guest of a 
 group of its noble spirits? 
 
 Tl erefore I did not falter, but hoped like the rest. I s udied 
 Alfred. It seemed to me, at first, that he would not be in haste to 
 convey Melodia in o tl.e pnsence of an attraction deeper tl an his 
 own. But I saw no evidence of any selfish desire to keep her with 
 h'mself. He seemed to sympathise cordially with every hope and 
 w'sh of liers. 
 
 At last, as we were walking togetlier under the awning, after he 
 1 a 1 been at the Aviieel two hoi;rs, througli some difficidt navigation, 
 I sa d to him : 
 
 " My flit nd, will you allow me to tell you my thoughts ?" 
 
 "Whyno ?" 
 
 " We are approaching Espeianzn." 
 
 Tl e joy-light spread over his handsome, energetic face, and ho 
 :^ rasped my arm more tigh ly. 
 
 " You carry thither her you adore, where there are those whom 
 ^lie loves as mucli as slie loA'es you." 
 
 ' Well !" he said, with a still deepening joyfulness. 
 
ESPERANZA. 101 
 
 '• Have you no dtsiie to keep her a little longer?" 
 
 He looked at me a surprised moment; then with a quiet smilt-, 
 answered : 
 
 " Wherever Melodia is, all she has for me is mine ; and were she 
 with me alone, banished from all humanity, she could give me no 
 more than what belongs to me. My place in her heart is sacred 
 to me. It is a true love, tl at no true thing can destroy. I wish, 
 more tlian every thing her happiness ; and if I secure it, by 
 carrying her as soon as pus.sible to the arms of him she loves as 1 
 love her, have 1 not my reward ? There are other loves for me, 
 as for her. Our liv s are too rich for the jealou ies and mean- 
 nesses of passional starvation. Be patient, and you will see how, 
 in he harmony of h true life, the good of each one is the good 
 of all, and the general welfare consists in the happiness of each 
 individual. The wurld of sacrifices is the old woild we are 
 leaving behind us." 
 
 I foul not doubt his sinceritv ; but how nobly unselfish is this 
 love ! mv Clara, does it come to your heart as lo mme? Can 
 vou acc« pt, for this earth, a life that has seemed to us fit only for 
 the angels of heaven ? 
 
 The sun was decending toward the west, and we pursuing his 
 flight, and nearing the range of highlands. There was wi:h all 
 our group the excitement of expectation added to the calm joy of a 
 return to a home, where friendship nnd love, and all endtariiig ties 
 were centered. It wa- an hour before sunset, when the Fairy 
 turned suiienlv fnd shot int^o a nan'ow branch of the river we were 
 a-criidino-. The banks were close wooded, and there was scarcely 
 room for our smoke pipe between the over arching trees One 
 might pass the place easily without suspecting a navigable 
 pa sap"'^. But a few rods further up, the creek widened, and as we 
 gli lei along, < ur triumphal chords echoed among the hills, followed 
 by the booming of our little cannon, whose reverberations c-<me 
 ba^V fo us with wonderful di>tinc:iness in these quieis solitudes. 
 All liste-ed a moment, and there came, not an echo now, but the 
 b))min:f of another gun, and our friends knew that their signal 
 was h.ard, and that their friends knew we were coming. 
 
102 ESPERANZA. 
 
 Our boat sped on, through a narrow channel, improved by art, 
 unli\ aficr +1 turn around a rich gnjve of cotton wood trees, we came 
 in si >lit of a large saw mill and factory, driven by the stream we 
 were ascending. On a flag staff, over one of its gables, floated the 
 stany emblem of K^po-ai z.i. The labors of the day were ended; 
 but we found a joyful group to welcome us, and open tlie single 
 lock that carried us up the falls. When the gates were closed and 
 secured, and our frimds had come on board, we s'eamed up the 
 cr. ek a few rods, rounded a point, nnd with a triumphal steam 
 Son*'-, and the sound of our small artillery, shot into a broad clear 
 lake, upon whose shores was displayed a scene of such enchanting 
 beau;y as I had never imagined, and can never in all my life 
 fjrget. 
 
 There, in the golden light of a most gorgeous sunset, rose the 
 lovely edifices of Esperanza. The Fairy took a circle in the lake, 
 to fj-ive us a fairer view. Our steam organ tilled the scene with 
 the melody of home ; Edgar and little Vincent weie hu-y wi.li ihc 
 cannon forward, firing a ia{)id salute, whicli was an>wered from a 
 mimic fortress on the shore ; sail boats were hastening lowaid us 
 across the 1 ke ; the broad white flag, imbroidered with golden 
 stars, was floating fiom the tallest spire, and through my tenrs I 
 SHW a "-oo ily comp my gathered on the sloping lawn to welcome us. 
 
 Our music ceased, our prow tuined toward the landing. I 
 surviyed the beauty of the seem- before me — tlie noble towers, the 
 o-rac-eful arches, the embowered porticos, the vai'ied and beauiful 
 architecture of ? Unitary Home. It was simple, \etgiand ; chaste, 
 ve"mo-<L beauiful. Trees, and vines, and flowering s!i rubs, a;iJ daik 
 ever I'-reens were sca'iei'ed around, with a consumraa e art that made 
 a niw crea'inn ; beyond were the s one houses, and gianaries, and 
 t';e gr. at fiehlsand orchards, and vine yards, and the gneu pas.ure 
 Ian !s stretching up the hill sides. 
 
 When we ' pproached the shovs as we did si wly, there sud 
 denly ro^e i to ihe sun shine, the play of many fountnins, ihrowing 
 up their sdvery jpts ; lien came a burst of g^and musi^- fiom a 
 noble band, on tie grea' tenace in fi'ontof the <;entral ower. 
 
 Melodia stood at my side ; calm in her manner ; her voice with- 
 
ESPERANZA. 103 
 
 out a tremor, but I knew her heart was beating. I s w the 
 fl is' ing (»f her cheek ; her bosom swell witli emotion; and once 
 she stretched out her arms as if she would have flown. But in a 
 m men she was calm ajain, and smiled on us — Alfred and me, 
 through the happy tears. 
 
 Tlie Fairy rounded to her little dock, and blew her steam into 
 the wa er, with a dull ronr. We went on shore, and were m<t by a 
 torrent of little girls and boys, who first surrounded us and then 
 took little Vir.ct-nt prisoner and marched him off in triumph ; Mnd 
 !!<: we wa'ki d up the graveled ascent of the lawn, the more you h- 
 ful and im 'euous 1 astened to join us; but the music quieted 
 an 1 harmonized all dt mors' ration- of joy, and in a momen' more I 
 saw Mt'lo'lia clasped in tl e arms of him who hai waited calmly 
 to receive her. It was Vincent. Tal. erect, pnle, calm and almost 
 cold in his seeming, he yet folded tl e bemtiful one to his heart, 
 and pressed a k'ss upon her brow ; and then gave her 'o the 
 warmer embrace of a delicate woman at his side, who kissed her 
 mu y t'mes with a pass'orate fondness. 
 
 It was a moment in which the breath stops, and the heart almost 
 forgets to beat. In the embrace-; of these two, Vincent and 
 Harmonia, ail loves and all welcomes seemed to center in a perfect 
 sympathy. 
 
 Next they welcomed me, kindly and affectionately, not as a 
 stranger, but as if I too had come back to them, and then all of our 
 little company ; and n^w as we stood so grouped arid flusered 
 together, in the glow of the sun set, the band struck a prelude, and 
 a 1 undred voices of men and women and the rosy children, joined 
 in a song of welcome. And as the last notes went up to heaven, 
 the evening gun was fired, the great white and gol len flacr des- 
 cended, the bugle signal for the evening meal was given, and we all 
 went to the grea'. banqueting hall, where tables were -et for 
 every gToup, and adorned with flowers, whose delicate per'umes 
 filled the air, while an invi-ible in>;trumen^, plavin<>- at intervals, 
 stirred it wi h the vibra'ions of < xq-isi'e melodies. 
 
 The supper la ted an hour. Ti e f od was cf the most sin^ple 
 ani iehcate kind. The flavors were like the odors of t.'>e flowers : 
 
104 ESPEKANZA. 
 
 not coarse and obtrusive, but fine and penetrating. Gastronomy, I 
 saw, was a science ; and none of the senses were neglected. The 
 chairs we sat in weie the perfection of comfort; the table service 
 of a pure quality and elegant forms. The room was painted with 
 cool tints and exquisite designs, while a tinkling fountain cooled the 
 air, which was also changed continually by a scientific ventilation, 
 which filled the room with refreshing zephyrs. There was every 
 where the hum of happy voices talking in quiet, subdued tones. 
 Ea'cu the groups of children, old enough to leave the nursery, and 
 eating by themselves, with only one or two of their most especial 
 friends at each table, were gentle and quiet, and harmonized to the 
 spirit of the scene. 
 
 It seemed to me that there was a pervading unity ; yet each 
 group was distinct. Only at one moment were all united. Vincent 
 rose at the head of the table of his group, where he sat between 
 Harmonia and Melodia, and said, " Friends ; a toast ! Welcome 
 to those who have returned to us, and welcome to our guest." 
 
 The toast was drunk in the crystal water, as the head or center 
 of each group, even the children repeated it. I rose, with the 
 others so welcomed, w^ho were scattered in tlie groups to which 
 they belonged, and we bowed our thinks. Then the band, whose 
 members had quietly left their seats a moment betore, played 
 exquisi'ely for a few moments, and the supper was ended. 
 
 Scattered groups now gathered on the lawn, in the soft summer 
 twilight. They clustered in little companies, sitting on the soft 
 grass, in twos and threes, or dozens, each group far enough from 
 the others not to interfere with their conversation or amusements. 
 Some sang low, sweet songs, with guitar accompaniments ; some 
 were relating stories, as in a new and purer Decameron ; some were 
 planning work in industry or art, or amusement for the morrow, 
 and all seemed happy. 
 
 Melodia sat awhile between Vincent and Harmonia. Alfr^^d and 
 I completed the group for a time. Others came of whom I must 
 speak hereafter Melodia recountt^d her journey : then she took 
 my arm and guided me among the groups, pointing out. and 
 sometimes introducing me to those I might wish to know. But 
 
EsPERAKZA. 1C5 
 
 formal introductions were little needed, as all — even the y 'iing 
 ladies and the children, came to me as frankly as if I hal bi.en aa 
 old acquaintance. 
 
 The shades deepened, the holy stars came out. I saw boats 
 stealing out from their little harbors, to a small island before us in 
 the lake, which is laid oat as a garden, with an elegant pavilion. 
 Soon we heard a slight explosion, and saw a gleam of light. Ma y 
 colored stars seemed shooting into the sky. Then followed a flight 
 of rockets, and such a pretty exhibition of scientific pyrotechny, 
 as delighted us all, and sent the children to their beds extremely 
 happy. 
 
 Then the windows of a large saloon over the dinino--rortm, were 
 in a blaze of light. We heard music again sounding iis cheerful 
 strains ; and all ran gleefully to prep ire. 
 
 " They welcome you with a festival," I said to Melndia, "like a 
 princess returned to her dominions." 
 
 "Oh! no: We have fiieworks often; music and happiness 
 always. They are happy to see us, but are making no extraordi- 
 nary manifestation." 
 
 We went to the music hall ; listened to some admirable 
 instrumentation ; heard a new chorus, just composed by one of 
 the cultivators of this divine art, who came forward and directed 
 the performance ; and then there was a dance in which all mingled 
 beautifully and h ppily for an hour, during which I saw that the 
 musicians were more than once relieved that they might take part 
 in the dancing. 
 
 You may well suppose, that in all I have narrated, there were 
 many things entirely different from our accustomed life. There 
 was much more than I can tell you now, and yet the whole did not 
 differ so much from the most refined societies as y'.u mio-ht 
 suppose. It was more natural, b autiful, loveful. There was an 
 inexpressible charm of repose in tlie midst of gayety, of which (jur 
 fashionable languor is a coarse imitation. 
 
 At the end of he last dance, which finished at ten o'clock, there 
 was a Good Niglit Carol, merry and cordial, and all retired to 
 their apartments. Melodia led me to a charming litile bed-room, 
 
106 ESPERANZA. 
 
 in her oAvn suite, furnished with a bathing room and every 
 convenience, and alorned with the productions of her gr-iceful 
 p?ncil. The window opened on the scented lawn ; fra^ran' <dnrs 
 were lound me. ''he moon was rising over the silveiy l;ke, the 
 s'ars were gleaming with their ang«l glances, and with a tender 
 good ni^ht in my ear, and a dewy kiss upon my chiek, I sunk to 
 r^ St. 
 
 I had -lumbered an hour — I was dreaming 1 appily of yi u, 
 sweet one, so f^»r away, when soft music mingled magically in my 
 dream, an J slowly awakened me. How delicious it was. I knew 
 it; w s mea t for Mtlodia, b ;t it whs no less, ah ! it wa- even more 
 b'^au'.iful to me. And wltli fdl I could have of it, and all tl a^ w s 
 mine. I sank into a profound and dieamless sleep, surrounded by a 
 sphere oF happiness that wanted only you to be compleLe. 
 
VII. 
 
 MT FIRST DAT AT ESPERANZA. 
 
 I WOKE very early, yet entirely refreshed. The life arounJ me 
 seems full of invigoraiion, and time is lust in sleep. Ah, my CUiia ! 
 we shall never wish to kill time here. that you were with me 
 now, to see and feel vviih me the life 1 can but faintly portray to 
 you ! 
 
 'J'he li^cht had inst beoun its struo-q-le with darkness, and the 
 eastern stars grew pale in the conflict. 1 heard those little warb- 
 ings of the birds, which are tlie prelude of their morning songs. 
 Then came the crowing of many chaalicleers from the poultry- 
 house. But, as the dawn grew rosy, an 1 ihe light diffused, there 
 came other music. There was the roll of a drum, fii-st low, and 
 then louder; and then the call of a single trumpet; next a trom- 
 bone, and then came mu-ic like the liglit, full, ricli, inspiring, that 
 roused me from mv couch, nnd I listened to one of thi se ulorious 
 bu;-sts of mel.jiy, for w'lich n full baal of euchusiastic arcis:-. only 
 can tind expression. 1 looked out upon the lawn, and j^aw Mr. 
 Vincent leading the band with tlie cornet- -piston ; , laying as you 
 woulJ wi>h sujh a man to play — without pre ens'e, wi hout eftbrr 
 at LXicution, b'.'t with a giand power of expiession. 
 
 As this noble reveil e ended, I hear I the rush of many waters ; 
 ani, taking a refreshing bath, I w s ready lo join ti.e groups 
 gathering at the parade for sunrise. It was on the eas ern slope ; 
 an 1 neailyall were gathered. Tlie youngest chil ren, and their 
 nursfs, and ihe few aged or weak, alone were absent. The gi'oups 
 gathered silently, or exciianging greetings wi;h low voic< s. Har- 
 mouia s-ood a- the side of Vine nt, an 1 welcomed nie wi h a 
 pleaoant smde ; Melodia held out her hand to me, anJ as I gave one 
 
 137 
 
108 KsPt.KA.NZA. 
 
 to her, I extended the other to dfVed. Eugenia and Laura were in 
 near groups. I he r-rnldreii formed in separa e groups of their 
 own, and all knt-w their places, or took lliose they liked best. Tliere 
 was order, bu^ no constraint, and a l.armony d.at seemed the result 
 of something higher than discipline. Vincent stood in the center, 
 faring the east, with the band behind, and our group around him ; 
 the Other groups spread off, right and left, forming a crescent, opt n- 
 ing to the east, where the firmanent was now glowing. All was 
 siltnt — hen a ray of sunshine shotacross the scene ; a cannon lired ; 
 the white flag witli it- symbol stars rose gracefully to itssiatt" ; the 
 band played a grand prelude, and men, women, and children 
 ]oined in a noble chorus, to salute the day. 
 
 When it was ended, the crescent closed into a circle around 
 V^incent, who read tlie Orders of the Day. The first was the Order 
 of Iniustry, consisting of an enumeraLion of the work most needful 
 to bs done, naming the leaJer of the day in eacli department, and 
 calling for a certain numb3r of vokxnteers for each work. First 
 came tlie household, or domestic duties ; such a lady and so many 
 assistants for the kitchen ; so for the laundry ; a leader and a, 
 company for the hai'ves field ; others for the orchards and gardens, 
 poul ry yard and dairy ; others for building ; and the mill and 
 factory. All the work was laid out, and as each leader was called, 
 he or she stepped forward, and was promptly joined by the first 
 relay of workers — so promptly, that it was easy to see that it liad 
 all been canvassed and arrano-ed the ni 'ht before, so that (-ach one 
 lad chosen his work and companions, and wore the baJge of his 
 group. 
 
 The leaders of the harder or more repugnant labors were men ; 
 those of the lio-hter and more asfreeable, women. Laura, for the 
 day, was mistress of the group of confectioners, or preservers of 
 fruit. Eugenia had charge of the flower garden. Boys of ten or 
 fifteen, and young mi-ses, were chiefs of groups of industry, and 
 took their positions, and gathered tlieir adheren'.s around them Avi h 
 a flush of pride. I saw that the groups were composed of both 
 stxes ; those for the harder toils and out door duties beinir two- 
 
ESPERA>-ZA. J 09 
 
 thirds or more of men ; those of indoor employments, mostly, but 
 not entirely, of woman. 
 
 All this was arranged in less time than you take to read it ; 
 when the Order of Recreation was called. This was for the after- 
 noon ; a regatta on the lake ; music practice ; artist work ; rehearsals 
 of drama and opera, etc. TLese were under more permanent direc- 
 tion, and the leaders known. The time only was given. 
 
 Fiaally, an opera was announced for the evening ; when the 
 band played a lively air which set all in motion. Those whose 
 duties were immediate, as the gioups for preparing breakfast, 
 feeding animals, etc., repaired to their functions ; the rest to the 
 lecture-room and lessuns of the morning. As all this had been 
 arranged in twenty minutes, there was left more than an hour, 
 either for quiet reading or study, for conversation, or for the morn- 
 ing lecture on some branch of science, or practical lesson connected 
 with in iustry or art. 
 
 I went with Melodia to the Lecture-room. Most of the younger, 
 and more intellectual had gathered there. It was itself a panorama 
 of science ; a circular room with a dome of blue, admittino- a soft 
 light through itself, and the cons:;elladons of the northern heavens. 
 Tlie walls, or lather a continuous circle of wall, was painted to 
 represent the various climates and scenery of the eartli. At the 
 north and south are icebergs, white bears, seals. East and west, 
 the equatorial regions of the eastern and western hemispheres, Avith 
 their vegetation, animals, and peoples, and the tt-mperate regions in 
 their places. It is cl.arming as a work of art, and perfect as a 
 scientific representation. The fore-ground is boldly painted, so as 
 to represent geolo. ical structures, minerals, and rare animals and 
 plants. I he'C is land and sea ; calm and storm ; here a wacer spout, 
 and there a tornado. Ships sail the summer seas ; steamers cloud the 
 sky. My eye wandered over every part with surprise and plea-^ure. 
 Mr. Vincent gave the morning discourse on the Unity of JS'ature ; 
 treating all sciences as portions of the one science, and giving the 
 analogies which pervade the universe many illustrations. " A 
 principle, which can be demonstrated as such," he saii, " is uni- 
 versal in its application. The laws of harmony in music we find to 
 
110 ESPERANZA. 
 
 be those of social accords. Chemical affinities are no more ruled 
 by inexv)rabk' laws, than the relations of fi'iendsliip and love. Eveiy 
 atom in ti.e universe is distinct fiom every other, as is eveiy indi- 
 viJuil spiri — a li the s )cial order we have achieve J is by haxinj;' 
 eveiy sonl-a^om free to follow its own attractiuns and repulsions, 
 an 1 to pUce i.self and not be placed. Oir freedom is the free- 
 dom not to disob -y any law of our beings ; our freedom not to be 
 placed wheri- we do not belong. 
 
 •'Science is not a thing apart from life. We do well to know tl e 
 universe, and our place in it, and relation to every other part. If 
 the soul of our planet is conscious of us, it must feel new vigoi' and 
 hope with this g<rm of social harmony, and as it extends, Wf^ may 
 hope for serener skies, more equable climes, and a more abounding 
 feriili:y. 
 
 "Wt do well to k' ow the earth, and all its countries and peoples: 
 we see how much work there is before us, for all must be won to 
 our harmony. 
 
 " We do well to make ourselves acquainted wi h all vegeables 
 and animals, that we may find usi s for all the good, and extiipate 
 those which belong o the sphere of discord. 
 
 " Above all we are to study the Life that informs and unfolds all 
 things: that glitters in the crystal, and palpitates in the heart ; 
 that works out beautv in man and woman, and unily in all who 
 can unite in a true life. 
 
 "We w 11 work on patien'ly, hopefully, joyfully ; for tl-.e time is 
 near, w^henour experiment vviUbeende I, and the true life of man in 
 society will be seen to be, not th • idle dream of a btnevolent en- 
 thusiast, but the practical realization of purified, enlightened, and 
 spiritualized ];umanity. 
 
 "Let us live lius life, then, in all purity, i ot for ourselve- alone, 
 but for the Earth, our Great Mother ; for the Humanity to which wo 
 belong ; for those who have gone before, and who now look down 
 upcni us ; and for tho-e who shall come after, and blets us." 
 
 I give a few sentences of tids disc 'Urse, omitting the scientific 
 facts and illustr itions. The audience rose, filled with tlie earliest 
 feeling of the speaker, and broke into groups of persons who 
 
ESPERANZA. Ill 
 
 conversad together, and walked tlirough the library and reading 
 room, an J we soon heard tlie signal for breakfast. 
 
 A vegetarian breakfast, on a large sc Je, is a beautiful thing. 
 Tiiis was not wholly so. A:iimalized substances, as eggs, and tlie 
 p;oiucts of the daiiv, wert- on many of the tables. But the ^tiples 
 of con umplion were the various prt-paiations of corn and w. eat, 
 in breal, mush, and cakes, and fruics, fresh and preserved, or in 
 marmalades and syrups. There was no more haste than a a fes- 
 tival, it was a cheerfiil meal. From the younger groups came 
 bursts of laughter. In twenty minutes, the tables were cleared : 
 and a few minutes after, I stood in a balcony and saw the parade 
 of the groups of Industry, Their costumes were adapted to the 
 work of each. The young and robust wom n and girls, who had 
 volunteered for the harvest field and other out door labors, wore 
 blouses and trowsers, and could be distinguished from the men only 
 by their smaller limbs, and more delicate figures. They were 
 rosy and happy, every one. 
 
 I have not spoken of the dress here. It is so remarlable, that I 
 wish to give you a full account of it. The working dress, however, 
 is nearly uniform, of a strong light colored material, easily washed; 
 and as it is used in the common labors, it comes from a common 
 stock. I he dn sses of the afternoon and evening aie suited to tha 
 taste and fancy of each, and are as varied as tlie characters of the 
 wearers, each trying to make in dress, as in every thing, the truest 
 and best expression of individual character. The effect s indescri- 
 b ibly beautiful, and can scarcely be conceived by those who have 
 only seen all men and women dressed nearly alike, and in accord- 
 ance with the prevailing fashions. 
 
 Even in the working dresses, the bands, badges, and ornaments 
 a e varied and characteristic. The children carrv this to a pictur- 
 esque excess, indulging in quite a fantastic display of personal ad- 
 dornmeat. But th * taste of those who are most respected, the 
 artists and most cultivated persons, gives tone to all, and keeps all 
 in harmony. 
 
 The bands marched out, one by one, each singing its own song ; 
 aad the day's wo.k bad begun. Melodia led the way up a stair 
 
i\2 EsFEBANZA. 
 
 case in the tower, and knocked al a door, which, in opening, ad- 
 ,niitted us to the study of Mr. Vincent. It is ;in octagon room 
 with seven windows; and as it is above the roofs of the buil.lings, it 
 afford a view of the whole domain. I saw it spread out before me, 
 on every side ; front is the lake with its forest on the opposite shore, 
 supplying timber of which I soon saw a raft, which some happy 
 boys were sailing toward the saw-mill. In the rear are the or- 
 chards, and vineyard, and the great garden, filled with a profusion 
 of berries, trui's, and vegelables. The vines, trees, and cultivated 
 berries climb high up the hill sides, where a stream, fed by moun- 
 tain springs, an I which supplies the domain, is led along the slope 
 and affords water for irrigation. To the right and left stretch the 
 great fields of corn and wheat, and pasture land for horses, cattle 
 and sheep. Around the central buildings, all is a garden of flowers 
 and shrubbery ; walks, fountains and groves ; the work of loving 
 workers, in the groups of recreation. I tell you what I saw first ; 
 but I must now introduce you to him whom you have recognised 
 as, in some sort, the presiding genius of this scene. The room is 
 plainly furi ished — its only luxuries consisting of some pictures and 
 other keepsakes. A few books were on a shelf — mostly standard 
 scientific works. There were some volumes of Fourier, with his 
 autograph in one of them ; and a portrait of the noble Harmonist, 
 in cvnyon. There are also portraits of a few other masters in 
 Science, Lierature, and Art, and of some lovely women. There 
 was also a violin, a flute, a cornet-a-piston, and a melodeon. 
 
 He was sitting at his table, with writing and drawing materials, 
 and music paper. He did not rise, to receive us, but held nut a 
 hand to each. He drew me to a chair, riear him ; and Melodia sat 
 on a cushion, and leaned upon his knee. He is a little tiller than 
 I ;im ; his hair and heard brown, his eyes hazel ; his face thin and 
 pale, mostly grave in expression, but with smiles often playing 
 among lines of study and care. His forehead is severe, but the 
 mou'h genial, with a pleasant, but not melodious voice, a pure ar- 
 ticulation, and a frank address. He is slender, and erect, and as 
 to his age, any where from thirty to forty-five — simply a man at 
 maturity, without any mark of decay. 
 
EsPERANZA. 1 1 3 
 
 " We are glad to have a visitor, Mr. Wilson. Ytm are welcome to 
 Esperanza. I ho|..e you had a pleasant journey," he said, Avith a 
 grave courtesy. 
 
 " You know my company," I answered ; and his eye fell with a 
 proud tenderness on the beautiful woman at his side. 
 
 "I think you could sjarcely have found better," he said ; "and 
 now we must be hospi:able. If it is agree ble, I will be glad to 
 show you our home, and to give you the chance of a general sur- 
 vey, and then you can pursue any det.iils you mny wish a: your 
 leisure. We will have horses, and find one to accompany us." 
 Speaking through a tube, he asked for some saddle horses, and then 
 went with us to the apartments of Harmonia. He knock- d lightly 
 at the door, and a fair rose-i ud girl of ten years bid us enter, and 
 putting her arm around her papa, deman led a kiss. 
 
 We were in th- presence of a woman of sf-arcely the medium 
 h« ight, her face thin and pale, with delicate little hands and feet, 
 but with arras and form well rounded. Her eyes are of a heavenly 
 blue, her hair dark, glossy, and curling in ringle:s ; her forehead 
 intellectual ; and though there are lines of care upon her face, 
 and silver in her hair, suffering and disease, rather than years, have 
 made them. 
 
 She kissed Vincent and Melodia, and gave me her hand, over 
 which I bint reverently ; for 1 stood now in the presence of the cen- 
 ter of the heart-life of this home ; the chosen medium of the spirit- 
 love, that has formed upon earth one sphere of rest and hap'^-iness, 
 the oni' wliom all here revere and love. I fclc the infiuenc-e of 
 her pure loving life around me. The whole room seemed tilled 
 with it. It was furnished with a sinoular, but fil'ino- eleifance, 
 rinl with a harmony of firms, colors, and arr ngi-ment, such as 1 
 have never seen. It seemed to me, that if one ardcle had been 
 removed or disp'aced. it woidd have marred the harmony. The 
 c-dors were buff, blue and rose ; the picture frames and furniture 
 carvinsr-^ of oak, and liorht mouldino-s of o-ol I. Va>es of blue and 
 gold were filled with odorous flowers ; the offerings of affectionate 
 devotion. A canary and a mocking bird were singing emulou-ly 
 among the roses in a bow window. A lax'ge music box lay on the 
 10 
 
114 lioPhBAXZA. 
 
 carved octagon table in the center of the room, which played 
 airs of Massanaella and William Tell, her favorite operas. 
 
 " We are going to show Mr. Wilson our home," said Vincent, with 
 a tender dt ference of manner, which one does not expect from a 
 husband, " will you give us your company? " 
 
 " With pleasure — but you must let Angela have her pony, and 
 ride with us ; for I have promised her the morning.'' 
 
 The little face that had saddened a moment before, at the idea 
 of losing this precious morning with her mother, now brightened, 
 and she ran aw;iy to prepare, and summon her little steed. 
 
 The ladies were soon equipped for the saddle with riding skirts, 
 and plumed caps ; four glossy saddle horses were brought to the 
 door by as many happy boys, and we saw in a moment after a round 
 and roguish little Canadian pony come bounding up, with a boy of 
 a dozen years on his back, who assisted the bluet-yed, rosy, and most 
 beautiful Angela into her saddle, as if she had been a princess, 
 and he her own true knight. Vincent helped Harmonia to mount, 
 and I gave my hand to Melodia ; but when we were leaJy, Har- 
 monia signed me to ride next her ; while Melodialed off with Vincent, 
 and Angela was on all sides of us by turns. 
 
 First we rode along the hard beach of the lake, across which a 
 cool breeze was blowing ; then in a road thiough the wheat har- 
 vest, where over hundreds of broad acres, heavily laden with the 
 bright grain, two machine reapers, each drawn by four horses were 
 doing their rapid work. The near horse of each span was ridden 
 by a boy or girl ; the machine was followed by a group of binders, 
 and the sheaves were loaded in a waggon at once, and conveyed 
 to the threshing barn, to be further ripened in the sun, wliere 
 they could also be siieltered in a few moments from a passing 
 shower. 
 
 In the center of the field was a grove, affording a pleasant shade 
 for men and horses in the intervals of Inbor ; with food and 
 drink. Here they took their intervals of r^ st, and here reposed tl.e 
 relay* of tho e who did the hardest labor, or tl.o-^e who wern ex 
 changing from this to some other group. There was a spring, n c!eer, 
 and enthusiasm in the work of this group, such as never comes 
 
EbP£RAXZA. 115 
 
 from mercenary task labor. The will and the love were in the 
 work ; and it w s a real festival of industry. 
 
 To tlie right of the wheat spread out a vast field of bright 
 Indian corn, through wliich a little squadron of horses were 
 drawing the cultivators ; each horse ridden by a boy or girl, with 
 their plumed sun-hat>, who went on in a merry company, singing 
 as they went, wliile the men, who guided the culiivat rs, often 
 joined their deeper voices to the merry songs. Beyond, a field of 
 oats was ripening, and we saw up on the hill si.ie, and beneath 
 the picturesque groves, the horses not in use, and the cows, and 
 goats, and ^heep. 
 
 " Here," said Vincent, as we halted under a grove to look upon 
 this lovely scene, "you see the staple of our industry ; that which 
 gives us the s'afF of life. Bread, or some form of farinacious food, 
 and fruit, form five-sevenths of our nourishment, and these are the 
 first to be provided. There," — pointing to the gardens and 
 orchards wliich rose back of the hou-e — "is the source of the 
 most beautiful and best part of our food ; and that which gives us 
 least labor and most pleasure in the cultivation." 
 
 We rode on to the end of the domain. A spur from the hill 
 here shot down nearly to the lake, and the interval was crossed by 
 a high strong paling, with a gate, strongly locked against the out- 
 side worl 1. A rou^h road leads off some ten miles to the nearest 
 settlement in that direction. Putting our horses to an easy 
 gallop, we swept around by the hill side, skirting along the 
 pastures to the orchards and A^ineyards. The apples, pears, 
 and g-apes were swelling with their riches ; and the peaches 
 an:l plums were in their full harvest. Here we dismounted and 
 joined the groups, composed chiefly of women and girls, gathering 
 the ripened fruit. Here the children were at work with great 
 enthusiasm, performing their full share of labor. They stormed 
 the trees wi h their scaling lad lers, and shook the fiuit from th e 
 branches into the large funnels of cloths spread underneath, and 
 opening into tiie baskets. Others managed the little waggons 
 drawn by goats, rams, and ponies, which drew the fruits to the 
 afore houses, where other groups were engaged in sealing them 
 
116 ESPERANZA. 
 
 up in air-tight cans, preparing them for drying, or making mar- 
 malades and jellies. Others were at work in the gardens. It waa 
 a busy time — but evidently a happy one. I did not see one sickly 
 looking, or Norrovvful, or discontented, or idle person. 
 
 As we rode along, group after group saluted us Avith a joyful 
 wehome. The chiliren offered fruii or fliiwers to us all, but 
 particularly to Haimoni i. Angela was ai home every wh«-re. Not 
 less so our beau iful Melodia, in whose presence every eye beamed 
 with a brighter luster. I noted the different influence of these two 
 wom( n <in myself and others. Melodia excited to > nergy and 
 enthi:sia-ra, and inspired admiration and devotion ; Harmoida was 
 the center of a most reverential love. I saw how each was relaied 
 to Vincent, an I to each other, and, even with my crude ideas and 
 unharmonized feelings, I could si-e no ground for jealousy, nor can 
 I detect, with the most suspicious watchfulness, the least sign of 
 such a feeling in any of tho-<e around me 
 
 As we came to the buildings, we found Alfred at the head of a 
 group of builders, hard at work with hammer and trowel, laying 
 the walls of a new wing of the home, which was enlarging for 
 new groups of members. I saw here how thn whole pile lad 
 grown, like the growth of a tree, eveiy addition increasing its 
 beauty. The lirger portions for general u^es ; the Banquet. ing 
 Hall ; he Fe-tive Hall ; the Hall of Science ; the Libraiy ; these had 
 been bu It of a sufficient size at fii'st to accommodate seven hundted 
 P' rsons. or were adapted to an easyex'ensi n. So the nurseries for 
 infants, the nnitary kitchen, laundiy, cellars, store houses, and work 
 shops were all on the h-u-ge scale — not the fu 1 scale of Fourier, 
 but the modified scale of a model home ; for, lhou^■h eighteen 
 hundred person of all grades may be necessaiy to a full harmony, 
 a much smaller number of car^ fully selected and adapted ones, 
 may produce equal results. 
 
 We passed through the frui' -preparing room, and saw the groups 
 of skilled men and women preserving iheir .stores, which were 
 packed away for future use. Then we went through a Imn ry, 
 where two menand thn e women, wi h s'eam-p'wer and machinery, 
 were doing the entire washing of the home, where clothing is 
 
ESPERANZA. lit 
 
 abuu !kii:, an I clfcanliness the first of virtues. This is no idle 
 dep.'irtmynt. A thou.sani towtls a day ; bed-liuen and clothing for 
 day a d ni^ht ; all ihe common work is done here; but tliere is 
 anjcher place lor the fine and ornamental work, whicda is arranged 
 diiiertnLly. 
 
 Then wi visi eJ the kitch' n an 1 bakery ; and h iviag lunched, 
 role down th'- lake to its oui-let, wliere water power drives saw 
 mill, fl turiug mdl, anl ihe heavier work of various manufecLurea 
 On the way we passed fields of peas, beans, asparagus, tomatoes, 
 a:iithe ^w^■el,and Irish po^toe. I'he yam, plantain, and banana, and 
 0;ang3 are cul iva ed in places sheltered from the nor.h, and where 
 t .ey i-ai be protected in winter ; while the great glazad hot house, 
 or winter garden of the central court, affords tropical fruits and 
 fl^w.'rsat all seasons; anl in ihe winter, and in rainy W3ather takes 
 the place of the lawn for parades and festivals. 
 
 1 hal now had a general survey of the industry of Esperanza 
 and ha 1 learned, in the conversations held alternately with each of 
 our party, and by my observation, something of its economies 
 Every where was order — every where the best adaptation of means 
 to ends ill labor-saving machinery and processes ; every where a 
 loving liarmony and enthusiasm. 
 
 As we returned slowly to tlie home, riding up the slope through 
 a garden of shrubs and flowers, we opened upon a group under a 
 grove of sprealing chesnut trees, the most charming I ever saw or 
 imagined. An old man of nearly eighty y»ars, with hair and 
 b'-ai-d white a*? fiosfed silv r, resting in nn arm chair, was the center 
 of the group ; around him were gathered the youngest children and 
 babies, with tl eir nurses and care takers. The older children, not 
 yet old enough fo join the groups in the fields, but very useful 
 wi'h the babies, who were their dolls, were gathered around him, 
 and had crowned Idm with flowers Two chubby cherubs were on 
 his knees, playing with his beard. The children of three to six 
 yenrs had formed a ring, and were singing and dancing around 
 him ; while ti:e babies were rolling and crowing on the sward, or 
 in the a7m> of thi-ir nurses, or riding around in little carriages. We 
 paused a moment to contemplate this truly Arcadian scene ; then 
 
liy K-I'i;KA-\ZA. 
 
 alighted, and as some boys flew to hold our horses, we approached 
 the Patriarch, who laughed heartily as the ring opened to let us 
 enter. The ladies kissed the old man on his cheek, and inquired 
 of his health, an I introduced the stranger to their good fatht-r. 
 
 " Well, my darlings," said he " never better, never so well. 
 Here are the companions of my second childhood. I grow younger 
 and younger, y.iu see. More and more a baby. So they are my 
 proper play fellows. I shall go soun, you know, where tliey have 
 so lately come from ; so it is quite right we should know each 
 other." 
 
 "O, but father," said Melodia, "you will stay with us a good 
 whil.e yet. This is a pretty good heaven, you know, and we will 
 make you as happy as we can." 
 
 " You are angels that would make heaven in a less beautitul 
 place than this — but lam old, and not very useful here ; I think I 
 shall not be long with you; is it not so?" he Stid, turning to 
 Harmonia. 
 
 "Yes, father," she replied, with a calm joy. " Our friends expect 
 you soon. We shall attend you to the portal of the beaudful 
 world, and they will welcome you." 
 
 Angela, who was standing by her mother, burst into tears. " I 
 don't want our good father to go from us ! " she exclaimed. 
 
 " I shall never be separa'el from those I love," said the old 
 man, with a tremer in his voice ; but I can be happier and more 
 useful where I am going. You know that, little darling," he said, 
 lavinar his hand on Anjrela's head who had nestled to his side. 
 
 " Yes, good father, I know it will be better for you, and that 
 your spirit will never leave your children." 
 
 " God bless you, no ; my little one. I will be with you always. 
 You have made my last days happy ; I shall not forget you in the 
 other home." 
 
 " You will do well," said Vincent, "to watch over your own. 
 All goes well, father ; and we are preparing to welcome more to 
 our harmony." 
 
 " Good ! — I don't know whether 1 want to stay most with you, 
 or to go and see our friends who labored so long for this result. 
 
E.PtUAXZA. 1 1 9 
 
 I shall be very willing to i;0. Young man, you are welcome, now," 
 said he, couneously to me, "and welcome back again; for 1 see 
 that you will not be long away from us." 
 
 "No, father," said Melodia ; "your eyes serve you well." 
 
 " Oh ! the old man has n .t lost his senses," he said, with a 
 happy laugh. We departed, and the little ones again took posses- 
 sion of him, and replaced the wreath he had removed when we 
 came, by a new and more magnificent diadem, and the old man 
 tried, with his trembling voice, to join in the chorus they were 
 si ging, as they danced around him. 
 
 At ten o'clock, three hours after the day's work begun, there 
 was a pause for rest and refreshment ; and at this time there was a 
 gt neral interchange of employments. Many of those who had been 
 at work indoors went to the field- ; others came from the fields to 
 the store houses and work shops. The builders and quariy men 
 went to the harvest, and all the groups re-arranged themselves for 
 the next session of work, when all went on with the same harmo- 
 nious enthusiasm, with the added charm of new companions. 1 
 wrote my letter of \esterday, describing our voyage on the Fairy, 
 an J our reception here. 
 
 At half past one o'clock a signal gun suspended all labor, and the 
 bands returned merrily from field and orchard, garden and work- 
 slu>ps, and all put off their working clothes, bathed, and dressed 
 for dinner. This was a more elaborate meal than supper or breakfast. 
 We had an abundance of sweet corn, sweet and common potatoes, 
 green peas, eggs in various preparations, puddings, jellies and 
 fruits. I'he tables w. re arranged and dressed with exquisite uiste, 
 each group vying with the other for the best display. Music 
 summoned us to this repast — and when it was over, we had a 
 delightful concert for the repose of digestion, while little parties 
 sauntered in the shade of the trees or buildings, or reclined upon 
 the grass. 
 
 Then the drum beat ; and the lesser labors or recreations of the 
 af.ernoon began. Tlie boats were filled for an excursion across the 
 1 tke, and a shimming p irty. There was a rehearsal for the even- 
 in.,'s opera. The artists repaired to the ever attractive labors of 
 
1 23 ESPKRANZA. 
 
 the stuJio ; each one joined the group that pkaseJ him b» st, and 
 did what was his liighest attraction. The labois of the liist class, 
 those of necessity, were ended ; and each one worked or played as 
 he chose, until the signal for the evening nual. 
 
 This Wris served partly in the great >aloon, p irtly in the parlors 
 of the groups who wished to be more secluded. There weie a 
 dozen little fes ivals, and I had the happiness of taking a delicate 
 repast, and enjoying a beautiful society in the group which cius.ered 
 around Harmonia. It consisted of ttn pusons. Vincent and 
 H .imor.ia sat opi osite each o her ; at Vi cent's right hand sat 
 Melodia ; at his left, S' rafa. a woman or girl, a few years yoi nger 
 than MpIo lia, and less beautif 1, but one who impressed you as a 
 peison of rare endowments, and a highly poetical temperaiiM nt. 
 She seemed plain till I found the dep h of her gray t yes ; and her 
 low voi^'e WIS full of enthusiasm. She is the poet of this home. The 
 oppra p'^f irme.l last night was her libretto, all but 'wo or three 
 songs by Melodia. 1 sat next her, and at my left was E valine, the 
 eldi St daughter of our hostess ; smaller tlian her mother, pale, with 
 light hair, a lovely figure, but a face capable of ihe whole range 
 of expn ssion from ugliness to beauty, and becoming quite dazling 
 with the excitement of enthusia-m or pleasure. She is an arist, 
 and somewhat of a musician, but art is her ^upreme attrac ion, and 
 she woikswitH grea'. enthusia-m, and also with great pa ience, 
 instructing all who will learn, and having around hera large group 
 of loving and devoted pupils. 
 
 Oppo ite me sat Alfred, and at his right hund Eug( n:a, who 
 develops more character, and a higher beau'y each time 1 see her. 
 She is o cairn and wi-<e, that the most tuib; lent might find her 
 pres'^nc a repose, and the weakest find s rength in hi r firm will. 
 Nex her, and at the left of Harmonia, sat a sculptor and arch tec', 
 who I as designed mos' of the buildino-s and ornaments, nf which 
 I shall give you a description heivaf.er ; and on her hft a rr.an 
 who impressed me with his integ ity and reliability, and Avho, 1 
 unders ood, fills the important place of balance holder, accountant, 
 or an embodied justice in the domain — the referee, the nconciler ; 
 H man of equity, who has the faculty of making the riglit of every 
 
EsPERAKZA. I L' 1 
 
 case so evident, that there is never any wish to appeal from his 
 decision. 
 
 I felt the beautiful sphere of this company like a rich harmony 
 around me. I knew that a most loving life circled among them ; 
 and I could ftel no discord — but I had evidently the place of some 
 one who would have completed the circle, and sat in my place, 
 between Evaline &nd Serafa. 
 
 "Who do I keep away?" I asked of the latter, when we had 
 become a little acquainted. 
 
 " Oh, no one that would be here. Our Paid has found a tree, 
 or a rock, or a bit of moss, that holds him by too strong an 
 attraction. He is doing very well somewhere, and our gallery will 
 be all the richer for his absence." 
 
 So Paul was also an artist and an enthusiast, somewhere at hii* 
 work. 
 
 Our repast was slight, and very simple. Boiled rice with 
 banana syrup, a quince jelly, some little crisp cakes, and a single 
 glass of the purest white wine, delicate, aromatic, and almost 
 sweet, something like the finest champaign, without the sparkle, 
 was all that was taken. There was conversation, in low, quiet 
 tones ; a repose of being that was very beautiful to me. There 
 was not the least constraint or excitement, or eflfort at display. 
 The news of the outside world, particularly the literary and artistic 
 news, was discussed. The opinions expressed of authors and 
 artists, and the leaders of movements, were singularly just and 
 appreciative. Nearly the whole conversation was general. Scarce- 
 ly for a moment did any two subside into a tete a tete. You can 
 imagine such a circle of refined, cultivated,_^ intelligent persons, 
 adapted to each other, without a single one discordant or tiresome ; 
 but can you imagine such a company, all loving each other, in 
 perfect harmony, and with the happiness of this love increased by 
 this harmonization ? I could not see that my presence was any bar 
 to their enjoyment. My acceptance by one seemed to have made me 
 at home with all ; and though I am but a neophyte, on my proba- 
 tion, they feel assured, as they well may, that I shall never be 
 satisfied with any other life than this, of which I am allowed a 
 11 
 
122 ESPERANZA. 
 
 foretaste. If I doubted you I should not enjoy it — but how can 
 I doubt that you are even more ready than I for a life of truth and 
 harmony, and that you will joyfully escape from the world of 
 falsity, selfishness, and discordance, which you see and feel around 
 you? 
 
 After our half hour at supper, we heard a little trampling of feet 
 and then a gentle knock at the door, when our circle was enlarged 
 by the entrance of the two lovely children, Angela and the little 
 Vincent. Vincent carried a bouquet of fragrant flowers to Harmonia, 
 while Angela gave hers to Melodia. 
 
 " Didn't you mean this for papa?" asked Melodia. 
 
 " Yes, 1 meant it for both of you, and for all ; but only one can 
 hold it, and you are the one who should hold flowers." Then she 
 sat in the lap of Vincent, and reaching over to Serafa, said, "but 
 I have a kiss for you." 
 
 "And what for me, my sister ? " asked Evaline. 
 
 " Love for you, always, for teaching me so patiently to-day. And 
 Melodia has taught me music. Oh! mamma!" turning to 
 Harmonia, "one tune on your mvisic box, please. Mr. Frank, are 
 you musical ?" 
 
 "A little, my dear." 
 
 "When you come and stay with us, you shall be my lover in an 
 opera, and sing you are jealous, and stab me, or I'll stab you, just 
 as the foolish people do — " 
 
 "In operas," said Harmonia, interrupting her. 
 
 " Oh, no, mamma ; not in operas only, but in the world. I have 
 been reading history, the past week, in the library, and there is 
 plenty of such savagism." 
 
 And now, as the sun was descending, we heard the music ot the 
 band, and joined the groups, who were assembling to give Aim 
 their adieus. 
 
 "It is so hard," said Serafa, who had taken my arm, "to think 
 that all round the earth he will not shine on such a Home as this !" 
 
 " We must be patient of growth," said Vincent, who was neai 
 us: "all the future is ours, and the work is now begun. Think of 
 the time when the sun will shine only on homes as happy as ours." 
 
EsPERANZA. 123 
 
 *• But a whole planet to be transformed ! " 
 
 " Yes, and a whole planet once had to be formed. Our ancestors, 
 some centuries back, were painted savages, ferocious as the beasts 
 they extirpated. Now they are civilizees." 
 
 "Are civilizees so much better than savages ? " I ventured to ask. 
 
 " Yes ; it is worse to knock a man on the head than only to pick 
 his pocket. It is progress ; and the way from savagism to harmony 
 is through the discordance of civilization ; and a high harmony 
 cannot come without it ; for civilization has given us all we have 
 of industry, art, and their capabilities. They are worth all they 
 have cost." 
 
 It was the evening parade. The sun sank in glory. The music 
 repeated the golden clouds, and the deepening shadows, and all the 
 mild and softening splendors of the scene ; and the magnificent 
 choral, as the last rays fell athwart our assembly, was in keeping 
 with its tranquil grandeur. The evening gun was fired, and the 
 flag descended. 
 
 The groups lingered a little in the twilight, and watched tne 
 coming of the early stars ; but all were soon busy in preparing for 
 the evening's amusement, the opera, which I must now attempt to 
 describe to you. This, you know, is the crowning triumph of 
 civilization. It is, indeed, a partial harmonization ; a composite 
 pleasure, adapted to refined and cultivated tastes, and combining 
 a great variety, and a high order of enjoyments. The opera gives 
 us poetry, music, painting, dramatic situaiion and action, dancing, 
 often military evolutions, and such forms of life, energy, beauty 
 and passion, as the poet and composer may combine. 
 
 As the night closed around us, all but the youngest children, 
 their care-takers, and the first relay of the night watch, repaired to 
 the opera. The large assembly-room had been changed into a 
 beautiful theatre, with an ample stage, orchestra, and all needed 
 appointments. A band of twenty one musicians, led by Vincent, 
 played the overture, and the curtain rose on a performance, less 
 powerful and effective, perliaps, than some that we have seen and 
 heard at the Academy of Music, but more interesting and beautiful 
 to me. Melodia was Prima Donna assoluta ; next her was E valine. 
 
i 24 EsPERANZA. 
 
 who proved a charming contralto, and Laura ; the male characters 
 "were supported by the truant Paul, a delicate tenor; Alfred, 
 baritone ; Edgar, buflb ; and Manlins, a noble basso. It was in 
 two acts of an hour each with a most vivacious and sociable in- 
 termission ; with dancing in each act, executed by a small, but very 
 nicely trained cor/)s de ballet. The chorus was full and effective — 
 perfect, indeed, in time and harmony. 
 
 Thus there were eighty persons engaged on the stage, and in 
 the orchestra, including twenty boys, who figured with great eclat, 
 first as a corps of soldiers, and afterwards as fairies ; and who 
 marched, and performed their evolutions and exercises with 
 wonderful precision. 
 
 The audience was as interesting to me as the performers. They 
 were dressed with elegance, and taste, but with great freedom and 
 variety. Close around the stage, in the front seats, gathered the 
 juvenile portion ; and their enjoyment was the keenest, and their 
 plaudits and encores the most vociferous ; and when the encore 
 was not suflicent, their exclamations of "0, once more," "please 
 once more!" were exquisite. I sat with Harmonia, who, not mu- 
 sical herself, enjoys music with all the capability of her sensitive 
 organization — exquisitely sensitive both to harmony and discord — 
 to plt^asure and to pain. Serafa and Angelo, the sculptor, were near 
 me, and I was pleased to see that the poet enjoyed as well as any one, 
 her OAvn creation, so far as it was hers, for she assured me that it 
 owed almost every thing to Melodia, who had written the best 
 songs ; to Vincent, who, with her, had composed the music, and to 
 the suggestions of others. I will not describe the plot. It opens 
 with a scene in civilization. There are three lovers, each loving 
 by turns, or all together, three mistresses, which leads to jealousy, 
 quarrel^, attempts at assassination, poisonings, prison, and misery 
 enough. The first act ends very unhappily. But an enchanter 
 takes the affair in hand, and in the second, they find themselves on 
 an enchanted Island, a scene in fairy land, where the queen of the 
 fairies, by a potent spell, allays all jealousy, and after a few eflforts 
 and some relapses, they all concluded to love each other, after the 
 fashion of Fairy Land, and all ends happily. 
 
EsPERAXZA. 125 
 
 This was worked out with a delicacy and truthfulness of which 
 you can have little conception. The scenery and appointments of 
 the stag-e had been prepared with care, and the whole performance 
 was full of the enthusiasm of real artists. The performers were 
 called out in due form at the close of each act and pelted with flow- 
 ers. Then the composer and author were called for, and crowned. 
 It was a genuine ovation ; after which all went happily to rest. 
 
 I accompanied Harmonia to her apartments, with Serafa and 
 Raphael. Soon came Vincent and Melodia ; she still in the cos- 
 tume and jewels of the stage, and wearing her crown of flowers. 
 Never had she seemed more radiant than now. Vincent was 
 sparkling with a refined wit ; and both put their arms around the 
 modest Serafa, and congratulated her on the success ; but while she 
 accepted their praises, she gave them all the credit they deserved. 
 In oar world, artists and singers are too often selfish and jealous, 
 for these subverted passions are every where, poisoning all rela- 
 tions — but I saw none here. Alfred and Eveline, Laura and Paul, 
 now joined us, and all broughi, siools and cushions, and gathered 
 around Harmonia, and talked over the evening's pleasant work. 
 Vincent made chocolate, Laura brought some cakes, and we supped 
 together ; and as quiet succeeded to the excitement of the evening, 
 all joined w th clasped hands and blissful tears, in a simple, gentle 
 good night song, and all went, I could not doubt, to a blissful re- 
 pose. 
 
 And I to mine, my Clara ! Alone, but very happy ; — alone, but 
 ensphered in the harmony of the loving life around me , — alone, 
 but resting in the hope, that not many months will elapse, before 
 you will be here, to rest in my bosom, and share with me chis par- 
 adise. 
 
VIII. 
 
 HABMOmA. 
 
 My Claea ; — I wish to give you, as freshly as I can, and before 
 one emotion has obliterated the impression of another, each day's 
 experience of my trial of this new life. So 1 write on from day to 
 day, and shall send the package by the weekly mail, sent by a 
 messenger to the nearest post office. 
 
 My slumbers had not been disturbed by any seranade, unless it 
 were the music of the opera, which came back in dreams ; and I 
 woke with the first clear bugle note, the salutation to Aurora, 
 bathed, and joined the parade at sunrise. I am not an early riser 
 from habit, and a sunrise is a novel spectacle ; but I find here an 
 impulse and attraction which I cannot resist. There is a fresh spirit 
 in ihis morning assembly, a vigor of vitality, which inspires me. 
 Is it 4he magnetism of the esprit de corps which animates every 
 member of this society ? No regulation demands the presence of 
 any ; there is no compulsion, any more than there is to labor — no 
 external force, but in each case an attraction of abundant potency. 
 No discipline demands it ; no roll is called ; there are no fines as- 
 sessed, or penalties inflicted ; yet you can see and feel that no man, 
 woman, or child of sufficient age, would willingly be absent. 
 
 Each day is a new life, and has new achievements. The order 
 is also difiierent for each day. This morning, for example, the band 
 had another leader ; the morning choral was different, and the order 
 of the day was called by Melodia, with different leaders in nearly 
 all the groups of industry. The groups also, were all freshly 
 arranged ; and if any one had failed to be present, his place would 
 have been filled by some ready volunteer. 
 
 I observed that the hardest and most repugnant labors were 
 
 sought as posts of honor, as the bravest soldiers volunteer for the 
 126 
 
ESPERANZA. 127 
 
 most dangerous duties. Approbativeness finds here its legitimate 
 action. The night-watch, and other posts of responsibility, are 
 also places of honor, to which only the most trusty and devoted 
 are elegible. 
 
 As Melodia had directed the music, and the Order of the Day, 
 she also gave the morning lecture. It was a beautiful statement 
 of the political and social movements, tending to the progress of 
 humanity, which she had observed during her recent journey. 
 Many eyes sparkled, as she told of the rapid spread of the prin- 
 ciples of their organization. She inspired the enthusiasm of hope 
 in those who wish to see the happiness they enjoy extended to all 
 humanity, as fast as men can be prepared to receive it. 
 
 Even in our latitude, we know how delicious are fruits in the 
 morning. It is even more so here, or else the fruits are of a richer 
 flavor. Those which loaded the breakfast tables were fresh and 
 delicious ; and I made my breskfast almost entirely on melons, 
 peaches, and plums. After the groups of industry had gone to 
 their labors, I wrote to you, until it was time to meet an appoint- 
 ment with Harmonia, who had invited me to make her a visit this 
 morning. 
 
 I found her in her own parlor, study, or boudoir, for it is all com- 
 bined. She held out her left hand to me as she laid down her pen 
 with the right, and when I sat on a low ottoman beside her, she 
 laid her thin pale hand on my head, and said : "Are you a good 
 boy to-day ? " I think young men do not usually like to be called 
 or considered boys ; but I was very grateful for this maternal 
 recognition. I only kissed her other hand, and looked up with a 
 smile. 
 
 " And do you think the little one you have left is as good as 
 you? " She asked, with a serious look. 
 
 It was you, Clara, she meant by the little one. I told her of my 
 great faith in you, and my great love for you. " Yet it is a hard 
 trial," she said, " for the absent one. She is lonely and desolate 
 — you have the excitement of new scenes, and the interest of new 
 friends. Have you been quite frank with her in your letters ? It 
 is well that you have," she continued, when I assured her that I 
 
128 EsPERANZA. 
 
 had written every thought and feeling to you ; " for though the 
 trial may be sharp and difficult to bear, neither of you can afford 
 the expense of deceit." 
 
 '• 1 have been true as truth," I said. 
 
 "And you hope," she continued quietly, "that she has borne 
 it as well as you would have done, were she now here, and you at 
 home in her place." 
 
 my Clara ! I was rebuked and humbled by the consciousness 
 that I could not have borne this trial as I have wished you to bear 
 it ; and were I not sure that you are better than I feel myself to be, 
 I should fear that I have made you suffer more than I can tell ; for 
 it all came over me in a moment — all the loneliness, all the fear, 
 all the agony, I might have endured. And yet, beloved ! I 
 have been true to the deep love of my heart for you all the mo- 
 ments. May you so feel it. 
 
 Harmonia saw how troubled I was at the thought she had 
 suggested, and said with a smile, " We, who are children of 
 Providences, are not tried beyond our strength to bear. The angels 
 who have led you to us, have filled the loving heart with the con- 
 solation of trust. If she is to oome to us with you, she, like you, 
 must have her preparation. She must understand, and lovingly 
 accept our life of truth and freedom. Do not fear to be as frank 
 to her as you have been hitherto. Let her know all our life that 
 comes to you, that she may accept it as you accept it." 
 
 " I accept and welcome jnyfully all 1 see and comprehend of it," 
 I answered ; " but how it has come to you, and how it exists, I do 
 not yet understand." 
 
 " This is the lesson you have come to learn, and all here will be 
 your teachers. Shall I begin my lesson ? " 
 
 "I would drink at the fountain," I answered. 
 
 "The rains, and the hidden sources supply the fountain," said 
 she ; " I have been but the instrument of this work. The thought 
 and the love were born ; and the world groaned with its great 
 needs. Civilization, with all its progress, and all its triumphs, 
 had never satisfied the social wants of man. 
 
 " At last, the harmony, sought in vain on earth, descended from 
 
ESPEBANZA. 1 29 
 
 the heavens. The angels, in the higher spheres, live in harmony : 
 and the germ fell into the hearts of a few who could receive it 
 humbly and joyfully, and give it the conditions of growth. We 
 sought for freedom and truth in all relations, and especially in the 
 relations of love, and all that cluster around them. With a sino-le 
 devotion to this work, we accepted for it the consecration of our 
 lives, receiving into our group only those who could join in this 
 consecration. Our lives were thus made pure and fitted for har- 
 mony ; for we had seen that there could be no social harmony, 
 until the faculties of the individuals composing it were first har- 
 monized." 
 
 " It is of this harmonization," I said, "that I wish to know. 
 By what process was it attained ? " 
 
 " We endeavored to free ourselves from every thing discordant 
 in our lives, and to put away all hindrances to harmony. Our 
 minds were freed from all prejudices and superstitions, so that we 
 could receive the truth. We rejected the false gods, that we might 
 accept the true. Individual freedom came to us, as the first con- 
 dition of this purification. To be able to do any thing, we must 
 be free to do it — free in ourselves, and free from all control or 
 influence of others. So we became self-centered and self-govern- 
 ed beings. We sought physical purity, or health, by pure habits, 
 and the disuse of ail diseasing aliments. So the germinal group 
 became purified." 
 
 " And all bonds were severed ? " 
 
 "All false ones fell from us; all arbitary restraints of law and 
 custom we put away when we passed to a higher plane of life, 
 where they were no longer of any use, but only encumbrances. 
 Thus marriage, as a legal bond, had no more use to us. If a 
 love relation was a true one, we needed no legal bond — if false, we 
 could not be compelled to live the lie. Our higher law was to live 
 the true life — in all things to cease to do evil, and learn to do well. 
 
 " In the consecration of our lives, during this period of probation 
 and germination, when the central group of this society was form- 
 ing, and when all the energy and power of our lives was needed in 
 the work of growth, our love became spiritual, to the exclusion of 
 
130 EsPERANZA. 
 
 the sensual element, or the material union. We formed a sacred 
 vestalate. It. was necessary that the harmony of love should come 
 to us on the spiritual plane, before we could be fitted for it on the 
 material. In all this we were guided by the wisdom of the Hea- 
 vens, which we received with reverence and lived to with devotion. 
 So it was, my friend, that those who came to us were of the same 
 life, entering into a perfect accord with us, in a loving harmony, 
 the fruits of which you see around you." 
 
 "And there came no jealousy — no discord?" 
 
 "Jealousy and discord were severed from us, or they severed 
 from us all who were not ready for harmony. The selfish only are 
 jealous. It is tlie passion of claim or ownership. When we 
 renounced all claim to, or ownership of, each other, there was 
 no longer any ground for jealousy ; and when this principle had 
 been extended to all things, there was no cause of discord. When 
 the harmony was established in our little group of earnest and 
 devoted lovers, they drew others to them, of whom other groups 
 were formed, until we were strong enough to seek our Home 
 which Providence had given us." 
 
 " And all came here ?" 
 
 " First, the central group, and a band of pioneers, to build, and 
 plant, and prepare. Then the groups who were harmonized with 
 us. You will better learn the details of the work from others. 
 My work has been to harmonize the interior life, and to be the 
 medium of the spiritual society, in the heavenly life, which it is 
 our work to represent in the Earth-Life." 
 
 She sat a moment in silence — then binding a fillet over her eyes, 
 she held my hand. A tremor passed over her, and she smiled and 
 said : " A lovely woman is standing beside you ; she is t<all and 
 graceful, with blue eyes and curling auburn hair : she has a deep 
 dimple in her left cheek : she bends over and kisses your hair. 
 She says she is your mother ; that she guided you to Melodia, 
 and so to us ; and that she will not leave you until you are one of 
 ours. She watches over the beautiful one at home, and consoles 
 her, and is preparing her, with your help, to come to us. She says 
 there is a good work for you to do in the future, both in the world 
 
ESPERANZA. 131 
 
 and in Harmony, and that you will be the instrument of bringing 
 many into the True Life : and Earthly Harmony, which is but the 
 prelude to the Grander Harmonies of the Life of the Heavens. 
 She kisses you, and she smiles upon us — and I see her no more." 
 
 I did not doubt that it was the spirit of my dear mother. 
 True, there was no test — she might have had her description from 
 Melodia — but there was the internal conviction of truthfulness and 
 reality which was worth all tests. My mother still lives ; surely, 
 if living, she comes to her child ; and why should not this woman, 
 so pure, so spiritual, so gifted, be clairvoyant enough to see her. 
 It is but one spirit seeing another. 
 
 She removed the fillet from her eyes, and said, "I am very glad 
 your mother has come to me, for it confirms our acceptance of 
 you, and our belief in your usefulness. Use your time here dili- 
 gently ; see all you can of our life, and try to live in its spirit. 
 Live in unity with those you most love on the earth, and in the 
 heavens. When we taught freedom, a sensual world accused us of 
 licentiousness ; you will find in it the removal of all hindrances to 
 the highest and most heavenly life. Our life here is not perfect, 
 but progressive. Every day it grows more beautiful," 
 
 " Ah ! but the great world, and all its miseries. Can you enjoy 
 all this plenty and happiness, and not think of others?" I asked^ 
 
 "We do think and we act. It has been our high mission to show 
 mankind the possibility of a harmonic society, free from all the 
 cares, discords, and miseries of civilization. The work is nearly 
 done. The experiment, or working model of such an association 
 is accomplished, and, after an earnest trial of five years, you see its 
 success. Could we have done so well for the world by any other 
 means ? 
 
 " VVe cannot open our doors to unprepared and discordant civili- 
 zees, with their present habits and vices of thought and life. It 
 would peril all. Could we have a flesh-eater with his butcherings ; 
 a tobacco user, poisoning our atmosphere ; a bigot with his perse- 
 cuting spirit, willing to commence on earth the tortures he believes 
 to be in store in future for all who are not of his creed ; a domestic 
 despot, holding property in a wife or husband — in the life and 
 
132 ESPERANZA, 
 
 soul of another ? Do you not know tliat a single untuned 
 instrument, or unskillful player, will make discord in the finest 
 orchestra ? So would it be with us. We cannot destroy our 
 woi4, but we can perfect and extend it ; and we shall be ready- 
 soon to receive such groups as are forming and attuning them- 
 selves to our harmony; and when our number is complete, you 
 and others will be ready to form the germ of another association. 
 Meantime our thought is finding its way to many minds, and the 
 love of a pure and integral freedom to many hearts. Many will soon 
 be ready to graduate out of civilization, and the movement will go 
 on with an accelerating momentum. 
 
 " But nothing must be done hastily or rudely. We do not give 
 concerts witli a band of beginners in music. And we must guard 
 with care the tender plants of harmony. You can see well, how 
 all previous attempts have been fiiilures of necessity. There must 
 be no more with us." 
 
 " I know that all have failed, but I have not seen the reason." 
 
 " In every case there have been many causes of discord, any one 
 of which was enough to drive asunder those who wished for 
 harmony, and not an aggregation, and aggravation of discords. 
 Disease is a burthen, and all civilization is full of disease. Mar- 
 riage and the family, the central institution of civilization, is 
 unFuited to any other social state. A single family here, living 
 in the usual relation of husband and wife, parents and children, 
 would destroy our harmony. In a true society, self-ownership and 
 self-governmnet, and the mutual adaptation and responsiblity of 
 each to all, and all to each, must pervade the whole body. We 
 have no married couples; no lamily jars; no education in discor- 
 dances. But you will see all this better than I can tell you. 
 
 " Well, does this hurt you ? Do not be troubled for the little 
 one. Her instincts are more to be trusted than your reason. Have 
 you a confession to make ? " 
 
 It was not strange that she asked this question now, for my head 
 was bowed in a profound sorrow. I told her, frankly, that 1 had 
 thought of you, and that I could not endure the idea of your 
 loving another. 
 
EsPERANZA. 133 
 
 "No," she said, with a tender smile, "you want the dear one 
 all to youiself. Well, find a nice cottage, with a pretty garden, a 
 horse and cow, and have it as you will. If she were here, she 
 might love Vincent, or Angela, or Alfred, as much, perhaps, as 
 you love Melodia, or might love Serafa, or Evaline, or me, even — 
 who knows ?" 
 
 I laughed. It was too ridiculous. I was ashamed of my 
 inconsistency and absurdity. 
 
 " Come, we have talked enough here," she said, rising from 
 her easy chair ; "you shall go and help me work now." 
 
 We went to a portion of the garden, where a multitude of roses, 
 of the most fragrant kinds were blooming. A group of young 
 girls and children were busily and merrily at work, gathering the 
 petals of the fully opened floAvers into baskets, which, as fast as 
 filled, were carried into a room, for the manufacture of perfumery. 
 I saw that the roses, and other odorous flowers cultivated so pro- 
 fusely were not alojpe for ornament, but were converted, by a pleasant 
 and most attractive industry, into many rich and delicate perfumes, 
 which yieideii a handsome revenue. So we worked, picking roses, 
 and one of the young ladies, an adept in botany and vegetable 
 chemistry, ex,.lained to me the processes — how some odors were 
 separated by the fixed oils, and others by distillation, and how they 
 were combined to form the various mixtures of the toilette. 
 
 Farther on were groves of the sun-flower, so arranged as to give 
 great richness to the landscape, and whose seeds, gathered by a 
 group of juveniles, and submitted to a hydraulic press, a mys- 
 terious power they were delighted to exercise and explain, yielded 
 a large supply of a pure oil, for various uses ; after which the seed 
 cakes was conveyed to the poultry yard. 
 
 Flowers, useful for show alone, were cultivated sparingly, but 
 the odorous one in great abundance. We found great beds of the 
 heliotrope, the white lily, the lemon verbena, and the sweet 
 voilet, all used in perfumes. Here, also, were groves of the mao-- 
 nolia, and flowering lo ust, whose blossoms they make as profitable 
 as the fruit of other trees ; while they are, in their season, the glory 
 of the landscape. 
 
134 ESPEEANZA. 
 
 After two "hour's of work, which Harmonia counted for four to 
 her, since I had helped her, we went to meet the returning har- 
 vesters, with whom Vincent and Melodia had been at work. How 
 rosy and beautiful she looked, in her blouse and trousers, with her 
 broad hat wreathed with wild flowers, intermingled with heads of 
 wheat. She welcomed us, like a queen returning from a victory. 
 
 And now the returning bands gathered to the home, and the 
 waters flowed, and all were dressed for the dinner festival. 
 
 As we ate our strawberries, which by a careful culture and irriga- 
 tion are made to produce fruit the whole season, and I sat by Evaline, 
 Harmonia said to her : " My dear, I think that Mr. Wilson and I 
 will pay you a visit this afternoon, if agreeable." 
 
 Evaline looked at her mother, and then at Vincent and Melodia, 
 before answering ; then, as if the scrutiny were satisfactory, she 
 said : " I shall be happy to see you." 
 
 " But you did not seem quite certain," I said, in a low tone, 
 fearing there was some reason why she did not wish me to come. 
 
 " I was not — because I have not had the opportunity to know 
 you, as these have ; so I must take their judgment of you until I 
 can form one of my own. Our Eugenia has been more for- 
 tunate." 
 
 I looked across the table, where the beautiful Eugenia was blush- 
 ing rosy red — but I did not know why, then. I was fool enough 
 to think that she had expressed some partiality for me, which she 
 blushed to have expressed to me. 
 
 After dinner, came a musical repose, with all the gems of 
 Norma, exquisitely rendered ; and then 1 prepared to go with 
 Harmonia, who had given the day to my instruction and amuse- 
 ment. 
 
 She conducted me to the Art-Gallery, which is also the studio, 
 where we found several groups of artists and students, engaged in 
 various departments of their beautiful work. I saw here the center 
 and source of the tasteful decorations and fine works of painting and 
 sculpture, which adorn every portion of the edifices of Esperanza. 
 I have written of the decorations of the Fairy, and of the Ban- 
 quetting Hall, and the scenery of the Opera ; but I have not yet 
 
£sF£RANZA. 135 
 
 gived you an idea of the art-beauty which enriches every thing. 
 Here I found how it has been produced. 
 
 Near the entrance of the long gallery we found a group of 
 young students, taking their early lessons in drawing, and who 
 should we find as a leader or teacher, but our lovely Angela, who 
 Bat in the midst, drawing an urn of flowers ? Others were draw- 
 ing difierent objects, and all were at work happily. 
 
 A little further on were some older and more advanced stu- 
 dents, standing at their easels, and drawing from casts of antique 
 statuary. Another group was modeling figures in clay. Around 
 were the best works of their classes or groups, each with the 
 name and date — mementos of progress. 
 
 Further on we found Evaline, Paul, and the group of painters, 
 painting landscapes, historical or alegorical pictures, etc. It was 
 still a school, but the work was of such a merit as to command a 
 ready sale. 
 
 Harmonia had taken my hand as we advanced, and when we 
 came where several were painting the same subject, she turned 
 with me to look at what I supposed to be a picture they were 
 Gopying. It was a scene of some fairyland, a happy group reposing 
 under trees, eating fruit, and weaving garlands of flowers. The 
 design, composition, and coloring, all struck me as wonderful, and 
 I stepped forward to get a nearer view, when I found myself look- 
 ing at, not a painted picture, but a living composition. The figures 
 were models chosen from the most beautiful forms ; the fniit and 
 flowers were real ; the background had been sketched from nature 
 in distemper, like scene painting, with great truth and effectiveness, 
 and the drapery was arranged with an artful carelessness, that ■sas 
 truly charming. The repose of the positions was so real, that the 
 tableau vivant could remain an hour without fatigue, and the result, 
 I saw, would be five grand pictures, each a copy of the model, yet each 
 original in execution. It was a friendly competition, which must 
 bring out the finest powers of each artist; and when all were 
 finished, the one selected would be kept here, and the rest sold f.i* 
 the mutual benefit of the artists and the Home. 
 
 At the far end of the gallery I saw the sculptor Angelo at work 
 
1 36 ESPBRANZA. 
 
 upon a statue, while one was standing near him, on a pedestal, 
 in all the purity of truth — a statue, but living, I found, like the 
 picture. I hesitated — but Harmonia laid her hand upon my arm, 
 and I went forward. The undraped and most beautiful model 
 whom I did not recognize, so accustomed are we to look only at 
 faces, held out her hand to me, and with a start of surprise, I saw 
 that it was Eugenia. 
 
 Well, I took her hand as if she had been only the loveliest 
 statue in the world. She blushed no more. Enshrined in the 
 purity of art, there came to her pure spirit no thought or emotion 
 of evil. The sculptor worked on with his copy, soon to be 
 moulded and cast in alabaster ; while others were taking advantage 
 of the presence of the model, to make exquisite drawings ; and 
 two or three advanced students were modelling busts, or 
 statuettes. 
 
 The long room, with its soft, cool lights, its groups of earnest 
 students and artists, its stillness, broken only by low murmurs, and 
 the pictures and statues along the walls, seemed to me a sacred 
 temple for the worship of the Divine Beauty. All art schools 
 and artists, I know, have models, such as they can procure ; but 
 they are usually such as serve for hire. Here were those who gave 
 themselves to the uses of art, with a real enthusiasm ; who entered 
 into the spirit, and could give the very expression of each subject. 
 I cannot doubt that pictures and statues, produced under such cir- 
 cumstances, must have a peculiar value, and I can well believe that 
 no other industry yields more revenue to Esperanza than the works 
 of her artists. 
 
 Pictures and statues are multiplied, to a limited extent, by the 
 means I have described ; but engraving and lithography are also 
 employed for this purpose, and to aid in the mission of the beautiful. 
 
 " I thank you!" was my exclamation to my friend, as we de- 
 scended from the gallery. " You have afforded me much pleasure." 
 
 " And you have also given me some. ' Blessed are the pure in 
 heart.' The rest of the verse is, ' for they shall see God.' Per- 
 haps if you read for they shall see good, it will be as well. I do 
 not think we are likely ever to see God, but as we see him always. 
 
EsPERANZA. 137 
 
 in all the universe ; but the pure in heart see good, where the 
 corrupt find only evil." 
 
 " I have never seen evil in works of high art ; they have always 
 seemed to me to be elevating and refining in their influence." 
 
 " You have been fortunate in your birth and your culture ; but 
 there are thousands in our country, of Pharisaic pretension, who 
 are much less fortunate, and but few in the world of civilization, 
 not accustomed to the sphere and methods of art, who could have 
 passed so well through this ordeal. In our life, and with our 
 thoughts and feelings, clothing is a convenience, a necessity of 
 climate, or an ornament; not a moral necessity, as in civilization. 
 Madame ' George Sand ' once said, when her friends were talking 
 enthusiastically of the establishment of association — the Phalans- 
 terie of Fourier — 'Gentlemen, I will tell you when it will be 
 possible to realize association. When a woman can walk out into 
 the street naked, and excite no more attention or remark than if 
 she were dressed ; then, and not till then, may your dreams be 
 realized.' 
 
 "It was a profound truth. What is needed for harmony is that 
 moral purity, which comes from the development and equilibrium 
 or harmonization of all the faculties. It is here — here where 
 woman may wear any clothing, as you see, or none, without offence 
 or injury to any." 
 
 "Is the studio I have visited to-day," I asked, "open to every 
 person ?" 
 
 " Assuredly, it is open to every one of us at proper times ; but 
 our principles guard us against intrusion. Eugenia, or Melodia, or 
 whoever might be the model, would not bo troubled at beinar seen 
 by any who would wish to visit the studio. If there were 
 strangers, they must be such as we know, and could welcome into 
 our family." 
 
 I expressed my thanks for this confidence ; but I confess, dear 
 
 Clara, tbat I was not quite satisfied. It is not easy to say why one 
 
 may not look at a woman, beautiful as she came from the hand of 
 
 nature, with the same feeling with which we may look at the 
 
 picture or statue of one, suoli as raav be seen in all of our eralleries : 
 12 " & » 
 
and it may be that there is prejudice in one ease, as there has been 
 in the other. But though I was reconciled to having my divinities 
 seen by a few, I did not wish to extend the privilege to so many, 
 and I expressed these doubts to Harmonia, who said : 
 
 " You are still a little prejudiced and unjust. The rules, and 
 customs, and restraints of civilization may be necessary to the 
 conditions it creates. Here it is not so. All who are here, have 
 come through the gate of consecration ; and though some have 
 less of culture and taste than others, all are honest, and have a 
 right to the refining influences of both nature and art. Beauty 
 exerts a holy influence on such souls ; why should you deprive 
 them of the highest beauty ? The legend of the Lady Godiva, 
 while it records the devotion of one woman, also records the con- 
 scious unworthiness of all the men of Coventry to look upon her, 
 as well as their honest self-denial in refraining from looking 
 unworthily." 
 
 "But, dear madam," I said, "you would not have sensual eyes 
 gloating on the beauty of those you love ?" 
 
 " I would not have sensual eyes around me to gloat on any thing. 
 Where there are such, beauty needs protection. But when fashion 
 tells your New York ladies to uncover their arms or bosoms, do 
 they ask.any questions about sensual eyes?" 
 
 " They do not : but I have never felt satisfied that any one I 
 cared for should be exposed to such rude gazings." 
 
 "You were right, I think. Sensitive natures feel the influence 
 of the emotions they unwittingly excite. Your shrinking from it 
 is a true instinct — but were all men and women pure and honest, 
 could you have such a feeling ? We do not hide ourselves from 
 the angels, nor from any that we love and trust." 
 
 " But would you have Eden back again ?" 
 
 "Perhaps not; certainly not until the race improves in beauty. 
 There are few of us who do not need clothing to conceal our im- 
 perfections. Beauty, now, is the exception ; it will soon be the 
 rule, and then universal. When that comes, Eden, if you will. 
 At present, I should beg to be excused, for the sake of my own 
 eyes, as well as those of others." 
 
EsPERANZA. 139 
 
 So our strange conversation, ended ; and I walked down to the 
 lake-side, thinking of it all, and surveying the beauty of the scene, 
 until the bright Angela came running to invile me to take my 
 supper with her sister, and the group of artists to which she 
 b-jlougs. 
 
 It was served in Evaline's apartment, where she sat at the head 
 of the table, as hostess, while I had the place of honor as her 
 guest. 
 
 It was a delightful party. We had Melodia, Eugenia, and a 
 bevy of bright girls, with the charming Angela ; and for men, 
 Anofelo, Paul, and their brother artists. The conversation was of 
 beauty, and taste, and I saw evidences of both all around me. 
 
 I wish I could describe this room of the gentle, artistic Evaline. 
 It is the more outer covering or clothing of herself. Its walls are 
 of her choice colors, in which blue and rose predominate ; and 
 though delicately painted in fresco, they yet admit of many gems of 
 art, pictures of her own, portraits of her friends, and the works of 
 her brother and sister artists. There is a library of her choice 
 books ; and with her pianoforte and guitar, a music rack, filled 
 with her favorite music. The furniture is of carved wood — each 
 piece of some different device, and each the design and work of 
 some one who wished to be remembered. Every thing has its 
 story, or its memory. The room opens into a sleeping room, with 
 its closets, bath-room and dressing-room. 
 
 Every person here, who has arrived at the age of twelve years, 
 has his or her own independent suite of rooms, with the simple 
 necessities of furniture, at first, to be added to afterward, according 
 to taste and ability. Each apartment is sacred to its owner, and 
 free from all intrusion. Parent or friend cannot come without 
 knocking, and no one asserts claim or authority. Privacy and 
 entire individuality are thus secured. 
 
 So the tasteful Evaline was here in her OAvn home, and those she 
 chose to have with her sh,e took here, as she might have taken 
 them into her bosom. She had dressed for the little fete in colors 
 harmonizing with the room ; and her guests had each dressed for 
 the occasion in varied, but gmceful costumes. It was a refined 
 
1 40 EsPERANZA. 
 
 adornment of natural charms, like a fine setting of gems, or a fit 
 framing of pictures. Conforming to no tyranny of fashion, each one 
 was a separate study in character and becomingness. 
 
 So in our little feast, while all was gentleness and courtesy, there 
 was an entire absence of all formality. When any thought of a 
 story to tell, it was told ; and if a song or an air was spoken of or 
 thought of, some one would run to the pianoforte to sing or clay 
 it. This gentle revel, so full of wit and soul, lasted until we heard 
 the music of the band on the western lawn, summoning us to the 
 parade at sunset. It was a moment of sublime beauty. The 
 descending sun, sinking in the golden west ; his beams reflected 
 from the windows of the Home ; the grand music of the full 
 band, and a chorus of two hundred voices, all produced an eflfect 
 of sublimity, until tlie evening gun boomed over the waters, and 
 came back in echoes from the forest coves, and the flag descended, 
 and the day was done. 
 
 I could see the harmonizing influence of these morning and 
 evening assemblages, in which all were animated and inspired by 
 one common emotion, in one common act. As the last echoes died 
 away, the sacred emblem was folded with religious care, and 
 brought to Harmonia. She gravely thanked the pages who had 
 brought it ; then others came, took it in charge, and conveyed it 
 to its place of deposit, to bring it forth in the morning to be raised 
 at sunrise, with similar ceremonies. 
 
 When this was done, the assemblage, which had been formed in 
 crescentic order, broke into groups, and spent the next half hour 
 of early twilight like innocent sportive children ; and then all went 
 to prepare for the evening festival. 
 
 It was a concert and ball of an entirely informal and unpretend- 
 ing character. The evening was warm, though freshened by the 
 lake breeze ; the toilets were light, gauzy, but very graceful. The 
 music, mostly of stringed and light wind instruments, as the flute 
 and oboe, was of a soft exhilaration, while the dances were of a 
 gentle, graceful character, such as we seldom see in our assemblies. 
 
 After a little practice, I found this style of dancing very agreea- 
 ble. In a quadrille, where the sets change so that you dance 
 
Ksr^^RANZA. 141 
 
 wltli many partners, it was pleasant to be acquainted with every 
 out', and to need no introductions. It was better to feel that every 
 one treated me with entire confidence. I saw no sadness here, 
 such as one sees with us in the gayest company, and felt no 
 distrust. There was the most perfect freedom, without riot or 
 disorder. A refined courtesy, a gentle politeness, a self-possessed, 
 and yet defemtial behavior, was universal. There was no hnugh- 
 tine.ss, and no intrusion. Groups clustered by spontaneous at- 
 traction. If I looked at a lady wishfully, as if I would speak or 
 dance with her, she held out her hand to me, or signed with her 
 fan or bouquet to invite me to approach her. And I have observed 
 here, that at all times, in the fields, shops, or assemblies, no one 
 ever risks intrusion by approaching an individual or a group, 
 without an invitation. So, if you choose, you may be in the most 
 perfect isolation. I have seen no rudeness, coarseness, or imper- 
 tinence of speech or action, such as we have seen but too often, even 
 in the most fashionable assemblies. 
 
 In the intervals of the dancing we had two or three stories, 
 recitations, or speeches ; and some choice vocal music ; and at the 
 close, one of those grand chorusses, which seem to melt all into 
 the same harmony. So the merry evening closed with a calm hap- 
 piness, and Harmonia, who had given me the morning, now came 
 to bid me good night. We walked out into the moonlight, and 
 down through the soft odors of the night to the sands of the lake, 
 and sat there by the silvery ripple of its waves. 
 
 " Two days with us, my friend," she said ; her hand resting on 
 my shoulder, " two days of our life. Will you tell me how it now 
 seems to you ?" 
 
 " It seems like dream-land.' 
 
 " It has been a dream — but all such dreams come to be realities." 
 
 "But is there no fear that some calamity will befall this 
 happy scene ; that these gathered groups may be scattered again 
 into the discords and isolation of the outer world ? " 
 
 '■ We have no such fear. What is to scatter us ? " 
 
 " If you and Vincent were to die." 
 
 •' As we must, soon. There are rnany ready to stand in our 
 
142 - EiJ'LUAJsZA. 
 
 places. The harmony clusters around the central life, but that 
 belongs to no individual. And each group has its own center, as 
 well as all the groups a central group. All are educated, and are 
 being every day more educated hi this life. Nothing but sopae 
 convulsion of external force can destroy us. From that the Pro- 
 vidence that has broufjht us so far, will guard and defend us." 
 
 "Amen!" I murmured reverently. " But I have much yet to 
 learn. You now, sittingr with me alone in the ni^ht. Does no one 
 wait for you?" 
 
 "Do I belong to myself, or to another?" said she, with energy. 
 " But I can pardon the question and the thought, for I have lived 
 in all the slaveries of civilization. I know what it is to be owned. 
 But now, and here, I am free, as every one here is free. No 
 woman here is owned by husband, or parent, or lover. She lives 
 her own life, accountable only to her own interior sense of right — 
 to the Divinity of her own being. So, if I should sit all night by 
 the lake shore, alone, or with another, there is no one to call me to 
 account, or to criticise my conduct." 
 
 "And Vincent?" 
 
 "Is he less his own? Look!" She pointed across the lake, 
 where I saw a boat with its white sail, and in a few moments we 
 heard first a few clear bugle notes, and then a glee of three voices, 
 in which I recognized Melodia, Vincent, and Evaline. The boat 
 sped on, and the music died away in the distance. 
 
 The lights had been extinguished, one by one, until the home 
 was lighted only by the clear moonbeams, a picture of wondrous 
 beauty ; a cluster of buildings, which have spread out like the 
 banian tree ; a symetrical variety, every addition adding to the 
 picturesqueness of the whole mass without marring any effect 
 
 "Our life is three-fold," said Harmouia, when I had looked 
 some moments at this scene ; " the life of the individual, of the 
 group, and of the whole society. Our life secures to us the most 
 absolute individual freedom. Every one consults his own tastes, 
 chooses his own employments, and disposes of his time, labor and 
 affections as he wishes to do. Every one finds those with whom 
 he can group in the relations of friendship and love, and all groups 
 
ESPERANZA. 1 43 
 
 join together in those enterprises and amusements which are for 
 the common good. We have a beautiful home, plenty beyond all 
 care, a healthful and attractive industry, a gi-owing and refinino- 
 art, means for intellectual improvement and enjoyment, freedom and 
 love. Heaven is very near us in this Home. With our own 
 present and future assured to us, we only ask that others may be 
 prepared as fast as may be to join us, and then to form other 
 Humes like this, until the world will be filled with riches, beauty 
 harmony and happiness." 
 
 " Will it be soon ?" I asked, as if certain that she could tell me. 
 
 "Not soon, if we reckon by our wishes," she said, "and 
 yet sooner than would be reckoned by our fears. It is a question 
 of progress or growth. But few of the present or passing gener- 
 ation can be developed up to the plane of harmony. Our work is 
 with the young. We are preparing the means of education for vast 
 numbers, who will come to us soon, before the habits, and vices, 
 and bonds of civilization have gathered around them. The older, 
 who can become as little children, may also enter this kingdom of 
 Heaven." 
 
 "You have a goodly number hei'e ; and persons of all ages." 
 
 "Yes ; yet they are mostly young. And these have been 
 gathered from a large territory. They have come, many of them, 
 out of great tribulation, and with the sundering of many ties. It 
 required years ot progressive davelopment, before they were 
 ready even to form the first groups of harmony. But the great 
 want and the great love conquered, and when Providence opened 
 the way, we came, and our groups gathered around us ; and here 
 we are, the only free society upon the earth." 
 
 "It seems to me," I said, "that if I could present simply and 
 truly the fact of this hfe to our society, they would receive it at 
 once, and that the whole world could be revolutionized in a few 
 years !" 
 
 " So thought Fourier. He believed that if some great monarch 
 or great capitalist would only advance the means to form the first 
 Phalanst^rie, it would not be more than seven years before the 
 whole human race, even the barbarians and savao-e^, would come 
 
144 Esi'tRAKZA. 
 
 into the harmonies of the combined order. Entliusiasm is very 
 credidoiis. Think what men must abandon before they are fitted 
 for the first step. Man must be freed from all their prejudices. 
 They must give up all sectarian bigotries. A man cannot live in 
 harmony with those be believes to be totally depraved and destined 
 to eternal perdition. Men must give up the selfishness of personal 
 ambitions, the lust of wealth, the lust of power, the lust of appetite ; 
 they must be cleansed of all lusts, and come into the consecration 
 of all faculties to the work of development and the purposes of 
 harmony." 
 
 "Leave ail, and follow the Divine Truth ?" 
 
 " Leave all that is inconsistent with the practice of the truth. A 
 man may not necessarily leave father, and mother, and children ; 
 property and friends ; btit he must be ready to do so, or there is 
 no true consecration. Think now, if you know many persons 
 ready for our life." 
 
 I thought earnestly, my Clara, and I could only think of you, 
 and of you hope, not without trembling. It asks for so much, and 
 yet it seems to me but the most simple, natural, and beautiful life, 
 and one every body ought to live. 
 
 We heard now a song stealing over the waters ; a sweet low 
 song of love and happiness. I recognized, even in the for distance, 
 the voice and guitar of Evaline. Soon the sail whitened in the 
 moonbeams and the boat drew nigh. We rose and Harmonia 
 waved her handkerchief, and the boat, obeying her signal, soon 
 grounded on the beach where we were standing, the sail was 
 furled and a party of six came on shore. Vincent put his arm 
 around Harmonia ; Melodia came to me, and we went slowly up the 
 gravelled walk, through the heavy perfumes. 
 
 We all went to Melodia's apartment, when each one drank a 
 single glass of wine, as if it were a sacrament ; then, with a kiss 
 of peace they went to their repose. And I was left with Melodia, 
 alone, at midnight. 
 
 She sat upon a couch, and I sank at her feet- — the beautiful feet 
 of her who had brought me glad tidings. Lovely as I had 
 thought her, when I first saw her; beautiful as she was to me on 
 
ESPERANZA. 145 
 
 all our journey, she had never appeared so beautiful as now, in tho 
 heart of her Home, and among her loved ones. She did not wait 
 for me to speak first, but said : 
 
 "Have I done well to bring you here ?" 
 
 "I can never thank you as I wish," I answered. 
 
 " I am thanked and paid, if you come back to us." 
 
 And I said " Oh, beautiful one ; my life is here. I shall come, 
 for I love you." 
 
 She took my hand and held it a few moments in silence. I 
 would have spoken, but I could not. I felt a subduing power, 
 which calmed me. I wondered how I had said Avhat I did, but 1 
 could not take it back. It was not needed. She said very softlj 
 and tenderly to me — 
 
 " I know that you love me ; and this love, which must live a 
 a sac'-ed thing in your heart, will help to conquer obstacles, and 
 bring you here again. When you have come, and have passed 
 through the portal of consecration, you will find all that is truly 
 yours. I accept the love with a devout thankfulness ; you must 
 trust me as you love. 
 
 " Is it so hard to wait ? " she asked, responsive to some look oi 
 thought of mine. " You must wait with an entire patience, until 
 you are in the harmony, before you can know what the harmony 
 will bring to you. I accef)t your love as a prophecy, which may 
 help to accomplish its own fulfilment. I thank you for your love, 
 and I give you hopeJ" 
 
 She rose as I did, put back my hair, and with an inexpressibly 
 sweet, tender dignity, pressed her lips to my forehead, and I went 
 from her presence as reverently, as I would have parted from 
 an angel. 
 
 13 
 
IX. 
 
 THE MASQUERADE. 
 
 Mt Beautiful : I imagine myself with you, seated at your side, 
 and telling you all that I write. Would that it could be so ! 1 
 know that you would ask me many questions, and bring out by 
 your inquiries, a hundred details I may forget to give you. 
 
 The basis of all true life is industry ; and the product of industry 
 is wealth. In our civilization, many are idle drones ; and the labor 
 of vast multitudes is wasted or unproductive. I have long seen 
 this, but never clearly as now. Here all work, from the infant of 
 five years to the oldest; and a large portion of this labor is pro- 
 ductive of wealth. I walked around yesterday, almost the entire 
 day, except the hours in which I wrote to you, and inspected many 
 details of this industry, which is the basis of so much happiness. 
 
 The first material wants of this society are food, clothing, and 
 shelter. Grain, fruils, vegetables, milk, eggs, honey, are produced 
 in superabundance for every want, and some in large surplus. Of 
 wheat and corn, those great cereal staples, for example, there is 
 always a three years' supply in the air tight granaries. Of fruits, 
 there is a large stock, dried or preserved. The finest vegetables, 
 as green corn, green peas, and tomatoes, are also kept in large quan- 
 tities. There are a thousand hens, and a hundred swarms of bees. 
 The eggs are preserved both in vacuum and by drying to powder. 
 A few hours' labor each day, through the growing season, not only 
 supplies every want, and fills the granaries and store-houses beyond 
 all fear of want, but leaves an abundant surplus, which the Fairy 
 takes to a ready market at New Orleans, Memphis or Vicksburg. 
 
 This surplus is exchanged, in part, for sugar, rice, etc., and in 
 part for the materials of clothing, both for the general stock, and 
 
EsPERANZA. 147 
 
 for individual requirements. This clothing is made up during the 
 ■winter, and on rainy days, when out-door work is impracticable. 
 The general clothing, and bed and table linen, is made up by groups 
 of workers, in the sessions of general or communal labor. The 
 private wardrobes are made up in the groups, in the hours of in- 
 dividual work or amusement. A lady who has dresses to make 
 for herself, or for some one she loves, invites a group of skilled 
 artists to assist her, and she assists them in turn. Great skill is 
 thus developed, and a wonderful beauty and variety of costume. 
 
 The shelter, or dwelling combines every needed convenience. 
 The suites of rooms, consisting of parlors, bed-rooms, bath- 
 rooms, and closets, are clustered in groups, the parlors of a group 
 opening into each other, so that several can be combined, where a 
 group gives a party, and invites the members of other groups. At 
 the same time the privacy of every individual is most sacredly 
 respected. The whole is lighted, and warmed in winter, by gas, 
 and cooled in summer by a most perfect ventilation. 
 
 The large saloons have self-acting ventilators, which open and 
 let out the warm air, and admit the cooler, at a certain temperature. 
 The outer walls are all double, for protection against both cold and 
 heat ; and a blower attached to the steam-engine throws either warm 
 or cold air, as needed, througli pipes, to every portion of the buildings 
 
 So the three physical wants have a beautiful and abundant pio 
 vision : a residence of excellent adaptation to every requirement of 
 comfort and taste ; clothing for use, cleanliness, and beauty ; and 
 food in abundance, healthful, nourishing, and satisfying the de- 
 mands of an esthetic gastronom3^ 
 
 But the supply of these physical requirements, even on a scale 
 of luxury and refinement, requires but a small portion of the in- 
 dustry of this society. There is a varied and active work in 
 manufactures and art, adding to the wealth, elegance, and luxury 
 of the Home. Of these I will hereafvor give you some details. 
 There is abundant work, and also abindar.t leisure ; but the work, 
 performed as it is here, is more aui-iictive than rest, and I see that 
 the busy instinct of humanity here finds its normal action. Every 
 work, by skill and combination, is made amusing. 
 
1 48 EsPERANZA. 
 
 It is curious to see the industrial force of this society, and the 
 prodigies it performs, t spoke of this to Alfred, yesterday, as I 
 watched the progress of the addition to the building, whose walls 
 are rising day by day, and where men and boys, and even a few 
 girls, work on like so many beavers, impelled by the same instinct. 
 
 " We have nothing else to do," said he, " for we are not obliged 
 to take care of each other, as in the society we have left." 
 
 "iror example ?" said I ; willing to see the case he would make. 
 
 " For example, we need not deduct from the effective industrial 
 force of our society, a parscn to preach for us ; a doctor to cure 
 us of diseases self-produced ; a lawyer to help us quarrel ; police 
 to keep us in order; soldiers to fight for us ; sick people and their 
 attendants ; financiers to fleece us ; traders to buy and sell for 
 us ; thieves and paupers to plunder us ; and so on to the end of 
 the long list of the civilized drones, leeches and parasites." 
 
 It was a good enumeration, but not yet half filled out. In New 
 York, every working man does enough labor every year, in paying 
 his rent, to build a good house, which would last him his life time. 
 If he works three hundred days a year, two hundred and fifty or 
 more are for other people. Yet what a life ! How poor, enslaved, 
 meager and miserable it appears, in comparison with the free, 
 buoyant, happy life around me. 
 
 " There are other economies of labor here," said Alfred, 
 " which may be worth considering. If the men are set free from 
 the useless occupations of civilization, or the necessity of support- 
 ing those who follow them ; the women are quite as free and 
 available to productive industry. In the isolate and discordant 
 disorder of the prevailing society, our women would be either 
 fashionable idlers, or housekeepers, or domestic drudges. Here 
 we have neither. A small group is in the nursery ; others in 
 kitchen and laundry ; and all free to assist in some productive or 
 beautiful industry. Our force is four or five times as great, there- 
 fore, as with the same number of persons in the old society, so 
 that we can easily accomplish double in half the time." 
 " And the enthusiasm counts for somethino' ? " 
 " It nearly doubles the product again. Twenty of our boys and 
 
EsPERANZA 1 49 
 
 girls, working together, with the vigor of health and the excitement 
 of an emulative contest, will often do more work in two hours, than 
 the same number of hired laborers would do m a day. 
 
 " There are other economies than those of labor. For instance, 
 it would cost three times the labor to build separate dwellings, for 
 as many families as our population would compose. They would 
 burn six times the fuel. Their separate cookings, washings, bak- 
 ings, etc. would require ten times the labor. Fifty barns, granaries, 
 cellars, sets of fences, kitchen furniture, implements, etc. and all 
 this, to secure less privacy than we enjoy, less comfort in every 
 way, giving us a thousand cares and annoyances, and not a tithe 
 of our means of happiness. Civilization is a miserable state of toil, 
 vexation, and enslavement, under the best conditions. You have 
 seen what it may be under the worst." 
 
 The hideous picture of the life of poverty in our city, came to 
 me, in the light of this contrast, as it never came before. 
 
 I walked away thoughtfully, and came soon where a noisy group 
 of children, from three to ten years old, were engaged in picking 
 and shelling green peas. They were stripped from the vines with 
 great rapidity, and carried in baskets to two dog carts, the contest 
 being to see which cart would be soonest filled by its group. There 
 was also a spirited contest between the pickers and shellers, and it 
 was no empty victory, for the members of the triumphant groups 
 have the right to wear the badge of their triumph at the evening 
 parade and festival. 
 
 It had been beautiful weather for several days, but the gardens 
 required moisture. I went with Vincent to see the opening of the 
 sluices for irrigation. The canal winds along the hill side, with 
 an embankment skirted by the osier, or basket willow, which is 
 also a staple of industry for the winter ; the willow furniture of all 
 kinds made here, being light and graceful as fairy work, and finding 
 a ready market at high prices. 
 
 In the arrangement of the grounds, more than four hundred 
 acres can be watered from this canal, which is fed by a mountain 
 lake and living springs. If these were to fail, Vincent said, they 
 could readily send the water up from the lake below. As we 
 
1 50 EsPEBANZA. 
 
 passed along the dyke, opening the sluices from point to point, it 
 was beautiful to see the Avaters go rushing and dancing down the 
 slopes, and we heard the cheers of the children, as the rivulets 
 reached them. In a little time the whole region was well moist- 
 ened. Where the lands are out of the reach of this irrigation, 
 there are watering carts, filled by backing into the lake, and then 
 distributing their showers like the watering carts in Broadway. 
 
 Among the favorite amusements or attractive occupations of the 
 young people of both sexes, is the training of horses to beautiful 
 exercises, on a part of the grounds, well fitted for this purpose. 
 As there are fifty horses and ponies, there is no lack of material ; 
 and the children not old enough to be entrusted with horses, have 
 their pet goats, dogs, and sheep, under excellent subjection, so as 
 to go in the saddle and harness, and perform many uses. 
 
 This life, you see, is not simply utilitarian. It is not to get the 
 greatest possible product out of a certain amount of labor, or a 
 certain number of hands. The higher object is seen every where, 
 of making the life best worth living ; a means for the exercise, 
 development and enjoyment of all faculties. These equestrian 
 exercises, I could see, were well adapted to give strength, energy 
 and a certain boldness and self-possession of character. There is, 
 also, on this play ground, a gymnasium for old and young, much 
 used in the winter, and at all seasons when the regular work does 
 not furnish sufficient exercise. This has done much, I am told, to 
 give the men and women the fine and full development which I 
 cannot enough admire. We have seen this, even in the city, where 
 the pupils of a few teachers of gymnastics show a remarkable 
 contrast to the pale cheeks and undeveloped forms which fill our 
 drawing-rooms with objects of pity, and the grave-yards with 
 victims of consumption. 
 
 I am indebted to Vincent for many of these observations ; for he 
 accompanied me in my walk, pointing out any matter of interest, 
 or giving any required explanation. He had been a physician 
 formerly, I knew, and I asked him respecting the health of Espe- 
 ranza, for as yet I had heard of no sickness. 
 
 "My office of physician is a sinecure," said he; "we have left 
 
ESF£RASZA. 151 
 
 the causes of disease behind us. With pure food, cleanliness, 
 exercise, freedom from care, and happiness, what should make us 
 sick ? We have had no death here, and scarcely any illness. 
 Many brought out of civilization the results of its evil practices, 
 but every day of this life has purified and strengthened them. 
 The children who came with us have passed their purgations, such 
 as measles and scarlatina, almost without confinement ; those bom 
 here, we hope may not need them," 
 
 " Do you think uninterupted health possible ? " 
 
 " Why not ? Health is the natural condition ; disease the un- 
 natural. Men earn their diseases. Even where there is malaria, 
 or a poisoned atmosphere, one whose life is pure and true in all other 
 respects, can resist a single cause of disease. People who eat no 
 flesh of dead animals ; who take no such poisons as opium, tobacco, 
 hops, or whiskey ; who do not exhaust their lives by any im- 
 moderate or unnatural indulgence ; who are pure and chaste, have 
 a vigor of life which triumphs over many evils. Harmony of the 
 system is health ; and where is each body and spirit so likely to be 
 in harmony, as in a harmonic society ? We have solved the ques- 
 tion of disease. For us, then, is no more sickness." 
 
 " Have you ever thought," I said, " of the possibility of a con- 
 tinual recuperation ? " 
 
 " Of an earthly immortality ; yes. It cannot come, I think, to 
 a fragment of humanity ; but when the whole earth is harmon- 
 ized, I see no reason why life should not be prolonged indefinitely, 
 if it were desirable ; which it is not, at present. The argument to 
 the contrary is from analogy — and all analogies fail under new- 
 conditions." 
 
 " Will you excuse some questions, which may not seem needful 
 to you, and may even seem invidious?" I asked. 
 
 " I wish you to be entirely frank with me and all," he said. 
 " Ask freely, and you shall have as true answers as can be given. 
 We would cheerfully make our life an open book, to all earnest 
 seekers after the truth." 
 
 " Will you tell me how you deal with crime ? " Vincent looked 
 in my face with a curious, puzzled expression ; then smiled, and said : 
 
1 52 ESFERANZA. 
 
 "I was near forgetting where you have so lately come from. I 
 have told you that we have no disease. The mental disorder, or 
 discordance, which results in crime, finds no place in harmony. 
 What crime, for instance ? Theft, where every one has all he 
 wants? Tliere is no inducement to any crime against property, 
 where all have an interest in the common-wealth. There is scarcely 
 a possible motive for a crime against the person, and a pure and 
 healthy life is a good security against the insanities of passion. 
 There is the same security against sensuality. If a crime were 
 committed, the criminal would be pitied as an insane or diseased 
 person. All would try to cure him." 
 
 " But if a man or woman were wicked or perverse ? " 
 "If this were not also disease, there would be, first, coldness ; 
 then withdrawal of all sympathy ; then expulsion. It would be 
 like the sloughing off, or excision of a mortified limb. But I ap- 
 prehend no use for such surgery. A healthy body does not lose 
 its members. No more does a healthy society." 
 
 " If, at any time, or for any reason, a member wishes to leave ?" 
 I said, not without a sense of some absurdity in the question. 
 
 If any member wishes to travel abroad, there i sentire freedom. 
 Each one has an individual property, as well as an interest in the 
 common wealth. The society is like a bank, where property is 
 deposited for safe keeping." 
 
 " 1 have asked you in regard to crime. It is true that I see no 
 temptation to fraud or violence ; but it is difficult to conceive of a 
 society where there is never idleness, wrangling, or any other 
 disorder. It seems necessary that there should be some govern- 
 ment or authority." 
 
 " The prevailing spirit of our society is activity. It is our 
 fashion ; and approbativeness and self-esteem, no less than conscien- 
 tiousness incite to industry. How can a man with any self-i*espect, 
 or feeling of justice, or regard for the good opinion of others, ea* 
 the bread of idleness ? The social wants of sympathy, friendship, 
 and love, can only be satisfied here, by earnest right doing. 
 Paul said, "if a man will not work, neither shall he eat." With 
 us, it would need no authority to enforce such a rule. A man 
 
EsPERANZA. 1 i,A 
 
 would be ashamed to eat, who did less than his full share in pro- 
 ducing our food. As to wrangling-, whoever should begin it 
 would wrangle himself out of his group, and out of all sympathy 
 and enjoyment. There is nothing to wrangle about. The healthy 
 and happy are not quarrelsome. 
 
 " You ask of government. The individuals are self-governing ; 
 the groups are self-governing ; and the society, which is a group 
 of groups, also governs itself. How is that tree governed, or 
 your owu body, which is, perhaps, a still better type of a true 
 society? Each leaf does its own work; each organ performs 
 its function, and the result is harmony. We have our central 
 group, which is in some sense governing, but it governs only 
 by attraction. It is the central wisdom and the central love. 
 All offices are functional. For example, Manlius is an accurate 
 calculator of relations and equilibriums, and an orderly and exact 
 accountant. Should there arise any question of justice, in business 
 matters, every person here would wish to refer it to him, and 
 would be satisfied with his decision. We do not need to appoint 
 or elect him to this ofl&ce. It is his, because of his fitness. So 
 all other matters. If a discord arises in our harmony, every nice 
 ear detects it, every one wishes it corrected, and it is. The 
 central group governs, but as unconsciously as the central nervous 
 life in your body. It is the center of the pervading life, or harmony 
 of the spirit." 
 
 " Does the pecuniary success of this enterprise equal your ex- 
 pectations ? " I asked. 
 
 "Look!" said Vincent, with a wave of his hand toward the 
 home and domain, which we now overlooked, from a little emi- 
 nence. It was in truth a glorious sight. Fields, gardens, groves, 
 vineyards, edifices of an architecture like music, the fairy steamer, 
 a little fleet of boats, the mills and factories in the distance, the 
 groups of gaily dressed and happy men, women, and children, 
 some with horses and carriages, some on the lake, some bathing 
 in its waters — for it was late in the afternoon, and in the houi-s of 
 recreation — all these made a scene of enchantment. 
 
 " Pecuniary success," said he, " is not a very high consideration. 
 
154 EsPERANZA. 
 
 perhaps ; but it is a fundamental one. We owe nothing, we own 
 all you see ; oar granaries, stores and cellars are well supplied. 
 We can spare a large surplus, and our mills, manufactures and arts 
 bring us a good income. We shall soon have the means to found 
 another home ; we could do it now if we could find people who 
 were prepared for it. But we must risk nothing by haste. 
 
 " But the true success is the securing of happiness, in the har- 
 mony of all relations. Our life gives exercise and enjoyment to 
 every faculty. Our eyes see beauty in nature and art, and are not 
 pained with deformity, and the spectacles of poverty and misery. 
 Our ears are fed with music, and speech, which improves in purity. 
 We breathe a pure air, and have done something to gather around 
 us a littrmony of odors. The natural taste finds its highest satis- 
 faction in our fruits. The sense of touch is never violated by un- 
 cono-enial contacts of false relations. So much for the satisfaction 
 of the senses. 
 
 " Small as our society is, it affords a career for a true ambition. 
 The approbation and love of our own, are what best satisfies us. 
 The applause of strangers, and people with whom we have little 
 genuine sj-mpathy, is a very hollow thing. T need not tell you that 
 our loves are true, free, and beautiful. You have seen our children. 
 It is a new generation of humanity, which will complete the work 
 we are beginning, and in due time spread peace, plenty, and har- 
 mony ovei the earth. Then our armies will be armies of industry ; 
 our wars w'\\\ be with the deserts and morasses, which will be 
 conquered into fertile domains. The wilderness is to blossom as the 
 rose ; and all prophecies are to be fulfilled." 
 
 " Then you believe in the milleuium ? " 
 
 " It is here. This is the cloud no bigger than a man's hand. It 
 is the 'kingdom come.' We are beginning to do the will of God 
 on earth as it is in the heavens. As all prophecies are fulfilled, all 
 prayers, also, are answered." 
 
 "All?" 
 
 "Yes. Those which are not fulfilled — or answered, are not 
 prophecies or prayers," 
 
 " Do you look for cities in this new order ? " 
 
ESP£RANZA. 1 55 
 
 " Yes, magnificent cities — but not such gatherings of avarice, 
 voluptuousness, poverty, crime, and all miseries, as London, Paris, 
 or New York present — those aggregations of all the infamies of 
 civilization. I can imagine the bay of New York surrounded by 
 a hundred homes, with extensive gardens, each the palatial resi- 
 dence of two thousand persons, largely engaged in manufacturers 
 and commerce, and certain arts which flourish in concentration. 
 Here the museums, libraries, art-galleries, and theatres would be 
 upon a grand scale, and hither would tend a constant stream of 
 visitors for improvement and pleasure from the rural homes, 
 scattered over the country. But this is for the future. The present 
 cities are concentrations of the present civilization. The cities of 
 the future will be the magnificent emporiums of the future society. 
 We are in its germinal period ; but there is no conceivable condition 
 of riches, grandeur, and happiness, which may not be achieved by 
 a harmonized and spiritualized humanity." 
 
 We walked slowly homeward, along one of the nice graveled 
 roads, which run to every part of the domain. On each side were 
 beds of odorous flowers, and masses of berry-bearing shrubs. 
 The raspberry, the blackberry, currants and gooseberries grow 
 along these roads in profusion, and all the grounds are so laid out 
 as to combine use and beauty. Thus the merely ornamental trees 
 are rare ; but an abundance are growing which will be useful, 
 such as the sugar maple, the common and Spanish chestnut, the 
 English walnut, and all kinds of fruit trees, set in lovely groves, 
 wherever the ground is more suited to that than to other culture. 
 
 " These are our workers," said Vincent. " Every leaf is at work, 
 collecting from air and sunshine the materials of our wealth. Our 
 bees are seeking honey in every flower. We could turn everything 
 we touch to gold, if we clioose: it is better to turn every thing to 
 improvement and happiness." 
 
 At a turn of the road, where it winds round a mound planted 
 with a grove, we heard happy voices, and pushing through some 
 thick foliage, we came upon a group of young people and children, 
 surrounding Serafa, who was giving them a lesson in Botany, and 
 the analogies of plants and flowers. With a subtle, penetrating. 
 
1 56 EsPERA5ZA. 
 
 poetic power, slie seemed to read the secrets of every flower 
 brought to her, aud to find in it some characteristic development, 
 either of civilization or harmony. As we came near, we paused, 
 but she held out her hand, and the circle opened to admit us ; so 
 we reclined on the soft carpet of the grass besides her, and amid 
 many shrewd and curious questionings, she concluded her lesson ; 
 which had been appointed as one of the recreations of the day, in 
 in the order of the morning. When she had finished, a cry arose 
 from the girls and boys of**' The poem — now the poem ! " 
 
 " Ah ! a poem is waiting ?" said Vincent. 
 
 " Yes, she has promised us a poem at the close of the lesson," 
 said Angela — "a poem of flowers, and fairies, and dreamland." 
 
 " I should think that more in your line," said Vincent. " You 
 generally contrive to exhaust all the riches of fairy-land, so that 
 nothing is left for other poets." 
 
 " Papa ! you are always laughing at my poetry," said Angela, re- 
 provingly : " When you were at my age did you make any better ? " 
 
 " Oh, no ! much worse, I believe, and no verses at all ; but let 
 us have the poem." 
 
 Serafa made no apology ; but, shading her eyes, thought a 
 moment, while all were hushed in a profound silence ; then she 
 began, slowly and in low tones at first, and afterwards more rapidly, 
 to weave a fairy tale in rhyme, which 1 could scarcely believe an im- 
 provisation. Her audience hung on every couplet with breathless 
 delight, and when it was finished some were clapping their hands, 
 and some laughing through their tears ; and then they gathered 
 around her, and threw their arms about her neck, and kissed her 
 all over. 
 
 She gently disengaged herself from these fond and admiring 
 caresses, and joined us in our walk home, taking my arm as frankly 
 as if I were her brother or her dearest friend. I asked if she 
 wrote down these inspirations. 
 
 "No," she said, tiiey were not worth it; audit was better to 
 make new ones when they were wanted." But I thought that if I 
 were in the way again, I should try to save something for those 
 who have no poet-improvisatrice at hand. 
 
ESPERANZA. 157 
 
 We parted from Vincent, and continued our walk alone, along a 
 shaded and odorous path, bordered with the sweetest flowers. 
 Serafa is not beautiful like Melodia ; she has not the piquant charm 
 of Evaline, but a grace and loveliness all her own. She reminds 
 me of those birds of modest plumage, which excel in song. Serafa 
 is the living spirit of gentle poesy. 
 
 " Will you tell me," I said, "something of your experience of 
 this life?" 
 
 " Gladly ! " was her answer. " I came with the first group, and 
 have seen our harmony expand to its present development. The 
 germinal period, when we struggled in the darkness of the old, 
 was one of devotion and consecration. We worked out our devel- 
 opment in trust and hope. Even that was a life of happiness. 
 But here we struggled up to sunshine, and put out leaves and 
 tender twigs, and so, gathering the elements of growth around us, 
 we have increased to our present period of flowering and fruitage." 
 
 "Did your education fit you for this work ? " I asked. 
 
 "By contrast, perhaps," she answered. " I was nurtured in the 
 severest school of Calvinistic orthodoxy. Poetry came and set 
 me free. I read Shelley and the mighty bards, and in the light of 
 their inspiration, the dense fogs of superstition vanished. I was 
 brought by angel ministration to the heart life of our group, and 
 in it found my home. All life, all hope, all worthful work centered 
 in this cause, and when providence opened the way, I found with 
 them my liappiness, and here, the life you see, but as yet only an 
 external view. The interior, spiritual, and love life is for you, I 
 hope, in the future." 
 
 " And you are happy ? " 
 
 Her radiant look answered me, but she gave expression to the 
 emotion that spread over her not beautiful, but most charming face, 
 a gleam of sunshine. 
 
 "Happy!" she said, her eyes moistening: "have I not every 
 thing life can give or be. Home, rest, work, congeniality, friend- 
 ship, love ? What is there more ? " 
 
 "A poet might ask fame." 
 
 " I will not affect the modesty of disclaiming the title of poet. I 
 
168 EsPERANZA. 
 
 have the consciousness of the divine gift, and feel myself an 
 instrument by which the poetic element finds a certain expression ; 
 a weak and uncertain instrument, yet giving my notes cheerfully 
 I have the dearest appreciation here ; and I know that what I may 
 ever give of living poetry, will not die. I look to a bright future, 
 in which the works of these first workers for harmony will be esr 
 timated, perhaps above their intrinsic merits. ' 
 
 '• As for the world outside, I care little for its opinion of me^. 
 but wish to do it what good I can. We have a little volume of my 
 poems now being electrotyped, and they will soon be sent to some 
 publisher, to take their chance in the world, and do the ^ood they 
 may." 
 
 I may not have mentioned that a printing oflSce, small, but very 
 complete, is among the means of industry here. In it are printed 
 ja.ll labels of perfumery, preserves, seeds, and various manufactures ; 
 also a monthly magazine, and circulars which are required to send 
 to the groups of preparation. There is also printed and distribut- 
 ed daily a miniature journal, containing news, criticism, satire, 
 drollery, and a curious variety of articles of general and local interest. 
 I will enclose you copies of some of these, which will give you a vivid 
 idea of the freedom and good feeling which prevail. This jpaper 
 is a perpetual source of expectation and amusement. The articles 
 are anonymous, and the little groups every day try to guess out 
 the authors, and criticise them without mercy, and often, of course, 
 to their faces. Here appear the poems of Serafa, criticisms on the 
 artists and public speakers, and the musical and dramatic enter- 
 tainments, 
 
 I have spoken of the refined manners, and the ease, and even 
 elegance, of deportment and conversation, which are universal here, 
 I could not understand it at first, but it was easy to see how tliose 
 who gathered, group by group, around the refined and delicate 
 spirits of the central life, would naturally take on the tone of their 
 manners. Tlie whole society is a school or a university of daily 
 culture. Coarseness is soon polished by contact with refined na- 
 tures ; and a pure harmonious life develops into every expression 
 of beauty. The stage, dramatic and operatic, is also a school of 
 
EsPEEANZA. 1 o9 
 
 manners, and conversation ; so are the daily assemblies ; and the 
 works of art have their own refining influence. The little journal 
 is a sharp but friendly critic of any deficiencies ; and I have heard 
 in all the groups of old and young, railleries, full of wit and plea- 
 santry, but quite free from bitterness, on any awkwardness of 
 speech or behavior. These seem a natural or spontaneous means 
 of education and improvement. 
 
 I have looked for the feeling or reproach of aristocracy or ex- 
 clusiveness, but it does not appear. Each group seems to cluster 
 together by its own affinities, and the groups are interlocked by 
 many interests, in labors and pleasures. Scattered in all the 
 groups are persons remarkable for particular qualities, or for skill 
 in particular branches. For instance, the fashioning of costumes 
 brings into request the skill and dexterity of those who have been 
 tailors and dress-makers. A good shoemaker is an acquisition. A 
 blacksmith finds himself the center of a group of ambitious pupils ; 
 a skilful mason is looked up to by all who take their turns at 
 building, and so on. Every talent finds its place, and the real uses 
 of life are held in due respect. 
 
 But I must finish the story of my walk. We sauntered by the 
 shor.e of the lake, talking of many things in this life, and its 
 conti'asts with the constraints and evils of the old society. Our 
 path wound round a little cove or bay shaded with over-hanging 
 willows, a retired and lonely place, where we heard the merry 
 voices of children. Coming to an open space, we saw a picture, 
 worthy of some tropical Arcadia, or a new Eden. Harmonia, 
 Vincent, and the venerable patriarch I have spoken of in a former 
 letter, were on the bank, sitting on a mossy seat, while a large party 
 of the children, from three years old to fifteen, were bathing in 
 the crystal water . The bottom is of pure white sand, and the 
 shores gently sloping, so that each one found his depth. It was a 
 beautiful sight. Foremost among the swimmers, in beauty and 
 skill, was the lovely Angela, whose perfect form had been the study 
 of all the painters and sculptors. The exercises of industry, the 
 menage, and the gymnasium had developed both boys and girls 
 into a perfection of contour seldom seen, Theii skins were rosy witb 
 
160 EsPEHANZA. 
 
 health, and I seemed to be looking upon a group of the water genii, 
 or the cherubim of the classic painters. 
 
 As I came in sight of this group, sporting in these clear waters 
 in all the innocence of nature, stranger as I was to such a scene, I 
 looked for some disturbance ; but there was not the least. Angela 
 hailed us with joy, and led off a series of aquatic gymnastics for 
 our amusement, in which she was followed by all her companions. 
 They swam and sported like so many mermaids ; while some were 
 teaching the smaller children, and aiding their efforts ; until Vin- 
 cent and Harmonia rose to join us, and then all came out upon the 
 bank, wiped each other with towels, and put on their clothing. I 
 thought of the virtuous indignation of one of our policemen, at such 
 a spectacle. His feeling may be right enough for civilization — but 
 here, I could not detect the least indication of a thought of im- 
 purity. Why need we be worse, in this respect, than the savages, 
 or even the partially civilized inhabitants of tropical climes? 
 
 We supped with Serafa ; a quiet, genial, soulful repast. She 
 had asked those she wished to meet ; not those who might expect 
 an invitation ; those whom she might benefit, as well as those who 
 could be a pleasure lo her. Of our old friends we had Laura, 
 Edgar, and Endymion, a brother poet, who, you will remember, 
 was with us on the Fairy. We had bread, a blanc mange of sago, 
 honey, and pear marmalade that was perfectly delicious, and straw- 
 berry ice cream. 
 
 There was a pleasant and exciting anticipation of the grand fete 
 of the evening, which was to be a masquerade — that most piquant 
 metamorphose which our morality has mostly denied to us. The 
 cabalistic spirit I found in full play. Every one had a secret, for 
 the grand charm was to be able, by an entire change of costume, 
 manners and voice, to either maintain a perfect incognito, or, 
 better still, by an imitation of peculiarities, to pass for another 
 person, and then, in the assumed character, to say and do things 
 that would afford a week's amusement. All this was explained to 
 me by Laura, Avho offered to assist me in disguising myself and 
 to keep my secret, while she defied me to find her out before 
 ten o'clock, when all unmasked and all deceptions were exposed. 
 
ESPEBANZA. 161 
 
 The sunset liymu was sung, and the day stars taken to their rest, 
 when all went eagerly to prepare for the evening. 
 
 When the band sounded the call, and I went to the large and 
 brilliant assembly room, the spectacle that I encountered was one 
 of the most grotesque and picturesque that could be imagined. 
 
 The saloon, besides its permanent ornaments of painting and 
 statuary, is freshly decorated by a group of artists, for each new 
 occasion. Now it was hung with the flags and emblems of all 
 nations, and the costumes and masks represented nearly all peo- 
 ples, civilized, barbarous, and savage. I found myself in an as- 
 sembly of Japanese, Chinese, Tartars, Hindoos, Persians, Turks, 
 Arabs, Russians, Germans, French, Spaniards, English, Irish, 
 Scotch, Africans, North and South American Indians of the px'im- 
 itive nations, and South Sea Islanders. In all these, the costumes, 
 male and female, were carefully copied from the best authorities, 
 even to the color of the skin, and imitations of elaborate tattoo- 
 ing. Not only was geography thus represented, but history, for 
 we had the finest costumes of Greece and Rome, and the asres 
 of chivalry. Laura had procured me an excellent dress from 
 the wardrobe of the theater, and I appeared as un beau Chevalier, 
 of the period of Louis XIV., and with a little change in my voice 
 and gait, mostly escaped detection. 
 
 The effect, en masse, as the whole company marched around the 
 room to the music of a full band, such as we seldom hear, was 
 indescribable. In each group were children, dressed in corres- 
 ponding costumes. I must leave the scene to your imagination. 
 
 After the first set of quadrilles, the band played the music of all 
 nations, beginning with the most barbarous ; while groups executed 
 the corresponding dances. Thus we had the Greek and Roman 
 dances, such as we see in bas relief and pictures, the dances of 
 the Bayaderes of India, the dancing girls of Otaheite, and the 
 Marquisas, savage Indian dances, and the polkas, waltzes and ma- 
 zourkas of Europe. I was thankful for skill enough to execute, 
 with some applause, a version of the minuet de la cour, with my 
 pretty partner, who, with her powered hair, patches and train, 
 and gentle coquetery, might have been taken for Ninon de L'Enclos. 
 14 
 
1 02 EsPKKANZA. 
 
 In the intervals of the dances, all mingled in conversation ; but 
 there was nothing but persiflage, mockery, and drollery. Every 
 one was laying plans to entrap another into some betrayal of iden- 
 tity, and at the same time guarding his own. I thought I recogniz- 
 ed Harmonia as a Roman Vestal ; then as a Hindoo Bayadere ; then 
 a princess of Ancient Peru ; but I was each time mistaken. She 
 spoke to me several times in her natural voice, but when I turned 
 to see her, it was to confront a group in which I could not distin- 
 guish her in the least. 
 
 At ten o'clock, in the midst of a quadrille, the word was given 
 to unmask. In a moment every mask was removed, and all bowed 
 gravely to their mystified partners ; and then burst a roar of merri- 
 ment, as all the mistakes of the evening were at once detected. But 
 as the mistakes were all innocent ones, and involved no bad conse- 
 quences, the dance went on happily. 
 
 Then came a supper. On ordinary occasions, no refreshments 
 are served in the evening, each group making its own repast, if 
 needed. But as this was an extraordinary festival, a supper was 
 spread in the hall below at eleven o'clock, the tables being set aa 
 at our public dinners, with presiding officers, and toasts prepared 
 for the occasion. The representatives of the various ages and na- 
 tions were called on to respond to appropriate toasts, which they 
 did in keeping with the characters assumed, and I had an oppor- 
 tunity to hear eloquence, wit, and humor, with a freedom and 
 elegance of elocution, which was a constant surprise to me. I saw 
 how completely this whole society was one family, and a school of 
 the most thorough education. 
 
 The lights in the ball room had been extinguished ; the band, 
 which was at the supper, took their instruments at its close, and as 
 the great clock on the tower rung out the musical midnight chime, 
 all struck into a grand good-night chorus, and soon after all was in 
 profound repose. 
 
X. 
 
 SUNDAY. 
 
 I HAD been -wondering, my Clara, how we Harmonians should 
 spend our Sunday ; but I did not inquire. I waited, sure that 
 each day would bring with it its own life. 
 
 In this home, where every day is a holy day; where the noblest 
 and purest religion is incorporated into the daily life ; where labor 
 is prayer, and festivity praise ; I did not expect the puritanical 
 observance of Sunday to which we have been accustomed. In a 
 society, where men cheat and plunder, and war with each other in 
 the hard battles of commerce and finance for six days of every 
 week, it may be proper enough to confess themselves "miserable 
 sinners," and listen to sermons, and draw on sanctimonious feces, 
 on the seventh. But I did not expect it here. 
 
 The Sunday morning ushered in a day of jubilee. On no 
 morning was the band so full, or the music so exhilerating. It had 
 a grandeur of movement and a sublimity of effect, such as I had 
 not heard before. The softest bed could not tempt me to prolong 
 my repose. It was as if every nerve was galvanised to life, with 
 the spirit of the music ; so I sprang from bed to bath, and dressing 
 with some regard to the day, I soon joined the sunrise parade. 
 
 All were in festal attire. I saw that there was to be no labor. 
 And the band was now swelled to over a hundred performers. 
 All who have musical ears play on some instrument. Those who 
 have only the sense of time, beat drums, triangles, cymbals, and 
 even the Chinese gong joins its wondrous dissonance to the tempest 
 of sound. 
 
 I know not if I have said that our bands are composed of both 
 sexes. The flutes, piccolas, oboes, violins, small drums, triano-les 
 
 163 
 
1G4 ESPERANZA. 
 
 and lighter instruments are played by women and girls ; while the 
 clarionets, trumpets, bassoons, trombones, ophicledes, double basses, 
 and larger drums, are retained by the stronger sex. This was one 
 of the novelties of the opera, as of our parade bands. Often, the 
 light quadrille bands are more than half composed of women and 
 girls, while the out door bands have a larger proportion of men. 
 
 On this morning, the order of parade was different from usual. 
 The crescent, in which the beautiful assembly first formed, closed at 
 a signal given by Vincent, and, as the music proceeded, became 
 first an ellipse, and then a circle. There came then a Song of Light, 
 given with all the power of a hundred instruments, playing in full 
 harmony ; and here occurred one of those effects, which we have 
 heard faintly given sometimes in our ball rooms, and in the concerts 
 of Jullien. When the full band was playing, without notice or 
 pause, their voices took the places of their instruments, and gave 
 the words with a choral power and a thrilling effect which I had 
 hitherto but faintly conceived. And amid this grand anthem — now 
 of a hundred instruments, now of more than a hundred — voices, 
 now of voices and instruments mingled, — up rose the golden sun, 
 and the cannon fired, timed with the music, and with the light, and 
 an emblazoned flag of larger field and grander device rose above 
 us, and received our salutation. 
 
 The Order of the Day was now given by Harmonia, who seems 
 consecrated to the best work of this life. It proved to be a review 
 day, in which the achievements of the week were brought forward, 
 and a new beginning made in the life of the future. It gave me a 
 fuller idea, than any observation had yet given me, of the variety 
 and perfection of existence here. 
 
 The morning lecture, given by Harmonia, was very fully attend- 
 ed. Its subject was the spiritual significance of the facts of science. 
 She opened to us the soul of nature, and showed us the relations 
 of spiritual and material ; finding even in the laws of ultimate 
 atoms, the principles which govern the life of the soul. 
 
 After this discourse, which was of a wonderful spiritual beauty, 
 and Avhich seemed full of the inspiration of a higher or more in- 
 terior life, I heard the drums beat, and the bugle sound a call ; and 
 
EsPKKANZA. 165 
 
 every one went quickly from the halls of science ; and in wonder- 
 fully brief time assembled to the vigorous rappel, on the lawn, 
 armed and equipped for military duty ; a beautiful little regiment 
 of two hundred, or five companies of forty each. Of these com- 
 panies, two were composed of the strongest and bravest women ; 
 but as they were dressed in masculine costume, ihvj could scarce- 
 ly be distinguished from their male companions ; but their shorter 
 statue, more delicate forms, superior elegance of dress and orna- 
 ment, and martinet precision of drill soon marked them to the 
 careful observer. 
 
 It was the first I had seen here, of preparation for military de- 
 fense. True, there was the cannon on the Fairy; the guns for 
 salutes at the landing ; the morning and evening guns, and the 
 soldierly care of the flag ; but here, on this fes:al morning, was 
 a solemn parade of the whole effective force of this peaceftil society, 
 armed and drilled for deadly contest. I have been familiar with 
 the drill of our " crack companies ;" I have witnessed the reviews 
 at West Point, and of some of the finest regiments of our own and 
 the British armies, but I have seen nothing like the celerity, unity 
 and graceful beauty of the evolutions of this corps. The music 
 was serious, grand, and full of sublime energy. The companies 
 marched down the lawn by the lake, and fired rifle voUies at targets, 
 one for each company, anchored at proper distances on the water. 
 The cannon shots boomed across the lake, fired at a more distant 
 target. Finally afl paid a marching salute to the groups of specta- 
 tors, were reviewed by Vincent and dismissed. It was, in all 
 respects, a religious ceremony ; and I could see that no duty of life 
 could be more solemn, than this preparation for defense against 
 whatever violence might assail the life of their society. 
 
 Then a breakfast, crowned with an unusual display of flowers, 
 and festal appointments. Thus, at eight o'clock we had enjoyed 
 four beautiful scenes — the sunrise parade, the morning lecture, 
 the military review, and a festal breakfast, each of which would 
 have been a rare event in the dull life of civilization. And now the 
 whole day was before us, to improve and enjoy ; a day of lest, of 
 freedom, and sacred to the hitrhcst uses. 
 
16C EbPKKAXZA. 
 
 From eight to nine o'clock, all occupied or amused themselves, 
 singly or in little groups. Some sat in the groves ; some read in 
 the library ; some sailed along the shaded margin of the lake ; 
 some walked apart in quiet contemplation. I walked with Laura 
 and Angela to a cool grotto, hollowed out, partly by nature, partly 
 by art, in a limestone cliff, on the margin of the lake, and orna- 
 mented with shells and petrifactions. The wavelets rippled on a 
 pebbly beach, close by the entrance, round which grew climbing 
 plants. Within are mossy couches, on which we reclined and 
 drank the crystal waters of a cold spring that gush from the living 
 rock and tinkle down a series of minature cascades. It is a lovely 
 place, cool in the warmest day, and the gentle singing of the gush- 
 ing rill lulls to repose. Were you but with us, I thought, I 
 should be completely happy. 
 
 We returned a little before nine o'clock, to be ready for the 
 Review of Industry, which I was not willing to lose, as it would 
 give me a better idea than I had yet obtained of the labor-life of 
 Esperanza. This weekly congress of workers, men, and women, 
 and children as well, met in the large assembly room. Alfred 
 presided and opened the session with a brief address, very manly 
 and straight-forward. He then made report of the progress of 
 building, awarded the credit due to the best workers, not forgetting 
 the girls and boys who had aided efficiently in carrying stone, 
 mortar and other material ; a work which was genuine play to 
 them. I looked round and saw cheeks flush and eyes sparkle, as 
 name after name was called, of those who had aided in this work. 
 
 The next report was from the recognized chief of the group of 
 gardeners, a lady of great skill in this department. She also named, 
 and praised in a few choice words, her most skillful, active, and 
 zealous co-laborers. The harvest fields, the mills and manufacto- 
 ry, the kitchen, the laundry, the service of tables and chambers, 
 all departments of this complex industry, were represented in this 
 review, progress noted, defects complained of, criticisms made, and 
 honors awarded. 
 
 I had a better opportunity than before to notice the ease, free- 
 dom, and entire self-command, with which every one spoke his 
 
ESPERANZA. 167 
 
 thought, and also the clear enunciation, pure elocution, and choice 
 phraseology, which have become habitual in the whole society. 
 There was not a harsh tone, uncouth expression, or any vulgarity 
 of speech. It was a school of graceful elocution. How beautiful 
 it seems to me to have all the children here growing up amid the 
 teaching of such examples. There were in this assembly, twenty 
 little speeches made, of from one to five minutes duration, by 
 men, women, and even the older children. My little friend Angela, 
 for example, gave a very pretty report in the Floral depart- 
 ment. 
 
 This session closed with a statement by Manlius, of the general 
 results or proceeds of their combined industry. These results were 
 surprising to me, and very animating, I could see to those interest- 
 ed. The wheat harvest, just completed, had added six thousand 
 bushels of the surplus wealth, allowing so much to be sent off on 
 the Fairy, groimd into flour for the market of New Orleans. The 
 stocks ot preserved fruits, perfumery, oil, etc. were also of con- 
 siderable value ; while the great work of the harvest had diminish- 
 ed the results of manufacturers. The feeling of this wealth and 
 abundance was not one of greed ; but of strength, and freedom 
 from care — of power and peace. Riches, I saw, gained by labor, 
 and the product of nature and industry, were not despised, but 
 held in proper estimation. It is beautiful to see a whole com- 
 munity living in perfect honesty ; fed and clothed by sun, air, and 
 earth, and their own free, voluntary, and harmonious labors. No 
 one plunders or is plundered — no one has any occasion to do or 
 suffer any injustice. Whatever is sold to the outside world, is sold 
 at the market price ; but it is the best of its kind, and always what 
 it purports to be. Whatever is made is done "upon honor," and 
 is of more worth than the 'iPual manufactures, and will in time 
 command a higher price. 
 
 At eleven o'clock there was an Educational Review, which in- 
 terested me even more than the review of industry. Vincent 
 presided at this ; for to this important work he has given his 
 chief attention. From the first, all had to be educated. All, the 
 elder as well as the younger, needed to come under a thorough 
 
1G8 LsPERANZA. 
 
 training, and, beginning at the elements of science 'uJ mental 
 discipline, put themselves in the path of progress. 
 
 I found now how this work was done, at interval --^ .]: day, 
 without confinement, without severe labor; but with at^jnciion and 
 enthusiasm. The groups of education were like the ji'O'ipb of 
 industry. The most capable were alternately leaders oi groups, ib 
 sciences and various branches of culture ; and these reported pro- 
 gress. Exercises were also given in elocution and declamation- 
 The groups or sections of the sciences were large ; the same person 
 belonging to several groups. In this way are cultivated geometry 
 and the mathematical branches ; astronomj'^ and the natural sciences, 
 going up to general and human physiology, phrenology and 
 psychology. Brief essays were read, giving the study of the 
 week in each department. In all this, the old and young were 
 alike interested. It was beautiful to see a man or woman of fifty 
 learning Greek in the same class with a child of ten. I inquired 
 of the progress of these elder scholars, and am satisfied that amid 
 the awakening and invigorating influences of this life, age is no 
 obstacle to improvement. 
 
 The modern languages are cultivated with assiduity ; particularly 
 French, German, Spanish and Italian ; and it is arranged that the 
 children now growing up shall speak all these as well as the English. 
 
 Dinner was served at noon with festal display and ceremony. 
 The band Avas larger than on other days, the music of a higher 
 character. More flowers adorned the tables ; the toilets were more 
 beautiful. Every thing marked the day a solemn festival. The 
 pure wine of Esperanza was drunTj in moderation, and more as a 
 svmbol of this lovino- life than as a mere beverao^e. 
 
 So passed the morning hours, my Clara, in a succession of inter- 
 esting and beautiful spectacles. It was all religion ; all worship ; 
 all devotion ; but of that character which belongs to life ; active 
 and real. 
 
 Melodia came to me after dinner, saying, "My friend, I have an 
 nour for you," and giving me her hand led me to her own apart- 
 ment. The mid-day was warm without, but sheltered by these 
 double walls, and with the system of cooling ventilation, there is 
 
EsPEEANZA. 1^9 
 
 ho languor within. You may graduate your room to a degree of 
 the thermometer. The beautiful one reclined gracefully upon a 
 couch, placing cushions for me at her side, and held my hand. 
 Do you not feel how much I thanked her for this trust in me ? Is 
 it possible to be other than good, under such an influence ? Were 
 I ever so base, or sensually depraved, this would purify and ennoble 
 me. 
 
 She held my hand in silence a few moments, first with her eyes 
 closed, and the long, shining lashes penciled on her cheek — then 
 looking into mine Avith an expression of trust and hope. I uttered 
 no word — not even my gratitude. 
 
 " You love me ? " she said, at length. 
 
 I kissed the beautiful hand I held in mine. 
 
 " You feel sure it is love ? " 
 
 " I have no other name to give it." 
 
 "Yet you love another ; others, perhaps. Look into your heart 
 and see how these sentiments compare." 
 
 I tried to do as she desired. I felt my love for you, my pre- 
 cious one, as clear, as earnest, as much a portion of my life, as 
 since the hour it came to m^, a vivifying flame. I cannot be mis- 
 taken in this. It is a pure, and it seems to me, a deathless love. 
 But I saw and felt no less, that I love the beautiful one, who has 
 brouQ-ht me hither, and introduced me to this enchantinar scene. I 
 find also that I have a tender reverence for Harmonia; that my 
 heart yearns fondly to the spiritual Serafa ; that I am deeply 
 charmed with the lovely Evaline ; and I grew alarmed at myself, 
 as I recalled my real feelings toward Laura and Eugenia. 
 
 But I have determined to live the true life, and to be utterly 
 honest to myself, and to all with whom I am in any true relation ; 
 and I owe this honesty to Melodia more than to any one but you. 
 So I told her, with perfect frankness, and in as fitting terms as I 
 could find to express my emotions, what I have written to you. 
 
 " Were you compelled to choose the love of one of these, and 
 reject the others, can you see what your choice would be?" she 
 asked me, with a look that seemed to penetrate the depths of my 
 spirit. 
 
 15 
 
1 70 EsPEpANZA. 
 
 •'What I ought to do in such a case, is evident enough," I 
 said ; "but it is not so evident how I could do it, I can conceive 
 of no power which could compel me to such a choice." 
 
 " If Clara were to demand it ? " 
 
 •* She could not and would not. If she is in that unity with me, 
 which makes her lovingly mine, she must understand and sympa- 
 thize with my feelings, and would ask nothing false to them. A 
 demand of exclusive love to her, and an exclusive right to me, 
 would prove that she did not belong to me. So, either way, there 
 is no such thing possible." 
 
 "You have learned much genuine heart lore," said she, " since 
 you first saw me." 
 
 " I have had excellent teachers." 
 
 " It is not so much that. The instinctive life of the heart de- 
 mands only freedom, that it may attain to the highest wisdom. I 
 have done little for you, but to set you free, and introduce you into 
 a society where the emotions of the spiritual heart are as free as 
 the movements of the material circulation. Here, i-emoved from 
 all outward control of habit and custom, you have been free to 
 think and feel. The ideas come into your mind, and the loves into 
 your heart. But there is a trial before you — how severe, I cannot 
 well predict. When you go from us, the sphere of the old life will 
 assert its power. Should the one you love join with that, to hold 
 you in a selfish and isolate bondage, we may lose you." 
 
 I knelt by her side, dear Clara ; I pressed her jeweled fingers to 
 my lips, and 1 promised for you as for myself, that nothing would 
 ever enslave us, but that we would live the life of freedom now 
 open to us. Was I not right ? Must we not live this true life of our 
 spirits ? It is true that I tremble, and that my heart shrinks when 
 there comes to me the fear that this may not come all lovingly to 
 you ; but in my deep heart I have an undying trust in your truth 
 and goodness. Forgive me, dear Clara, if even this assertion 
 seems to imply distrust. 
 
 "She will come with me," I said. "I can answer for her as 
 for myself. She will come to our thought, and life, and our beau- 
 tiful bora'', and you will love us ! " 
 
EsPERANZA. ^'^l 
 
 "We shall all love you, as you are able to attract our love. The 
 earth draws all things to herself, according to their capacity of 
 attraction. In freedom, love is attraction and obeys the same 
 laws. 
 
 " You will leave us soon — we cannot hope to detain you many 
 days longer ; but you will come to us again, and not alone ; and 
 you will come very liappy, and both will find your happiness 
 increased. Live but our life, in its truth and purity, and the 
 earthly heaven opens before you." 
 
 She bent forward and pressed her lips upon my cheek — then 
 rose to change her toilette, and I went also to prepare for the 
 afternoon and evening, and whatever they should bring to me. 
 
 At two o'clock, all who chose to do so, and nearly all must have 
 so chosen, visited the gallery of art. The drawings, pictures, 
 carvings, and statuary, finished during the past Aveek, took their 
 places in the gallery, and were inscribed with the names of the 
 artists. The visitors brought single flowers, bouquets and little 
 garlands, and each one hung flower or garland upon the picture or 
 statue he liked best, or which showed most improvement. It was 
 an ovation to art. Some were not content with marking the works 
 of art in this way, but also crowned the artists with garlands or 
 enriched them with bouquets. So I found the gentle and tasteful, 
 and now, in the excitement of this triumph, beautiful Evaline, 
 walking in a cloud of perfume — incense to her art genius. Melodia 
 had saved a few of the most fragrant, but had resigned most of her 
 honors to younger aspirants ; and as lastes are various, and friend- 
 ship and encouragement go for something, all who had made 
 earnest endeavors found their reward. 
 
 From the Gallery of Art, we went to the Hall of Science, dedi- 
 cated for this hour to the muses. Here, in a deep hush of delight' 
 Serafa read a noble poem, which was greeted at the close with 
 plaudits and laurel crowns. Next came Melodia, with a-i ode, not 
 yet married to music, but which almost sang itself in the purity 
 of her reading. Then Hnrmonia read one of those wonderful 
 inspirations of the spirit life, which give, in themselves, the best 
 
172 ESPERANZA. 
 
 evidence of their divine origin. Serafa and Melodia give us their 
 own best life in verse ; but Harmonia gives us the pure life of 
 the heavens. They crowned her with a garland of white lilies. 
 
 I have not transcribed these poems for you. You must read 
 them here. 
 
 We rested until four o'clock, when the only service of the day, 
 which would be considered specially religious, found place. It is 
 the hour devoted to general communion with spirit life. In a 
 circular hall, lighted from above, with a subdued light, the whole 
 assembly sat in a profound silence. Melodia went to a beautifully 
 toned seraphine, and sang an invocation, which, if it had failed to 
 call spirits from the heavens, would almost take us there. We sat 
 there still, in a silence broken only by sighs, until Harmonia rose, 
 and in a manner, very different from her usual one, spoke to the 
 assembly with a power of eloquence, a depth of love, and a wisdom, 
 transcending any thing I had ever heard of mortal utterance. It 
 seemed the Heavenly Society speaking to the Earthly, lovingly, 
 earnestly, reprovingly, and, withal, still encouragingly. If an 
 angel spoke not, it was still an angelic utterance. But no one here 
 doubted for a moment, that the thought and love was heavenly. 
 It was an earnest exhortation to purity, to integrality, to progress 
 in the Life of Harmony ; a promise that faithfulness to every duty, 
 and the highest love of the spirit should lead to a continual expan- 
 sion and elevation of this life, and in consequence to a continual 
 increase of happiness. 
 
 She ended with a serene benediction, and the whole assembly 
 rose and sang a hymn of solemn joy. 
 
 The remainder of the afternoon was devoted to many little 
 festivals of groups, composed of persons drawn together by the 
 most intimate sympathy ; groups of friendship always, often groups 
 of love. I found myself with those who have become so dear to 
 me, and was glad to be accepted as one whom they could trust, 
 and whom they might love, should the future prove me worthy. 
 In our lit le company I saw more of Vincent's social qualities than 
 heretofore. He talked, sang, and enjoyed a restful repose ; laying 
 aside the care which has become habitual to him and bringing 
 
ESPERANZA. 1 73 
 
 out those genial qualities which have surrounded him with a loving 
 devotion. 
 
 Each group male its Sunday supper, either in a private apart- 
 ment, or in the groves, or on the shore of the lake. Some made 
 gipsy parties in the woods, and cooked their suppers in the most 
 primitive fashion. The more central the group in this society, the 
 more simple the food. Our gr.mp, to-day, ate only farinaceous 
 food and fruits, believing that the spiritual love life is best nourished 
 on these pure viands. These, with a little wine and sugar, made 
 our repast. It was a genuine love feast, in the sentiment of whicli 
 all participated ; or, if I am still an exception, it is not wholly so ; 
 and I fervently hope will not so remain. It was a harmony in 
 which I could detect no discordant tone — a loving unity where 
 every heart throb found its response in every other bosom. 
 
 The sunset hymn has always the religious element, but it 
 seemed more strongly expressed this Sunday evening than on other 
 days, or I was more fitted to its appreciation. The glorious imaoe 
 of creative power and love, sank in mild splendors. The festal 
 flag which had floated in the breeze all day, was now deposited in 
 its sacred place, for the week ; and all prepared for the musical 
 review which was to be the fitting close of this day of rest and joy. 
 
 I found the great Music Hall freshly decorated with evergreens 
 and flowers. • The review consisted of the past week's progress and 
 achievement. First, there marched into the room a corps of little 
 fifers and drummers, boys and girls from six to twelve years old, 
 marching in very creditable time, playing simple airs, and beatino- 
 their parchment with remarkable precision ; and as cymbals, trian- 
 gles, and tambourines were not wanting, they made a very enliven- 
 ing music. They marched around the center of the hall, were 
 handsomely applauded, and took their seats, in the great orchestra. 
 
 Next came a class of musical pupils on various instruments of 
 a higher grade, forming a band, as yet of moderate attainment in 
 execution, but showing excellent training and zealous practice. 
 
 Afcer these came solo performers, vocal and instrumental. Songs 
 newly learned, and original songs and music came to us in all their 
 freshness, and were applauded according to the impression they 
 
174 ESPEBANZA. 
 
 produced. Some of these were full of local allusions and home 
 feeling ; they were sung with a beautiful abandon, and responded 
 to with an enthusiasm, glowing, but never boisterous. 
 
 Finally, we had two new chorusses, one for the morning, the 
 other for the evening parade ; a grand march, and a glorious sym- 
 phony, which was a musical revelation of the life and work of 
 Esperanza. 
 
 Melodia had composed it, and now directed its first public per- 
 formance. In it was expressed the break of day, the musical 
 awakening, the play of the fountains, the gathering to the parade, 
 the sunrise hymn, and the morning gun ; then the departure of the 
 groups ot industry, and all the scenes of the day. The children's 
 band of fifers and drummers was introduced with beautiful effect. 
 As the symphony proceeded, it gathered warmth and richness, 
 corresponding to the pleasures of the afternoon. Then came a 
 musical rendering of the delightful supper parties. This was a 
 gay and lovely passage ; then the gorgeous sunset hymn ; and the 
 finale of the evening festival, which was indescribably light, joyous, 
 and enchanting, closing with a few soft chords, full of repose and 
 loving sweetness, as if sinking into dreamy slumbers, ending with 
 a pianissimo passage of a delicious serenade. 
 
 At this ending, the whole house, which had sat eager and 
 breathless, rose, spectators and musicians alike, and applauded 
 Melodia, who stood by her music stand, pale and agitated. Vin- 
 cent, who had played in the orchestra, came forward to congratulate 
 her. He picked up a wreath that had been thrown to her, but 
 before he could place it on her head, the lovely head sank upon 
 his bosom. She threw her arms around him and burst into tears. 
 
 But the plaudits recalled her from the one to the many. She 
 raised her head, and now radiant with a flush and a smile of joy, 
 thanked the musicians for their performance of her work, and all 
 for their generous applause. 
 
 The festival was ended, and its queen, crowned with flowers, then 
 came among us, and received our individual congratulations. I 
 did not press forward, where so many had an older if not a better 
 claim ; but she soon came to me and held out her hand. As I 
 
EsPERANiA. 175 
 
 pressed it to my lips, the scenes of the brief past flushed through 
 my memory : the first meeting in the cars ; the hours at Niagara ; 
 the pilgrimage and the journey by lake and river ; our beautiful 
 voyage on the Fairy, and now the life of Esperanza. 
 
 Oh Clara, were you but here to live this life, and partake of all 
 this happiness ! Patience, oh heart of mine ! Patience and Hope ! 
 
 How rich and beautiful, mine, is every phase of this life ! 
 What a contrast has this day been with the dull, tiresome, solemn 
 Sundays of our puritanical Pharisees, who "for a pretense make 
 long prayers!" It has been a day of rest, but not of idlenees; a 
 day sf repose, but not of a miserable solemnity ; a day of recreation, 
 full of joy in the present, and blissful anticipations of the future. 
 
 Ail the days seem long here, so filled are they with uses and 
 pleasures. At night, I think over so many pleasant events, that it 
 seems as if they must have required a week for their occurrence. 
 And this Sunday, it seems like many great festal days combined in 
 one, and each event is crowded with delightful memories. 
 
 And now a new week opens to me — one more week of absence 
 from you — one more week of the enjoyment of this earthly paradise. 
 I have the hope that you will be content with the delay, and have 
 such sympathy with my enjoyment of this life, and such a desire 
 to know all I can learn of it, that you will not wish me to be in 
 haste to leave it, only that you may the sooner come with me. I 
 have a week to learn the deepest workings of this life. I have 
 given you its external aspect ; something you may have gleaned of 
 the heart-life already, but that I have yet to penetrate more fully, 
 for I feel that it is in the heart, or love-life, of this society that 
 reposes its divinest charm. The dear friends here, I am sure, 
 will hide nothing from me. 
 
XI. 
 
 BCONOMICS. • 
 
 Mr Clara ; — I resolved to devote the remaining days of my 
 sojourn here to a more careful investigation of the details of this 
 life, both by personal observation and inquiry. I wish to know, 
 not only the external economics of wealth and its distribution, but 
 the nature of those internal relations which are the chief sources 
 of happiness. As all here know and trust me ; as I am recognized 
 as a friend and brother, not only in the central group, but in the 
 entire body, from the noble and venerable Father Gautier, Avhom I 
 have described to you, to the infant that hides its little head in my 
 bosom, all this life is free and open to me. 
 
 I have talked with Vincent, Manlius, Alfred ; with Harmonia, 
 Melodia, and Laura : and many others have answered my inquiries 
 upon particular points. Some of the great problems of political 
 economy have here found an easy, because a natural, solution. 
 
 "First of all," said Vincent, of whom I made my earliest 
 inquiry, " the Domain is ours. We pay no rent or interest for the 
 air we breathe, the water we drink, or the earth we cultivate. It 
 has come to us all, a free gift, as it came to man from the Creator. 
 Father Gautier, a Frenchman of New Orleans, a pupil and friend 
 of Charles Fourier, was led by Providence and his own generous 
 impulses, twenty years ago, to explore this region, and to select and 
 secure this tract of country, as the domain of a future association. 
 He became acquainted with us, through our Melodia, who found 
 him. when she was spending a winter in New Orleans. Next to 
 him, she has been our good angel, for she was the inheritor of a 
 considerable fortune, the most of which she devoted to building 
 our home. We had all saved what we could, during the years of 
 17G 
 
ESPKKAXZA. 177 
 
 our probation, so that we began our life here with prosperous con- 
 ditions. Our father has found a beautiful home and a great family 
 of loving children. It is not the Phalansterie of Fourier, as he 
 planned it in his Ear'^h-life, when he so ardently longed to see its 
 realization ; but it is the growing harmony, over which he presides 
 joyfully, as one of its guardian spirits, in the life of the Heavens. 
 
 " So much, then, was provided ; and we entered upon our domain 
 with the means of comfort at hand, and ample security against 
 immediate need. Socialists have adopted two theories of economy. 
 They have been either communists, having no individual inter- 
 ests and property ; or individualists, with personal or joint stock 
 interests. We did not feel like making an utter surrender of 
 mdividual rights and freedom, as in the communities of the early 
 and some of the later christians, as the Rappites and Shakers ; nor 
 yet could we willingly enter upon the complicated individual 
 accounts of the Phalansterian Association. So we stopped all 
 planning and calculating, and let the economies settle themselves. 
 
 Our family is a body, composed of members, involving general 
 and particular interests. There are the common wants and neces- 
 sities to be supplied ; and also individual tastes to be gratified. A 
 natural method provides for all. The land is ours by a perpetual 
 free lease. The buildings belong to us by a like tenure. All the 
 improvements belong to all — that is to us, in out unitary capacity ; 
 and out of this common store, all common wants are abundantly 
 provided, by the common industry. 
 
 " So far, this was well ; but beyond this are the wants of the 
 particular life of the individual ; and for those also, there has been 
 made a satisfactory provision. Many of our members have the 
 savings of former years to expend upon their individual tastes — but 
 more often for the general happiness. For instance, we buy musi- 
 cal instruments, books, pictures ; or we use our leisure time in 
 decorating our theater or assembly rooms ; or we indulge in some 
 luxuries of dress and personal adornment. It is not for ourselves 
 alone, but for all others." 
 
 " But you have accounts of kbor and wages, and of articles pur- 
 chased for individual use ?" 
 
170 ESPERANZA. 
 
 " They are few and simple. To credit each member with so 
 many hours of labor, and charge him or her with so many weeks 
 board, and so much clothing, would be useless. Ours is a family 
 in which all work according to their ability and the general need, 
 and all receive according to their requirements, and our abundance 
 places us above tlie necessity of any meanness. In civilization, 
 millions of idlers and drones are supported by those who labor. 
 Shall we trouble ourselves, here, where all work from attraction, 
 and labor, as yovi see, is full of charm, because the weak and the 
 young cannot do as much as the strong and mature ? No — in our 
 life the strong man glories in his strength, and gives of it freely for 
 the general good, just as the tasteful woman gives her beauty of 
 work or life. We all work, more or less, in the needful works of 
 industry ; we all do what we can also for the beauty of life. You 
 can see that the strong worker in the field or shop, who works 
 from impulse or attraction, must be proud to put his useful labor 
 against the genius and skill, which delight him in music, in the 
 theater, and in all that embellishes the life of our society. It is 
 so even in civilization. What man, who loves his wife and 
 daughters, and toils for their support, but rejoices when he comes 
 home at night, and one plays and sings to him, another shows him 
 some beautiful work, and another reads aloud for his amusement ? 
 In our large family this feeling is much stronger." 
 
 "Then I see no use of accounts, at all." I said. 
 
 " We try to keep on the safe side, and just reckonings do no mis- 
 chief, and may sometimes be a useful check to individual extrava- 
 gances." 
 
 "And you find no difficulty from selfishness, which is the bane 
 of civilization ?" 
 
 " No. Selfishness is balanced by the corporate spirit. Each 
 individual finds himself richer here for all practical purposes, than 
 he could ever hope to have become in civilization. Melodia, for 
 example, could not possibly have expended or invested her wealth 
 in any way, to so much advantage. Few monarchs have so many 
 sources of pleasure as are here the right of all. The individual sel- 
 fishness, acquisitiveness, and the monopolizing spirit which poisons 
 
Esperaxza! 1 79 
 
 the life of society, has gradually subsided here. With plenty has 
 come a spirit of generosity, which tends constantly to equilibrium, 
 like the radiation of heat by physical bodies. Every one asks, not, 
 what can I gain, or get ? how can I secure my happiness ? but 
 what can I give, and how can I promote the happiness of others ? 
 In the world's poverty, material and spiritual, all are beggars or 
 thieves ; in our wealth, external and internal, all are seeking to 
 bestow something on others. And as every one who has any good 
 or beautiful thought or thing, wishes to bestow it on one or many, 
 — all are thus enriched. It is a condition in which it is better to 
 give than to receive ; and in which all are givers and all receivers." 
 
 "And there is no difficulty in securing the necessary labors of 
 the domain?" 
 
 "There is a pride in doing more than is needful. As men offer 
 seats, or service to women ; as the strong protect the weak, every 
 where, by a natural instinct, where humanity is not utterly de- 
 praved ; so, here, the constant tendency of the stronger is to take 
 on more than their share of the common burthen. We are obliged 
 to plan attractive amusements to prevent excessive labor ; for when 
 industry becomes an enthusiasm, it will run into excess, if not 
 balanced by other means." 
 
 I left Vincent to the work of the morning, which was the corre- 
 spondence of the Home, in which he was assisted by Harmonia 
 and Estelle, a radiant girl, with a fine talent for literary work, a 
 strong good sense, and an earnest devotion. 
 
 Looking toward a field of green peas, I saw a group — mostly of 
 children, engaged in gathering them, to be preserved in large cans 
 for the wintei's supply, and for sale. 
 
 Laura presided over this nice harvest, and the little carts with 
 dogs and goats, and the tables of the little shellers were in full and 
 gleeful activity. It was easy to see that the field would be exhaust- 
 ed, before these workers would begin to weary — Laura found no 
 difficulty in overlooking this work, and talking with me as I 
 assisted in the gathering. 
 
 "Mistress Laura," said I, " how would you like to be rich ?" 
 
 " I have never thought about it. I have all I want ; and if 1 
 
180 'EsPERANZA. 
 
 wish to make presents, what is better than a wreath of flowers, or 
 something I can make ? " 
 
 " But this diamond ring, that Melodia gave you ?" said I — 
 " would you not hke to give her something of equal value ?" 
 
 " What ! to neutralize her gift, and acquit myself of a burthen- 
 some obligation ? That would be the world's way ; but I love her 
 too well, and am too happy to be obliged to her. She is happy 
 in being able to make such presents, but I do not see that I am 
 not just as happy in receiving them. She is rich; but not for 
 herself. VVe all partake of her riches ; and she has only a little 
 more care. No — I think I had rather be as I am. I have all I 
 want." 
 
 I found no element of dissatisfaction in my lively and lovely 
 friend ; so I went to one of the work shops, where a group of 
 musicians were making musical instruments, a favorite and profit- 
 able branch of manufacture. In these shops an account of work is 
 kept, and a certain portion of the proceeds of the sales are distrib- 
 uted to the individual workers. And here, as in the other 
 departments, those who choose to work in the hours of recreation, 
 have the net proceeds of their industry. I found here a musical 
 German, who has succeeded in making some violins of great value. 
 These, like other works of art, are sold, and the proceeds are 
 equitably divided between the general and the individual claimants. 
 Thus, a violin made in three or four weeks, with the care and skill 
 required for a fine instrument, is sold for from one to two hundred 
 dollars. If the maker has given his whole time to the work, there 
 is deducted from the sale, the equivalent of his proportion of the 
 common labor ; but if he has performed his usual work besides, 
 he can receive the entire proceeds, less the cost of sale. And this 
 German was working hard, to get money to bring two sisters from 
 Germany, with whom he had corresponded, and who wished to 
 join him here. 
 
 Manlius, who has a special talent for arranging equilibriums, 
 settles all these accounts, and with such an evident justice, that no 
 one can be dissatisfied with his decision. 
 
 I spoke to him to-day about the little property that is coming ttf 
 
EsPERANZA. 1 8 1 
 
 you ; wishing to know what disposition he would advise, or what 
 would be customaiy respecting it. 
 
 "She can do as she likes," he said. "It can remain in stocks 
 or mortgages, and bring her interest, which will be her individual 
 property : or it may be invested with us, in buildings or machinery. 
 But we can pay no interest or usury to any. No such burthen can 
 be thrown upon us. Capital advanced, may be withdrawn ; but it 
 must not be a burthen upon industry. If civilizees choose to bear 
 such burthens, paying the cost of houses and lands twenty times 
 over, and binding themselves in a perpetual slavery to a constantly ' 
 growing capital, we cannot help it. They may as well be enslaved 
 and pay this tribute to you as to another; but we must not enslave 
 each other. The most of us have our capital invested here, as 
 loans, without interest, liable, but not likely to be recalled." 
 
 "But is it just?" I asked, with all my financial prejudices ; "Is 
 it just to use the capital of another, without paying him for its use '?" 
 
 "I will answer yuur question," said Manlius, " by asking you a 
 few others, and so put you in a way of answering it for yourself, 
 which may be more to your satisfaction. Is it just for a man to 
 take possession of the earth, "and compel those who till it to give 
 him a share of its products? Is it just that a tenant of a house, 
 in fifty years, should pay rent enough to an idle landlord, to build 
 five more such houses, whose tenants also are in like manner 
 enslaved to him? Is it right that a man, who, by inheritance, 
 or some fraudful speculation, or by aggregating the petty thefts and 
 spoils of miserly accumulation, should be able to command the 
 whole time and labor of ten, or a hundred, or a thousand men, to 
 enable him, not only to live in luxury and idleness, but to still 
 further accumulate the means of enslaving his fellow men ? This 
 is the financial system of civilization." 
 
 "But in the system of Fourier," I replied, "the proceeds of 
 industry are divided between capital, talent and labor." 
 
 " It is true. Fourier was a financier. He wished to interest 
 capitalists, as such, in association. He oflfered it as a good invest- 
 ment ; but the money lenders were wiser than he. They saw that 
 talent and industry would not long remain in a useless servitude to 
 
\ 82 EsPEEANZA. 
 
 money. We devote ourselves, our lives, our talent, our industry, 
 to the life of our society. Shall we not devote to it our accidental 
 possessions i If the money we chance to have is returned to us, 
 when required, we lose nothing, and no one is burthened. To pay 
 interest, rent, or usury, is a necessity of civilization, but can have 
 no place in a free and harmonic society." 
 
 As I passed across the lawn, I saw the aged Father Gautier, 
 sitting in the shade, alone, save a little girl of seven or eight years 
 of ao-e, who sat at his feet, quietly, as if to attend to any want. 
 The wind played with his white locks, and his eyes seemed looking 
 into the future. As I came near, he saw me, and with a wave of 
 the hand, signed me a gracious invitation to approach. 
 
 " Good day, my young friend," he said, holding out his hand, 
 feebly. I took it and remarked that his face had changed. It had 
 less strength than when I saw him last, but a more serene happiness. 
 
 "You have been ill, mon pf:re," I said. 
 
 " I am old, monjils," said he. " Old, and with a life, wasted in 
 the struggles of the world. But I have no regrets. This," waving 
 his hand toward the Home, " pays me for all. No triumph is like 
 this. Tlie earth has no such glory. I thank the benign God, that 
 I was permitted to choose and secure this Home for the dear ones 
 who were ready to enter it. 'Now lettest thou thy servant depart 
 in peace, for mine eyes have seen thy salvation.' " 
 
 The tears of joy ran down the old man's face, and m-y eyes, too, 
 were moistened. 
 
 "And you are satisfied with your family?" I said, cheerfully. 
 
 "Satisfied? Ah, yes. They are all good children. They live 
 in peace, and love, and harmony. It is the Eden of which we 
 dreamed. I remember, when we used to talk of such possi- 
 bilities, how we were ridiculed and satirized as visionaries and 
 fanatics. 1 wish I could see them here — but no. They would 
 spoil our paradise. They are not worthy ; and it could not come 
 until there were those who were worthy. 
 
 "Is that my child, Melodia, coming?" he asked, with a bright- 
 ening eye. My poor senses fail. I shall not be here long, so I 
 must have all I can of my doar ones. Call her, my Constance;" 
 
EsPERANZA. 183 
 
 and the child ran to bring the queenly Melodia, who had already 
 turned to come to us. Constance took her offered hand and led her 
 to the good father. 
 
 " How does my beautiful one to-day ? " asked the old man, as 
 she knelt beside him and put his feeble hand to her rosy lips. 
 
 " Very well, Father, and very happy ; but I wish you were 
 better." 
 
 " I shall be better soon, my dear," he replied with animation. 
 " Very soon I shall be as lively as any of you, and as handsome, 
 perhaps. And have a finer home than this, and more lovely 
 scenery." 
 
 " And better children, Father ? " 
 
 "Ah, well, I don't know. Dear ones are waiting for me there 
 also. My earliest love, my beautiful Marie ! I saw her last night in 
 my dreams, a radiant angel, with her blue eyes and golden hair, 
 like thine, my pretty Constance. She smiled, and said, ' a little 
 longer.' It will be but a little now — but do not weep, my children. 
 Your father will be ever near you." 
 
 Constance wiped her eyes, smiling through her tears. "I know 
 it, dear Father," she said. "You will go and find just such a 
 beautiful home for us, in the other world, as you have in this." 
 
 The old man did not reply, but his face lighted with a smile of 
 joy ineffable. 
 
 I spent the day, my Clara, save when writing to you, in such 
 inquiries and observations as I have briefly noted. I visited the 
 shops of blacksmiths and wheel-wrights, of cabinet makers and 
 makers of agricultural implements, as well as the studio of the 
 artists, and the makers of musical instruments. The dignity and 
 attraction of labor, here, consists in the use or beauty — which is 
 but a higher use, of what is made. In every department, the work 
 is constantly inspected, and improvements sought for. A council 
 of construction will sit on a plow, or rake, or axe helve, to seek the 
 perfection of each. So it is with every manufacture. I hava 
 never seen implements combining strength and lightness, beauty 
 of form and perfection in use, as here. 
 
 And these workmen, uniting science with taste, and the individ* 
 
184 EdPKRANZA. 
 
 ual with the general interest and welfare, work Avith an enthusiasm 
 which our ordinary methods are not fitted to inspire. In our 
 great manufactories, what can be expected but that the capitalist 
 will be anxious only to make as cheap, and sell as dear as he can, 
 and the operatives will all try to slight their work, and earn their 
 wages as easily as possible ? 
 
 I have paid three or four dollars for a pair of cloth gaiters from 
 a Massachusetts or Connecticut manufactory, and had the entire 
 sole peel off in a week, as if it had been put on with paste. 
 Wliole cases, doubtless, were made in the same manner. What 
 self-respect can workmen have, who are engaged in such fabrica* 
 cations ? But here, every shoe is an honor to its maker, and every 
 workman takes pride in his work. 
 
 As I stood beside one of these fine spirited and intelligent 
 mechanics, in the group of wheel-rights, I said : 
 
 " Well, Mr. Frank, is this life altogether to your liking ? " 
 
 "There may come a better," he said, "in this world or the 
 next ; but this will do for the present." 
 
 " But have you no want unsatisfied ?" 
 
 " None out of myself. I wish to know more, and be more ; but 
 that will come. I am growing all the time. I learn something 
 new, and feel myself somewhat better, every day. We must wait 
 for growth." 
 
 " Very true. Bu^ '3 there no feeling of a desire for indepen- 
 dence?" 
 
 " How of independence ? I have all I want. Food, clothing, 
 shelter, society, study, amusement, friendship, love ; and all in the 
 most absolute freedom. What can I have or wish more? I can 
 choose my own work, and my own time for working. I can be 
 alone, or find congenial society. I can go or stay at pleasure. 
 Perhaps you think we are under some constraint. I can put on 
 ray coat, go strait to Mr. Manlius or Vincent, draw for a thousand 
 dollars, in New York or New Orleans, and go where I please. I 
 think, sometimes I will take a trip to Paris, but I can never make 
 up my mind to leave those I love here, long enough for the voyage. 
 I go to New Orleans- with the Fairy sometimes, for a taste, of civi- 
 
ESPERAXZA. 185 
 
 lized dissipation; but a taste is enough. After our life here, it 
 seems very flat and insipid." 
 
 "And you are satisfied on the score of wages and profits?" 
 "Bah! wages and profits. I am a master workman, and have 
 no wages, I make as much as I choose. As to profits, we get 
 good prices for every thing, and I have my full share. here is 
 not a man, woman or child here, who does not have more than they 
 could get elsewhere, unless they went to robbing. The satisfac- 
 tion of being honest, and plundering nobody, is something." 
 
 Frank was working away all this time on a wheel, which excited 
 my special admiration, it was so light and strong and beautiful. 
 There was not a shaving of timber to spare in any part, and it was 
 wonderful to see how the carving away of every superfluous por- 
 tion had left the wheel of the most elegant form possible. The 
 outer rim of the wheel was of one piece of oak, bent to a circle by 
 steaming and machinery ; a great improvement on the felloes. The 
 spokes were light and tough as whalebone, and the hub light and 
 shapely as an Etruscan vase. The entire carriages, buggies, etc, 
 turned out here, are of the same perfection, and finished, painted 
 and trimmed so tastefully as to bring the best prices. A group of 
 more or less skilled workmen begin on a carriage of a certain con- 
 struction, of which they have made or procured plans and drawings; 
 and they work on with great zeal and industry, until it is complet- 
 ted, perhaps in competition with another group, trying to excel 
 each other. In this contest they often work greatly beyond the 
 ordinary hours of labor ; but this time is carefully credited in their 
 iadividual accounts. But the profit, or gain, so far as I can perceive, 
 is never the motive to this exertion. It is the pride and happi- 
 ness of achievement. It is the spontaneous activity of the spirit, 
 finding manifestation in works of use and beauty. 
 
 I am satisfied on the score of economies. Production is ample ; 
 distribution is equitable ; kindness and generosity tend constantly 
 to equilibriums ; labor is from attraction, and all are free and hap- 
 py. There is no repugnance to labor ; no wearying monotony ; 
 no loneliness of spirit ; no corroding cares for the future. No man 
 is weighed down with the care of a family — feeble wife and help- 
 16 
 
186 EsPERANZA. 
 
 less children, whom his illness or death may plunge into destitution 
 Esperanza is an escape from all the worst evils of civilization, and 
 this is much. It is a realization of some of our highest capabil- 
 ities for improvement and happiness, and this is more. 
 
 Viva Esperanza ! 
 
 The spirit of Justice reigns in this society, as the basis of its 
 economies, but over this is the spirit of Lov«, which renders a 
 resort to justice unnecessary. If the love prompts to too lavish a 
 generosity, to an excess of devotion, justice, holding the scales of 
 an exact equilibrium, restores the balance between the rights of 
 the individual, and the demands of the social body, and allows 
 neither to encroach upon the province of the other. The reaction 
 from the personal selfishness of civilization is to the other extreme 
 of a single communism ; and this is the first form of social organiza- 
 tions. But men cannot dwell in extremes ; and the individual soon 
 asserts his rights, and the old selfish spirit returns in full and de- 
 structive force. The golden mean is the exact balance of the 
 individual and general good ; each tending continually to perfect 
 the other, as the}' must where they are in entire harmony. 
 
 Thus the great problem of the social life is solved for me. The 
 centripetal balances the centrifugal. The earths revolve in their 
 orbits, by these combined forces of attractions and repulsions, in a 
 sublime equipoise, and a glorious harmony. 
 
 Again, Viva £Jsp?ra7iza / 
 
XII. 
 
 THE CHILDREN. 
 
 My Sweet Clara : — Some years ago, I visited a Shaker village. 
 As I look back to the strange scene their life presented to me, and 
 compare it with the rich and beautiful life around me here, the 
 Shaker society seems a dim, faint outline, with no light and shade, 
 no effect, or warmth of coloring, a pale, cold skeleton. 
 
 I remember how the uncouth and ugly costumes of men and 
 women, contrived to make them look as hedious as possible ; their 
 thin forms and pale faces, coming from a spiritual, not a physical 
 starvation ; their soft "yea" and "nay," and simple, child-like 
 lano-uaofe, affected me. And what a contrast is here ! There were 
 fertile fields, abundant crops, noble barns and granaries, substantial 
 houses, and plenty and peace. But all was designed for the most 
 simplistic, naked, and homely use, without beauty or ornament. 
 No pictures, no flowers, no music, no beauty, except that which can- 
 not be shut out. They cannot shut out the glory of the heavens ; nor 
 the green woods or fields. They only mar and make ugly all they 
 can. No flowers bloom in their gardens, or adorn their walks. You 
 see no where ,roses and honey • suckles, and morning-glories, nor 
 even the modest heliotrope, and mignonnette. It was enough to 
 make one's heart ache to see a whole community striving to shut 
 out the beauty of God, and crucify the faculties of enjoyment he 
 has given us ; shutting out also, and crucifying, the deeper cor- 
 responding beauties and fragrances of the affections. 
 
 But here, Clara, while the necessities and uses of life underlie 
 all, and have their true value recognized, beauty also adorns every 
 thing. A dead tree is either cut away, or covered with some 
 
188 EsPEBANZA. 
 
 climbing plant. Flowers bloom all around ixs, and beauty and fra- 
 grance ravish the senses with delight. Carvings and ornaments, 
 Btatues and pictures embellish and adorn every appropriate situation. 
 The costumes of both sexes combine the highest decrees of use 
 and beauty. The working clothes, even of the strongest and 
 coarsest materials, are perfect in form and fitness : while the varied 
 dresses of festal occasions are beautiful, separately, and of indes- 
 cribable eflfect in the tout ensemble. 
 
 I have felt my esthetic life expanded and satisfied here, as it 
 never has been before. Beauty is in the thought and life, and in all 
 its manifestations. The forms and movements of men and women 
 seem moulded into grace by all the graceful infliuences around 
 them. The carriage is free, active, and of an easy dignity, inex- 
 pressibly charming. There is a fine poetical gesticulation united 
 to the pure and musical modulations of their speech. There is 
 not an awkward, sheepish, bashful or constrained person here. 
 
 And yet there is no sameness or mannerism, but a wonderful 
 variety of individual development and manifestation. Neither in 
 mannernor speech, more than in personal appearance and adornment, 
 are any two alike ; so that there is the most interesting variety ; but 
 each one is free to work out his own distinct individuality. One 
 might have supposed that a noble and beautiful woman like Melodia, 
 so admired and beloved by all, would have found many imitators. 
 Not so. There is but one Melodia. No one imitates or copie 
 another, but each one strives to develop his own best life. 
 
 I devoted yesterday to an examination of the education of this 
 society ; that, at least, was my plan ; but my account of it will 
 scarcely equal your expectations. 
 
 "Our whole life is a school," said Vincent, "and all our labors 
 and pleasures are educational. We pay less regard to the accu- 
 mulation of the facts of knowledges than you may think. To be, 
 is more than to know ; and when the mind is free and active, it 
 seizes upon the mental food it requires. There is no need of 
 systematic cramming, according to the civilized system. Our 
 children are not educated to prepare them for life ; it is the life 
 itself which educates. 
 
ESPERANZA. 189 
 
 "For ten years, our members, who were bred in civilization, 
 liave had more trouble to rid themselves of error, than to acquire 
 truth. Free the human mind of the errors which cramp and fetter 
 it, clear away the obstructions from the avenues of knowledge, and 
 truth will flow in like the light, from every portion of the universe. 
 Science, in the human mind, is but the picture of the universe ; 
 and the universe is the expression or manifestation of the wisdom, 
 power, and love, of the sublime Intelligence which pervades its 
 infinity, and which men, in their feeble conception, call God." 
 
 We walked together to the Hall of Science, of which I have 
 written. It was occupied, just then, by a company of children of 
 from five to fifteen years, one of the oldest of Avhom was giving a 
 lecture on geology, illustrating it by the paintings on the wall. 
 The young professor, who had evidently read up carefully for the 
 occasion, was listened to with interest, and when he was particularly 
 eloquent, was well applauded. But if he fell into any error, or 
 supposed error, he was interrupted politely, and, as Vincent waa 
 present, he was appealed to. He gravely and courteously explained 
 the difficulty, and the lecture proceeded. 
 
 We passed on into another room where a class of different ages 
 was being exercised in the elements of vocal music. We found 
 another group arranging a cabinet of botany, from specimens 
 which they had collected and classified. Other students, in the 
 long afternoons, gathered in the library, and the little conversation 
 rooms adjoining, and pursued favorite branches of study or inves- 
 tigation. There are hours also when the most interior subjects are 
 discussed, and when our philosophers and their disciples hold 
 converse in the groves of a new Academa. 
 
 "Every one follows out his attraction in these studies," said 
 Vincent ; " but the real school is the life of industry, art, and 
 social enjoyment. The best way is to give conditions of growth, 
 and then allow the whole being to expand harmoniously and 
 beautifully. We endeavor to do nothing whicli will cause an 
 expansion of one part of the being at the expense of another part. 
 We aim at integral development, or the development and perfection 
 of the whole man, And vfQ, who have so lately progressed out of 
 
190 EiPERANZA. 
 
 civilized imperfection and discord — we strive not to perpetuate our 
 incompleteness and imperfections, by having them repeated in 
 the education of the young. Our great law is ffive fromi cdl facul- 
 ties to all faculties. This is the law of spiritual and passional 
 equilibrium, and the condition and result of integral development. 
 
 " But, if you wish to get a true idea of that in our life which 
 corresponds to what you call education, you should go a little 
 farther back, and begin, if possible, at the beginning." 
 
 He turned and ascended a wide stair-case, and I followed him to 
 a large, airy and "Tjeautiful apartment, Avhich proved to be the 
 nursery of the Home. We were welcomed by Harmonia. "You 
 find me among my little ones," she said, with a smile of maternal 
 tenderness. In this room were all the babies, of three years old 
 and under, attended by a little group of mothers and nurses. 
 There were grand-motherly women, so fond of children, as to find 
 here their greatest happiness ; mothers, who either took their turns 
 in the general care of the nurseries, or came to give the infants 
 their natural food ; and young girls, whom a strong instinct led to 
 volunteer in these pleasing cares. It was very sure that they all, 
 like Harmonia, loved babies. > 
 
 And such beautiful children ! So rosy, fat and happy. They 
 laughed, and crowed, and jumped, and rolled about, with a health- 
 ful activity and a perpetual joy ; or slept the sweet sleep of 
 a pure infancy. 
 
 The room is wonderfully adapted to its uses. It is large, well 
 lighted, and perfectly ventilated. The soft breezes flow through it; 
 fine nettings shut out all insect annoyances ; the temperature is 
 easily regulated ; and the capacious baths, where the children bathe, 
 and even swim, morning .and evening, and oftener if needed, are at 
 a comfortable temperature. 
 
 The ceiling is of a soft blue, like the heavens ; the walls are a 
 lovely, fairy like landscape painting. A musical clock plays pretty 
 airs every quarter of an hour through the day. There is a pro- 
 fusion of toys and little furniture, and a world in miniature. The 
 only punishment is to be banished from this infantile paradise. 
 
 " Here," said Vincent, "we receive the tender plants of human- 
 
EsPEEANZA. I 9 1 
 
 ity, and give them, from the beginning, the conditions of a healthy 
 and harmonic growth. Here every mother can nurse her child, 
 and take just as much care of it as she pleases ; without its ever 
 being a burthen to her ; since, if she is wanting in attraction for 
 these natural offices, there are others happy to supply her place." 
 
 "But can others supply the love of a mother?" I asked. 
 
 " It is not needful. Since no woman, in our life of freedom, ever 
 has a child forced upon her, or against her wishes ; since the love 
 of offspring and the desire for offspring — the strong instinct of 
 maternity — is the only motive and cause in action, it may be pre- 
 sumed that every mother must love the child of her fondest hopes 
 and wishes. But it is true that all women, even with the same 
 love for their children, are not equally adapted to the performance 
 of maternal duties. Would you wish Melodia, for example, to leave 
 her art life, and her sphere in our society, and devote all her time 
 and thought to the care of an infant, that three-fourths of the time 
 would be just as well cared for by those who would attend it with 
 a great love and devotion ? Our children are never left, as so often 
 happens in civilization, to indifference and hate. They are never 
 stupified into quietness by opium, or lulled into the insensibility of 
 intoxication by beer or whisky. Our mothers have not the fault of 
 not loving their children. It is only w'hen children are forced 
 upon women, against their wishes, or are born out of a low plane 
 of selfishness and sensuality, that there is lack of love. The 
 danger with us is in their being too much confined to them for the 
 good of either. Variety of life, exercise and repose, are favorable 
 to the health of the nursing mother, and of consequence are for 
 the good of the infant." 
 
 On one side of this hall is adopted that pretty invention of 
 Fourier's, for the young infants — the elastic net work, with a cloth 
 covering, sinking in the interstices, in which the babies, with but 
 little clothing, play with each other, or roll and tumble about 
 without the least risk of injury. The soft music, the tinkling 
 fountain, the bland airs, the lovely aspect of the beautiful things 
 that make this infant heaven, all contribute to harmony of being. 
 From this room, often noisy with sports and childish, romping glee. 
 
192 EsPERANZA. 
 
 we passed through a passage to another room, where silence reigns 
 over the repose of sleeping innocence. I could have stayed here 
 an hour looking at these cherub forms. Happy children, I thought, 
 and happy mothers ! Happy society, where every child has the 
 beautiful care and conditions of health and enjoyment, which our 
 civihzalion gives but imperfectly to the most fortunate, and which 
 millions never enjoy. For this loveful care, this nursing from at- 
 taction and enthusiasm, is what no wealth or power can command. 
 
 Vincent went to his work; and Esperanza has few members who 
 are more industrious. I was left with Harmonia, whose love of chil- 
 dren is a strong passion. In the world, she could never pass a babe 
 without wishing to take it in her arms ; and many a sick child of 
 an ignorant mother has she taken in her arms and blest, by her 
 knowh'dge of disease, and skill in the healing art. 
 
 " Are they not all beautiful?" she said, as we sat and looked at 
 a group of young children. 
 
 " When I think of the poor, sickly, miserable infants of the 
 world, half dying before they are five years old, and then at these 
 healthy and happy darlings of our home, I can hardly wait for the 
 world to grow. It moves so slowly ! Every year millions of little 
 ones, born only to breathe out a few days and months of suffering, 
 and then fill the little graves that are scattered over the face of 
 civilization ! Then the agony of ignorant parents is not lost to me. 
 I have seen and felt it all. But the future has hope. If God can 
 wait, I must wait also. One of the attributes of Divinity seems 
 a sublime patience ; but I do not believe that even an Infinite God 
 can endure an eternity of evil and misery !" 
 
 " Do you tell me," I asked, "that these little ones are not liable 
 to the diseases of infancy ?" 
 
 "A few have them in a very slight degree; for we are not yet 
 purified from the laid-up causes of these evils. But their sickness is 
 light; it is for purification ; and it is not into death. If a child 
 should die among us, it would be because we liad committed a 
 great sin, and deserved a great ealamity." 
 
 " Is it possible that you believe that the Almighty punishes our 
 
EsPERANZA. 1 93 
 
 misdeeds by such a vengeance as killing somebody's child?" I 
 asked, with uadisguised astonishment. 
 
 "You mistake me, my friend," said Harmonia. "The sin must 
 have been in the begetting of such a child. The child who dies 
 of any disease of infancy, had no right to be born. The crime is 
 that of generation, or gestation, or succeeding conditions. The 
 healthily generated, born and nurtured child of healthy and har- 
 monious parents, never dies of croup, or scarlatina, or cholera in- 
 fantum. There are no eflfects without adequate causes. 
 
 " Supernal wisdom has revealed to us the laws of a wise and 
 healthful generation ; and those laws we must obey. Here is our 
 reward. 
 
 "It has been revealed, and is moreover scientifically demonstra- 
 ble, as Vincent will explain to you, if you desire it, that each child, 
 born into the earth-life, has tlie sum total of parental possibilities, 
 when generative conditions and gestative are equal." 
 
 " You mean that when the father and mother, in their functional 
 capabilities are balanced, or harmonious, that the child will be su- 
 perior to either, and equal to both ? " 
 
 "Yes; such is the law of progressive generation, as revealed to 
 us from the angel life. And the superiority of children to their 
 parents, and of consequence, the progress of the race, is determin- 
 ed by the intensity, and integrality, or completeness of love unities, 
 or harmonization in the parents." 
 
 " Then the finer the development, and the greater the love of 
 parents, the better will be their children ? " 
 
 " Doubtless : but you will not lose sight of the principle, that 
 this development, in each, must be whole, complete, integral ; from 
 inmost to outmost, from all physical powers and functions, to the 
 highest faculties of the mind and spirit. When two persons, so 
 developed, meet in the unity of a pervading love, which joins them 
 in all faculties, then the generative and gestative conditions are 
 equal, and the child combines the sum total of parental possibility." 
 
 " But how is this noble and beautiful result to be attained ? " 
 
 " It cannot be in civilization, where men and Avomen, diseased and 
 discordant, feel at liberty to perpetuate all their discords and all 
 17 
 
194 EsPERANZA. 
 
 diseases. It cannot be -where the ignorant, and partially developed 
 come together from interest, or caprice, or sensuality ; Avhere ma- 
 ternity is forced upon woman, without respect to her condition or 
 desires ; and where opinion, custom, and law bind men and women 
 in the abhorrent bondage of discordant marriages. 
 
 "I have given you the law of progression, and life. Civilization 
 supplies the conditions of deterioration and death. It is the divine 
 energy that resides in humanity, struggling ever upward to light 
 and life, that has prevented the utter depravation and annihilation 
 of the race." 
 
 "And here," I said, " where I see these healthful and beauti- 
 ful children ; how have you secured the conditions, which, accord- 
 ing to this law, are necessary to such a result. ?" 
 
 " Our whole life is made up of these conditions. We perfect 
 the plant by culture, and by choosing the most perfect seeds of the 
 best perfected plants, we secure its progressive improvement. The 
 love of humanity demands that none but healthful and developed 
 beings, should reproduce themselves in children. We ■produce 
 ourselves, by integral culture, before we venture to reproduce 
 ourselves, in our offspring." 
 
 "Would you deny the right of the parental instinct to the 
 diseased and discordant?" 
 
 " Wc deny no right. Nature, herself, forbids that we inflict 
 disease, insanity, and all the miseries of an incomplete and dis- 
 cordant life on our posterity. Those of us who are consciously 
 unfitted to wisely sustain the parental relation, conscientiously 
 refrain from it. They do not the less love and care for the robust 
 and beautiful children of those Avho follow their most divine 
 attraction, in a wise exercise of their portion of the creative energy. 
 " There is no compulsory restraint on any, but the whole intelli- 
 gence, and the whole sentiment of our united body, is in favor of 
 our giving to this life none but those who are fitted for its enjoy- 
 ment. In the outside world all this is different. The laws and 
 customs of society are in direct opposition to the teachings of 
 science, and the dictates of common sense. Disease, deformity, 
 insanity, and every form of mental and physical idiosyncrasy, are 
 
ESPERANZA. 195 
 
 reproduced remorselessly and continually. Children are born in 
 multitudes, one-half to populate grave-yards, and a large portion 
 of the other half to insanities, idiocy, crime or poverty, disease 
 and misery. It is this terrible civilization which Fourier has 
 called a social hell, with its miseries unutterable ; but not, thank 
 God, unending." 
 
 "And here?" 
 
 " Here, even now, after a few years of progress, and the approx- 
 imation to a harmonic life, you see how the spirit of that life 
 incarnates itself in these rosy cherubs. The first law of this 
 progression, given us from the higher spheres, was, that in the 
 relations of the sexes : material union is to he had only token the 
 xoisdom of the harmony demands a child. All have come into this 
 haraiony through the gate of consecration to a pure life — to an 
 entire chastity, which defined itself first as continence, and later as 
 an equilibrium of the faculties, in which the physical senses are 
 held under the control of wisdom and conscience, or the highest 
 sense of right, in the relation of each individual to the harmonized 
 society to which he belongs." 
 
 " This restraint and governance of the sensual nature, by an 
 almost monastic discipline ; is this consistent with the freedom 
 you demand — the freedom of the affections, as well as of thouo-ht 
 and belief?" 
 
 I did not need to ask this question ; I could have answered it 
 myself, but not so well as Harmonia. 
 
 "Freedom," she said, "is the first condition of our life. We 
 must be free, to do right. The woman, held in marriage bonds, 
 has no freedom. It may be abhorrent to her to be a mother. 
 Sense and soul revolt; but she has no power to refuse. Her life 
 is wasted, and she is made the involuntary and unwilling mother 
 of a diseased and discordant oflfspring. The first condition and 
 necessity of a true life, is, therefore, freedom : but being free, we 
 can order our life according to our own highest freedom and sense 
 of right. No one can come to us, but in freedom ; no one can 
 live our life truly, in whom it is not a free, spontaneous expression 
 of the highest attractions. Fourier saw that libri' amour- tbp 
 
196 . ESPERAKZA. 
 
 ' Free Love ' which you have heard stigmatized by sensualists — 
 must be of necessity, the supreme law of a harmonic life. Here, 
 all love is free, and in its freedom, seeks the highest purity, and 
 noblest expressions and results. All our children are ' love chil- 
 dren,' and the children of the most integral and intense unities of 
 the passion. And the child, born of the mutual love of two 
 developed and harmonized parents, who are free to follow their 
 highest attractions and divinest impulses, must most surely and 
 inevitably combine the same parental possibilities. Such are the 
 children of harmony, and of such is the kingdom of Heaven! " 
 
 Harmonia rose, gave me her hand, which I reverently kissed, and 
 we parted ; she to some work of love, I to reflect on what she had 
 said to me. 
 
 This thought, and this realization of the freedom of woman, 
 opens to me as a new dispensation. In savagism, woman is a 
 drudging slave. In barbarism, a slave of appetite and luznry. In 
 civilization, still a slave, of fashion, custom, law, and the marriage 
 institution, in which her most sacred life is crucified, and which is 
 to her, so often, a hopeless bondage, full of constraint, deprivation, 
 and often outrage. I have seeaall this. Now I see woman free ; 
 and the results of her freedom, in a purity of life, a harmony of 
 interests, and a happiness, which I had scarcely imagined as an 
 earthly possibility. And I now see that no woman can be truly 
 noble, truly virtuous, only as she is truly free. It is only in perfect 
 freedom that every woman can exercise her highest of all rights — 
 that of choosing the father of her child. Vincent and Harmonia 
 began their work of human harmonization, at this point. They 
 said with Swedenborg, " there is no regeneration but in freedom." 
 They taught that freedom was the first and absolute condition of a 
 true life, and that no man or woman could begin even to live 
 truly, until they were free to do so. 
 
 They demanded, for themselves and for all, "absolute self-own- 
 ership, and the free disposal of one's time, labor, sympathies and 
 affections." It was a new Declaration of Independence, and a new 
 assertion of the Rights of Man, in which Liberty took on a broader 
 and deeper significance ; for they asked nothing less than " Liberty, 
 
ESPERANZA. 197 
 
 of the person from all ownership, bondage, restraint, oi* iniposed 
 burthen ; from all fraud or force ; all despotisms of custom, law, 
 or institutions ; of the mind, from all arbitrary impositions of 
 creeds, opinions, laws, or forms of social or religious dogmatism ; 
 of the heart, from the bondage that galls and wears, that paralyzes 
 or breaks. A holy freedom to follow the dictates of nature, in her 
 most sacred instincts. A sanctuary of love which no despotism 
 can violate, and no power profane. The free Pursuit of Happiness, 
 in the unconstrained exercise of all rights ; in the following of all 
 attractions ; in the respect for all repulsions ; in the full freedom 
 of a true and natural life, which does not, in any way, limit the 
 equal freedom, or encroach upon the equal rights, or wrongfully 
 destroy the happiness of any other being." 
 
 "True Freedom" they define as " the right to do right ;" and 
 "there can be," they said, "no right to do a wrong." 
 
 These are the principles upon which this social organization is 
 formed, and here they have found vitality, germination, growth, 
 the blossoming of a blissful, loving life, and the fruition of a har- 
 monic society, perpetuating itself in progressive generations. 
 
 Blessed children of Harmony ! I exclaimed, as I thought of 
 these happy babes, so embosomed in loving cares, and with the 
 assurance of a life of peace, freedom and happiness, fitting portal 
 to an immortal existence ! 
 
 But as I walked alone, the prejudices of education and custom 
 threw their shadows over my thoughts. That question, which 
 expresses so many petty tyrannies, " What will the world say?" 
 importuned for its cowardly answer. I even feared that you would 
 be shocked — you, with your true, pure, womanly nature, because 
 these children were born under the laws of heaven, instead of the 
 institutions of civilization. As I walked moodily, wondering at 
 the unreasonableness of civilizees in general, and at the strength 
 of my own prejudices, the bright angel who had guided me to this 
 paradise, met me, smiling as if she knew the source of my dis- 
 quietude. 
 
 " He who contemplates a happy infancy," she said, " should look 
 more joyfully at the present and the future. Can a clouded brow 
 
198. ESPERANZA. 
 
 come from the cheerful nursery of Esperanza? Or do you mourn 
 that all children are not as blest as these ?" 
 
 There was irony in the question, but it was suggestive, too. 
 
 "I have been measuring," I replied, " the power of those pre- 
 judices, which enchain the world, and keep its people in their 
 miserable systems." 
 
 " Ah ! that is better ; and you found that measure in yourself? " 
 
 "It is true. The old shadows darken me sometimes." 
 
 " Well that they are but shadows. Open your mind to the light, 
 and the shadows will disappear. Does it trouble you that our 
 beautiful children are not the sickly, unwelcome offspring of civ- 
 ilized marriages, born to die in their cradles, or to live and perpet- 
 uate parental discords ? " 
 
 "No 1" I exclaimed ; a thousand times, no! Woman must be 
 free, or there cannot be a true maternity. I see well that this is 
 the only guarantee of social regeneration, and that the isolate 
 household and the marriage of civilization have never resulted in 
 the true family and the true society. 
 
 " Pardon me, who am so new to this life, if I do not under- 
 stand all its relations. I see these children, full of health and 
 beauty, and surrounded by a most loving care and culture ; and I 
 see the life to which they are happily destined. But I see also, 
 that there are circumstances connected with their birth which 
 would deeply shock the prejudices of civilized moralists, and 
 which I find it difficult to look at like a philosopher." 
 
 "Are you in trouble about an imaginary taint of birth, when 
 half the children born in civilization have the real taints of scrof- 
 ula, and discordances tending to insanity ? Am I to tell you that 
 the genuine legitimacy is the result of obeying the laws of nature ? 
 Do you not believe in a higher law than those made by kings, or 
 priests, or republican legislators ? You have seen our children : 
 do you find them base-born ? " 
 
 "The children of Esperanza," said I, "are beautiful as angels. 
 I know that they are born of a pure life, and the most sacred re- 
 lations. Pardon me, if the sadness of a doubt has come over me 
 for a moment. You, dear Melodia, better than any, can tell me 
 
ESPERANZA. 199 
 
 whether all the parental and filial instincts and wants are satisfied 
 in this society." 
 
 " Better than they ever have been elsewhere, I believe. Every 
 child born here is an answer to its mother's prayer. The father 
 of every child is its mother's most sacred choice. The children 
 of a mutual love, love both parents, and are beloved by them. 
 They are loved also by all who love their parents. Xo child here 
 can be an orphan, or want for the most loving care. These are 
 conditions of human progress, and happiness, which no society 
 but ours has ever provided, and which can only be realized in the 
 freedom and harmony of the Unitary Home. Now, my friend, is 
 there a place on the earth where you would rather have your child 
 born and nurtured than here ? " 
 
 I did not need to answer ; and as we turned around a little 
 copse, we came upon a group of children, so joyous, so beautiful, 
 so loving to each other, so beloved by all, that all my troubles 
 vanished like a morning mist. And the first who came to me, 
 wilh his frank, brave greeting, was the little Vincent. He gave 
 one hand to Melodia and the other to me, and told us the triumphs 
 of his morning's work, and his evening's play. 
 
 *' Master Vincent," said I, " who, of all these people, do you 
 love the best?" 
 
 <'Why, the same one that you do ;" said the little rogue, look- 
 ing up at Melodia. 
 
 " And who next ? " 
 
 "Next, I love best the one she loves best. Then I love all who 
 love them both ; so I love you — a little ;" and giving Melodia a 
 kiss, he ran off to join his companions in their play. 
 
 Clara, mine ! shall not our children find their home and their 
 loves in this beautiful Esperanza ? 
 
XIII. 
 
 EDUCATION. 
 
 MY Clara ! How shall I unfold to you the interior beauty 
 of this life, of which I have hitherto been able only to give you 
 very imperfect glimpses ? Words — the common words of our com- 
 mon speech, seem so poor— so inadequate to convey ideas of a life 
 which must come in time to have a language corresponding to its 
 dignity and beauty, its purity and bliss. 
 
 1 have endeavored to convey to you an idea of the education 
 here, which draws out every faculty of body and soul. It is a 
 training which began years back, with an earnest purification and 
 consecration of heart and life to this work. It was not a life of 
 penance and mortification, but of resolute, high-souled endeavor 
 to develop all that is manly in man, and all that is womanly in 
 woman. It began with health, or the purifying and energizing of 
 the physical system. All moral faults were at the s^me time sys- 
 tematically eradicated ; and the whole life reduced to order and 
 harmony. The adopted motto of the society in its formative stage 
 was " Cease to do evil ; Learn to do well." 
 
 It was an eclectic school of morals and philosophy ; a school of 
 the broadest tolerance and the most comprehensive charity. They 
 looked upon all systems of religion and govermeut as embodying 
 some idea of humanity, and as having in it the germs of goodness. 
 Hence they accept the goods of all systems. Brahmism, Boodhism, 
 Judaism, Classic Mythologies, Christianity, Islamism, all creeds 
 and institutions, were brought to the test of an all-comprehending 
 humanitary philosophy, and the pure gold separated from the 
 Iross. Whatever was true, good, beautiful of all these outgrowths 
 
 200 
 
ESPERANZA. 20 1 
 
 and expressions of the religious sentiment or esthetic hfe of man, 
 this society has conserved ; and thus the whole progress of hu- 
 manity in all its stages has been a preparation for this life. 
 
 The education here, and the life which educates all who are in 
 and of it, is integral or harmonic. Never is it the development of 
 a single faculty, or even of a few. In this large and varied life all 
 talents, all powers, all faculties are brought into play. The 
 senses, and perceptive faculties, the sentiments, and the instincts 
 or passions are all held in balance. It is not as in our society, 
 where one man is a laborer and nothing else, another a musician, 
 another a linguist, another a teacher. Each life here, by its large 
 and varied development, seems to include many lives, and the hap- 
 piness of many lives is concentrated into its uses, and enjoyments. 
 
 I have asked of the discipline found needful to the ordering of 
 this life from the crudeness and perversity of our depraving con- 
 ditions ; and I have accepted for myself, and I bring to you this 
 method of reduction to an orderly life. It is a work of systematic 
 culture. In the novitiate and preparatory stages, each individual 
 writes down from time to time the most prominent faults of his 
 character, and rules of conduct respecting them ; and then for each 
 fault fixes upon some suitable penalty — self-chosen and self-in- 
 flicted. 
 
 Most had tendencies to over-eating, and the self-inflicted penalty 
 for every such transgression, and for many others, was to make 
 the next meal on bread and water only, — at once a punishment and 
 reminder of the fault, and a remedy for its consequences. 
 
 " And this practice of noting and marking all transgressions," 
 said Harmonia, who gave me these details, " has had a wonderful 
 influence in ordering and purifying all our lives. Some had bad 
 habits of speech ; some were irritable, giving way to sudden bursts 
 of anger ; some had inordinate approbativeness ; some were con- 
 temptuous of others; all were more or less selfish ; and most of 
 tV.ose born and bred in civilization have more or less disordered 
 alimentiveness and amativeness. All this disorder it was necessary 
 to clear from our lives, to make them clean and pure, even to the 
 last fibre. 
 
202 ESPERANZA. 
 
 " Thus the first solemn pledge of the central group, in its most 
 germinal stage, was to be chaste in thought, word, and deed. It 
 Was the central purification, from disordered and diseasing sensuality. 
 And to all, even the purest and noblest, chastity came at first as 
 continence. And now we all accept, as the law of our life, the 
 principle that the ultimation of sexual love is justified and sanctified 
 only by the desire of a wise maternity." 
 
 " And do all here accept, and live to this law ?" 
 
 " All have accepted, and do accept, it, as a finality. No person 
 could live in the blessed unity of our life, who wasted his existence 
 in selfish, sensual, and enervating pleasures. I know well that a 
 world sunk in sensuality, can not comprehend the beauty of such a 
 life — but I may trust you with its most interior laws ; the more as 
 you are now an accepted neophyte. It is your right to know all 
 that our life requires ; and it is your duty to order your own life 
 according to your highest perception of truth, beauty, holiness, 
 or integrality." 
 
 I sought Melodia. She was in her own apartment, with her 
 writing table near the piano, alternately playing, and writing out 
 the score of a new musical composition. But she soon laid aside 
 her work, held out one hand to me, and with the other drew a 
 small ottoman to her feet, for me to sit upon. 
 
 "More trouble?" she inquired cheerfully. 
 
 " The life asks so much!'' I answered. 
 
 " Do you think the life asks too much of purity, of devotion, of 
 unity of being?" 
 
 "No : there cannot be too much ; but I despair of the world, and 
 almost of myself." 
 
 " But not quite. Do you not find in yourself a wish for all the 
 purity of thought and action our life requires ? Do you not wish 
 for that ordering and harmonization of your own being and facul- 
 ties, that shall fit you for our society ?" 
 
 " You must be sure that I do. Is not my life here ?" I answered. 
 
 " Then the attraction will work out the destiny," said she ; "and 
 you will be united to, and oned with, our life. Here you will find 
 the satisfection of all your faculties ; here friendship and frater- 
 
ESPERAKZA. 203 
 
 nity will unite you with a congenial society ; here your heart will 
 repose in true and beautiful loves ; here will open a sphere for all 
 ambitions ; here you will have respect and reverence for all above 
 you ; you will influence and benefit all around and below you in 
 the scale of development ; and here you may find the Home your 
 whole being asks, and the conditions of the truest life now possible 
 to us." 
 
 " Ah ! if I were but worthy of such a life I" I said with a pro- 
 found humility. 
 
 " The attraction asserts the vocation. There is still a work to 
 be done, in and for you, but not beyond the power to do, if you 
 have the necessary humility and devotion." 
 
 " I am sufficiently humble, in the sense of my deficiencies," 
 said I. "My education is imperfect ; my life impulsive, disorderly 
 and selfish ; my will does not grasp my being with sufficient force, 
 nor hold it with sufficient strength. I need help." 
 
 "You have it and shall have it, from within and without. 
 Whenever any one makes an effort toward goodness, there stands 
 some good angel ready to help. Lift at the wheel ever so weakly^ 
 and Hercules will come to your assistance. I too will help you. 
 I will be your confessor and director. Can you trust me ?" 
 
 The joy that came into my heart, 0, Clara ! how shall I express 
 it to you ? Her face beamed in its pure beauty, like an angel's. 
 I could believe that a radiant halo surrounded her, such as was 
 seen around the heads of the saints. I looked up to her pure 
 loving eyes, as the catholic looks to the holy mother, and felt 
 peace and strength come into my heart, 
 
 " You shall be my confessor," I said. "I can open all my 
 heart and life to you ; and you shall direct, order, and attune me 
 to this harmony, so that no discordant tone of mine shall ever mar 
 this divine beauty. I will perform all the penances you inflict. 
 When I attain to any degree of goodness, you shall reward me." 
 
 She held my hand, looked into my face a few moments, with a 
 solemn earnestness, and then said, in a low soft tone, " It is well. 
 I accept the care of your life. It is my right, and my duty ; it is 
 also my attraction. Come into unity with my being, and let all 
 
504 ESPERANZA. 
 
 else come to you in that unity. Whatever in your thought or life 
 accords not with that, is not for you, and must go out of your life. 
 Bravely and resolutely put aside every thing that you feel that I 
 would not approve — every thing you could not entrust me with in 
 perfect peace. As bravely, and as resolutely strive to attain to all 
 I would have you be. When that is attained, you can seek a 
 superior direction and a higher unity." 
 
 It is right, dear Clara, that I should tell you this. I do it 
 weakly ; with a tremulous sadness in my heart, and with tears ; 
 for my faith is yet but weak, and I fear to hurt you. But I must 
 do the right ; and if you are joined to me in the right, then is our 
 union blessed ; but if the purest and highest right I can see sepa- 
 rates you from me, then must I still accept the right and whatever 
 it brings. But I have, even through this weak apprehensiveness, 
 a deep and infinite trust in you ; and the feeling that our love is a 
 real unity, and that you will joyfully accept all the good and true 
 that comes to us. 
 
 I sat there by Melodia, while she took the pen, and wrote down 
 in a little book, the most promine^nt faults of my life, such as they 
 now seem to me. To each of these I have affixed a penance, which 
 I will religiously observe ; and I have promised every evening to 
 write in this book an account of my progress in overcoming any 
 faults, which I am every week to transcribe for her. In all this, I 
 feel a great peace, and an inconceivable help and strength in her 
 sympathy and support. No more do I think confession a folly ; I 
 no longer disrespect penance ; I see the wisdom and use of these 
 ordinances, however they may have been abused. 
 
 "And you, my gviide," I said to the dear Melodia ; " have you 
 too, your confessor and director?" 
 
 " Assuredly. We all help one another ; and bear one another's 
 burdens. Are we not all members, one of another ; bound up in a 
 sacred brotherhood ; organs of the same body ; notes in the same 
 living harmony ? The strong must support the weak ; the wise 
 must govern the foolish ; the old instruct the young ; the young 
 give strength and life to the old. 
 
 " At first I laid the burthen of my life upon the bosom of Har- 
 
ESP£RANZA. 205 
 
 mouia. I loved Vincent, but I also feared him. There was a 
 reverence, or some such feeling, for which I have no better name — 
 a kind of awe, which for a time kept me from confiding in him. 
 It was not a want of trust. I felt that I could trust him utterly. 
 I lived in his life ; yet there was not the unity with him which I 
 desired. I sought it through her, whose life was most intimately 
 joined to his, and as my errors were dissipated and my life ordered 
 and harmonized, I found myself more joined to him, until he be- 
 came to me all that he is, and we three are now in that sweet 
 unity of life which must be eternal." 
 
 " Do you not think all loves eternal ?" I asked. 
 
 " Love is the expression or result of affinity of being. When 
 this affinity is slight, extending to but one or two faculties, the 
 partial unity is weak and transient. Most of the loves of the 
 world are based on one or two faculties. Some are the simple sen- 
 sual attraction — others unite to this vanity, or avarice. These 
 partial unities can not be expected to endure. A love can only be 
 permanent, when it is the expression of more integral unities. 
 When the spiritual attraction corresponds to the material ; when 
 there is an interblending and harmony of many faculties and uses ; 
 then the love is full, satisfying and enduring. Then may we rest 
 upon it, as on a sure foundation, for time and for eternity. 
 
 "For the time, provisionally, and during your novitiate, I as- 
 sume the relation to you, which is a mutual attraction, and a mu- 
 tual right. Your happiness in this will be just in proportion to 
 the truth and use of the relation, and the future will take care ol it- 
 self, if we are but faithful." * 
 
 "And all here," I asked, "are they in this beautiful order of 
 mutual help, all connected by these golden links to the central and 
 the internal life ? " 
 
 "All. None could be here who were not in the order of this har- 
 mony. Not that it is obligatory or compulsory in any external 
 sense, but because any erratic, selfish, inharmonic action would 
 throw the individval out of our life, as surely as a planet would be 
 thrown out of a system, if it lost its attraction and relation to the 
 central sun and the other planets. All belong to each, and each is 
 
206 ESPBKANZA. 
 
 joined to all, even to the remotest fibre or atom ; and as the whole 
 body sympathizes with a diseased organ or atom, even so the 
 whole body of our society would be pained should one of its mem- 
 bers fall into any evil. And the whole body with a united eflfort 
 would either cure the diseased member; or, failing in that, the line of 
 separation would be formed, and the dead member would be 
 sloughed away. So truly is the physical body the type of the so- 
 cial body — so truly are the principles of physiology those also of a 
 true sociology. 
 
 " You have the maxim, in union is power. The more complete 
 the unity, the greater the power. The principle of every unity is 
 an orderly obedience to the common life. The power of a mob is 
 in unity of purpose, the efficiency of an army is an orderly obedi- 
 ence ; the harmony of a society is in the obedience of each member 
 to the central life or idea of that society." 
 
 "But is not this a despotism?" 
 
 " Yes, if you please to term it so ; but not in the proper sense of 
 that word. Despotism expresses the exercise of arbitrary power, 
 uncontroled by principle or law. The obedience which a true so- 
 ciety demands is an obedience to law, an orderly accordance with 
 principle, a harmonization with the controling idea of the life. Ab- 
 solute freedom is the condition of order by obedience. The tree 
 is free to expand according to the law of its life, but not otherwise. 
 Every animal, in appropriate conditions, obeys its attractions and 
 repulsions, which form its life. The planets move in perfect order, 
 harmony and obedience to the laws of motion. The man who con- 
 forms his life to his highest sense of right, lives in obedience to its 
 requirements. This is all. The freedom we demand and enjoy, is 
 the freedom of each to live his or her own truest life." 
 
 As no work, no conversation, and no pleasure, is ever prolonged 
 to weariness tending to exhaustion here, I now took my leave of 
 Melodia ; rather we both walked out upon the lawn, where we met 
 Vincent, returning from a short session of active labor. Its glow 
 was in his cheek, and its moisture on his broAV. He greeted Melodia 
 tenderly; then, at a suggestive look from her, perhaps, he took my 
 arm and walked with me to a shaded seat. For a few moments we 
 
EsPERAXZA. 207 
 
 looked out on the scene before and around us. There lay the lake, 
 in its calm beauty, mirroring the heavens. Industrious groups 
 were working in garden, orchards, and fields, and their songs came 
 to us in softened cadences. Far across the lake we heard signal 
 notes of a bugle. There was the hum of machinery and labor from 
 the workshops. The fountains threw up their silvery spray, which 
 fell in tinkling music. Gleeful children made sport of industry, or 
 gathered around some one who both taught and amused them. 
 
 "The observation of our life," said Vincent, "teaches most of 
 its lessons ; but there are some principles which may not be appar- 
 ent to a hasty observer. It is evident that we have escaped many 
 of the evils of civilized society and morality ; from poverty, and its 
 depressing and debasing conditions ; from competition, with its 
 frauds and spoliations ; from many evil and diseasing habits and 
 circumstances. We have wealth, peace, competence, a cheerful 
 co-operation, an attractive industry, a sphere of beauty and refine- 
 ment, and the pervading charm of harmonic social relations ; of 
 friendship, which unites us all in a common brotherhood; of a true 
 recognition of qualities which awards to each his proper social po- 
 sition; of love, which is the happiness of every true and noble heart, 
 and of the tender relations which subsist between the gradations of 
 age. 
 
 " All this you have seen, and you know, doubtless, natural and 
 spontaneous as these blessings here seem to you, that they do not 
 exist, only as exceptionally and fragmentarily, elsewhere on this 
 planet. Esperanza is the emergence of order out of confusion ; 
 harmony from discord. It is our hope and faith that from this 
 germinal point it may spread over the earth; that the human race 
 may become one grand associated family; and {hat man may fulfil 
 his destiny, as lord of the domain of nature, and harmonizer of the 
 globe." 
 
 "You spoke just now of those principles, which I might over- 
 look, in the observation of so much material prosperity and social 
 happiness," I observed. 
 
 " Yes ; it is due to you, who will soon be separated from us, that 
 you should know the interior of our life, and how much it differs 
 
208 EsPKBANZA, 
 
 from that which you have been accustomed to observe. It differs 
 in causes, as in effects. If you would know the sources of the evils 
 'n civilization, you must look for them to the principles on which 
 it is based. 
 
 " Thus the wrongs and evils of excessive individual wealth and 
 general poverty ; of universal conflict, fraud and robbery, come 
 from the prevailing systems of commerce and finance, and the laws 
 and institutions respecting property. 
 
 " The social discords aad miseries find their center and source 
 in the monogamic, indissoluble marriage and isolate household, with 
 its selfishness, deprivations, and moralities. 
 
 " So of the political and religious systems — an evil tree cannot 
 bring forth good fruit. A trial of thirty centuries has given but 
 one result — thirty centuries of toilsome progress have only prepared 
 a few of the foremost of our race to accept the idea; and a few to 
 enter upon the practice, of harmonic relations. 
 
 " There was no possibility of a half way reform. Every eflbrfc 
 at a partial harmonization must necessarily fail. A society, with 
 separate individual interests, is a school of selfishness. A society, 
 with the social moralities of civilization, contains the seeds of dis- 
 solution. 
 
 "It was required therefore that all who came into our life, should 
 come, first as distinct, separate, uttei-ly free individuals. The hus- 
 band, the wife, the parent, the child, as such, and as having any 
 legal, or arbitrary claim upon or power over each other, we could 
 not recognize. Each began our life as a free and independent hu- 
 man beinsf, as if such relations had never existed. That a man 
 or woman acknowledged any claim or right of husband or wife, 
 because of the customary or legal relation, was enough to exclude 
 them from our life ; the very first condition of which is absolute 
 freedom. 
 
 " Thus freed from these entangling alliances, disintegrated, and 
 brought into the rank of independent human beings, all had that 
 work of individual purification and harmonization of which you 
 have heard, and the method of which has been revealed to you. 
 
 " The man or woman, so made free, pure, and equilibrated in all 
 
ESPERANZA. 209 
 
 faculties, is now ready to form true relations in friendship, love, 
 and that grouping of congenial natures which forms the true fam- 
 ily or group of affection. These groups are formed by a harmonic 
 law, on centers or pivots ; thence branching or radiating outward, 
 like the groups of all organic formations, and in virtue of the same 
 laws of order and harmony. 
 
 " The central passion of harmony, is that of Love, which defines 
 the relations of the two great divisions into which humanity is di- 
 vided. Love, or the sexual passion, in civilization, is the direct or 
 indirect cause of its deepest evils. Li a false moralism, all falsities 
 cluster around this central falsity. Even so in a true life, all true 
 relations cluster round this central truth. All harmonies, material 
 and spiritual, revoh'e around this pivotal harmony, the harmonic 
 love. It binds us all in one. It is the key-stone of our social fab- 
 ric — the key-note of our harmony. Whoever cannot accept this 
 fundamental principle is not yet developed up to the plane of our 
 life. There must be, with all who would live this life, the utter 
 abandonment of all selfish or exclusive claim of woman to man or man 
 to woman ; the absolute freedom of all relations ; but no less the abso- 
 lute recognition of the laws of harmony in all relations. I wish to 
 make this very clear to you, not only as a postulate, but as a de- 
 monstration. I would show you why this must be. I will take 
 your own case. You come here, attracted to our life, or accepting 
 the relation of a noviciate in its order. You come with a love, 
 which you are not required to abandon, but only to purify from all 
 taint of selfishness, and tyranny of claim and custom. You have to 
 assert your freedom, not from, but in this love ; and you have also 
 to set this beloved one as absolutely free. You have found other 
 attractions here, the germs, it may be, of the loves of the future. She 
 whom you hope to bring with you to our home, and whom we 
 shall joyfully welcome, if she prove to be one of ours, will also find 
 her own attractions here. But all of these, in a true and pure life, 
 are as much subject to principles and laws of relation as the harmo- 
 nies of music, colors, or odors. Each love must be in harmony 
 with the other loves. These separate unities combine to form the 
 unities of the groups of love ; and these groups interlock, to form 
 IS 
 
210 EsPEKANZA. 
 
 the series of our society. The threads can be traced from center 
 to circumference, like the nervous system, which unites all hearts 
 to the central love life and gives to us unity of feeling, unity of 
 thought and unity of action. An injury done to the love life of the 
 least of our little ones, is felt in the central Hfe. It is thus that the 
 good of each one is the good of all. And this love circulation is 
 as unimpeded and universal, as the corresponding circulation of 
 blood in the physical system ; this unimpeded circulation which is 
 the condition of life to every organized being. 
 
 " You will study this, both here and in your absence. Give 
 yourself up to the law of growth, and circulation. No ligatures, 
 no compressions, no congestions, no starvations." 
 
 Vincent left me, and with his springy elastic step, flew up the 
 stair case to find Harmonia, whom one would think the object of 
 his single adoration. 
 
 I asked her once — " Do you never wish that Vincent loved you 
 with his whole heart ?" 
 
 "It is a great heart," she replied ; "but I think it is all mine." 
 
 " You think others have no share in it ?" 
 
 "I think love is one," she said. "I love with my whole heart 
 always, and each one according to the unities which we have de- 
 veloped. In music, if I like Bethoven, does he lose anything of 
 my admiration, when I come to appreciate Mozart ? If a mother 
 loves one child with her whole maternal heart, is her heart divided 
 into six pieces when she has six children ? Or, what is better, 
 let me appeal to your own experience. Do you love your Clara 
 less, or less wholly, since , you have seen Melodia, or Serafa, or 
 Evaline, or me ?" 
 
 With my whole heart, dear Clara, do I love you. I feel and 
 know it. But I should be the meanest, most cowardly and most 
 sacreligious of wretches, if I were to deny that with my whole 
 heart also I love those who are so lovely to me, here, in this para- 
 dise, so soon to be a Paradise Lost to me ; but soon also, I fondly 
 trust, to be a Paradise Regained. 
 
XIV. 
 
 THE LOVES OF HARMONY. 
 
 Clara Mine : It is true — true to my inmost heart and life. I 
 am thine, and thou art mine. I feel a sacredness in these words 
 I have not felt before. I am not a property, a possession, a pris- 
 oner, a slave ; but a free, self-centered being. This is what I wish 
 to be, and, with all the power of my soul, will to be. And I am 
 thine, not in obedience to any clutch, or claim, or outward bond ; 
 but as the spontaneous act of my free spirit. And so must thou 
 be to me. mine ! mine, in the inmost life. 
 
 I live here, hour by hour, in the sphere of a pervading, purify- 
 ing love. It is a love that warms all hearts, and attunes them into 
 the sweet harmony of this life. I melt into it ; I am absorbed by 
 it ; and the old selfish, the miserable, craving, clutching, eo-otism 
 of the isolate, discordant, and warring life, dies out of my spirit. 
 
 I do not give you the details of our daily life ; though each has 
 its new interest and enjoyment. It is a life of continual progress — 
 never of a dead routine. It is like a tree that is constantly 
 expanding with its daily growth. The elements, indeed, are the 
 same ; the laws forever the same, but the movement is onward, and 
 each day presents some new achievement. Last night, for exam- 
 ple, we had a comedy, full of droll, sharp, and yet genial satire, in 
 which the little faults and peculiairities of half a dozen persons 
 were ridiculed in such a way, as to amuse them more, perhaps, 
 than any others in the audience. It was a little caricature, and 
 every stroke told. It is by this means that many faults are cor- 
 re'cted. 
 
 If a custom or habit begins to get ground here, some one writes 
 a comedy or force, in which it is worked out to its pa—ible cons^ 
 
 •211 
 
212 ESPERANZA. 
 
 quences. It is the reductio ad absurdum in action. No one is 
 hurt, and all are warned. The pervading love life — the afFectional 
 interlocking of all groups in this series, gives it the sensitiveness 
 of an organized body. In our dislocated, dismembered society, 
 some members suffer, and some die, and the rest are but little con- 
 scious of the evil. Our social life is paralyzed. Men and women 
 are diseased, starved, depraved and cut off, without our perception. 
 
 It is not so here. The humblest member of this society is so 
 joined to the central life, that his wants, his pains, his disorders, 
 would be felt, and if possible remedied. And there is an em- 
 bodied justice here, which all may trust, and an embodied love or 
 philanthropy, on which all can securely repose. The society has 
 the same faculties as the individual. As a whole body or organi- 
 zation, it has its benevolence, its conscience, its love. And while 
 the individual never loses his individuality, he is still in entire 
 unity with the whole, and the great problem is solved, of finding 
 a social state in which the highest good and happiness of each, is 
 not only consistent with, but promotive of, the highest good and 
 happiness of all. 
 
 "If one person here were sick; or in any want, spiritual or mate- 
 rial, or suffering any unhappiness," said Vincent, to-day, "every 
 person here would be less happy. Every one, for his own good, if 
 there were no other motive, would seek to cure the sickness, sup- 
 ply the want, or remedy the evil. It would come to the heart 
 and head of our body, and help would come. What could resist 
 the united love, and will, and power of a body so united. You 
 know what the magnetism, and strength, and sympathy of one or 
 two may be to you. It conquers pain and disease ; it supplies our 
 deficiences, or enables us to bear them. It compensates losses. 
 It brings us the riches of life. How much greater might this 
 TDOwer be when exercised by a harmonious society." 
 
 " I can see that this is true of philanthropy, benevolence, or the 
 sentiment of paternity," I said; "but will you explain to me 
 how far it is so of the more intimate and personal love of the 
 sexual attraction or relation ? " 
 
 "Yes ; I will try ; for I wish you to understand this ; the more 
 
ESPERAXZA. 213 
 
 especially as you may have to explain it to others. You may bring 
 it nearer to their minds than I can. It is well, often, that the leacher 
 be not far in adv^ance of his pupils. Our best teachers, in many 
 things, are those one grade in advance. 
 
 " Our love life is composed of concentric spheres. The external 
 is philanthropy, which grasps all humanity. The love of friend- 
 ship or congeniality takes in numbers of both sexes, and of differ- 
 ent ages. Each faculty has its own loves, which join together 
 persons by similarity of tastes and pursuits. Thus scholars and 
 artists flock together. There is also an attraction of contrast, or 
 supply and demand, by which dissimilar persons are drawn to- 
 gether. We have the paternal instinct, special and general, by 
 which we love our own children because they belong to us, or those 
 we love, or merely because they are children. There is also the 
 love reverence by which the young love those who are older than 
 themselves. These loves combine variously, several entering into 
 one combined passion. 
 
 " We find a natural or instinctive attraction, tending to unity 
 between our young people and the middle aged ; a relation of mu- 
 tual help. So between infancy and old age. Naturally, the sex- 
 ual attraction modifies all these loves, or relations. Other things 
 being equal, men are more benevolent, more friendly, more ten- 
 derly parental, more reverent and protective toward women. And 
 the reverse of this is true ; yet men demand the manly, and women 
 the Avomanly sympathy. 
 
 "In all these loves, or forms of love, there are certain laws of 
 diffusion or exclusion, of relation, or want of relation A man or 
 woman may be joined to us by the sphere of philanthropy, but be 
 excluded from friendship or any nearer relation. I may have a 
 warm friendship for a woman whom I could never love with a 
 tender, spiritual sympathy ; and you may he able to conceive of 
 having a very tender spiritual love for one, with whom you might 
 never wish to come into the most intimate relation. 
 
 All these passions or sentiments are confused, distorted, or de- 
 stroyed in the world of civilization. In that corporate Ishmaelism 
 where every man's hand is against every man, there springs up a 
 
214 ESPERANZA. 
 
 deep, pervading, oflfensive and defensive selfishness. The pro- 
 perty feeling is applied to eTcry thing. It is my house, my land, 
 my friend, iny wife, my children. This Mr becocnes a word of ter- 
 rible power. With us it is very much changed. We use the pro- 
 nouns we, us, and our, much oftener. The little my has all its 
 rights, but in a true subordination to the much larger our, which 
 includes all the little mys. 
 
 "The policy in the world of civilization is that each man must 
 have his own love, as his own exclusive property, and all teach, and 
 many feel, that this is the natural law. That which is most 
 craved, and most valued, becomes most subject to the property 
 feeling, hence the claim, and right, and absolute despotism which 
 men and women assert and exert over each other, in the civilized 
 marriage, is the most oppressive and terrible of all the slaveries of 
 civilization. Where it is mutual, it is mutually absorbant and 
 balancing, and borne often unconsciously, supported as it is by 
 custom, habit, opinion and law. But let its mutualness cease, and 
 it becomes the most terrible hell to which man or woman can be 
 condemned. 
 
 " This state does not belong to our life. It is utterly inconsistent 
 with the life of a harmonious society, of which the love of the sexes 
 must be the central harmonizing power. A selfish, enslaving, de- 
 basing property love, the love of clutch, claim, and exclusive right, 
 must be an element of discord iij every society, tending to the 
 rupture of all other relations, and to a complete individual selfish- 
 ness and isolation. Thus the individual, selfish, isolate marriage 
 can never be an element of a true society. All have failed, and all 
 must fail, which attempt to include this element. It belongs to 
 discord, and not to harmony. 
 
 "Have you any objection," I asked, " to giving me your own 
 experience in this matter ? " 
 
 "None, whatever," he replied, in a quiet, serious tone, as if his 
 most sacred life was devoted to the great idea. "I was born in 
 civilization, and experienced some of its evils ; but, either from a 
 natural bias or from peculiar circumstances, I grew up in much 
 freedom frorn its influences. My f^arly studies were of a socialistic 
 
EsPERANZA. 215 
 
 tendency. Nature and man were the objects of my investigations. 
 I never fell into the social and domestic slaveries of the world 
 around me. I grew more and more free. 
 
 " But I found in myself a hereditary taint of selfishness, which 
 displayed itself in exclusive claim and morbid jealousy of those I 
 loved. My reason, my sense of right, and my desire for a true life, 
 have enabled me to overcome this depravity. I am content now to 
 have of every man, every woman, and every child around me, 
 what is truly and sacredly mine, just as I am content not to be a 
 pirate, a thief, or a miser. The love that flows to me, freely, the 
 spontaneous offerings of true and loving hearts, is mine by a divine 
 right, and brings me the 'most beautiful happiness. The love that 
 is claimed, clutched and enforced, by either a physical or spiritual 
 despotism, gives no such happiness. 
 
 " The world shows us all grades of the debasement of love. The 
 Australian, wanting a woman, knocks down and drags off" to his 
 hut the first one he finds, or fancies. Savages, a little more ad- 
 vanced, buy their women with skins, trinkets, and liquors. 
 
 " In barbarous countries, which include more than half the popu- 
 lation of the earth, women are thus bought and enslaved. The 
 civilizee knocks down his bride with fine speeches, and seductive 
 behaviour, or buys her with position and fortune. In all cases, 
 the freedom, self-hood, and spontaneity of the woman, especially, 
 and often of both, are sacrificed and lost. The selfish and savage 
 .claim of a man over the heart and person of a woman is sanctioned 
 by law, and sanctified by religion. This is the central Evil of the 
 world. 
 
 " All this I have long since seen, and felt and deplored ; and I 
 have done what I could to awaken thoughtful men and women to 
 a consideration of this evil ; but it is a part and parcel of civiliza- 
 tion, the center and pivot of its yreat system of wrongs ; and also 
 its necessity. Only in a new and true social organization could a 
 remedy be found for such a pervading evil. It is at once the bane 
 and the necessity of the old society. 
 
 "In my present life, and in the life of our society, all this is 
 swept away. So far from its being a necessity, we have to guard 
 
216 EsPERANZA. 
 
 more carefully against selfishness and exclusiveness here, than 
 elsewhere, because here it would be the greatest evil. Were any 
 man here to assert an exclusive property claim to any woman, as wife 
 or mistress, or any woman to assert a similar claim to any man, it 
 would be felt as the violation of the rights of every other person 
 in our society. 
 
 "There is, therefore, but one principle for us, and that is the 
 absolute right of individual self-ownership, and the consequent 
 absolute freedom of the affections. Living in the purity of a 
 healthful life, with the development and exercise of all faculties, 
 we find it entirely safe to leave the relations of love, as all others, 
 to be determined by those attractions which are proportional to 
 destinies. We recognize, as a principle, the self-ownership of wo- 
 man, and her queenship in the realm of love — her consequent right 
 to the bestowal of her affections and her person. 
 
 " It is our gallantry, our chivalry, to relinquish and secure to wo- 
 man this, her highest right. Consequently, love, and its uses, 
 and happiness, are in her keeping. It is she v/^ho regulates the 
 sacred function of maternity. Never, with us, is a child forced 
 upon a reluctant mother ; and such is the sense of duty and re- 
 sponsibility here, that no woman in our society would have a child 
 unless antisfied that it was her highest duty to humanity and to God. 
 
 " This secures the purity of all relations. The highest and most 
 integral loves alone are ultimated ; and love, no longer an idle, 
 selfish, sensual passion, becomes the holiest thing in our lives. 
 Love is our religion, and our religion is love. 
 
 " Marriage, in civilization, is, for the most part, a legal license for 
 sensuality. We who have too many uses for our vital forces, to 
 waste them in such sensuality, have no need of such a license ; 
 nor have we the selfish appropriativeness, that demands a legal 
 claim to property, to which we assert exclusive ownership. 
 
 "You have asked my own experience. It is that of all. The 
 freedom of love secures the purity of love. The purity of love 
 permits its freedom. All good and right things act reciprocally — 
 working together for good. You have been in the center of our 
 life, and you know those who love me most intimately, and those to 
 
ESPERANZA. 217 
 
 whom my whole life is devoted. I could not lose the love of any 
 one without a pang — a great sorrow. But the life is more than 
 the loves, which are the precious blossoms of the life ; and if any 
 one of these were to be false to the life, my love for her would die 
 out of my heart : and if I were myself to be selfish and false, there 
 is not one of these, I hope and believe, who would not exclude me 
 from her love ; or, rather, whose love, would not also die, with 
 whatever regrets, but not the less die, and be buried as a dead 
 thins:, out of sight. 
 
 " Every heart has its own capacities and its own wants. I can- 
 not speak for many, much less for all. I have never known man 
 or woman, Avho, deprived of one love, would not seek another. I 
 have seen few, if any, who were not capable of more than one 
 love, or rather, of having more than one object of love at the same 
 time. I have loves on the earth, and very real and sacred loves in 
 the heavens ; and so, I hope and believe, have most men and wo- 
 men. The number whom it is possible to love, with the intensity 
 of passion, is probably limited by a law. All regular groups are 
 restricted in the number of individuals composing them. In music 
 a few notes compose the scale of harmony. In painting, a few 
 colors. The heart of man finds its deepest and truest happiness 
 in the harmony of loves." 
 
 Vincent sat a moment in a silence which I did not venture to 
 interrupt — then went slowly away. I pondered his words ; and 
 that I might not lose them, came at once and have written them 
 down as nearly as I can remember. Having performed this duty, 
 I will pursue my investigations. 
 
 And to whom do you think I next addressed myself. Not 
 to any man, for I had got the masculine statement from Vincent. 
 Nor did I go to Harmonia, or Melodia, to the gentle Evaline, or the 
 spirituel Serafa, nor to my piquant Laura, nor the calm Eugenia. 
 I did not seek any one ; but one came to me. I was walking near 
 the house, when I was met by the rosy Angela, coming from the 
 garden . 
 
 " Mr. Frank," she cried, "I am so glad to havo met you. 
 
218 EsPKRANZA. 
 
 I hare ■worked two hours, and that is as long as any one should 
 work at once ; and now I want you to be my beau, and walk with 
 me, and amuse me, just as you do the young ladies in New 
 York." 
 
 She took my arm with just such a demure look as I have seen 
 a thousand times, and prepared herself for the customary compli- 
 ments. I could only laugh. 
 
 " Well, Mr. Frank, is that the way you treat a young lady who 
 faTors you by taking your arm ?" said she, with a pretty aflfecta- 
 tion of indignation. " Why don't you begin ? Tell me that it is a 
 fine day, and pleasanter than it was yesterday ; but not so pleasant 
 as you hope it will be to-morrow ; that the country is delightful, 
 especially in such pleasant society ; and that the flowers are beau- 
 tiful, but you prefer other beauties, you know ; that the waves are 
 sparkling, but not so brilliant as those corruscations which glitter 
 — hem ! — and that all the beauties and sublimities ^of nature are 
 not to be compared to the — what-d'ye-call-em? You know, Mr. 
 Frank. Why don't you talk to me in this fashion of nonsense ? 
 Oh ! how stupid you are, to be sure ! " 
 
 "Excuse me. Miss Angela," I said, "I have been talking and 
 thinking on some serious questions." 
 
 "Suchas— ?" 
 
 "Love." 
 
 The child's whole manner changed to me. She looked in my 
 face with a serious earnestness. " Forgive me, dear Frank," she 
 said, "I ought to have taken better notice of you. I saw you 
 talking with my father; but it was an hour ago." 
 
 I wish you could hear this girl speak the words " my father.'^ I 
 cannot tell you what there was of tender, reverent pride and af- 
 fection in them. 
 
 "It was," I answered, "and I have been trying to write down 
 all he said." 
 
 " That is right, Mr. Frank. My father is very wise, and you 
 must learn all you can of him. He seems cold and abstracted 
 sometimes, but he loves to talk with the young. Frank, you must 
 love my father ! " 
 
ESPBSANZA. 2 1 y 
 
 " You need not tell me that — but to-day he was very kind, and 
 gave me much information." 
 
 "And still you are unsatisfied?" said she ; as if such a thing 
 "were scarcely possible, or a proof of a wonderful degree of stu- 
 pidity. 
 
 "Yes, unsatisfied, if you please, Miss Angela; but not dissat- 
 isfied. Mr. Vincent's statement of the love relations, existing in 
 this society, is clear and satisfactory ; but I wish also to see how 
 the same subject would seem to a woman." 
 
 " Because women are not philosophers ; is that it ? " 
 
 " That is near enough." 
 
 " Well, Mr. Frank, if I am not a woman now I hope I shall be, 
 sometime. Suppose you ask me." 
 
 I was surprised at this — but why should I not seek wisdom 
 from a child; one so clear, pure, and unperverted as this assuredly 
 is ? Without waiting for my questions, she said ; 
 
 " I have seen a little of the world, and read history, poetry, plays 
 and romances, inAvhichitismoreorless truthfully represented. And 
 I think, Mr. Frank, that the human world is very poor, and mean, 
 and bad. The trees are good and beautiful in their way ; so are 
 the animals, in theirs. They live their true lives. But men and 
 women have lived very perversely. The loves of the plants are 
 varied, and natural and beautiful. I read of them in Darwin first, 
 and then I study them in themselves. Hosv respectable all the 
 animals are in their relations. Even the savage ones — you see that 
 they act in character. Man only is a hypocrite — men and womea 
 both ; and women most, just because they are the most enslaved. 
 
 "I am not old enough to have experience of love ; but it comes 
 first in idea, in the imagination ; and I think it is as clear there, as 
 it ever is. Now I can imagine myself loving you, a few years 
 hence, very dearly; but I can never imagine myself bound to you 
 in a civilized marriage. It might be that this love would satisfy 
 my heart, if you were great and varied enough ; but I could not 
 live in the most sacred love that ever the pure heart imagined, if 
 it was an outward bond to me. 
 
 " With us, each d-ay is a new life. V\'hat I f«h or did yesterday, 
 
220 ESPERANZA. 
 
 does not bind me to-day. What I feel to-day must not enslave me 
 to-morrow. That which is my brightest ideal this year, might next 
 year become the most abhorrent shivery to me. So, Mr. Frank, 
 if you are ever a lover mine, you will have to be good, and worthy, 
 and attractive to me every day. No one can promise to love next 
 week or next year. How stupid then to make a vow, or oath, or 
 contract to love all one's life ! 
 
 " The young girl, who stands at the marriage altar, promises to 
 love, honor, and obey — an angel ; her ideal perfection. I mean if 
 she is honest and is not selling herself like a prostitute. But in a 
 month or a year, she finds that the man who claims to own her is 
 not that angel, but a very common mortal, or worse. He is not 
 the man she bargained for. He is not the man she promised to love, 
 loved, or ever could love. You may say, she is bound to keep her 
 promise, however mistaken and false. I say she cannot. It is a 
 moral impossibility. 
 
 " Were I in the world I would make no such promise. Here it 
 will never be required of me. No man or woman here promises 
 anything, but to be true to themselves, and their highest sense of 
 right, in all relations." 
 
 " And this life, my Angela, is full of promise to you ? " 
 
 "Oh, better than that, Mr. Frank. It is full of real happiness. 
 Where in -the world could I find so much ? Where such comfort 
 and luxury ; so many friends ; such pleasant and varied employ- 
 ments ; so much exercise for my talents ; such opportunities for 
 development ; such a home and such loves ? The dear life here 
 is full af all beautiful things, even now. As my life opens, and 
 our state and condition improves, there will be more happiness. 
 I shall be able to help my dear father and mother; the mother to 
 v/^hom we all owe everything in our life, and our glorious Melodia, 
 and dear Evaline. Ah ! my friend, beautiful as I can believe that 
 our life seems to you, it is yet more so to us." 
 
 " And the world? " 
 
 " I know it a little, for myself ; and more from others. It is very 
 poor and mean at the best. I read of it sometimes, not always 
 with sadness. I have no desiie to see it. It would be time lost 
 
EsPERAIfZA. 221 
 
 and life wasted. I may join a little party to go to Europe to see 
 the world of art, there ; pictures, statuary and music ; but that is 
 all. We shall not be long absent ; and the joy ol our return may 
 repay us a little for the deprivation." 
 
 "Will Mr. Vincent go ? " 
 
 " Scarcely. Melodia may, and Angelo, and Evaline. My father 
 and mother would not wish to be separated — and our home could 
 not well spare them both. It will be hard for any of us to leave. 
 Perhaps we shall not go ; but we dream and talk about it some- 
 times." 
 
 " Now, Angela, I am going to ask you a question. You need 
 not answer it unless you wish. If you were obliged to choose 
 only one person, of all here, to be with, and give your life to, who 
 would that one be ? " 
 
 " My mother, always ! " 
 
 "Not your father?" 
 
 "No — it is my mother ; for though I may love my father most, 
 or best, or however it is compared ; I should best satisfy all my 
 loves, even my love for him, and my sense of right, by going with 
 her. Thank God, their is no such alternative ! No, Mr, Frank, 
 no child here is obliged to choose between father and mother, or 
 between parents and husbands. Our family cannot be broken up 
 and scattered, like the families of civilization, where parents and 
 children, brothers and sisters are separated by the marriage system 
 and the isolate household. Did you ever think what a tragedy of 
 suffering it is? " 
 
 " No, it is one to which custom reconciles us." 
 
 "Yes, like burning Hindoo widows, or christian heretics. Our 
 family is sacred — sacred and imperishable. All its members are 
 folded in its loving arms. The mind thinks, the heart loves, the 
 hands work for all, and now I must go to my work too. Have 
 you found out what you wanted ?" 
 
 Kissing her hand to me, she ran away toward the studio, where 
 was her next labor. 
 
 Beautiful Angela ! what a treasure of rich, pure, loving life ! 
 She is one of many here ; but I could not help thinking that even 
 
2^2 EsPERANZA. 
 
 this one ■would shed a radiance over this existence. I sat and 
 thought of her life, her loves, her beautiful physical, mental and 
 artistic development, and her relations to all here, till it seemed 
 that no body in the world could be so fortunate and happy. Yet 
 every one in Esperanza, in proportion to his capacity for employ- 
 ment, must be just as fortunate, and just as blessed. 
 
 Last night, I danced. We know very little of the pleasure of 
 this harmonic exercise. You and I, when we have shut out others 
 from our thoughts, have danced beautiful duets. But here we 
 dance full harmonies. It is not only two lives that mingle, but 
 many — many hearts and lives. It was a magnetism that entranced 
 and up bore me. I seemed to tread on air. I moved to the glow- 
 ing cadence of the grand music without an eflFort. It was like 
 swiming in a sea of pure extacy. With the music still vibrating 
 in my ears ; still floating in the measures of the intertwining 
 movement ; stUI feeling the pressure of friendly hands, and warm 
 beating hearts, I slept. May you, my beloved one, sleep ever as 
 happily. 
 
XV. 
 
 IMMORTALITV. 
 
 Darling : My peaceful slumbers were broken, as broke the light 
 of a new day, by the distant note of Vincent's bugle. It mingled 
 with my dreams ; then I woke to the consciousness of the happy 
 life around me ; then came the inspiring aii, chased by the echoes 
 of forest and mountain, nearer and nearer. It was repeated at 
 intervals, until its full burst resounded on the lawn, and a moment 
 after, it was joined by the band of instruments, in an awakening 
 and inspiring harmony. 
 
 I thought at first that the seeming distance of these sounds had 
 been the artistic effects of a skilful player ; but I found that our 
 yigilant chief had mounted his horse in the first dawn and taken a 
 gallop over the domain ; and that his bugle call had been sounded 
 at intervals in his rapid approach to where the band stood ready to 
 join him. 
 
 The morning parade has every day some fresh interest. A 
 magnetic life is diffused through the whole society. In the music 
 all are attuned. Discords vanish. The individual becomes so 
 sweetly harmonized with the will of the body that all move as by 
 one impulse of the pervading life, and find in that harmony the 
 greate.st happiness. 
 
 Never has the solitary, isolate life of the selfish individualist 
 seemed so poor and mean, as it now appears to me. That longing 
 of the soul for love, for sympathy, for unity, never wholly, and 
 seldom at all, satisfied in our life, can only find its perfect satisfac- 
 tion in the h=\rmony of such a life as this. 
 
 When I entered the saloon of the morning lecture, I saw Melo- 
 dia seated in the center of the p}atform, and on either side Vince 
 
 223 
 
i'ii EsPKRANZA. 
 
 and Harinonia. Vincent was calm, Harmonia pale and soirowim. 
 Melodia rose and stood silent a moment ; and her upraised eyes 
 filled with tears. Tears came i:i my own, though 1 knew not why. 
 But soon a sweet smile and a slight flush came over her face, and 
 in her low sweet tones she said : 
 
 "Dear Friends, what I have to s^y to you will sadden us for a 
 moment ; but there will come with it, also, a deep joy. 
 
 " Our good Father is soon to leave us, to join the noble and 
 beautiful society of the heavenly life. Our dear Harmonia has 
 been with him in the night watches ; the spirits who watch over 
 us have announced to him his speedy welcoming to the life of the 
 heavens. He goes to join in higher aocords of liarmony ; but he 
 will still be with us and watch over us ; and he will be able to be 
 more to us, and do more for the great work of the redemption and 
 harmonization of humanity than he can do here. 
 
 " Joyfully does he welcome the summons. He feels that his great 
 love for all his children here will find a freer and better expres- 
 sion from the spirit spheres than it can from this. He wishes rao 
 to say, that before he leaves the bodily form, he hopes to see and 
 greet you all. His strong, brave, generous spirit prepares to lay 
 ofi" the outer form of the earth life, as he would lay ofi" a garment 
 he needs no longer. His work is done. He is ready to enter with 
 joy upon a new and higher form of existence, to which, when a 
 few years are past, he will welcome all of us, his children. 
 
 " I, who have known him longest, and to whom he has been 
 more than a father ; I yield him cheerfully to the joys of the inner 
 life; assured that while his external form seeks new unities in pro- 
 gression, his noble spirit, his best self, will be ever with us, loving, 
 inspiring, and strengthening us. 
 
 "When the large bell of the tower, at whatever hour of day or 
 night, shall strike nine strokes, it will be to summon us all to as- 
 semble here, to receive his parting benediction. Let us lay aside 
 all selfish grief, and be prepared to bid him farewell as joyfully as 
 the radiant ones will bid him wtdcome." 
 
 She was smiling through her tears. Harmonia took Vincent's 
 fliUi, while Melodia supported her on the other side; and they 
 
ESPICRANZA. 225 
 
 breakfasted together — but all the rest coaversed cheerfully, thoagh 
 in lower tones than usuil. There was also a nim-e perfect order of 
 movement, and a greater earnestness visible ; but no depressing 
 grief. Faith in immortality is no pretense here, but a very real 
 and sustaining assurance. 
 
 An hour later, when 1 returned from a sail across the lake, what 
 was my surprise to see the good Father sitting in his easy chair, 
 under the trees, with sunshine and flowers around him, enjoying 
 the songs of the birds, and the beauties of nature. Harmonia held 
 his hand, and Angela brought him the most odorous flowers. He 
 saw my surprised look, and held out his hand to me. It trembled 
 more than usual, and his face was more pallid. But there was 
 hope and happiness in his blue eyes; and his voice, though a little 
 fainter, was as cheerful as ever. 
 
 " Boil jour, monfils .f* he said, as he grasped my hand, " you 
 expected to see t'le old man on his back. Oh, no ! I prefer this. 
 They are very good to me, and let me have my own way in every 
 thing — my good children !" 
 
 " I hope you will recover, and enjoy their society many years," 
 I said. 
 
 " Don't think it, or wish it. A few days at the most is all I 
 have to stay now ; and you are traveler enough to know that when 
 one has made up his mind to go he does not wish to be delayed. 
 I am satisfied and happy. All I have wished and worked for in life is 
 accomplished, or will be, and I am content to go. You will j )in 
 our family, and find here all that your mind and heart can ask. Is 
 it not so, majille?" he asked, turning to Harmonia. 
 
 " Yes, Father. You have henceforth other duties and other 
 joys. We are to increase, and you, with greater powers of vision 
 and locomotion, can aid us. The little scattered groups, who are 
 earnestly working in the orderly preparation for a harmonic life, 
 may soon begin to join us, and enjoy its realization. You, father, 
 will influence, guide, direct, and welcome them to the home you 
 have chosen for them. Then, out of this, other homes are to be 
 born, and you, who found this domain, will perform the same func- 
 tion in respect to others, and aid our spirit guardians in watching 
 
226 K-JI-'KUA.NZA. 
 
 over the infant societies. So shall this new, harmonic man, increase, 
 multiply, and replenish the earth." 
 
 The old man's eyes sparkled with joy; then he raised them 
 reverenily to heaven, and said iu a low, soft murmer : 
 
 " Que voire velonte soit faite sur la terre comme au del :" with this 
 sentence from the Lord's Prayer, in his sweet mother tongue, the 
 old man closed his eyes, and there spread over his countenance an 
 expression of ineffable rest and peace ; and, supported by the soft 
 cushions, he fell into a slumber, as of infancy. 
 
 Vincent has managed for several days to give me, daily, an hour 
 for conversation. In these hours he has listened to my doubts 
 with entire patience ; lie has answered all my questions, and 
 thrown light on many subjects connected with the progress and 
 destiny of cur race. With very little of personal ambition or van- 
 ity ; with strong faculties of analysis and synthesis ; with a na- 
 ture full of philanthropy and love, he has done his work of enlight- 
 enment, organization, and direction with so much fidelity, as to 
 vindicate the wisdom which selected him for this work. That 
 wisdom, dear Clara, I need not now tell you, I believe to be super- 
 nal. And he has had ever at his side, and in his deepest love, 
 one who has stood between him and the angel life, and who has 
 been to him the medium of its inspirations. 
 
 To-day we took horses and rode over every part of this domain, 
 which is like the most beautiful garden, with groves, and shaded 
 avenues, and lovely prospects, and pretty pavilions for rest and 
 shade, scattered over it. I cannot write you all our conversation ; 
 but I will put down the most important portion, both for you, and 
 because I wish to record it while fresh in my memory. 
 
 " In what respect," I asked, "does your system differ from 
 that of Fourier ?" 
 
 "It differs not so much in principles and ends," he said, "as in 
 means. Fourier saw the possibility of harmony, and believed 
 that nothincr was needed for its realization, but to brinof a certain 
 number of men and women toofether, under certain conditions. 
 There is no experimental proof that he was not right — that is, 
 that with means, and power, and science, and skill, men might not be 
 
EsPERANZA. 227 
 
 harmonized en masse. But where is the means or power to do this ? 
 Our system is that of growth, from the minutest germ to the 
 mighty tree. And the preparation for germinal growth was in- 
 dividual development and harmonization. Fourier would have 
 collected a thousand persons, in two or three years, in a phalans- 
 terie. I believe that there could not be selected one thousand per- 
 sons in all civilized society, who could have formed such an associa- 
 tion, or who could have been held together against their own repul- 
 sions except by some stringent despotism, without a previous 
 preparation. 
 
 " We differ from the theory of Fourier, also, in not paying trib- 
 ute to capital, and in giving less of external or pecuniary reward 
 to talent or genius. These with us have their reward spiritually, 
 and to a certain excent the material correspondent. We are some- 
 what more communistic than he proposed, while we guard, I think, 
 better than he provided for, the special rights of the individual." 
 " Are you then nearer to the system of Owen ?" 
 " No : we reject a democratic communism as having no guaran- 
 ties, either of order or individuality. A society is not a mere 
 aggregation or agglomeration of individuals ; but a regular organi- 
 zation. It is a body which has its head and its heart ; its nervous 
 centers and circulation ; its organs and members all united to- 
 gether, and constituting a united and harmonious body. Physi- 
 ology gives us the highest type of a true society. Vegetable 
 physiology approximates it, and, being more simple, is more easily 
 understood." 
 
 " Have you examined the system of Monsieur Cabet ?" 
 " Yes. I wrote to him at Nauvoo, and he sent me his Voyage en 
 Icarie, a magnificent dream of a National Democratic Commun- 
 ism, in which the government, that is, the central expression of the 
 popular will, performs all functions, and provides for all wants, in 
 a large country, witlv great cities, wealth and splendor. Men see 
 something of the life of the future, but not the means to attain it. 
 Hence all have failed. 
 
 " Yet the means are so simple, and so in accordance with all the 
 operations of nature ! If any merit has been mine, it has been in 
 
228 EtPKRANZA. 
 
 seeing this ; but I can claim none, for it has been revealed to me, 
 I have accepted and rendered practical, what Fourier himself has 
 revealed to me from the life of the heavens." 
 
 "And this method — was it readily accepted by those whose 
 first impulse would probably be to denounce eveiy thiny which 
 seemed to ii.em like a despotism ? " 
 
 "It was sometimes misundei'Stood ; but the. rejection of our 
 I' ethod, for this reason, served to separate and keep from us those 
 disorderly persons who would have perilled our success. 
 
 "We tauglit that while freedom was a condition of a true life 
 of harmony, an orderly obedience was its most vital necessity. 
 We demanded obedience, not to us as individuals, but to the prin- 
 ciples of the life. The lesion ever impressed upon us was tliat 
 there must be obedience, else there cannot be growth. In the tree, 
 every atom assimilated must obey the life of the tree ; in the 
 human body, every organ and every atom must alike obey the law 
 of life and its requirements. The strength of the heart and the 
 wisdom of the head can only be demonstrated by perfect obedience. 
 It is not by erratic action that the one gets power and the other 
 light. The heart and head of a man and of a society must be 
 corrected by consequences wrought out in obedience, and not by 
 disordered acts and efforts. Obedience is for a body and a society ; 
 and consequences are the only corrections. If there cannot be a 
 perfect and orderly obedience, then there is not unity ; and the part 
 that is extraneous or parasitic is to be cut off. And many Vi^ere 
 severed from us." 
 
 " Allow me to ask how you were able to satisfy people full of 
 protests against social tyrannies, of the truth of these principles ? " 
 
 Vincent smiled as he answered — " Their acceptance was not 
 so hard as you think. Most received them intuitively and lovingly. 
 The Avise saw their truth and necessity. When it was proper to 
 make explanations, there was no lack of analogical illustration. 
 
 " 1 pointed to the director of an orchestra, whose function is to 
 guide every movement, and to become the central thought and viJl 
 of a body of musicians, where the most perfect and accurate obe- 
 dience to the directing power is at once the greatest happiness of 
 
ESPERANZA. 229 
 
 each performer, and the necessity of the pei-formance. I showed 
 that the least erratic individualism here, vvould not only mar the 
 general harmony, but desti'oy the happiness of the indivi lual. So 
 in architec ure, every workman must work to the line of his speci- 
 fications, and the direction*^ of the architect and master builder, or 
 mar the work, and his own delight in doing it. Every combined 
 movement involves the same principle ; and that whicli is best for 
 all, must always be best for each. Call this order, tyranny, des- 
 potism — tvhat you will — it is the absolute necessity of every har- 
 monic movement, from the systems of the universe down to the 
 smallest plant that grows. 
 
 " Tlie conservative sentiment for the preservation of order is a true 
 human instinct; but the order usually conserved is v ry false and 
 costly. The true order, which is heaven's first law, never de- 
 mands the sacrifice of the highest freedom and happiness of the 
 individual, but secures both. The first qualifica'ion for our life is 
 a tru ' humility ; our first duty is a true obedience : our first re- 
 quirement a true order ; and these se^^ure to us all the freedom and 
 all the happiness you see us enjoyinGf." 
 
 Vincent spoke a single word to his beautiful horse, and he 
 bounded awav toward a distant group of workers, whose labors 
 he joined ; while I rode slowlv h me, revolving all this in mv mind. 
 
 T will not conceal that the words humility, obedience, order, have 
 a harsh sound to me. Humility has seemed a disease or a sham. 
 Obedience has been the requirement of despotism. Order is the ex- 
 cuse of tyrants. And yet T can see that throughout the universe there 
 must be the humility which recognizes and strives to attain to the 
 higher or more advanced perfection. The 'rue scholar, artist, or 
 poet must be a humble worker toward his ideal ; anrl the grea'est 
 men have ha i most of the virtue of humility. Away with vain 
 piide. It is the sign of a little, mean, and sordid spirit. I see, too, 
 that obedience to laws and principles pervades all nature — every 
 plant and animal living- in obedience to the law of its life ; a'oms 
 and systoms obeying the requirements of univers.il and eternal 
 laws. Shall I be less obedient to the law of my own life? to the 
 requirements of my phy>ical organization, my moral nature, 
 
230 ESPERANZA. 
 
 and my conscience or highest sense of right ? Surely not, dear 
 Clara ; and I accepl the principle of obedience. And order : it is 
 a sublime ideal. It is the basis of all harmony. In architecture, 
 in music, in all that man has worthily achieved, it is the prime 
 element. It presides over the formation of snow-flake and crystal ; 
 it is the governing principle of the Infinite series of worlds. t:hall 
 it be less the controling element of the human soul, and of human 
 society ? So I accept them all. May I live to them as I wish ! 
 
 As I looked round upon the dinner groups of the great dining 
 saloon, I could detect no sign of sorrow. Beautiful as is tiie life 
 here, the life liereafter is seen and felt to be so much more beau- 
 tiful, that the change has no terrors and no regrets. I think there 
 was less conversation than usual, but it was light and cheerful. 
 The old man had his chair wheeled out upon the balcony and en- 
 joyed the after dinner music. He beat time with his fingers, and 
 looked round upon the groups of his children, and up to the serene 
 heavens with a countenance full of a calm joy. Melodia sat near 
 him, and they talked at intervals. He was giving her his last 
 thoughts and messages, as a friend who is going on a journey 
 leaves his directions, and then promises to write. 
 
 You shall enjoy with me, some of these briglit days, the luxury 
 of this musical after-dinner hour; almost the only one in which 
 all indulge in the dolcc far niente. The necessary labors of the day 
 are over. Cares there are none — no cares nor sorrow's, except for 
 the outside world, and the friends t'lat m^ny have left behind them ; 
 and for these there, is the hope of their sometime coming, when 
 their bonds shall fall off, or be broken asunder. 
 
 Then were formed groups of work, or study, or amusement, 
 which often combines both, for even the most romantic pic-nics are 
 made scenes of industry or of study. A group of artists goes to 
 the woods to sketch, and the afternoon's pleasure is an addition to 
 the stock of beauty and riches. The out-door conversations are 
 full of intellectual life. Children make groups around the wise or 
 imaginative, or people with good memories. Finally, there is no 
 lack of books. 
 
ESPERANZA. 231 
 
 I sat in one of these groups, to which I had been invited, on 
 coming near, and felt the calm flow of this restful life. It was a 
 fraternal group of happy men, women and children, lying on the 
 s-weet grass under the shade of a broad spreading tree, discussino- 
 the future glories of the destiny of man, when this harmony shall 
 have spread over all his heritage. 
 
 " It will not require so long as you think," said one. " Let but 
 the most advanced minds now in the world have the assurance 
 which our success must give them, and they will enter with joy 
 and enthusiasm upon the needed preparation for our life. There 
 must be hundreds, yes, thousands, scattered over civilization, now 
 ready and longing for an exodus out of it. If we could but re- 
 ceive them here, the teaching, example and influence of our life 
 would bring them into harmony. In two years we mi^ht form 
 other associations, and so on in geometrical progression." 
 
 " Fair and softly, my dear," said a wise and gentle matron, who 
 might have been his mother, but was not. " You have had but 
 little experience of the life of the world, and know not the streno-th 
 of its bonds. You do not understand how men are bound to their 
 wives and families ; and wives to their husbands and children. 
 The church, society, business entanglements, debts, relatives, de- 
 pendents, all these enslave vast numbers. So do all the common 
 habits of hfe." 
 
 " But the young, the unmarried, and those not yet embarked ou 
 this dull and troublesome voyage," said he. 
 
 " The young have their duties, attachments and ambitions. The 
 life of business and society is attractive to the young. They are 
 full of hope, and do not see its cares and slaveries. Then there 
 is much lack of courage in the young. I have known a college of 
 hundreds of young men and women, as good as the average surely, 
 held in the most abject subjection to the bigotries of two or three 
 professors. It is a world of flunkies, my friend, with very little of 
 genuine independence." 
 
 " But, if people are cowards, are they to be blamed for not 
 having courage ? " asked one of the children. 
 
 "No, dear ; they are to be pitied. Cowards make despots, and 
 
232 ESPERANZA. 
 
 despots confirm people in their habits of cowardice. It is a circle 
 of error ; and evils tend continuHlly to reproduce themselves. Out 
 of this sljugli of despond strong spirits I'ise, and inspire others 
 with courage. They unite for strength ; they come into orderly 
 movement, and soon achieve the conditions of a noble life." 
 
 " But to me," I ventured to say, " it seems that so much de- 
 pends upon conditions. For example, a tree on a high mountain, 
 or in a high northern latitude, or where there is a scantiness of 
 soil or moisture, attains but to a meao-re o-rowth. In Shetland, the 
 horse dwarfs to a pony. Men require conditions for developn;ent. 
 Here it is so easy to be good, brave, noble, heroic. Here all con- 
 ditions favor the development of a true life, and true and beautiful 
 relations ; but in the world it is very different. A\\ conditions and 
 influences are false and evil." 
 
 " True ; but you do not consider the sublime fact that man is a 
 condition maher. He alone, of all beings, has the power of mak- 
 ing his own conditions, and therein is the possibility of his des- 
 tiny. The acorn must germinate where it is buried ; the tree must 
 grow where it is planted; but man, with his powers of locomotion, 
 can choose climate, soil, food, and make for himself the conditions 
 he requires, whenever he has the wisdom to know his needs." 
 
 I am surprised every day by the intelligence of the youngest and 
 humblest members of this family. The facts and principles of 
 universal science, but imperfectly known to our learned professors, 
 and which they so often boggle over, are familiar to little children 
 here ; because they are common subjects of conversation. The 
 intellectu:il light kindles and blazes hero, from the proximity and 
 harmony of so many minds ; and the awakening and culture of all 
 faculties. 
 
 The other day a group of children, tired of some active work, 
 gathered round Vincent and asked him for a story. He sa*' down 
 on the grass and they sat near him, two of the youngest laying 
 their heads in his lap and looking up into his face. 
 
 He plucked a flower, and looked at it a moment — then began : 
 
 "Once upon a time the soul of a plant found itself fl}'ing 
 through the air." 
 
EsPERANZA. 233 
 
 "Had it wings ? " asked a little oue. 
 "Perhaps it was iu a balloon," suggested another. 
 " Souls are not very heav^y," said Vincent, " but this one had its 
 luofffaofe to carry with it." 
 
 Do O */ 
 
 "A soul with luggage !" 
 
 " Yes, provisions, clothing, and other little necessary articles such 
 as souls must have in this world ; and these were all packed away 
 very safely in a nice little case, large enough for the plant soul, and 
 all its goods and furniture." 
 
 '•Oh 1 but tell us what it had to eat." 
 
 "Yes; that interests you. You little folks are very fond of 
 your victuals." 
 
 " Of course ; because it is of our food that our souls are form- 
 ing our bodies;" said one of the older children. 
 
 " You be quiet with your little wisdom," said Vincent, smiling, 
 "it is not your soul that is now in question, but the soul of a plant. 
 
 " In this little case was carefully packed starch, sugar, oil, and 
 some very fine matter, to manufacture into vessels and utensils. 
 Plant souls are very carefully provided for. And this little car- 
 riage was flying through the air, upheld by wide-spreading silken 
 wings, and borne along by the winds. It went high over trees and 
 houses, in the currents of the atmosphere ; then came a calm, and 
 it settled down slowly to the ground, and fell in a moist, warm place, 
 in a little crevice of the earth, and there it lay, all dark and still. 
 
 " So the plant soul rested awhile ; but no soul is satisfied to be 
 idle long ; and as the warmth of the sunshine, and the sweet mois- 
 ture of the dew began to come through the little windows of the 
 soul's dwelling, it said, 'come, I must be at work. This idleness 
 will never answer. I have a destiny to achieve, and I must be 
 about it." 
 
 "So it went to work," said one of the little interrupters." 
 
 " Yes, indeed. It was all alive and busy, making vessels, and 
 preparing to expand itself. But it had so little room. ' This will 
 never do,' said the soul, ' I must get out of this, if I burst it open ; ' 
 and as the shell grew soft and swelled out with the expanding soul, 
 pretty soon it really burst open, and the little soul was free. 
 20 
 
254 EsrEKANZA. 
 
 "How warm the sunshine was, how sweet the dew, and how 
 pleasant the showers. 'Now I must grow,' said the soul. * I must 
 expand into all the use and beauty I am capable of. I am deter- 
 mined to be the largest, finest, and best that is. possible to be. 
 Let's see what I must do.' " 
 
 " Yes, I should like to know what a plant soul would find to 
 do for itself," said a very young philosopher. 
 
 " * It will be a dry time soon, and I shall want plenty of water,* 
 it said, ' so I must sink some pumps into the ground to suck it up.* 
 So it began to make little fibrous roots, and push them down into 
 the earth. 'And I must have more air and sunshine,' it said, and 
 it began to build up a little tiny stalk, up into the light of day. 
 
 "But then its stock of food and materials was almost exhausted. 
 ' This will never do,' said the soul. ' I must have food and matter 
 to WQrk with. Let us see what we can find.* It pumped up some 
 water and examined it, and found some atoms of lime, and silica, and 
 potash, and some old matter which other plant souls had no longer 
 any use for. ' This will do very well so far,' it said, 'now let us 
 see what we can find up in the light here. Oh ! here is a plenty of 
 good things. Carbon, and oxygen, and nitrogen, all in the atmos- 
 phere, and electricity, to work with, and a perfect shower of ener- 
 gising sunshine. What a rich and beautiful world it is for a little 
 plant soul to expand and mature itself, and do its work in 1' 
 
 " So the plant soul piimped up the water, and strained out all its 
 solid matters to build with ; and it made leaves with thousands of 
 little cells to catch the carbon and oxygen, and nitrogen in from 
 the air, and it inspired electricity, and drank in the sunshine, and 
 worked away like a little bee, building its stalk larger, and its roots 
 deeper, and making more leaves, until it had got a body large 
 enough for its soul, and just as beautiful as it could make it." 
 
 "And then it rested, and had a good time," said one of the 
 most tired of the little workers. 
 
 " Souls never rest long, and our little plant soul had now ano- 
 ther work to do. It was to provide for a progeny of little plant 
 souls, make their little cases, and provide them with just such a 
 supply of food and materials as it had itself to begin the world 
 
EsPEitA:>ZA. 235 
 
 with. So it sat to work with a new energy ani. delight; and made 
 such a nice, cosy little nast or dwelling, then set it all round with 
 delicate leaves of bright colours, and gathered fragrant aromas from 
 the atmosphere, and made up a stock of honey from the sweetest 
 dews, and with much love and care, brought forth and nourished a 
 whole family of little young plant souls, that the earth might con- 
 tinue to be beautiful, and the race never be lost. And in this last 
 work was its chief glory and delight; and on it the plant soul 
 expended all its powers ; and then it was satisfied and content. Its 
 work was done. Henceforth it was to live in the life of its child- 
 ren ; or in the higher unities of the soul life of the universe." 
 
 You cannot think, dear Clara, with what a solemn earnestness 
 these little children listened to this little story of the life of the 
 plants and flowers. It is in this way that the children of Esper- 
 anza are educated. The whole world around them, every plant 
 and flower, is full of life and wisdom. 
 
 The play at the theater last evening embodied humorous and 
 ridiculous illustrations of the most besetting sins of our life. 
 Three or four of the characters were personifications of pride, van- 
 ity, conceit, intolerance, petty malignities, gossippings, careless- 
 ness, bad manners, faults of speech, and queer gaucheries. I have 
 seldom laughed more heartily. There was comic power, both fine 
 and broad, among the actors and actresses, and they played with a 
 perfect abandon, while the audience, down to the smallest children, 
 enjoyed it even more than I, for many of the points were evidently 
 personal enough to have for them a greater zest. 
 
 It seemed to me that the performance of this single comedy 
 three or four times a year would do more to correct all the little 
 faults and vices of any society, than the most careful and continual 
 didactic teachings, and yet the serious portion of the plot was of 
 absorbing interest, and also deoendant upon the comic develop- 
 ment. The use of the stage, as a school of manners and life, was 
 never more apparent to me ; and all its capabilities of use and beauty 
 will be developed in the expansion of the New Social Order. When 
 Esperanza shall number its two thousand souls, its Opera and 
 
236 EsFERANZA. 
 
 Drama will be proportionally expanded ; and when we shall have 
 clusters of such homes, and cities of Harmony, the grandeur and 
 beauty of Art will be beyond all our present conceptions, and the 
 scene of the most glorious of prophetic idealizations. 
 
 These dramas of the future ! How much more might they be 
 to society than those of the past ! 
 
 Is it not time that we let the dead rest, and not be perpetually 
 digging up its mouldy relics, and displaying its hideous anatomies? 
 It belongs to poetry to penetrate the realm, and shadow forth the 
 glories of the future — and why not of dramatic poetry? All art 
 seems to me the expression of hope, of aspiration, of an idealiza- 
 tion which looks forward into the future of our destiny, rather 
 than back into the past. I would have the world look onward ; for 
 this perpetual relro^pection cannot but hinder progress. And 
 though the past, seen through the mists of time, may seem gigan- 
 tic and heroic, — and even put on the semblance of a golden age, I 
 would still look for the grandeur and glory of a true life in the 
 future, which it is the province of all high art to reveal to us. 
 
 Every night I spend the last lialf hour with one or more of the 
 dear friends who are most in the life of my heart ; sometimes with 
 Melodia, sometimes with Serafa, or Evaline, or Eugenia. As a rare 
 favor, I have a few moments before retiring to rest with Harmonia, 
 through whom the angel of my life, my sainted and adored 
 mother, comes to bless me, with the blessing of peace in all the 
 Present, and Hope in all the future. 
 
XVI. 
 
 THE LAST FESTIVAL. 
 
 We have much to do, my dear Clara, to make ourselves fit for, and 
 worthy of, the happiness of this life. Perhaps I should speak for 
 myself, and leave you out of the question ; but, however ungallaat, 
 I must believe that you have some faults to correct, as well as I, 
 who have so many. 
 
 My habits have been disorderly and erratic — they must become 
 orderly and harmonious. I have studied and worked by fits and 
 starts, and without a steady, persevering industry, so indispensable 
 to the aocomplishment of any object. We must have a time for 
 every work, and always the work in its time ; a place for every 
 thing, and everything in its place. Every faculty must have its 
 rights, and we must advance in the achievement of all our possi- 
 bilities, in an orderly progression. Is it not so ? 
 
 Here, order, neatness aad beauty, are habitual. I have not seen, 
 for one moment, any person in an unsuitable or unbecoming cos- 
 tume. The dress is suited to the work. There is no where the 
 least untidiness. In vain may you look through halls, rooms, 
 saloons, and even the walks and lawns, for any object to mar the 
 beauty of the scene. Dust, dirt, and disorder are banished. This 
 care has become so habitual that it is not in the least a burthen. 
 
 There is a special group of cleanliness, which attends to the 
 washing, sweeping, dusting, and general care of the halls and 
 saloons, while each person cares for his own apartment, as for his 
 own person and clothing. But every one has the habit of neat- 
 ness and order, keeping every article in its place, and picking up 
 every dead leaf, twig, scrap of paper, or any object unpleasant to 
 the sight. 
 
 237 
 
23 O £si'EHA>fZA. 
 
 So there is a group or committee of temperature and ventilation, 
 and pure air and agreeable waimth or coolness and pleasant 
 odors are assured to all. These groups, like those of decoration 
 and embellishment, are self-appointed by their attractions and fit- 
 ness for these functions. And all the cares and duties of the home 
 are so divided among those whose ambition and happiness consists 
 in their performance, that they are done in the most perfect man- 
 ner possible. 
 
 As 1 spoke of these practicalities to Alfred, who, trowel in hand, 
 was working at the head of the building group, on the addition to 
 the edifice, I asked him whether the more repugnant functions 
 were readily performed. 
 
 "There comes in here," he replied, "the element of devotion. 
 There is, in our best members, the most loving and the wisest, a 
 strong desire to do every thing for the harmony. You may have 
 seen, as I have, an accomplished musician, qualified to play the 
 first violin, or direct the orchestra, beating a bass drum, or triangle, 
 when needed, to secure the perfection of a musical performance. 
 So here, Harmonia and Melodia are oftenest seen engaging in 
 what civilizees would call the most menial labors ; and Vincent 
 and Raphael working in manures or ditches. It is the best and 
 bravest soldier who volunteers in the forlorn hope. He who is 
 chief among you shall be the servant of all. This devotion makes 
 all functions honorable. If there is a duty more toilsome, repul- 
 sive, irksome, or dangerous than usual, it is sure to be most eagerly 
 sought. 
 
 "This is the fact wherever exists the corporate spirit. Where 
 is the post of honor in your fire department in New York ? 
 Nearest the fire, is it not, where the toil is hardest, and the danger 
 greatest ? so is it here. 
 
 " The orderly, faithful, heroic worker here, satisfies the most of 
 his faculties, and enjoys the happiness which their satisfaction 
 gives. We work from justice, benevolence, pride, ambiiion, love. 
 
 " All high motives here tend to goodness. Self-respect, a desire 
 of the good opinion of others, friendship, affection, all stimulate to 
 industry, to improvement, to elegance and refinement. 
 
ESPJERAKZA. 239 
 
 "la the^old society of which you have seen somethin"-, it is 
 honorable to be idle ; and he is most caressed who is the least 
 useful or tlie most mischievous member. The man who works 
 is held in low esteem; but the aristocrat is he, who holds the 
 power of compellinn^ the largest number to work for him. In a 
 social state so false, there are few motives to virtue, and many in- 
 centives to vice. In our society, and that we seek to perpetuate, all 
 this is changed." 
 
 It is so true, my Clar;i I This is the place for us to be just as 
 good as we wish to be in our best moments. And as there are here 
 all motives to goodness and virtue, there are few temptations to 
 vice or crime. Why should one ever do or speak a falsehood here, 
 where all is truth ? Why ever steal, either material or spiritual 
 goods, where each one can have all that he has a right to have of 
 either ? Why should one ever hate, when love is the oervadino- 
 element, or seek to injure any, where all are striving to be good 
 and do good continually ? 
 
 The passions and conditions which make the most terrible cur- 
 ses of civilization, here find no place. There are no brawls, riots, 
 or tumults, for all is order and peace. There is no motive nor oc- 
 casion for drunkenness, where all are free &om care, and enjoy in the 
 avocations and amusements of each day, a more beautiful exhil- 
 eralion than any stimulant can offer. Libertinism and prostitution 
 are impossible, where love is without constraint, and the purity of 
 ' woman finds its safeguard in the freedom of her instincts. Money 
 is nothere a temptation to the pretence of love, nor is the heart ever 
 bartered for position or gold. The relations of aflfection are 
 asumed with careful deliberation, and with a deep sense of tlieir 
 sacred character. There is no influence to induce man or woman 
 to enter into a false relation ; or to remain in one a single hour after 
 its falsity is discovered; and the man or woman who should do 
 this, would forfeit all respect ; so much is the interior life — the life' 
 of the heart — guarded against all falseness and evil. 
 
 By our customs and laws, the woman is made subject to the will 
 of man, in their most intimate relations. She is tauo-ht to submit 
 and obey. It is not so here. Woman reigns supreme over the 
 
240 EsPKRAKZA. 
 
 realm of the affections, and with her finer intuitive sense, sruards 
 the truLli and purity of all her relations ; and every true man ac- 
 cepts humbly and joyfully the favors she bestows. This cliivalric 
 deference to woman, which is in our society so often a pretense 
 and a sham, is here a noble and beautiful reality. The sphere 
 of woman, centering in the affections, is thus clearly defined, and 
 never encroached upon ; and the rights of woman are secured by 
 her having achieved her supreme and pivotal right — the right to 
 herself; to the care and bestowal of her own person ; and the free 
 control of all her conditions and relations. 
 
 And in dignity, purity, and beauty of position and character, the 
 world has seen no women who excel those of Ezperanza ; nor has 
 human society ever before offered, except in rare and individual 
 instances, conditions for the development of these noble qualities. 
 In talent, education, accomplishment, beauty, and elegance, they 
 would grace any court ; while in loveliness and purity they seem 
 to me angelic. 
 
 With an earnest spirit, T have sought to know the truth j-espect- 
 ing those relations on which the harmony and happiness of life so 
 much depends. 1 have searched into the depths of my own heart 
 and taken counsel also df the wisest here. I have also well ob- 
 served the passional phenomena around me. And I come to these 
 concl»sions. 
 
 There are three kinds or phases of passional or heart-love of 
 which individuals of both sexes are susceptible. There is the love 
 of reverence, aspiring and adoring; the love of peerage, or equal- 
 ity, in which like seeks to like ; the love of condescension, be- 
 nevolence and protection. With the first, we climb upward ; 
 with the second, we stand firm ; by the third, we raise others to 
 our own elevation. There seem to me to be varieties of each of 
 these phases ; nor can I observe that one ever interferes with the 
 other. 
 
 1 said last night to Melodia, when we were talking soft and low 
 of these sacred things, for such they are here esteemed, "Is it 
 true, dear Melodia, that you, and all here, are absolutely free, in 
 this matter of love?" 
 
EsPERANZA. 241 
 
 "Assuredly !" she said, with a geatle look of surprise. " Free ? 
 What then is there to force or restrain us ? " 
 
 "I do not see, and yet love has its laws." 
 
 " As all life has ; and the laws of love, like all the laws of 
 life, are very despotic or absolute, and not to be disobeyed with im- 
 punity, I am free to love, just as I am free to eat ; but health, and 
 even Kfe requires that I do not eat what is not congenial to me. 
 Every where, and in all things, freedom has this limitation. It is 
 the right to do right — never can there be a right to do wrong. 
 
 " Love may be defined as the sense of congeniality or unity of 
 being in two individuals of different sexes. It is an attraction 
 like gravitation ; and like all attractions, it must be free. But like 
 other attractions, also, it has its laws ; and these laws must be 
 obeyed. 
 
 " The best thing for you, my friend, is to believe in the divinity of 
 your nature, and to trust in the truth and wisdom of those you love. 
 Only in this trust can your heart find rest and peace. Our life 
 has much for you of soul-riches, if you can peacefully accept what 
 comes to you because it is rightfully yours ; but if you cannot trust 
 me and others, with an entire faith that we will do what is right, both 
 as regards you andall others, you will greatly mar your own felicity. 
 You must feel that I am to be trusted with the guardianship of my 
 own heart, and that Clara, and all you love must be trusted in the 
 same self-guardianship. If I, or she, or any of us make mistakes, 
 which we are not likely to do here, they will bring their own pun- 
 ishment and correction. Hard as it might be for you to see Clara 
 forming a relation not all sacredly true to her, and to you, it would 
 be a greater grief to her ; and she will guard her heart much bet- 
 ter than you can, by any selfish and jealous claim over her. 
 Learn then to trust. How can you trust a woman's love for you, 
 when you cannot trust in the truth of her sentiment for another ? " 
 
 "But do errors never occur ? " I asked ; '«Is the heart infalli- 
 ble?" 
 
 "In the transition, while mixed with the old hfe, we have all 
 been liable to errors and mistakes. Our instincts have been per- 
 verted ; but still we could only try them with the greater care. 
 21 
 
242 EsPKKANZA. 
 
 The consequences of our faults were the only correctives. Each 
 had only to live to his highest sense of right ; and what better or 
 what else was possible ? you must still trust your feet though you 
 stumble at times — you must go by your senses, if they have de- 
 ceived you. So must you trust the heart. And be sure, my friend, 
 that every woman, who lives our life, wishes, of all things, to be 
 right, in what is most sacred to her." 
 
 It has been hard for me, dear Clara, and doubtless will be in 
 the future, to rest as peacefully as I should, in this holy faith ; but 
 I know, in my deepest consciousness, that it is riglit ; and that 
 you are as worthy of my whole trust, as you are of my love. 
 And I know that I can leave you in freedom. Do you remember 
 what Pericles writes to Aspasia, in that beautiful book of our 
 noble Landor ? " Do what thy heart tells thee " — he says — " do 
 all thy heart tells thee ; and oh ! may the beautiful feet of my 
 Aspasia stand firm." It was the trust of the hero, and the prayer 
 of the lover. And so, my blessed Clara, with the same deep 
 trust, and the same fond prayer, will I ever say to thee, do all thy 
 heart tells thee. 
 
 In my conversation with Vincent to-day, I took occasion to ask 
 him what influences were used in this state of social freedom, to 
 protect the young from the effects of passional excesses. 
 
 " There is no lack of such protection," said he. " Our young 
 people live upoji a pure and simple diet, and their senses are not 
 unduly and prematurely stimulated by unliealty and exciting food. 
 They are generally free from the hereditary taint of amative dis- 
 ease. Love comes to the pure mind of youth, as an ideal senti- 
 ment, and, in one of a natural life, and imstimulated passions, it 
 does not soon take the form of a sensual desire. 
 
 " It is also a matter of observation and experience with us, that 
 the first loves of the young, are the loves of aspiration and rever- 
 ence. When the youth of fifteen loves, with a timid and worship- 
 ful reverence, a woman of twenty-five or thirty years, the very I 
 reverence and idolatry of this love protects him from the h.ope or j 
 wish of any sensuous expression. So the young maiden, in the 
 
EsPEBAXZA. 243 
 
 flush of her ■womanly life, looks up to some heroic ideal, some 
 tnan who embodies all that she can conceive of manhood. And 
 those of us who are fitted to inspire, and worthy to receive, these 
 fracrrant aromas of the buddinG: soul, are too wise, and too ffood 
 ever to bring upon them the blight of premature indulgence of a 
 sensual passion. 
 
 " Our youth of both sexes live in a sacred vestalate, until their 
 lives are expanded and matured, and they are ready to perform the 
 parental functions. This chastity gives vigor to body and mind. 
 The power that would else be wasted, expands itself in the perfec- 
 tion of the whole organization, so that our young men are full of the 
 strength of an unexhausted manhood, and our young women have 
 all the power and beauty of perfect womanhood. 
 
 Compared with the world, all our lives are chaste and pure, and 
 they are proportionally progressive, aspiring, and happy. The 
 spiritual element triumphs over the material. As our lives im- 
 prove, the children born to us will have superior organizations, and 
 so on, we hope, through progressive generations, with increase of 
 health, physical and mental power, longevity and happiness." 
 
 "And still on?" 
 
 Vincent turned his eyes on me as if to read the full meaning of 
 my question. 
 
 "Yes, still on! Who shall limit the power of a progressive 
 being ? What grandeur and glory may not humanity be capable 
 of in the now dawning future, when life and immortality shall be 
 brought to light. 
 
 Life and Immortality," he said, with a slow emphatic utterance ; 
 "but this is a mvsterv, which the future must unfold to us." 
 
 You have a fine talent for music, my Clara, and for the arts of 
 design. You have the capability to make an excellent player and 
 singer, and also a good painter. But if we were to marrv and live 
 the routine life of civilization, these beautiful talents could never 
 be developed. Have we not seen this in many cases ? Tlie mother 
 of a family cannot be a great artist — the great artist must neglect 
 her family. Whatever the talent of a voxmg lady for music -or 
 
244 ESPERAXZA. 
 
 art may be, soon after her marriage, the piano-forte is closed, the 
 harp stands tuneless, the easel goes to the lumber-room. There 
 are too many cares and duties. 
 
 I cannot endure that it should be so with you. I cannot be the 
 means of hindering your progress in the development of all your 
 faculties. But in the waste and monotonous toils of civilization 
 development goes not onward. Even the round of fashionable 
 dressino-, visiting, and dissipation, is inconsistent with intellectual 
 and artistic improvement. Our whole life is such a waste, dear Clara, 
 a dreary, hopeless waste. Men toil for the means which women 
 spend in a toil as unsatisfactory. 
 
 But here — here in this home of freedom, and beauty, and love, 
 here every talent finds its culture and use. Here, my Clara, you 
 can become a glorious singer and musician. Melodia will teach 
 you with great joy. Here you will have many friends to appreciate 
 and admire you. Here you can become a lovely painter with Eva- 
 line, and your works will find their true place. You will have society, 
 the best, the pleasantest, the most improving, without the necessi- 
 ties of making formal morning calls, or giving expensive an d tire- 
 some evening parties. Here you can dress from morning to night 
 with neatness and elegance, with a costume appropriate to every 
 avocation. 
 
 I have never seen in any society so much attention paid to dress 
 as here. It takes rank as a fine art. It is as if each person was a 
 statue or picture, or a character in a drama, and took special care 
 to dress the part correctly and with absolute taste. There is an 
 abundance of clothing, both common and individual — always a 
 three years' supply at least. The groups of construction who 
 make the costumes of both sexes, and those for all uses, are ar- 
 tists, who work with enthusiasm, and, guided by the purest taste, 
 combine in every thing the useful and the agreeable. The 
 fabrics are strong, soft, rich ; the colors pleasing and harmonious ; 
 the forms elegant and superb. In ornaments there is a variety and 
 beauty rivalling that of the nature around us. I have not seen 
 one instance of slatternly ness or tawdry ness. There is always 
 neatness and good taste, and often great elegance. Not to ofiend 
 
EsPfiRANZA. 245 
 
 the eyes of others, and to give them all proper delight, seems to 
 be one of the social duties. 
 
 In New York I would not wish you to sing or play at a public 
 concert or the opera. There is something repulsive in the idea of 
 your being the town-talk ; and having your name in newspapers, 
 bar-rooms, and worse places ; but here, I should be delighted to 
 see jovL on the stage, in drama or opera, or in the concert-room ; 
 for it is only a larger family, and more select than any fiishionable 
 party ever was or ever can be in the world of civilization. 
 
 Oh ! how often have I seen at our parties, men bending over 
 sweet young girls at the piano-forte, or embracing them in the 
 waltz or polka, from whom they would have shrunk with disgust, 
 had they known them as I did. But here, dear Clara, there is not 
 one, with whom I could not be as content to see you, as if he were 
 your own brother. Not that you would be intimate with all, or 
 find all equally attractive, but that you would have for all a kind- 
 ness and respect. 
 
 And though your life here would demand an orderly and care- 
 ful industry, yet you would have abundance of time for study, and 
 artistic improvement. The burthen of work and care is so divided, 
 and so well apportioned, that no one feels the weight ; and no one 
 would throw it off. Men and women perform all duties liere, with 
 as much alacrity as the muscles and organs of your body perform 
 their functions ; almost as unconsciously. 
 
 Doubtless it was more difficult at first, as it was to move your 
 fingers rightly when you first began to play on the piano-forte ; 
 but you know how soon those movements, hard at first, became 
 easy, habitual, pleasant, and almost involuntary. So -is it here, 
 in the beauiifnl order and harmony of this life. 
 
 And you shall come here, my Clara, and be taught by those 
 who will so love and prize you, and those whom you also will prize 
 and love. I know it, Clara, you cannot fail to love them ; and though 
 I may feel some of the old selfishness, which would seek to mo- 
 nopolize you, and deprive you and others of their riglits, I know 
 that I shall conquer it, and that we shall be a thousand times 
 happier here than we could ever be in the isolation of which we 
 
246 E.srKRA.NZA. 
 
 _ %__ 
 
 have dreamed ; or in the worldly society, of which we have seen 
 enough to satisfy us of its hollowuess and shams, 
 
 I have considered well of our dream of the little vine-covered 
 cottage and pretty garden in Minnesota, or Iowa ; where we could 
 be all the world to each other. It is better that we have here 
 all we can desire of each other, and as much more as we re- 
 quire. And then, Clara, should any thing happen to me, should 
 I be taken from you, I feel how desolate the world would be to 
 you ; but here, I should leave you with those to whom I could 
 entrust your happiness most joyfully — to those who would be 
 parents, brothers, sisters, friends and lovers to you. I should 
 leave you assured of every comfort and happiness. Do not be 
 troubled at this, for it is needful that I think of it. Prudent 
 men of small incomes insure their lives, that they may not leave 
 their families destitute ; but they cannot provide against spiritual 
 destitution. Here you will be every way insured. It is a home 
 to live in, and to die in. 
 
 The day that I see you here, dear Clara ; the day I see your 
 springy step upon this lawn, when your soft eyes shall shed a new 
 radience over this landscape, when Harmonia shall fold you to her 
 heart, and Melodia shall open her arms to yovi ; when Vincent 
 shall give you his earnest welcome, and Manlius smile his hap- 
 py, approving smile ; when I shall see you enshrined in a 
 group of loving spirits, and all our loves forming an accord of 
 rich and beautiful harmony, then shall I be completely happy — 
 then shall we realize on. earth the happiness that we have thought 
 that heaven alone had in store for us. Then shall we know the 
 meaning of the prayer, "Thy will be done on earth as it is in 
 heaven." 
 
 The good Father Gautier, has a national fondness for the two 
 arts of music and the dance, and he had desired that we should 
 have this evening, first, a pretty opera and ballet, and afterwards a 
 concert and ball in which all could join. So all had been prepared 
 to meet his wishes. Oh ! could you have seen the dear old man, 
 with a group of his rosy little ones around him, sitting cushioned 
 
EsPERA.NZA. - 247 
 
 up in his arm-chair, in the center of the music saloon, listening to 
 every note of the music, beating time with the dances, and enjoy- 
 ing the innocent delight with the zest of a child ! 
 
 " The music is good," he said to me, when, at his invitation I 
 drew near him. "My children sing, play, and dance very 
 sweetly ; but I fancy I shall soon do better. I think our friends 
 on the other side have better instuments, larger bands, and much 
 finer music. Then, in dancing, there can be no comparison. 
 When I get these poor old legs off, I shall dance again, as 1 some- 
 times dream of dancing." 
 
 When the opera was over, and the favorite singers and dancers 
 had received their ovations ; the floor was cleared and levelled for 
 the concert and ball. The arm chair of the good Father was 
 wheeled to one side, and elevated upon a little platform. He slept 
 a little while in the interval. He was sleeping, watched over with 
 a hushed tenderness, until waked by the overture of the full band. 
 He awoke, smiling happily, and opened his eyes as if upon the 
 heaven of his dreams. 
 
 Then pealed forth a magnificent chorus of a hundred well at- 
 tuned and well trained voices. It was the old man's favorite 
 chorus. The tears ran down his pale and furrowed cheeks ; tears 
 of extacy ; not, I am sure, of sadness. 
 
 Then came the dance ; a brief dance of an hour, in which old and 
 young all joined, and in which symetrical figures, charming music, 
 and a magnetic life circulation, produced a harmony, which must 
 be felt. A few times in oui- lives, dear Clara, in our best moments, 
 and in the most genial groups we could gather around us, we have 
 felt something of this life ; but compared to this, it was as a rill 
 to a river; and I can conceive, that in the fullness of this life, 
 when Esperanza h'-is found its full growth and development, all its 
 harmonies will be proportionally increased. 
 
 After the dance came more music. Melodia saner the Marseil- 
 laise. Gautier's brows contracted ; his muscles became tense, his 
 chest expanded ; his eyes flashed out their youthful fires. But he 
 soon smiled and shook his head ; and said, " Not that, dear one ; 
 
248 ESPERANZA. 
 
 that is of the old world and its struggles and contests ; sing of the 
 new Life and its harmonies and joys." 
 
 And Melodia sang a magnificent ode of Freedom achieved, of 
 Harmonies established, of Peace, and Love, and Happiness. And 
 the grand chorus, swelled by all voices, and filling all hearts, was 
 the fitting termination of the evening's festival. 
 
 The plaudits of the assembly demanded that Melodia should be 
 crowned with the votive wreath. 
 
 She bent her beautiful head, with the true humility of a great 
 soul, while Vincent placed upon it the wreath ; then stood a mo- 
 ment smiling her thanks ; then walked to where the good Father 
 sat, enjoying the triumph of his child, and mid the plaudits and 
 vivas, took the flower wreath from her head and placed it upon his 
 brows. As she dropped upon her knees before him, — all were 
 hushed into a reverent silence. The old man could not speak. 
 He laid his hands upon her glossy hair, and raised his eyes to 
 heaven. 
 
 She rose and kissed his hand, and they bore him, exhausted, 
 but full of happiness, to his repose. 
 
XVII. 
 
 PROPAGANDISM. 
 
 My own Dear Clara : — The longing to see you, or, at least, to 
 hear from you, comes over me, even here, with deep yearnings. 
 How it would be in any of the dull places of our common world, 
 I will not venture to surmise. Even here, this famishing heart- 
 ache comes, teaching me that the heart demands all its attractions, 
 and that there are no compensations for our spiritual wants. 
 
 If you could but write to me — but that is cut off, as if I were on 
 the ocean ; and I think of the thousands of men who go to India 
 or California, doubling capes in long sea voyages, and banished 
 from all heart-ties. I have your likeness, and it rests night and 
 day upon my heart. I look so long and lovingly into your sweet 
 eyes, which seem to look at me with a tender reproachfulness. Do 
 ,not think I do not know that you also feel this absence. But I hope 
 my long and frequent letters may give you some happiness. I am 
 very happy in writing them ; and should miss you far more, if I 
 were not, some hours of every day, in this rapport with you. 
 
 Fancy me now. It is morning — the hour after breakfast, I sit 
 in the beautiful little room assigned me, in the suite of Melodia, in 
 my dressing gown and slippers, writing at a carved table. The 
 floor is matted with a clean and fragrant matting, woven here from 
 the flags of the lake-shore. The walls have been painted in lovely 
 pictures by Melodia and her artist friends. You would never tire 
 looking at them. In each scroll or medallion is a picture, harmon- 
 izing with the general design, but marked with the sign -manual 
 of the artist. There is a personal interest in every line. 
 
 Professor Buchanan has given the name of psychometry, or 
 soul-measuring, to the faculty which some persons possess, of be- 
 
 249 
 
250 EsPEUAKZA. 
 
 ing impressed by a writing, or other relic of an absent person. I 
 have not mucli of this irapressibilitj ; but there are some here who 
 are wonderfully gifted in this way, A letter of any person, held in 
 the hand of Harmonia, is to her a revelation of character, appear- 
 ance, relations, of all that appertains to them. I do not under- 
 stand this faculty — but the fact of its existence is unquestionable. 
 Why should not this room, then, have its own sphere ? and every 
 work of art which embellishes it, make its clear impression of the 
 character and motives of the artist ? It must be so ; for I feel all 
 around me the subtle, soothing, ennobling influence of Melodia, 
 and with her's, other harmonious spheres, making life musical. 
 
 One day when we were talking of this impressibility. I took a 
 letter of yours, sealed in a blank envelope, and which 1 always car- 
 ry near my heart, and gave it to Harmonia. She held it a moment 
 in her hand, then pressed it to her forehead — then to her heart. 
 There came over her face a sweet, happy smile, so like yours, my 
 Clara ! and she said : 
 
 " There comes to me the image of a fair, pure, loving girl, with 
 broad, white forehead, rosy cheeks and loving lips; a delicate, 
 keen intellect, and many gifts. She seems peaceful in her life, and 
 happy in her love. A pure,' liarmonic spirit, who ouglit to be with 
 us ; she would find our life in harmony with all her aspirations. 
 Gentle, loving, beautiful spirit — she is one of ours." She handed 
 the letter back to me, saying: "Names are not often revealed to 
 me, but this must be your Clara, and I give you joy of the love 
 of such a lovely spirit. She will come to us, and be very happy 
 in our love." 
 
 I accept the prediction ; for its fulfilment is the condition of our 
 happiness. 
 
 Now I must tell you of yesterday. 
 
 First of all, in the interest of our life, our good Faiher Gautier 
 fails visibly. Vincent thinks he can not stay with us above foriy- 
 ei^ht hours. The noble, ijenerous, devoted old man ! I went to 
 see him in liis room yesterday, with Melodia. 1 wish you could 
 see how nobly it fits him, like a well-made garment. Every thing, 
 down to the smallest ornament, is in character and keeping. There 
 
ESPERANZA. 251 
 
 is a book-case, with nice editions of his favorite French authors ; 
 and especially, all of Fourier,' whose bust, modelled by Melodia, 
 from an engraved portrait, under his inspection, and seeming to 
 me very spirited and life-like, adorns its top. 
 
 The old man was sitting in an easy chair, near a window that 
 looks out upon the lawn and over the lake. A prince could not be 
 better cared for ; and no money could purchase these loving atten- 
 tions. I lose not only all fear, but all awe of death, when I see 
 this beloved and revered old man, so calmly preparing to take 
 leave of the earth-life — speaking of the coming change as of a 
 pleasant journey ; and with a faith in immortality so fixed, and a 
 Trust so firm, and yet so humble, in the destiny which awaits him. 
 
 " Ah ! Melodia, darling," said he, with a voice weaker and more 
 tremulous than the day previous, "I shall be the first — your first 
 ambassador. This is quite an honor. First delegate from Espe- 
 ranza. Well, it is time we were represented in our. parent-society ; 
 and you may count on my influence." 
 
 There was no levity in this ; but a genuine earnestness. 
 
 As we walked out of his room, leaving him with Manlius, who 
 came to talk of some business connected with the domain, Melodia 
 was silent, but not sad. After a whUe she said : 
 
 " I have looked forward to this too long to be troubled by it 
 now. It must come, and as well to-morrow as a year hence. This 
 life, especially when truly lived, is richly worth the living. I 
 would neither shorten it, nor prolong it, beyond its true appoint- 
 ment. We can spare him, and almost any one now — any one, 
 likely to leave us." 
 
 There was a little tremor of her voice ; a thickening of the utter- 
 ance, which told me that she thought of one whom she could not 
 spare. 
 
 "I am a little wrong " she said, softly, "in saying we can spare 
 any one. Doubtless the life would go on. That seems abundantly 
 assured. I doubt not that all will be right ; I believe that none will 
 leave us, whose post of duty is here. There are those we cannot 
 lose yet." 
 
 " What would be the result," I said, " were Vincent to die ? " 
 
252 EsPERAXZA. 
 
 I was very sorry that I asked this question. She slopped still 
 in her walk ; her face became pale as marble, and like a marble 
 statue in its cold stern beauty. There was a deep inspiration, and 
 a little quivering of the muscles at the corners of the mouth ; but 
 the color came back to her cheeks and lips, in a flood ; and the 
 light flashed from her eyes as she said : 
 
 "Vincent will not die ! " 
 
 ** Then she smiled sweetly, again, and spoke as calmly as ever 
 of his fine, pure health ; his constitution, which shows no sign of 
 age or decay ; and of her assurance of his living many years. 
 
 " Nothing can take him from us, but some violence ; and our 
 good friends are too watchful to allow of that." 
 
 "Do you also feel sure of Harmonia ? " I asked, not without 
 apprehension, so feeble seems her organization. 
 
 "She lives upon the life of the strong ones who love her ; and 
 the inflowing life of the heavens also sustains her. Year by year 
 she grows stronger, as if her spirit, aided by these genial condi- 
 tions, was building up for itself, a new body. At times, disease 
 has seemed to threaten her, but she has been carried through every 
 crisis, and each has seemed to remove some obstruction, and to 
 make her health better." 
 
 " This is wonderful," I said ; " and death has not yet visited 
 you." 
 
 <« No ; — why should he ? — if you must personify this transition. 
 We live in the conditions of health, and not of disease. Our 
 children are born to a full heritage of life ; and not, as in the 
 world, to an inheritance of disease and dissolution. Ordering all 
 our lives in harmony with natural law, what should make any one 
 sick, or bring to us the pain of premature death ? 
 
 " There is no man or woman here who would become the parent 
 of a child, unless assured that he or she could give it its right to 
 health. 
 
 " Our vestalate consists of the young who are not yet perfeeted 
 enough in their own beings to give a true birth to others ; and of 
 those who are conscious of their inability ever to do so. The sel- 
 fishness that for a momentary pleasure would perpetuate disease, 
 
EsPERANZA. 253 
 
 and bring pain upon the individual and the social life, can have no 
 place with us." 
 
 " Then disease and premature mortality must die out of the 
 earth." 
 
 "Yes; it is our work to conquer these foes of humanity. It is 
 our work to repeople the earth with healthy men and women, and 
 replace the miserable, short-lived generations now scattered over its 
 surface. So humanity will rise, redeemed from all its degrada- 
 tions. The earth will become the magnificent domain of a noble 
 and happy race. The tree is planted, my friend, here ; and its 
 seed shall fill the earth ; for it has in it the Hfe of the heavens." 
 
 I went to meet Vincent, with my enthusiasm fully awakened. 
 He looked at me, and then sat silent, instead of speaking as usual ; 
 as if he knew I had something to tell him. 
 
 And I had. "It appears to me," I said, "that you, who are 
 enjoying the happiness of this life, and not doing your duty to the 
 world you have left. There are thousands who would gladly em- 
 brace it, if they only knew of it. That knowledge you studiously 
 conceal. Is it not your duty to go forth and tell the world that a 
 true life may be lived ; and that their false one, with all iis evils 
 and miseries, is not, as they think it, a terrible necessity." 
 
 He was not hasty to answer, but smiled one of those quiet smiles, 
 which, but for his kindness, would be a sneer. 
 
 " The mii^siouary spirit seems strong upon you," he said; "I 
 have had it, myself, formerly. It is a good spirit ; but tends to 
 zeal rather than prudence." 
 
 "But it is this zeal that must reform the world," I said. 
 
 " Yes, after its own fashion. The zeal of the catholic mission- 
 aries, three hundred years ago, led to the conquest and desolation 
 of the West Indies, Mexico, and Peru. It planted the cross in 
 China, soon to be expelled ; and in Japan, to be trampled upon 
 ever since. But, in this missionary spirit, what do you propose to 
 do?" 
 
 " If I had your approval, and that of our friends here, I would go 
 out into the world, and tell them of your life and its happiness, 
 and compare it with their own poor and discordant conditions. I 
 
264 EsPERANZA. 
 
 feel assured that I could find hundreds and thousands, who would 
 accept it with enthusiasm. I would lecture in all the cities and 
 large towns in the country," 
 
 A smile played over Vincent's face for a moment, and then a 
 shadow followed it. 
 
 "It is a hard thing," said he, "to repress the enthusiasm of 
 youth, especially when excited in behalf of a cause so dear to me j 
 but I have lived much longer in the world than you ; and have 
 had a more varied experience. The movement you propose is sub- 
 ject, like all otliers, to the law of requirement — the law of supply 
 and demand. It is equally unwise to carry coals to New Castle, 
 and warming pans to the West Indies; though Lord Timothy 
 Dexter is said to have made a good speculation in that way ; sell- 
 ing his mad venture for sugar ladles and strainers. If you bring 
 people what they do not want, or are not conscious of needing, or 
 are not prepared to receive, no success can await you. People 
 are struggling to better their present condilions — not to change 
 them. Go and tell them where they can find gold, and they will 
 rush oflp by tens of thousands, across sandy deserts and stormy 
 seas, braving fill perils, fatigues, starvation and death. But go 
 and tell them how they can live lives of purity, and health, and 
 happiness, and few will hear, and fev/!-r heed you. You doubt ? 
 Try it, if vou will. In New Yoik, with liberal advertising, out 
 of seven hundred thousand you will gather a hundred idle or curi- 
 ous people ; of whom, possibly, two or three may be interested 
 enough to come again and hear you. It will be the same else- 
 where ; onlv, in the smaller places, there will be more curiosity, but 
 not a much greater success. Do the v/ork ycu have to do ; but be 
 prepared for the result I know mu?t; fol'ow. 
 
 "The few who will hoar you gladly, and be anzions to enter upon 
 the life you picture, will be those who are hopeless of success in 
 the world as if is, and who, in most cases, have no power to achieve 
 it any where." 
 
 I felt a glow of indignation. It ?ecmed 'to me that this man 
 misjudged mankind. I could not believe them so blinded to their 
 own happiness. It seemed to me that I could Avrite an advertise- 
 
EsPEKASZA. 255 
 
 raent, which -would crowd any lecture room ; and that I could pre- 
 pare a discourse on the falseness and evils of the existing social 
 order, and the beauty and practicability of the harmonic life, which 
 would carry conviction to every mind, and stir every heart to an 
 enthusiasm as great as my own. I did not say this ; but he doubt- 
 less knew what was passing in my mind, for he said : 
 
 " Well ; we will suppose that I am in error. Attracted by the 
 novelty of the subject, crowds come to hear you. Charmed by 
 your eloquence and convinced by your demonstrations, joined to 
 their own experience, they are ready to embrace a better social 
 state. What next ? 
 
 " Now comes the work of separation from the Old and the pre- 
 paration for the New life. The ambitious man must abandon his 
 career. The selfish man his selfishness. The sensualist his sen- 
 suality. The woman of fashion and society must give up her 
 favorite pursuits and projects. The whole life must be changed. 
 x\.ll evil habits must be abandoned ; all f;ilse and selfish feelings 
 must give place to the tme and good. 
 
 "Are there many who will give up, even their dietetic habits, for 
 all the hopes you can offer them — the morning coffee, the evening 
 tea, tlie noon-day dram ; the gorging on exciting flesh, and the 
 sensuality to which it excites nervous and dyspeptic organizations. 
 
 " When you have gathered an audience of a thousand persons, 
 how many will you find, who are ready to comply with the most 
 external requirements of our life. How many live in a state of 
 decent cleanliness by performing daily ablutions 1 How many can 
 you induce, for any consideration, to give up the poisoning and dis- 
 easing luxuries of the table, for the purity of our repasts ? How 
 many will conform to that law of chastity which lies at the center 
 of our life, and is the absolute condition, as it is the powerful 
 mainspring, of development ? How many will give up an erratic 
 and egoistic individualism, or intense and utter selfishness, and 
 come into the order of a true obedience, which is the necessary 
 condition of a harmonic life ? How ranny, even, will have the 
 strength to achieve that personal freedom, wliich is the first step 
 toward a life of (ruth. Will your eloquence make thera free wh< n 
 
256 EsPERANZA. 
 
 there is opposed to you all the bonds of habit, custom, opinion, and 
 law ; the obligations of children to parents ; the contracts and 
 vows which hold men and women fast in the marriage slavery ; 
 the selfish struggles for property, position, and station ; the whole 
 power of this life, which so prisons, cripples, and starves all hu- 
 man souls ? 
 
 " These are the obstacles to your success. You cannot save the 
 world, until it is ready to be saved. I gave many years of my life 
 to this work, and my most earnest efforts brought me little but- 
 obloquy and persecution. My name was a bye-word. My good 
 was evil spoken of." 
 
 "And here," I exclaimed, looking round upon this scene of in- 
 dustry and beauty, " here is your reward." 
 
 " Yes — it is well. But I thought to redeem the world en masse ; 
 not to gather out of it a little scattered band of true souls, who 
 were found worthy. Great multitudes followed Jesus, were healed 
 of their diseases, fed on loaves and fishes, and shouted hozanah ; 
 but there were very few ready to forsake all and follow him. It is 
 of our gospel, of Him ; he that loveth father, or mother, or wife, or 
 children, or houses, or lands, more than me, is not worthy of me. 
 He that would save his own life, shall lose it. These are but the 
 utterances of universal law ; they are found in all scriptures, and 
 are applicable to all true movements. If they were true of the first 
 coming, and the gathering of the typical church ; they are much 
 more so of this second coining, in the glory of a purified humanity, 
 and the social redemption of our race. 
 
 " Nevertheless, if you are called to do a work, you must do it, 
 and be justified in your own conscience. Go preach our gospel if 
 you have the internal monition, and all powerful must. I have told 
 you the truth. Few will hear, and fewer heed you. But if you 
 labor for a year, and save but one soul, you will have your reward." 
 
 "It is enough," I said, very humbly; fori felt how little I 
 could hope to do, when others so much advanced in progress and 
 wisdom, had wrought for years, with so little of what the world 
 calls success. 
 
 We have seen the world's triumphs. A regiment returning in 
 
EsPKRAXZA. 257 
 
 rags and sickness from Mexico, is received with a city's enthusias- 
 tic welcome. It was well — for courage and devotion should be 
 honored, even when exerted in a doubtful cause. We saw the 
 miles of Broadway and the Bowery thronged to welcome Kossuth ; 
 a noble impulse of hero-worship, whether well or ill-bestowed. 
 We have seen the popular ovations to art, in the persons of Fanny 
 Ellsler and Jenny Lind. But if it were announced that Pythago- 
 ras, or Socrates, or Jesus, or Fourier would land on the Battery 
 some mornmg, I am afraid there would be but a slim cortege 
 to welcome them. 
 
 The hero of the future cannot find worship in the present. But 
 may not the present be awakened to the dawning future ? If I 
 could do but this ! How often do we hear people pray God to 
 hasten the good coming time. And if we can do any thing to 
 hasten the day that must surely come, it must be God working in 
 us, to will and to do. So let me humbly do my appointed work, 
 only making sure of the appointment. 
 
 Besides the regular requirements of industry ; the seasonable work 
 of a great plantation, large gardens, orchards, and vineyards ; and 
 the manufactures, artist-work, and household labors, there come 
 at short intervals special works, which excite a new interest and 
 enthusiasm, and in which our hardy, athlectic friends love to show 
 their prowess. 
 
 In the order for this morning's work, for example, there was the 
 preparation of anew garden-spot, upon a principle which Vincent, 
 after a careful experiment, has developed into a wonderful pre- 
 fection. 
 
 I had often noticed a portion of the garden, arranged in beds 
 of fifty feet in length, by five in breadth, with alleys runnino- be- 
 tween them, and remarked their exceeding richness and fertility. I 
 have never seen any thing to compare with the rapidity and per- 
 fection of growth attained in these beds. But there has been so 
 much to see and learn here, that I had never inquired into the 
 mystery. 
 
 But, to-day I had a chance to see the process of preparing to 
 22 
 
1258 EjiPERANZA. 
 
 extend them over a new portion of ground, from which the sea- 
 son's crop had just been gathered. Many hands made light work. 
 A space of ground fifty feet by two hundred was marked out, — 
 deeply ploughed, and the soil hauled off to the depth of eighteen 
 inches. It was then made smooth, with a slight descent, and 
 now came a group of masons, and covered the whole with a floor 
 of cement. On this bed was laid drains, in this case three feet 
 apart, and fifty feet long ; a certain number beiug connected by 
 branch drains at each end, opening into a funnel at the upper or 
 more elevated end, and into a reservoir at the lower, where a wall is 
 carried along, with openings connecting with the drains. 
 
 Eugenia, whose passion for the garden extends to all its pro- 
 ducts, explained the whole process to me ; and showed me its 
 working in the beds now in operation. After the drains are laid 
 the soil is restored to its place, and the garden is ready for plant- 
 ing. If the earth is not of a suflSciently light and porous charac- 
 ter, it is made so by suitable additions. 
 
 The seed is planted, or the roots set in rows, directly over each 
 drain ; the drains are then filled with liquid manures, such as are 
 most favorable to their growth, and the amount of these, and the 
 degree of moisture can be very exactly regulated. At intervals, 
 the liquids are drawn oflF, or absorbed, so that the air can circulate 
 freely through the drains, and supply the rootlets with oxygen. 
 The result is an increase of from three to five times the ordinary 
 fertility ; that is, an acre ti'eated in this way, produces as much as 
 from three to five acres, under even a pretty high cultivation ; 
 while in quality of production, there is a greater difference ; so 
 that the potatoes, peas, melons, etc., grown in these beds are kept 
 for seed ; and there is a continual improvement. 
 
 But the manner in which this work was done ; its order, rapidi- 
 ty, and enthusiasm, excited my special admiration. There was no 
 noise or confusion. Each group, working under its chief, went 
 gaily into the contest of a friendly trial of skill and power. There 
 was no lagging, and no soldiering ; no idle overseers, and eye- 
 serving laborers, anxious only to get, not to earn, the day's wages. 
 Every one worked, — nay, far better, I doubt not, than if the gar- 
 
EsPKUAXZA. 269 
 
 den had been for his own exclusive benefit. It was bold, hearty, 
 springing work, which it would have done you good to see. 
 
 Eugenia and her little assistants were gathering the seeds of 
 some annual flowering plants ; and I joined her, and helped the 
 work as much, perhaps, as I hindered it by conversation. I would 
 have you know the sweetness of her spirit. It rests me, hke look- 
 ing at calm deep water. Look for nothing impetuous in Eugenia, 
 nothing imposing; but expect a calm, beautiful soul, in a body as 
 calmly beautiful. My feeling toward her is not an attraction which 
 draws me to her, but a frank and quiet acceptance of all her life 
 can give to mine of its fragrance and rest. Her face is not 
 strikingly beautiful ; but very calm and sweet ; and her whole 
 form, as I have told you, is of the most harmonious beauty. Ev- 
 aline tells me that beauty in women tends to the portions of the 
 body commonly displayed ; and that nature is apt to slight what 
 our art constantly conceals. I recognize the principle, where there 
 are not the conditions of integral development. The finest forms 
 in the world are found among people Avhere nudity is the fash- 
 ion — the worst figures are among the most carefully draperied 
 civilizees. Why should nature waste her perfections ? Those 
 who are knowing in these matters tell me that you may see twenty 
 pretty faces in Broadway, to one beautiful form ; and that very 
 handsome arms may be accompanied by other limbs of remarkable 
 ugliness. 
 
 But it was not on an}'- such subject that I conversed with the 
 beautiful Eugenia, as I culled the seed bags of her favorite flowers. 
 I questioned her on a subject of unceasing interest — the life of 
 Esperanza ; which I would examine on every side and through 
 every available medium. 
 
 "But my dear Eugenia," I said, " after all, you must admit that 
 that is a despotism." 
 
 " It would be one, to whose strongest will was not in harmony 
 with the pervading will ; and whose highest sense of right was 
 not in accordance with our common sense." 
 
 " Nevertheless, it is a Procrustean bed ; and the tall must be 
 shortened, and the short drawn out, to suit its measurements." 
 
260 EsPKRANZA. 
 
 " The humble shall be exalted, and haughty brought low." 
 
 " I have no doubt that you will find scripture for it ; every body 
 can defend himself with a text. But is it not true that there is a 
 great sacrifice of individuality here ; and an amount of order re- 
 quired, that is altogether unnecessary ? " I would have ruffled 
 her placidity if I could. She did not even smile as she answered. 
 
 " Order, harmony, beauty, truth, are terms, which, to me, are 
 synonimous. I do not find or fear too much of either. Were I 
 to allow my life to fall into disorder, and become inharmonic to 
 those around me, all its beauty would be marred ; it would be- 
 come false and evil to me, and all the deep happiness I now enjoy 
 would be at an end. In this order I find rest and peace. My life 
 is useful and loveful. I am able to give happiness to others, and I 
 enjoy all that I am capable of enjoying. What more ? " 
 
 How could I answer to this what more ? But I said — " Have you 
 no ambition to triumph ; no envy of those who are more dazling, 
 more talented, more successful than you — of Evaline, whose pic- 
 ture was crowned the other night ; of Serafa, whose poem was 
 applauded yesterday ; of Melodia, who never sings, but they crown 
 her with garlands ? Is there no pang in all this ? " 
 
 She paused, and looked in my eyes with a sad inquiring look, 
 to see if I were in earnest. It was very hard, but I kept on my 
 face of cold inquiry ; and the tears came into her eyes as she said : 
 
 "Are they not my sisters? Do I not love them ? Their tri- 
 umphs are mine. When I see Evaline 's pictures I feel as if I had 
 helped to paint them. My love is in the life that warms Serafa's 
 muse ; and when Melodia sings, every note goes to my heart, and 
 I applaud her as deeply, if not as loudly, as any of all her ad- 
 mirers ; for all here admire her; and envy has no place with us. 
 Oh ! what an egotist do you take me for ! I have all of love and 
 appreciation that belongs to me. Would I have more, or deprive 
 any other of her rights? If these questions are serious, Mr. Frank, 
 the falseness of the old society has poisoned you more deeply than 
 T thought possible." 
 
 Still I would not explain. 
 
 "You are too good." I said. "Such entire unselfishness is un- 
 
Esi'tUANZA. 261 
 
 natural. You have not even a lover you can call your own. Some 
 other woman has an equal or superior claim upon whomsoever you 
 love. Your love life feeds en sufferance, and dares not assert its 
 rights." 
 
 " The rights of love, Mr. Frank," she answered with miraculous 
 calmness — with a smile of tenderness, ev^en due, perhaps, to some 
 happy memory, " are not to be asserted. They assert themselves 
 in the very power of the attraction, which affinity of being pro- 
 duces. You have to learn, perhaps, that it is not the most bril- 
 liant or beautiful who are most beloved. But what if it were so ? 
 Where all attractions act in freedom, can there be any injustice ? 
 In love, as in all of life, the true spirit asks only its own. I would no 
 more interpose to hinder any love from going to another, than I 
 would stop the sunshine or the breeze. There is but one love, in 
 all manifestations. If my life is pure, and my heart is right, I do 
 not fear that I shall not have all that is truly mine — and more than 
 this would be a death to me. It would be like the surplus manna 
 — or surplus food ; or any false and stolen thing, which we have 
 no right to and cannot enjoy." 
 
 '•Pardon me, dear Eugenia;" I said, "I am not so bad, per- 
 haps, as these questions make me seem. But I wish to know how 
 your spirit accepts the spirit of the life around us." 
 
 "You might have been frank with me, then, and questioned me. 
 I would have answered truly. To the disorderly spirit, all order 
 seems despotism. To the excentric corpet, the rounded orbits and 
 regular movements of the planets may seem dreadfully despotic. 
 Is there any orderly and beautiful thing in the world, that is not in 
 this sense despotic. The musician must play his notes — the dan- 
 cer must keep time and figure ; the painter must be governed by 
 the rules of his art ; the architect cannot wander off into extrava- 
 gances, much less the builder; the farmer must plant and gather 
 his crops in the seasons ; your heart rnust beat, and your spirits- 
 heart must love in this sacred and universal order which you call 
 despotism. 
 
 In the evening we had a pleasure quite new to me, and which it 
 
'Z^i''^ EsPEHANZA. 
 
 is strange that no one has hit upon ; for it has wonderfully popular 
 capabilities. Mr. Paul, besides his genius as a painter, has a rare 
 faculty of telling, and also of writing, stories. Last night he read 
 a new tale to a full audience. It sparkled with wit and merriment ; 
 with turns of pathos that asked for tears. The plot was of excit- 
 ing interest, and the reading so good, so adapted to all the char- 
 acters and incidents, and so accurate in bringing out all peculiar- 
 ites, that the effect was scarcely less, and in some respects greater, 
 than that of a well-performed play. It was an artistic and beauti- 
 ful performance. I shall recommend to some of our lecturers, who 
 have the talent for it, to try this with our Lyceum. It only re- 
 quires to be well done to be very effective — but it may not be easy 
 to find the requisite talent for such a performance. 
 
 Father Gautier was not able to leave his room yesterday. I did 
 not see Harmonia or Melodia last evening, nor have I seen them 
 but for a moment to-day. Melodia looked pale, but serene ; Har- 
 monia worn with fatigue. Still, every thing goes on cheerily as 
 usual ; and I cannot but hope, that spite of all appearances, I may 
 see the good old man enjoying again the sunshine and flowers, and 
 the music and dance, and the love of his dear children. 
 
 As I close my letter, Melodia has brought me a white rose. 
 " Send it to your Clara," she said ; "tell her that our good Father 
 pressed it to his lips, and that, when it reaches her, it will be 
 the relic of a saint in heaven. She can thank him there. Father 
 Gautier sends with it his welcome and his blessinsr. 
 
XVIII. 
 
 THE TRANSITION OF DEATH. 
 
 Mr Clara : — The good old man, whose rose-kiss and blessing 
 I have sent to you, has gone from the earthly form, and entered 
 upon the glorious life of the spirit. 
 
 It was four o'clock in the afternoon, when the bell tolled out its 
 signal — the nine strokes that floated like solemn music over the 
 domain of Esperanza — to call his children to take their last look at 
 the living form of their revered and beloved father. 
 
 Very soon all had assembled in the lecture saloon. There was 
 an earnest solemnity ; and some tears. But all took their places, 
 as if for a pre-arranged ceremony. They were dressed as for a 
 festival. The musicians had their instruments ; the children bou- 
 quets of flowers. They stood in silence, or conversed in low mur- 
 murs, until a door opened, and a group entered, bearing the arm- 
 chair in which Father Gautier reclined, supported by pillows. He 
 was carried by Vincent, Manlius, Alfred, and Angelo ; while Har- 
 monia and Melodia, on either side, held his hands and his head. 
 The chair was set upon a small platform, where all could see and 
 hear him. It was the old man's wish to see his great, loving 
 family around him, and to have them near him when he should 
 take his departure, which he felt to be close at hand. 
 
 He was very pale — so pale, that for a moment I thought he was 
 expiring. It was not so — but no one could mistake the signet of 
 death set upon his noble features. After a few moment's rest, in 
 a profound silence, broken only by deep respirations and suppres- 
 sed sobbings, while Vincent held his pulse, and Melodia bathed his 
 temples, he revived, opened his eyes as from a pleasant dream, and 
 looked around with most tender, loving regards upon his assembled 
 
 203 
 
264 EsPKUAx/A. 
 
 children. A little girl, scarce six j^ears old, on whom his eyes 
 rested, sprang forward, kissed his hand, and gave him flowers. A 
 smile of more than mortal sweetness came into his face, as he 
 whispered hey a benediction. 
 
 The odor of the flowers seemed to revive him; or was it the 
 united magnetism of so many loving hearts that brought back 
 brightness to his eye, and even a faint flush of color to his cheeks ? 
 
 "Music, dear friends," he murmured, "once more music. Mu- 
 sic, flowers, and love !" and he turned his eyes on Melodia, while 
 the band, at a signal given by Vincent, played one of the old 
 man's favorite airs. Visibly he gained in strength each moment. 
 His form dilated ; his eyes grew more brilliant ; it seemed as if he 
 might rise from his chair. I could not realize that this was death. 
 
 He said a few low words to Melodia. She stepped from his side, 
 and besfan to sinsr. But her voice trembled and choked with her 
 emotion. 1 heard his clear voice then saying ." Courage, courage ! 
 mafille!" With a strong effort, she subdued her feelings, and 
 then sung with a power and pathos unequalled, a song of Espe- 
 ranza, supported by the band in a subdued harmony, and a cho- 
 rus of indescribable efi"ect, from the voices of the children who 
 joined in it. 
 
 Through my falling tears I looked sometimes at Melodia, who, 
 in her white robes, seemed an angel, singing a song of welcome, 
 rather than a mortal, giving this musical farewell to a parting soul ; 
 and then at the calm, happy face of the dying father. When the 
 music ended he sank back in an entranced repose ; but revived 
 after a few moments, and took the hand of Melodia, who was at 
 his side again, and pressed it to his lips, with murmured thanks. 
 
 " Now, the dear children !" he said to Harmonia ; "let me see 
 them all once more, and say good-bye to them. They gathered 
 around him, with their sad, tearful little eyes. 
 
 "0, my darlings !" he said to them in tones full of tenderness, 
 "your old father is about to leave this decaying form, and become 
 young again. He will be lost to your bodily sight, but he will 
 still be with you, and love you, and watch over you all. Do not 
 forget that I shall be with vou, and love and bless you. I thank 
 
ESPERANZA. 265 
 
 you, my darlings, for all your love to me. You have made these 
 last years of my life very happy. Heaven bless you all. Come, 
 my little ones, and take the old man's parting blessing." 
 
 They gathered around the chair ; they knelt at his feet ; they 
 kissed his hand and the garments that enveloped him ; but they 
 couM not speak, for their sobbings and tears. The old man laid 
 his pale hands upon their heads and blessed them. Harmonia led 
 tbem softly away. 
 
 Even the sobbings were stilled in silence, as "with a new energy 
 the old man now beckoned all present to draw near. They closed 
 ai'ound him in the perfect order that characterizes every movement 
 here. Each one seemed to know the place that belonged to him, 
 and which no other ever claimed. 
 
 I fear to attempt to give you even a faint idea of the dying ut- 
 terance of the dear old man. I know not whether it was his voice, 
 sounding from the confines of eternity ; his countenance, lighted 
 up by the hopes of his near felicity ; or what of place or circum- 
 stance, made his Avords seem of more than mortal eloquence. 
 
 "Brothers, sisters, dear friends and children! my time has 
 come when I have the privilege of laying off this mortal envelop- 
 ment, and putting on immortality. I, who have been the happy 
 instrument of securing this earthly paradise to harmony, have now 
 the honor to be the first called from it to join in the higher har- 
 monies of our parent society in the heavens. ' Lord, now letteet 
 thou thy servant depart in peace, for mine eyes have seen thy 
 salvation.' 
 
 "0, friends! I have loved you all. How can I thank you for 
 your affection ? You have made my last days very happy. My 
 life is bound up in your's, and my spirit will never leave you. 
 Think of me always with happiness and peace. 
 
 " My children ! I thank and bless you, that your orderly obedi- 
 ence to the revealed will of heaven has planted this germ of har- 
 mony upon the earth, and enabled me to see the fruition of my 
 hopes. 0, spirits, who have watched over this infant harmony in 
 the earth-life, I come to give you joy of our success. Henceforth, 
 
 0, friends, think of me as a humble member of that heavenly 
 23 
 
266 EsPERANZA. 
 
 society, -whose instrument I have been, and to whose glorious as- 
 semblages I shall soon welcome all my children. 
 
 "My earthly pilgrimage is ended. My life work is done. All 
 toils, all sufferings, all disappointments, have found sweet compen- 
 sations here. Your love, your fidelity, your earnest labors to be 
 right and do right, have a thousand times repaid me for all. Do 
 not grieve for me one moment; but give me your rejoicing sym- 
 pathies, for I am now the happiest man on earth. All my hopes 
 in this life are accomplished here, and all the glories of heaven are 
 just before me. 
 
 "Rejoice with me, then, my children ; and continue faithful to 
 the principles of a true life, that you also may cheerfully welcome 
 the summons to the Life of the Heavens. You have one feeble 
 old man the less to care for here ; but you will soon have one lov- 
 ing spirit the more to watch over your welfare and happiness. 
 
 "I would gladly embrace you all, but my strength is not suffi- 
 cient." 
 
 He faltered, and paused a moment. In the hushed silence, I 
 feared he had gone ; but he rallied again, and said, as he took the 
 hand of Harmonia, who knelt beside him. 
 
 " I bless the center of your life and love ; and through this dear 
 one, I will continue to bless you. 
 
 "And thou, daughter of my heart," he said to Melodia, as 
 she also bowed her head upon his knees, " in blessing and thank- 
 ing thee, I bless the life of beauty and art, which makes this home 
 a paradise, and helps to train all here for the higher beauty and 
 more glorious art of our life of the future." 
 
 She rose, calm and radiant, and kissed the old man's brow. He 
 gave his hand to Vincent, saying, " Well done, good and faithful 
 servant. Henceforth, the old man shall be far more a help to thee, 
 than he has been here. Forget not that there is much work yet 
 to be accomplished. The whole earth — the whole race of man is 
 to be redeemed. Be sure that we shall not be idle. Do the work 
 that demands the doing. Friend of my soul, I shall not forget 
 you !" 
 
 In simple words, but with a feeling that melted us all, the old 
 
EsPERANZA. 267 
 
 man gave his hand and said a few words to each of those nearest 
 to him. As I stood near this central group, his eye sought me, 
 and he held out his hand to me. I sprang and took it in mine. 
 The grasp was full of life and energy. It went with a thrill to the 
 centre of my being. It was as if a spirit hand had grasped me. 
 The light of his eye seemed to beam from the portals of the inner 
 life. I bowed myself humbly to receive his parting word. 
 
 "And you, my dear young friend," he said ; "you join me to 
 the world to be redeemed. Go forth and do the work to which 
 you are called. Work in truth, in fidelity, in obedience, and the 
 work will be blessed. Never lose faith in the goodness of God 
 or the destiny of man. Devote all to this work, and all shall be 
 yours. Providence has brought you here. — Go forth, and be the 
 instrument of its beneficient purposes. A poor, old, dying man, 
 yet rich and happy beyond expression, blesses you, and those to 
 whom you are sent, with the blessings of rest and peace. 
 
 " God bless you all — farewell. 
 
 " Once more, your voices, dear friends ; let me once more hear 
 the music that I love." 
 
 They sung — voices breaking through sobs ; voices trembling 
 with emotion ; voices choking with love and grief. Still the beau- 
 tiful harmonies struggled and triumphed ; and as the chorus rose 
 full and clear, the reverend head sank back ; the eyes closed ; a 
 radiant smile of unspeakable haj)piness illumined his features ; 
 and when the last notes had died away, the spirit had left its tene- 
 ment of clay ; borne on the waves of that harmony, it had entered 
 the haven of eternal rest. 
 
 Vincent listened for his breath ; — it was gone. He felt for his 
 pulse ; the last flutter had died away. He pressed down the eye- 
 lids of the corpse, and said : 
 
 " Dear Friends : — Our beloved and revered father has breathed 
 his last. Maj' we all be as faithful in our lives, and die as liappily 
 Let us hail the entrance of his freed spirit into the triumphant har- 
 monies of the heavens." 
 
 The band struck instantly into a triumphal march, so full, so 
 
268 ESPERANZA. 
 
 grand in feeling, that, instead of shedding tears of grief, all were 
 joyful in the spirit's triumph. 
 
 Then they softly bore the body away. 
 
 I wish, in this letter, to tell you all that relates to this first ex- 
 perience of Death in Esperanza. As I went out upon the lawn, I 
 saw a pure white flag, flying at half-mast from the central tower. 
 Groups were scattered in the walks and groves, in serious conver- 
 sation. Angela came and held out her hand to me. The traces 
 of tears were on her eyelids. 
 
 " You are very sorrowful," I said. 
 
 " Oh ! the dear good father !" she exclaimed, the tears bursting 
 out afresh, " I am a fool, but I can't help it. He has gone to the 
 beautiful world, and I am glad for him. It is best for him and 
 all ; but I shall miss the dear old man so much. You don't know 
 what a gallant lover he has been to me. He has taught and told 
 me so many things ; and such a dear, young, loving heart, that 
 never grew old. He was as young in his feelings as I. We all 
 loved him, dearly. And now we will give him such a pretty 
 place ; his body I mean. I suppose it is of very little conse- 
 quence to him ; but we must revere all that was ever partaker of 
 his life." 
 
 At the sunset parade, a noble dirge was followed by a triumphal 
 hymn, representing the sorrows and toils of earth contrasted with 
 the glories of heaven. And through it all the bell tolled out its 
 mournful cadences, minute guns boomed over the waters, fired 
 from the little fort, and the steamer Fairy. All these mannifes- 
 tations seemed the fitting and needful expressions of the feelings 
 of this bereaved, saddened, but yet most happy family. 
 
 The usual amusements of the evening were suspended. There 
 were no public meetings, nor songs, nor dances ; not that they 
 were felt to be improper, but that all were absorbed in reflections 
 upon the event, or in preparations for the funeral. A group of 
 joiners was employed upon a coffin ; I went with another, by torch 
 light, to a beautiful knoll, covered with trees, and flowering shrubs, 
 kept as a future burying place, and where the first grave was now 
 
ESVERAKZA. 269 
 
 to be opened on the very centre of its summit ; a spot which 
 Father Gautier had long looked upon as his body's final resting 
 place. While this grave was preparing, a Utile group was arrang- 
 ing the order of the funeral. 
 
 When all had been accomplished, Melodia invited me to join 
 them in the beautiful room of Harmonia, which I have described 
 to you. Can you conceive this cheerful, yet solemn meeting. — 
 There was not one sob of anguish, nor one sigh of regret ; and 
 not one of these loving friends would have recalled, had they the 
 power, the spirit of their beloved father. Their feeling was more, 
 like a deep and chastened joy, than a subdued sorrow. 
 
 After conversing a while upon the life and character of their 
 departed friend, in which his merits and deficiencies were brought 
 out with singular impartality ; all joined hands, and sat in silence. 
 After a few moments, Harmonia placed a black scarf over her eyes, 
 and fell into that condition of spiritual clairvoyance, in which the 
 scenes of the inner world are revealed to those in whom thia 
 faculty is developed. 
 
 After a few moments, she said. " I see a group of our friends, 
 but Father Gautier is not with them. Ah, now he comes. A 
 very lovely woman is leading him forward. He is dressed in a 
 white robe, with a blue girdle, and in his hand is a bouquet a flow- 
 ers. It is he ; I know him perfectly ; and yet, how changed he looks ! 
 He has lost all marks of age. If you can fancy him at forty, but 
 more beautiful than he ever could have been — the ideal of himself 
 » — that is the way he looks. As he comes forward, Fourier opens 
 his arms to embrace him. " Welcome, my brother," he says, 
 "Welcome from the germinal harmony of earth, to the developed 
 and still increasing harmonies of heaven !" The angelic being 
 who accompanied him, and who so often came to him here, seems 
 more beautiful than ever, and inexpressibly happy. Our friend 
 comes near and looks smilingly upon us ; he kisses me upon the 
 head — ^Melodia on the cheek. He wishes to speak to us. He 
 says : " You see that I was right, friends. You were very good 
 to me, and I was very happy : but this is better. I can here help 
 the unfolding of your future. You have but begun. Not for an 
 
270 EsPERA^ZA. 
 
 hour must you be satisfied with present achievement. Progress 
 is the law of being ; continual development, continual unfolding. — 
 I am drawn to you strongly, and feel that I shall be able to influ- 
 ence you more than those who have not been in so close a relation 
 to you in your present life. This is my chosen and appointed 
 work." 
 
 " Will our father say whether he is satisfied with our arrange- 
 ments for his funeral ?" asked Vincent. 
 
 " He puts on such a droll look," said Harmonia. "He says, 
 'You need not take much trouble with that old body of mine, or 
 any of my old clothes. Do what satisfies yourselves in the doing. 
 Lay the old case quietly away, and think of me, henceforth, not as 
 I was, but as I am. Let me come to you often ; for I can do you 
 good in many ways.' " 
 
 The seeress took the bandage from her eyes, and in a moment 
 resumed her usual appearance. Many, even at this day, would 
 think all this a deception or an illusion. No one here questions its 
 entire reality, or doubts that the good Father still lives — still loves 
 his children, and has this power of manifesting himself to and 
 through those who are fitted to be the mediums of such mani- 
 festations. 
 
 In the morning we were waked, not as usual, by the music of 
 the band, but by the steam organ of the Fairy ; whose powerful 
 tones filled the whole air with melody. The cannon again fired, 
 and the bell rung, tolling no longer, when we assembled, after the 
 morning ablutions. I saw that all wore the dress of ceremony. — 
 The great festal banner floated mast head high, its golden 
 stars glittering in the beams of the rising sun. The fountains 
 were all at play, flashing rainbows. The emulous birds poured 
 out their melodies, and sweet perfumes filled the air. The Fairy 
 was decked in all her streamers, steaming in proud circles round 
 the lake, and sending over all the scene her grand harmonies. 
 
 And there, upon the lawn, stood the funeral pall ; not gloomed in 
 black, but covered with a pure white drapery, with white plumes, 
 and garlands of flowers. These were no weeds of woe — but all 
 tokens of the honors of victory. Our friend has fought the battle 
 
EsPERANZA. 271 
 
 of life, and has come off a conqueror. Why mourn ? We did not. 
 It "was a festival of solemn joy. 
 
 After the morning hymn, the Order of the Day was read by 
 Vincent, as follows : 
 
 " We will now deposit the remains of our good and glorified 
 Father Gautier in the place appointed. 
 
 "After the morning repast, all will resort to their usual industry 
 for the appointed hours. 
 
 " The dinner will be a festival of commemoration. 
 
 ** The afternoon will be observed by a cessation of industry, and 
 thoughtful communion on the progress and perfection of our life. 
 
 " Supper in groups at pleasure — a festival of friendship. 
 
 " In the evening, commemorative music and discourses. 
 
 " Henceforth, the birth-day of Father Gautier is to be celely*- 
 ted, with honors second only to those awarded to Fourier." 
 
 The procession formed as if by enchantment. Without a word 
 of command or a perceptible signal, all fell into a fitting order of 
 march. The music went before the coffin ; the children, all 
 dressed in white and blue, with bouquets of flowers, walked on 
 each side ; our little group followed, and then all the groups in a 
 beautiful order. The bell rung, the cannon pealed, the Fairy poured 
 forth her grand harmonies ; then our band struck up a triumphal 
 march, whose words were sung by group after group, in chorus, 
 as we moved along a flower bordered walk, through fields and 
 groves, to the mound of burial. 
 
 Here the coffin was opened, and all passed around it and took a 
 last look at the placid features, so calm and noble, of this man, 
 who had had the great good fortune to devote himself and all he 
 had to the realization of his idea of a true life ; aud who, in this 
 work, and this success, has achieved more glory than a hundred 
 conquerors. 
 
 The coffin was lowered into the grave. Vincent stood at its 
 head, and pronounced a few eloquent sentences, such as the occa- 
 sion demanded — befitting the obsequies of a true philanthropist. 
 All were gathered around the open grave ; and though it thus far had 
 been ?. festive triumph rather than a funeral, — there were here some 
 
272 ' Esl•ERA^'ZA. 
 
 soba and tears. The childen came forward, many of them weep- 
 ing, and threw their flowers upon the old man's coffin. Then the 
 earth was filled in, the mound raised above it, and on it planted 
 with taste and care, roses, lilies, and other fragrant flowers, that tlie 
 wasting body might pass in lovely forms, and sweet odors, back to 
 its native elements from the realm of death. 
 
 All this was in the fresh morning hour ; and as our work was 
 accomplished, the bell rung out its last peal ; the cannon roared 
 among the echoing woods ; the Fairy filled the heavens with 
 music. All returned, without special order, and conversing cheer- 
 fully, to breakfast ; then the festal costume was laid aside, and the 
 morning's industry begun. 
 
 While others labored, in their varied, changing, and ever attrac- 
 tive industry — in work which is enobled by its uses — I have writ- 
 ten these pages to you, Clara mine ; trying to give you some 
 faint impression of the scene around me. I had barely finished 
 when the first signal for dinner was given ; and I remembered that 
 it was to be a fectival of more than ordinary solemnity, so I dressed 
 with cave ; and when I entered the saloon I found it draped and 
 decked with surprizing elegance. The tables were ornamented 
 more profusely than usual, with vases of flowers. 
 
 When all had eaten, Vincent, sitting at the right haiui of Har- 
 monia, at the table of her group, arose and gave the first toast : 
 
 " Honor and gratitude to the memory of our good Father Gau- 
 tier ! " 
 
 This sentiment was repeated aloud, at the table of every group, 
 and was drank with appropriate music. 
 
 No more toasts were given ; and all went out upon the lawn, 
 and made up the groups or parties for the afternoon. 
 
 In the evening all assembled in the theatre. Many tasteful 
 hands had been at work in its decoration for this occasion. No 
 work is slighted here. It is a spontaneous expression of life — an 
 energy that always seeks employment. And while the artistic 
 groups had spoken to the eye, our musical friends had prepared a 
 repast for the ear, so worthy of the occasion as to satisfy us all, 
 
ESPERANZA. 273 
 
 The favorite airs of Fatlier Gautier, and those associated with his 
 life here, were woven in a harmonic wreath to deck his memory. 
 I shall not give you a report of the speeches. They also were 
 fully up to the requirements of the occasion. Vincent's was his- 
 torical. Many contributed anecdotes of the good man ; or gave 
 expression to the gratitude all felt to him. Harmonia paid a deli- 
 cate tribute to his aflfectionateness and love of children ; but it was 
 left to Melodia to speak the crowning and the parting words. 
 They were words which melted the whole assembly in tears ; and 
 all went forth filled with new strength, new hope, and new resolu- 
 tions, to move onward to the achierement of the highest of human 
 possibilities, in the truest life that can be enjoyed on earth, as the 
 foretaste and preparation for the life of eternal progress and happi- 
 ness in the Heavens. 
 
XIX. 
 
 RELIGION. 
 
 Dear Clara : The solemnization of death ; the near view of 
 eternity ; the passing away of that noble, loving spirit, full of 
 courage, full of hope, and an unshaken faith in its immortal des- 
 tiny, could not fail to turn my thoughts to our relations with the 
 unseen world. I wished to know more of the religious faith of 
 those dear friends, whose earthly life seems to me a heaven begun, 
 and which has only to continue, under improved or progressing 
 conditions. 
 
 I sought then an interview with one I thought best capable of 
 giving me light : I sought Harmonia. . 
 
 " I come to be instructed," I said, seating myself on the cush- 
 ion she laid for me beside her feet, and kissing the little white 
 hand she extended to me. 
 
 ** You should go to men for knowledges," she answered, smil- 
 ing. " It is their speciality. Women feel and love ; they seldom 
 reason, or know much. They have wisdom, perhaps ; but not 
 much science, usually. I reason very little — what I know, 
 comes to me by other channels than those of logical deduction." 
 
 "What I wish to inquire about, belongs more to faith than 
 reason, it is commonly thought," I said. " I wish to be informed 
 more definitely of your religious views." 
 
 In all my intercourse here, thus far, no effort has been made to 
 convert me to any dogma. There was no anxiety that I should 
 believe as they do, or that I should even know what they believe. 
 But now that I had come with my demand, the supply was cheer- 
 fully accorded. 
 
 " Tiie history of our race," said Harmonia, ''shows the exist- 
 ence and develooment of the Religious Sentiment. A higher, 
 274 
 
EsPERANZA. 275 
 
 purer, better life, present and future, is the universal aspiration. 
 Whatever form it may take, this is religion ; and however varied 
 in its manifestation, or erroneous in its dogmas, it is the same sen- 
 timent in all. It is the spirit of man seeking its unity with the 
 Infinite Life and Love. Ideas of God and Immortality are, there- 
 fore, universal ; and even when hidden under gross and sensual 
 forms and creeds, have yet their own truth and life. 
 
 " We understand by God, the Life, Spirit and Infinite Unity of 
 Universal Existence ; — the universal synthesis ; — the soul that 
 lives in, and not apart from, all nature. It is ' God working in us, 
 both to will and to do, of his own good pleasure.' God in the 
 flower. God in the stars. Life, soul and being of all things. 
 The sum of all intelligences and all loves. The heart and brain 
 life — the love and wisdom of all. In this God, 'we live, and 
 move, and have our being.' It is not a God, outside and apart 
 from us, but the God is in us and we in him. ' I and my Father 
 are one.' 
 
 " Prayer is the aspiration, striving, and eflfort for completeness 
 of unity with this Infinite Heart and God of all Harmony. It 
 may be uttered in words, or manifested in deeds, or enter, as with 
 us, into the whole life. 
 
 " And this life, so far as it is a true one, is worship. Every 
 true act, which is in harmony with the Divine Spirit, is an act of 
 faith. Thus, we ' glorify God in our bodies and our spirits, 
 which are his.' Thus, ' whether we eat or drink, or whatsoever we 
 do, we do all to the glory of God.' We endeavor to live in His 
 life, in its holiness or wholeness. Thus are we godly or God-like 
 just so far as we live in the harmony of a true life. 
 
 " There is an axiom in mathematics — one of those simple, self- 
 evident statements, so simple that they seem at first needless to be 
 said, but which yet contain universes of truth. It is this : 
 ' Things which are equal to the same thing, are equal to each 
 other.' You smile — but we have found that just in proportion as 
 we bring ourselves to the order, equilibrium and harmony of the 
 Divine Life, just in that proportion do we find ourselves in unity 
 with each other. 
 
276 EsVERAKZA. 
 
 "As our God is in all the universe of things — the life and love 
 of all beings, we find our truest worship, prayer and praise, in 
 bringing ourselves into that harmony of being and life which 
 unites us with the material and spiritual world ; which is, truly, 
 the God in us — God manifest in the flesh. 
 
 '' We accept, you will perceive, the internal significance, and 
 even the outward expressions, of the popular forms of religious 
 doctrine. God is to us the sum and substance of all being — the 
 universal unity of thought and life. Christ is God manifest in the 
 flesh — God in humnnity. And this God, in his human form, is 
 he not poor, despised, buffetted, spit upon, and in all times cruci- 
 fied ? And shall he not rise to a true life, and govern the earth in 
 the spirit of Love ? We truly believe in the regeneration of this 
 new birth, and in the redemption of our race by the constant 
 operations of this Holy Spirit. 
 
 " Our religion is not an intellectual speculation. It lives in our 
 life. It is, so we esteem it, the religion which God everywhere 
 teaches in the heart of man, and which can be found under all 
 forms of expression, myth, creed and ceremony. All sacred scrip- 
 tures, all symbols, all prophecies contain it. The human soul 
 aspires, struggles, agonizes for its unity with the Divine or Uni- 
 versal Life. It seeks to be, and to express that being, in the unity 
 of Nature, and the unity of the Spirit, which is the bond of peace. 
 
 " We believe in — rather, we enter into the very reality of — im- 
 mortality. We are as certain of the continued existence of our 
 spirit friends, as of our own present life. Material forms are for- 
 ever changing; but through these, the spiritual identity is never 
 lost, but goes on, forming ever new and higher, and more compre- 
 hensive unities, in the great God-Life, of which every spirit forms 
 a part — the center of centers, and the soul of souls. 
 
 " I could give you our faith in the form of almost every creed. 
 Thus we can say : ' I believe in the Holy Catholic Church, the 
 Communion of Saints, and Life everlasting.' The Holy Catholic 
 Church is the unity of all human souls, who aspire for a life of 
 truth, and holiness — wherever they may be, or by whatever name 
 they are called. The Communion of Saints is this partaking of 
 
EsPERAKZA. 277 
 
 a common life ; this holy communion of all the good, iu earth and 
 in the heavens. And Life everlasting is in our consciousness, as 
 surely as the God that worketh in us can never die. 
 
 " We seek to embody this Life and Spirit of God in all forms of 
 use, and beauty, and harmony. In our persons ; in our food ; in 
 our dress ; in aW our thoughts and feelings ; in our industry ; in 
 our art ; in poetry ; in music ; in the measured movement of the 
 dance ; and in the holiest acts of love in which we give new forms 
 to the Divine Humanity, ever seeking its incarnation, ever flowing 
 into hio-her and siill hijAer forms of life. 
 
 o o 
 
 " Religion, then, which literally means, that which binds again ; 
 religion, as an expression of the sentiment of aspiration to unity 
 with the Universal, the Infinite, the Divine; is that which binds 
 us in our harmony, and which animates all our life and work. 
 It is no external theory ; no cold form ; no fearful doing of duties. 
 It is our life's life. We began our preparation for this work with 
 the motto given by St. Ignatius to the Company of Jesus : Ad 
 Majorem Dei Gloriani — To the Greater Glory of God. That 
 greater glory we have :^ought, in the development of all our facul- 
 ties, and their harmonization with the Infinite Life ; and just so far 
 as this work was achieved in us individually, just so far did we 
 find ourselves in a beautiful and loving harmony with each other ; 
 until it brought us to be 'all of one accord in one place' — all 
 attuned to the same harmony. 
 
 " Religion, therefore, as we understand it, and as it finds being 
 and expression in our lives, is the harmonizing influence — the 
 toning power. It is the sacred bond that unites men to each 
 other. Whatever unity has been attained in human societies, has 
 come from the influence of the religious sentiment. There has 
 been no organization, or approach to organization among men, of 
 which some manifestation of the religious nature of man has not 
 been the center and soul. All else is selfish, isolate, discordant, 
 tending every hour to dissolution. Boodhism, Brahmism, Juda- 
 ism, Islamism, Catholicism — all human unities or fragments of 
 unities, are bound together by this common bond, in the life of 
 humanity. Religion gave its life to Chivalry ; it was the soul of 
 
270 ESPERANZA. 
 
 Free Masonry in the palmy days of that institution ; it gives what- 
 ever vitality they possess, to all our benevolent societies, and all 
 existing institutions. Strange as it may seem to you, the real bond 
 and vitality of the institution of Slavery, is in the religious senti- 
 ment. It is not the fetter and whip, it is not greed of power and 
 gain, that holds millions in bondage. It is a religious feeling of 
 responsibility and duty, in master and slave. The Russian marches 
 on death, at the command of the Czar, because this Czar is to him 
 the representative of God. In the name of God and his Prophet, 
 the Mussulman flashes his cimeter on the foe. The simple faith 
 of the Mormon is the strong bond of his rude Theocracy. Every- 
 where, men submit to ' the powers that be,' only so far as they 
 believe them to be 'ordained of God.' 
 
 " As there is in all this universe but one Life, in all its myriad 
 forms; one God, in the aspiration of all faiths; one Love, in the 
 yearnings of all hearts for their appointed unities : so there is 
 but one Religion, and one Church. All colors and shades of 
 colors blend in one pure element of light. All tones blend in one 
 pure unison of sound. 
 
 " You ask our faitli. It is the theory of our life. You have 
 seen our life ; it is the practice of our faith. Wherever faith 
 and works — the theory of life and its practice — are in harmony, 
 there is a life of order, peace, love and unity. In all the discord- 
 ant societies of civilization, p ople preach and profess one thing, 
 and teach and practise the reverse. The religion comes not into 
 the life. Faith without works is dead. Works without faith are 
 soulless corpses. The true life and the true religion for every man, 
 is to live up to his higliest idea of right — to have all being and all 
 doing in harmony Avith those heaven-born, God-inspired aspira- 
 tions and strivings of the spirit for the highest and truest life of 
 the earth and the heavens. 
 
 " The records — the scriptures of this One Religion — the canons 
 of this Holy Catholic Church, are scattered everywhere. In 
 Prophecy and Psalm ; in Oratory and Poetry ; in Music and Art ; 
 in whatever breathes the spirit of excelsior, from the rudest to the 
 most refined, every expression of human luve and aspiration is the 
 
EsPERANZA. 279 
 
 word of God. It lives ia the Bible, and in all religious writings ; 
 in Jeremy Taylor and Thomas a Kempis ; in Jesuit, Puritan, and 
 Infidel ; in Shakspeare and Milton, Shelley and Byron, Tasso 
 and Goethe ; as well as in all the Fathers of all Churches. So 
 we find the brethren of our faith in all communions. We are, 
 heuce, tolerant of all, finding the good in all, and rejoicing in the 
 progress of all. This is our aU-compreheuding faith. 
 
 "But what a sermon I have preached you ! I feel the interest 
 and importance of the subject. It is very important that you be 
 clear in this central matter, and know what you must do to be 
 saved. We were educated in various creeds. Some were Roman 
 Catholics, like our good Father, who has just left the form ; some 
 were protestants against that church ; and some against all 
 churches. Now we have all come to the same unity of faith, and 
 the same harmony of works." 
 
 " There is that in my spirit," I said, "which lovingly accepts 
 of all you have told me. ' Thy people shall be my people, and 
 thy God my God.' But there are still dogmas of the church, or 
 the sects, of which you have not explained the significance." 
 
 " Well, you shall question me. Perhaps I may be able to ex- 
 plain them." 
 
 " For example, the doctrine of Hell ? " 
 
 " Is it not another name for disorder, with which the lower side 
 of humanity is ctirsed, and into which all are cast, who do not 
 come into the regeneration of a true life ?" 
 
 "And Purgatory?" 
 
 " Is it not a period of transition, purification, and preparation for 
 a life of harmony ? " 
 
 "And the Devil?" 
 
 "What but a bold personification of discord and evil ? As all 
 spiritual harmonies and unities find synthesis in the grand unity 
 of an Infinite God, so may all evils center in a Spirit of Discord, 
 Strife, and Hate." 
 
 "Will you explain my old stumbling block of predestination ?" 
 
 "As the magnet separates the atoms of iron from the sand, so 
 does the divine Truth seek out and draw to its embrace all who 
 o.-o flf+o^ tf\ vof>oive it." 
 
2S0 Esperanza. 
 
 " And he that believe th not shall be damned ? " 
 
 " Yes ; is, and shall be. He that believeth not in the Divine 
 Humanity, shall remain in error, discord and misery." 
 
 " And do you accept the Sacraments ? " 
 
 " Verily ; in all the richness of their spiritual significance." 
 
 " Baptism ? " 
 
 " With water the holy man affiliates a soul to heavenly unities. 
 Have "we not moreover our daily baptism to purity of life ? " 
 
 "And the Eucharist?" 
 
 " We who eat purely, discern the Lord's Body. And the 
 bread, blessed by the ministration of our guardian angels, may it 
 not become ordered into the Divine Life ? You know that a glass 
 of water magnetized by or through a healing circle, may become 
 potent to cure disease. May not the bread and wine of this sacra- 
 ment, blessed in a true order, become so divinized ? These are 
 for those who need them. Deny them not." 
 
 " And the sacrament of marriage ? " 
 
 " None of all so desecrated and profaned ! The union of man 
 and woman in the life-o-ivinar act, should be the most sacred and 
 divine of all unities. It is m this that men and women, in a truly 
 consecrated union, enter most into the life and work of God. 
 Such marriage is a sacrament. Working through ignorance, 
 error, discord, and with 'a wicked and adulterous generation,' the 
 church has done the best she could to preserve its purity. She 
 has taken her priesthood and holy orders into a vestal life, and 
 placed bounds to sensualities, by such marriage as the masses were 
 fitted to receive. Let us not blame the church. ' She hath done 
 what she could.' " 
 
 "But yet," I said, after all these beautiful explanations, you do 
 not, that I see, adhere to these forms and ordinances of the 
 church." 
 
 "Are they now needful to its ? Need we make formal prayers, 
 whose life is one prayer ? Need we now special sacraments of the 
 eucharist, who live in the life of the Lord ? Shall we, whose lives 
 are so ordered and harmonized as you have seen, still do those 
 things which were useful in bringing us out of disorder? We 
 
ESPERANZA. 28 1 
 
 know that we have only to live in the true order of life, and all the 
 blessings will flow in upon us, that we have capacity to receive. 
 Shall we now say to one another, * know the Lord ; when we all 
 know him, from the least unto the greatest ? ' Religrous ordinan- 
 ces were instituted as helps to the divine life. They are for those 
 who need them. They would be for us — confession, penance, and 
 redeeming grace — should any of us fall into disorder and sin." 
 
 I have given as faithful a report as I am capable of giving of this 
 conversation. It seems to me, at once stragely mystical, and not 
 less strangely real. I find an acceptance in my spirit which sur- 
 prizes me. You know how little I have thought, for years, of all 
 these things. It is true that I have recognized the existence and 
 the manifestations of the religious sentiment ; but I have never 
 looked into the dogmas, or sacraments of the church for interior 
 meanings. Our Swedenborgian friends find a spiritual significance 
 in what seem to me very meaningless scriptures. I have never 
 been able to comprehend their correspondences. But what shall I 
 say of these expositions of Harmonia, made with great earnestness 
 and solemnity ? I can say nothing. Even while they beem to 
 appeal to reason, they transcend reason. What I do see is, that 
 this life is all purity, all beauty, all harmon3^ The disuse of re- 
 ligious forms may seem a kind of Phatyseeism ; but I know that 
 there is a most earnest aspiration here, for a higher, and s-till 
 higher life ; and wherever there is aspiration, there must be humil- 
 ity. The religious element still works upward, but it is a trium- 
 phal progress, not a dark struggle with disease and sin. If this 
 may be called a church it is not the church militant, but the 
 church triumphant. 
 
 I see that the faith of uncounted millions of men, through hun- 
 dreds of generations, must have in it great elements of truth and 
 good. I apply this saying, not to one faith, but to all faiths and 
 forms of faith, and I see that they differ mostly in names. I see that 
 there is but one religion. When will narrow sectarians embrace 
 the great catholic doctrine announced by the apostle Peter? " Of 
 a trutli, I perceive that God is no respecter of persons ; but in 
 every nation, he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is 
 24 
 
282 EsPtRA^zA. 
 
 accepted with him." Here is an end to all bigotries of creeds and 
 nationalities. Here all meet, on this common platform of human- 
 ity — and this is the basis of the true " Holy Catholic Church." 
 
 " Your religion is sublime, " I said, "in its doctrines, and beau- 
 tiful in its manifestations. Has this faith, also, its recorded scrip- 
 tures ?" 
 
 She laid her hand on two beautiful volumes on her center table. 
 One was a Greek Testament, the other a Latin copy of the Imita- 
 tion of Christ of Thomas a Kempis. She took a flower from a 
 vase and gave it me, and touched the spring of her music box, 
 which played a jubilant melody. I was answered. We sat in 
 silence until the sweet music was done, when she said: — 
 
 "Our scriptures are recorded in all the universe. We also have 
 our written word. Here, " she said, taking a small manuscript 
 volume from her table, " is the record of some of the Lessons 
 which have been given to us, from our friends in the world of 
 spirits. Read them as you will. " 
 
 " Can I copy them also ?" I asked, wishing you should partake 
 of all the good that came to me. 
 
 "Assuredly: these are but transcripts, put in our poor human 
 words, of what the Divine Spirit hath gloriously written every 
 where, in all the manifestations of His infinite life." 
 
 I copy for you, dear Clara, a few of these scriptures. 
 
 "Each ultimate atom has its corresponding soul-life, and conse- 
 quent intelligence. Aggregations of atoms have a discordant soul- 
 life, — associations of atoms have a harmonic associated soul-life. " 
 
 " The great heart of Humanity has ever truth in its instincts." 
 
 " Only as each is true to himself or herself, can they be of use 
 to another. Heed this, for it is the central principle of the new 
 gospel. 
 
 " The circulation in a body is the condition of life to that body. . 
 
 " The life is more or less perfect, according to the mode or form. 
 
 " The law of unimpeded circulation is the law of life, in all 
 forms, and modes, of whatever degree of perfection. 
 
 "The hand of the weak man must obey his will — the hand of 
 the strong man can do no more. 
 
EsfERAAZA, 283 
 
 " The strength of the heart, and the wisdom of the head can 
 only be demonstrated by perfect obedience. 
 
 " It is not by erratic action that the one gets power and the other 
 light. 
 
 " The heart and head of a man and of a society must be correc- 
 ted by consequences wrought out in obedience, and not by disord- 
 ered acts and efforts. 
 
 " Fragmentary action, be it ever so wise in itself, is not for a 
 body. Obedience is for a body, and a society ; and consequences 
 are the only correctives. If there cannot be a perfect and orderly 
 obedience, then there is not unity ; and the part that is extraneous 
 or parasitic is to be cutoff." 
 
 " The Divine Humanity is the sphere of Creative Unities. 
 
 "The sun is a correspondential expression from this 
 
 "Humanity corresponds to the sun — ^being a simultaneous ex- 
 pression. 
 
 " Out of both these expressions comes the form human. 
 
 "As the spirit is to the soul, so is the Divine Humanity to the 
 Humanity. As the soul to the body, so is the individual man to 
 the Humanity. 
 
 " In the ascending scale, forms become one with the Humanity ; 
 and the humanity is absorbed again into the Divine. The oned or 
 united forms graduate to the sun. The last is the absorption into 
 the divine, whence there is no direct communication with the earth 
 Hfe." 
 
 " Humanity is one ; and contempt is for the young, the partial, 
 and immature. " 
 
 I send to you these few passages, my Clara, that you may see 
 something of the form of these revelations. Many of them, given 
 during the period of germination or preparation, were instructions 
 for that period. These seem to me, wise with a most heavenly 
 wisdom. They carry in themselves, to me, the best proof of their 
 supernal origin. And here is the proof, also, in the work accom- 
 plished. 
 
 Is Esperanza of heaven, or of man ? 
 
 I accedt it as an out-birth of the Life of the heavens. 
 
XX. 
 
 THE ORDKR AND THE WORK. 
 
 My Blessed Clara : — In a few days more, all the power of 
 mighty steam will be bringing me to you. I shall glide down the 
 Mississippi to New Orleans ; then home by gulf and osean, taking 
 one look at beautiful Cuba. I have never been at saa, and I want 
 this experience. We shall just dip into the tropics. I will find 
 you some fluit at Havana. We will sail along the gulf stream. 
 Then, some bright morning, or soft evening perhaps, we shall steam 
 up the Narrows, and I shall see the green glories of the Battery — 
 pride of every New Yorker, and after a brisk walk up Broadway, 
 hold you to my heart once more, after this long, long absence. 
 
 I wrote you yesterday of the Religion of Esperanza. There are 
 u® temples here, consecraied to divine worship ; but the whole 
 place seems a temple for a sincere and beautiful manifestation of a 
 deeply religious life. Or, I may say, that all places here are so 
 consecrated. The theatre is a school of virtue. There is no dissi- 
 pation in the ball room. Life is so ballanced in use, and beauty, 
 and enjoyment, that every part is good. No man here cheats his 
 neighbors and plunders the poor, or wastes his life and riches, six 
 days in the week, and then goes through forms of devotion on the 
 seventh. So far as I can see or judge there is an entire unity of 
 faith, feeling, and work throughout this little Republic. 
 
 And this word Republic, brings me to the subject of its Govern- 
 ment, or the exterior bond of orderly relation which its members 
 have with each other. How shall I define it? It is not a Dem- 
 ocratic Republic, in our understanding of the term ; and yet the 
 584 
 
EsPKRANZA. 285 
 
 will of the people is the only law ; perhaps I should rather say, 
 that tiie will of each individual is in harmony with the spirit or 
 law of the movement. The whole society seems like a body per- 
 forming its functions, and controlled by its central life or motive 
 power. There is no goverment of majorities, for there is no 
 minoriiy. All move as one, in a perfect unanimity. There is 
 little or no discussion — none, in the sense of contentious debate ; 
 tliere are no elections ; each one performing his function or office 
 by the common consent. You might call it a Theocracy, but no 
 orders are given with the authoritive sanction of " Thus saith the 
 Lonl." The society has grown from its germinal group, by the 
 gradual addition of members, or groups of members ; and the cen- 
 tral group, all harmonious in itself, has been the harmonizing 
 power to h11 other groups or members. And there has never been, 
 that I can learn, any question of leadership or authority. The 
 principles and laws of the life, and its true order, are recognized 
 by all. All cottf jrm to this order from the least to the greatest. 
 Thus all are equal before the law. This law of order, which 
 belongs to the life of the movement, requires leadership of those 
 who are gfted with the requisite qualities. It demands co-opera- 
 tion, and obedience of all. The law of obedience, stated in one of 
 the scriptures, copied in my last letter, demands that all be true to 
 the life and its order. 
 
 In the beginning, and while they were passing through the 
 novitiate, and the period of education and discipline, it was conve- 
 nient that this order of life should be, to some extent, expressed in 
 Vv'ritten rules ; since there were so many habits of disorder to be 
 reformed, and so many temptations to irregularity and evil. The 
 record of these rules remains for future use ; but in the smooth, 
 perfected working of the society at present, they are like the in- 
 struction books and finajer exercises of the beginner in music, to 
 the pL'rfected musician. 
 
 You will understand it by this analogy. Time, effort, pains, 
 were required to learn to play ; but when the mind learned to read 
 the wiit'en music, and the will had learned to give it expression, 
 and the musoU-s all obeyed the will, how easy and beautiful to 
 
28G Esi'iiUANzA. 
 
 produce those harmonies of sound, li is just so with tliis life. It 
 is not merely easy for these dear friends to be good, unselfish, in- 
 dustrious, orderly, loving, and beautiful in all things ; but it is the 
 free, spontaneous, habitual expression of all their life and thought. 
 There is no more motive or temptation for them to do any disorderly 
 act, than there is for you to make discordance instead of music, 
 when you sit down to the piano-forte ; or, which may be a still 
 better comparison, than a player in an orchestra has to mar the 
 harmonies of the music that he loves. 
 
 The central life takes hold of and receives love and wisdom from 
 the life of the hearens, and all are recipients of this loving life, both 
 individually, and through the established order. If you believe 
 that the Divine flows through the spirit spheres into the heart life 
 of this society, then you may consider its government Theocratic. 
 To an external observer, who should see its beautiful and perfect 
 order, it would seem a despotism. The law of this life is as des- 
 potic as the controlling forces of the planatary systems — as despotic 
 as the life that forms the petals of a flower. All harmonic move- 
 ment is orderly, and, in the idea of many, order is despotism. 
 
 This life is orderly — it is harmonic ; but where is the despot? 
 It is not Vincent. He humbly does his appointed work. It is not 
 Harmonia. She is but the humble medium of the spirit spheres. 
 Is the despotism in the heavens ? The suggestions of their guar- 
 dian spirits M\ as gendy as the dews. The growing plant might 
 as well complain of the despotism of sunshine and shower. 
 
 On the spiritual plane of life, there is no longer need of outward 
 force or harsh and arbitrary rule. When every one says in his 
 deep heart, " the will of God be done," how is there any longer 
 need of law ? The old forms have vanished. The society lives, 
 from its own spontaneous, ordered life. It is no longer a machine, 
 operated by an external force. It is not a mechanical automaton, 
 but a living body, animated by a living soul. 
 
 But if there is any power which guides and governs, restrains 
 and punishes, it is the power of a pervading love, which binds all 
 here into the unity of one body. I have said that religion was the 
 bond of this, as, in some form, it must be that of all vital societies. 
 
EsiPERANZA. 287 
 
 But I can see — can almost feel, the threads of a nervous system, 
 which finds its center in the heart-life, and binds all hearts in a net 
 work so sensitive, that every jar must be felt by every member. 
 
 The sentiment of love, developed in all the freedom of this life, 
 must reach every heart, and be with every one a powerful motive. 
 You can imagine the influence this must give to a woman like 
 Melodia — who is so admired, adored and loved, perhaps I might 
 say, by all. Such a love is a sacred bond to purity and order of 
 life. And those who love her are also beloved by others, and so 
 on. There is no point, where any individual, man or woman, 
 could do any wrong, without the violation of this sentiment. It 
 holds every one to duty, honor, and an orderly obedience, not to 
 an isolate, despotic will, but to the principles of the ordered life. 
 
 This government then is the self-government of each individual, 
 who, by his conformity to a central principle or life-law, is in har- 
 mony with every other. As each one seeks, finds, and happily per- 
 forms the function for which he or she is fitted, there is order without 
 force, and subordination without oppression. As far as I can see, 
 every person here occupies precisely the place he should, in his 
 own fitness, and in his relations to others. 
 
 And if, from want of numbers, or variety of capacity, or lack of 
 development in any, there were danger that any function would be 
 unfulfilled, then comes in the principle of devotion to the welfare 
 of others and the general good. This heroic principle is always 
 active, always seeking expression. There is no work so great, or 
 so difficult, that it would not attempt and accomplish. There is no 
 one here, however hard and selfish he may have been, or might 
 now be, in the scramble and contest of civilization, who would not 
 sacrifice everything, and perform everything, for the life. As 
 there is no one here who would not face danger and death for the 
 common defence, so there is no one who would not cheerfully do 
 any thing required of him, in the spirit of the life. 
 
 Were it deemed duty for Esperanzato send out missionaries, there 
 is no one who would not leave all the love and beauty of this Home, 
 and encounter all the hardbhips of the world, to spread the truths 
 of this Gospel of Harmony. Even the mormons can send out a 
 
2G8 EsPERAiV/.A. 
 
 huuJred missionaries at a time,. without purse or scrip, to go to 
 the four corners of the earth with their new dispensation. You 
 will not expect less devotion here. The missionaries of the Society 
 of Jesus for three hundred years have marched bravely through 
 torrid heats and polar frosts to martyrdom. Surely the missiona- 
 ries of social redemption would not be less heroic. 
 
 We had last night an example of the spirit of order and enthu- 
 siasm which is here, not in momentary awakenings, as we have 
 seen it, but as a perpetual spring of action. An hour after mid- 
 uio-ht, when all but the watch were in profound repose, the large 
 bell of the tower rung ©ut an alarum. In an instant, while I sprang 
 to the window to see what was the cause, but where I met only dark- 
 ness, I heard the rush of many feet ; then came a burst of light 
 from twenty torches, held by as many boys, which lighted up the 
 whole scene. I hurried on my clothes and went out upon the 
 lawn. It was an alarm of fire ; but there was not one cry of fear 
 or symtom of confusion. Every one was in his place. Some were 
 on the roofs ; some at windows ; some were ready with ladders. 
 Hose was attached to the hydrants leading from the large reser- 
 voir ready to deluge any portion of the buildings. All stood ready 
 for the sifj-nal, every man in his place — every woman also in hers ; 
 the children all provided for. But soon the bell sounded a few 
 strokes ao-ain ; when the hose and ladders were removed, the torches 
 extino'uished, and all retired to their rooms again, and Esperanza 
 reposed in peace. 
 
 It was an alarm of discipline — a test of order. I was rich i:i 
 the feeling of security which this spectacle gave me. It was an 
 organized earthly providence. How many hundreds of precious 
 lives might have been saved, within our remembrance, lost on 
 burning ships and steamboats, by such a discipline. Had the sig- 
 nal been one of outward danger, as that of the attack of an armed 
 foe, or a mob, the whole military force of the home would have 
 mustered with the same silent celerity, and in the same orderly 
 energy. It is a cominunity of peace, never attacking any, even by 
 words ; but ready, to the last heart throb, to defend itself from all 
 aggression. ! t is a community. I venture to say, that no mob would 
 
ESPERANZA. 2.^9 
 
 ever think of attacking ; and an organized force would not do 
 it without first counting the cost, and having a powerful motive. 
 Of all this there is little fear ; yet a watchful foresight guards 
 against all contingencies. 
 
 I said there were no elections. When there is any thing to be 
 decided, involving no principle, and which does not call for the 
 exercise of wisdom, it is left to chance or destiny. If two persons, 
 equally qualified, aspire to the same function in which but one can 
 serve, it is decided by lot. For example, some arduous of hazardous 
 work is to be performed, requiring but one, and half a dozen, 
 equally capable volunteer to do it. He or she who has the over- 
 siglit, or who gives the order of the day, either selects the one to 
 perform the work, as an honor for some special merit, or they draw 
 lots. This is the end. Those who draw blanks congratulate the 
 one who has the prize, and aid him in every way in their power. 
 
 There are other privileges, decided in the same manner. There 
 is a certain number of horses ready for harness or saddle ; and if, 
 at any time, more wish (o ride than there are horses for this use, 
 they draw for them. Then it often occurs that some of those who 
 draw make presents of their rights to others. Generosity is con- 
 stantly seeking for its exercise and satisfaction. Benevolence is 
 the rule ; and selfishness, in its hard, isolate, grasping spirit, does 
 not exist, or is not developed in any outward manifestation 
 
 My most manly friend, Alfred, whose reliability you would feel, 
 like that of a block of granite ; whom you would trust utterly, 
 every where and in all circumstances, exercises, I doubt not, as 
 much power as any one here ; but it is a power that is never seen. 
 Melodia leans upon him ; and though she may be his guide in 
 ma y things, his judgment, in all practical matters, must have 
 great weight, because it ought. Manlius holds the balance of 
 justice, and is the universal referree, wherever there is any doubt 
 of right — but I am assured that he is oftener appealed to by those 
 who believe they have more than equity, than by any who fancy 
 they have less. Vincent silently, modestly, and with unceasing 
 industry works out the common welfare, by common consent. 
 
 Where all are right, there must be unanimity. Where all are 
 
290 ESPERANZA. 
 
 agreed in regard to the principles and laws of a movement, and all 
 are devoted to a single object, there must be harmony. Where the 
 interest of each individual is the interest of all, and the welfare of 
 all is consistant with the highest happiness of each, there can be 
 no clashing discordance or clamor of strife. Darling, it is here 1 
 
 " Was it always so ? " I asked of Vincent, at the conversation 
 of to-day ; for he gives me this hour, every day, with an unvary- 
 ing punctuality. 
 
 " No — not always. A. few years ago, we were civilizees, living 
 in all the errors and discordances of civilization. We cheated and 
 robbed, or were cheated and robbed, like the rest. We were social 
 Ishmaels, our hands against every man, and every man's against 
 tts. We bought cheap and sold dear, without regarding equity. 
 We were excited about politics, and mingled, more or less, in all its 
 clamor and strife. We disputed matters of philosophy, religion, 
 economy and moials. Out of all this discord we were obliged to 
 graduate, and old habits of thought and feeling are not easily laid 
 aside. But when the principles and methods of the harmonic life 
 were presented to us, we rose above the plane of strife. We had 
 henceforth but one combined interest, and one harmoneous work. 
 We left the Old to fight its own battles." 
 
 "And did all come readily into the idea and practice of this 
 new life ? " 
 
 " By no means. Many were with us for a time, and even very 
 earnest and enthusiastic, and then fell away. Selfish appetites, 
 selfish loves, selfish graspings of gain, took away some who seemed 
 to run well for a season. With others, enthusiasm tended to vari- 
 ous insanities. It was putting new wine into old bottles. But no 
 one was ever thus severed from us without good reason. In the 
 earliest and hardest struggle, when our numbers were fewest, and 
 the persecuting clamors of the world around us the most malig- 
 nant, not one fell away unless by some ftiult of character, that 
 would have made him unfit for our life. We did not have one 
 trial too many ; nor was one taken from us whom we could have 
 retained without injury. 
 
 " In a great work, many tools are broken and thrown aside, or 
 
ESPERANZA. 29 1 
 
 tried and found worthless, and yet the work goes on. Many seeds 
 are germless or destroyed ; yet the great forests are planted. 
 Those only were lost to us whom the work could spare ; and 
 every instance of falling away from our life, we saw, after a time, 
 if not at first, was a special providence. Each gave us some 
 needed lesson, or help for a time, and was no doubt repaid in some 
 good to himself. There were wintry sea-ons and days nf darkness, 
 but nothing was lost, and I knew every hour that the end was 
 sure." 
 
 " Was the trial and discipline severe ? " 
 
 " You may not think it so — but it was sufficient. Purity and de- 
 votion were required of all. The chastity of an entire continence 
 and the accf^ptance of the law which limits the amative expression 
 to its most integral u-^e, were not easily conformed to by people 
 sunk in habits of sensuality. By this requirement we were severed 
 from all self seeking sensualists, who demanded freedom, only for 
 the satisfaction of their morbid lusts. Our simple diet repelled 
 those who were dominated by a coarse and excited alimentiveness. 
 Our devotion of all we were and had to this object found no sym- 
 pa'hy with either the self indulgent or the miserly. You Avonder 
 how we found so many as we have. You know that it was said 
 that God has always a remnant. There were seven thousand who 
 had never bowed the knee to B^ial ; and though ten men could not 
 be found to save Sodom, that was an exceptional case. Truths are 
 in or under these old forms. Amid all the selfishness, disease, 
 folly, and perveri^ity of mankind, there are always those who are 
 noble, pure, wise, and full of the aspiration of a true holiness. 
 We found our own — they passed sweetly through the trials of the 
 transition period, and h^-re we are, and here is our Home." 
 
 " Beautiful home ! " I exclaimed, as we paused in our ride on 
 the brow of a little hill which overlooked all the fair prospect of 
 fields and orchards, groves and vineyards, happy groups of indus- 
 trious workers, lovely forms of architecture glancing among the 
 trees, and the silver mirror of this sylvan lake ; "all beautitul I 
 Oh ! that men could know what this life might be ! Is there no 
 way to teach them." 
 
292 ESPERAXZA. 
 
 " The millions who have no power to live this life, and who would 
 never make the sacrifices of their miserable and debasing pleasures 
 to attain it, cannot be saved. They must die in their sins. If 
 you have a mission to present our life to the world, you may find 
 some who will accept it, and be ready to pass through the needed 
 preparation. It is only thus that they can come. We can say, in 
 solemn earnestness, ' strait is the gate and narrow is the way that 
 leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.' Those who are 
 dominated by a morbid benevolence will exclaim against us, for not 
 opening wide our doors, and inviting all this poor, maimed, halt 
 and blind humanity to anter. It is a social suicide we can in no 
 wise commit. Discord cannot come into our harmony. Whoso 
 cannot accept our life, our life rejects. We can have no fellowship 
 with the unfruitful works of darkness. Those who come here 
 must be the tried and trusty ; and these are few. Nevertheless, go 
 seek them if you will, and in your own way. It has been our ex- 
 perience in the past, that many were called, but few were chosen. 
 I use these phrases, because they were learned in my earliest 
 years, and because they express my meanings. I also think them 
 mystically prophetic of our life." 
 
 " I owe you many thanks, and I feel a deep gratitude," I said 
 from my heart, " for all your instructions. In a few days, I must 
 leave you, and all I love here, to go back into the world, and pre- 
 pare to come to the home you offer me. Should my representations 
 oj this life induce others to wish to join me, will you tell me what 
 is reqiiired of qualification aird preparation ? " 
 
 "Yes, it is proper that you have these requirements well defin- 
 ed. The demands of our life are not unreasonable, I think, but 
 they are imperative. 
 
 "Youth is to be preferred to age, and health to disease ; long 
 formed habits are often hard to break, and- diseases, not only diffi- 
 cult of cure, but always a burthen, and sometimes worse. As all 
 must begin as children or pupils, in a novitiate, there must be in 
 them the essential qualities of humility and obedience. It was 
 understood as far back as Solomon, that there is more hope of a 
 fool, than of a man wise in his own conceit. There must also 
 
EsPERANZA. 293 
 
 be a willing and cheerful surrender of the isolate and individual 
 selfishness, or there can be no attainment of the laro-er o-oods of 
 the associate and harmonic life. He who grasps his hand tightly 
 on a dime, cannot receive the dollar that is oflPered him. There 
 must be a giving up of the selfish life, in regard to both material 
 and spiritual riche-, — and an entire devotion of all one is and has 
 to the life. This is to be shown in little things as in great ones. 
 All other loves must be subordinate to the central and harmonic 
 love, which includes all others. 
 
 ■' You are to be clear and stringent as to all habits of life, and 
 rules of discipline. There must be purity of person, food, and life. 
 He or she who cannot pass through the novitiate of a pure vesta- 
 late, is not for our life. Men and women, who held each other by 
 the bonds of law and custom, cannot come to us. They must be 
 as the angels. There can be no filth of tobacco, and all habitual 
 stimulants must be abandoned. There must be the capacity for a 
 steady industry. The idle, lazy, voluptuous and self indulgent 
 are not for us. There must be, in every novitiate, a constant, ear- 
 nest, and orderly effort for the development of all faculties. When 
 chastity has stopped the waste of life ; when energy comes from 
 these pure and invigorating habits, it is needful that this new life 
 be used to the last atom, in the work of development. 
 
 "You have seen our life, and know something of its require- 
 ments. We can trust you to judge who is qualified to live it here. 
 But a time of trial and preparation is needed for all. You 
 have the impulse to gather a group or groups, who are wortliy to 
 come to us and enjoy our life. Well — the trial is before you. All 
 good angels nid you in your work." 
 
 Yes, my Clara, I must make the efibrt. Surely, we know some 
 who may be redeemed out of this sad discordance of the world 
 we know, and its hollow shams. What have we ever found in 
 what is called society, but pretension, stupidity, egotism, and sel- 
 fish intrigues. We have seen the best — and how poor it is ! A 
 few kernels of wheat in b'ishels of chaff — some grains of gold, 
 lost amid heaps of tinsel and brass. How many, in all the circle 
 of our acquaintance, should we be sorry never to see again ! And 
 
294 ESPKKANZA. 
 
 the terror of it is, that the purest are so soon corrupted into sel- 
 fishness. The tender loving girl who " comes out," all beauty 
 and sweetness, how a few seasons change her into a cold, heart- 
 less, selfish coquette ; a husband-hunter. Pride or indolence, 
 or ambition, or disappointment, destroy all that is beautiful in her 
 spirit, and she is ready to sell herself like the rest. 
 
 Are there not some, whom we can rescue from such a wretched 
 fate ? We will at least make the trial. 
 
 And, darling one, even the best side of this life of civilisation — 
 how poor it is. Suppose one of these lovely girls to be more for- 
 tunate than most ; to give her hand with her heart, to the man of 
 her supreme choice ; cannot you see, with a glance around you, 
 what comes then ? Waste of health and life in a licensed and 
 sanctified sensuality. Children beyond the powers of her vitality, 
 and with a consequent weak hold on life, and great, exhausting 
 sorrows in their sickness and death. A life of domestic cares and 
 isolation, with little opportunity for development and enjoyment ; 
 or a dull, tiresome round of fashionable dissipation ; or a wasting, 
 wearying indolence. What has become of the promise of that 
 bloominof belle-hood ? Oh ! Clara, cannot we save some at least 
 from this poor, false life of sham pleasures and too real miseries ? 
 Let us try. 
 
 I know that the conditions of this life of industry, art, develop- 
 ment, and true happiness will be hard to attain. I know that a 
 very earnest eflPort will be required to conquer disorder in and 
 around us ; to overcome idleness, and wastefulness of time ; to 
 waken up our dormant faculties ; to work under the inspirations of 
 devotion. But it is for us. Others have done it, and we can do it. 
 It is not harder than the discipline of our militai-y school at West 
 Point. It is not harder than the seventeen years of Jesuit noviti- 
 ate. It is far less revolting than the discipline of many ieliuious 
 orders. It is not mortification and martyrdom, but life and hap- 
 piness. It is simply obeying the sacred injunction : " Cease to 
 do evil — learn to do well." We can do this work — we will do it ; 
 and we will invite those friends, for whom we have any real sym- 
 pathy, to join us in our work. 
 
EiPERANZA. :i;»C' 
 
 1 am so in earnest respecting; what I have written you, that I 
 paused in nay writing to find Melodia, and ask her counsel in our 
 proceedings. I found her giving the little Vincent his music les- 
 son, for while he spends most of his time in the groups of children, 
 he comes to her at certain hours every day. All grown persons 
 here, have their beautiful relations with the young. The little ones 
 learn many lessons from their chosen and beloved teachers. 
 
 When the lesson was finished, I told her of what I had been 
 writing, and what I wished to do. She entered into my desires 
 with a quick and tender sympathy, and gave me what seems wise 
 counsel. It is that when 1 return, we look over our list of ac- 
 quaintances, and invite those we feel free and happy in inviting to 
 a little party. That I then tell them something of the story of 
 what I have seen of this life, and invite those who are interested 
 to ask their friends another evening to discuss the matter more 
 fully. That I then explain very frankly, the nature and condi- 
 tions of this life, and ascertain if there are any who are ready to 
 seek it in the way prescribed. "If any can be found," she said, 
 "three or four, perhaps, who are ready to give up all the old, and 
 to devote themselves body and spirit, all they have and are, with a 
 religious zeal, to this work ; then read to them the pledges of con- 
 secration ; appoint stated times to meet with them, for conversa- 
 tion and instruction ; watch the unfoldings of their minds, and 
 their progress in the orders of harmony, test their humility and 
 obedience, and their subjection to the rules for the discipline of 
 novitiates. If they take the pledges of consecration ; if they 
 live to all their requirements through the prescribed period, then 
 are they truly novitiates of our life. 
 
 " Our life, with all its goods, material and spiritual, is open to 
 them. When there is harmony in your little group, it will be 
 ficted to join our larger harmony. But do not forget that we must 
 reject all discordance. There must be no pity. The disorderly must 
 be sap^llftd, and the parasitic must be cut off. No law is more im- 
 perative." 
 
 I shall enter, with fear and trembling, and yet with a deep joy, 
 upon this work. It may seem hard to you that I say it ; but it is 
 
2yt> ESPEUANZA. 
 
 true that this prospect of usefulness increases my desire to come to 
 you. I feel like one who puts out in a little boat upon the stormy 
 seas, to try and save the lives of shipwrecked, drowning voyagers, 
 Help me, darling, help me in this work. Look around you, and 
 see if you cannot find some against my return. 
 
 I look anxiously, but I find so few. One, whose beautiful gifts 
 of talent and beauty would be an added charm, even to Esperanza, 
 is fast bound to a selfish and worldly man. She can never break 
 her chain. I know that all her aspirations are for a pure and lov- 
 ing life of beauty and culture ; but the big tears will come in her 
 eyes, and despair into her heart. She will fold her hands in sub- 
 mission to her earthly fate and look for happiness to heaven. 
 
 I know another, a glorious woman, whose whole soul is filled 
 with ideas of beauty, harmony, and a true life — but she, too, is 
 bound; and in her prison she can only dream, dream, dream her 
 life away. How strong are these bonds, that the word binds upon 
 its victims. Our young men, who are free from such ties, have 
 they not all yielded themselves to slaveries as hopeless and more 
 debasing. Their lager beer and brandy; their oyster suppers, 
 and luxurious fare ; their sensual amours and entanglements ; their 
 selfish ambitions for fame or fortune. What can emancipate them 
 from these? "Who is. sufficient for these things?" And yet 
 we must not distrust. Are there not others as good, as self-sacri- 
 cing, as devoted as we? I count on you, my Clara, with an ab- 
 solute faith. Are there not all over the world, those who devote 
 themselves to what they recognize as the highest good — the reli- 
 gious orders of the church ; zealous philanthropists ; devotees of 
 science, and art, and literature ; volunteers on all forlorn hopes, 
 moral and military. 
 
 O Darling ! if the age of chivalry be past, does not its spirit 
 still live in the heart of humanity ? The heroic element is not 
 lost. God lives, and man aspires to the Divine Life. Let us then 
 trust and hope. 
 
XXI. 
 
 The Children, and the Art Life. 
 
 Dear Clara: — I have tried to make all I see, hear, and feel, 
 live for you ; but I feel, every day, how poorly I have stfcceeded. 
 Even to me, when I shut my eyes, or ride off into the woods alone, 
 all seems a dream, from which I must soon awaken. But when I 
 turn my horse's head, and give him rein to gallop home, and this 
 scene of beauty opens to me, like some enchanted land, I wake to 
 the glad reality. I see the fast ripening corn ; the purpling grapes ; 
 the golden pears ; the rud'dy velvet of the peach ; the teeming acres 
 of melons and tomatoes ; all the bountiful productions of a rich soil 
 under a high cultivation, and I see what is so much better than all 
 this. I see men, women, and children, better cared for, better cul- 
 tivated, than all their surroundings. 
 
 Lovely as Esperanza is, in scenery, in architecture, in art, and 
 culture ; what she excels in chiefly, is in her people. The earth has 
 many fair and fertile regions, and many luxurious and princely 
 homes. But the most beautiful plantations and gardens are cultivated 
 by ignorant peasants, serfs, or slaves ; or by men whose only care is 
 gain, and whose uncultured souls are deformed by sensual vices. 
 But here — ah ! the happy contrast ! — here the soul is more beauti- 
 ful than all scenery, architecture, or art, and it is the inner life of 
 feeling and thought, that find expression and enjoyment in all these 
 outward beauties. 
 
 When I dream now, it is oflenest of you. Then I am in our 
 old walks, and rides, and haunts ; or I sic by you in the cosy little 
 parlor of your dear home. I dreamed you sang me a new song, 
 and th.e words, air, and even the accompaniment were so vividly 
 
 297 
 
298 ESPERANZA. 
 
 present wilh me, that I thought, when I first woke, I could write 
 them all, — but they would not slay. They went like all such 
 dreams. I liave dreamed an entire romance, cliapter by chapter, 
 descriptions, conversations, — the entire story ; but I could never 
 remember it an hour. Will these dreams ever come back to us ? 
 
 And, sometimes, when I am dreaming of you, and our old life, 
 this new life of Esperanza seems a dream, that I dream I am 
 dreaming. It was so yesterday morning ; but I woke to a burst 
 of glorious music, and what seemed real was the dream, and what 
 seemed a dream opened into the divine reality. 
 
 Oh ! this music ! Our bands give us old, hackneyed tunes ; or 
 negro airs, whistled into tatters ; or, at the best, portions of the 
 newer operas. But here, the music every day is the fresh expres- 
 sion of the life ; and so charming that no words can express it. 
 Melodia has promised to copy a few airs, with her own arrangement 
 for the piano-forte, for you. We have old music, too ; and the best 
 of the old, sacred and secular ; for the world of civilization is not 
 forgotten. But the best music here, as the best art of every kind, 
 is the outbirth of the life, and embodies its truth, freedom, purity 
 and happiness. 
 
 An African traveler brouo'ht a neuro, whom he had attached to 
 himself as a servant, to Sierra Leone. The town, fortress, shipping, 
 all the triumphs of civilization, first excited, and then crazed him ; 
 until he jumped overboard from a steamer in the harbor and was 
 drowned. So I think it might be with this life, acting on weak 
 and sensitive organizations ; and even on this account, I see the 
 wisdom of a period of thorough preparation. 
 
 The music which woke me from my dream and my dream's 
 dream, was sublime enouoh to wake a world. Those who dread 
 
 o 
 
 the toils of the day, its cares, its annoyances, or merely its ennui, 
 may well hug the pillow. But here, — before one strain of that 
 music was played, I was on my feet, breathing full breaths of 
 pleasure ; my pulse beating with its glorious life ; ready for every 
 thing of work or enjoyment. ruddy sky of morning ! beauti- 
 ful Auroia! How much happiness has my sluggishness lost me, 
 in all the past years ! Do you not remember, with an ever fresh 
 
ESPERANZA. 299 
 
 delight, all the mornings we have been together ? That great 
 morning on the Cattskills, when we saw the horizon so far away, 
 and watched the flying shadows over the vast valley of the Hudson. 
 That was a morning in the grandeur of nature ; but our mornings 
 here are even more grand and beautiful, in their soul harmonies. 
 
 At first, I looked on every thing here as a critic ; I listened with 
 interest and pleasure, indeed, — but as a spectator listens. It is no 
 more thus. My heart and soul join in their orisons of harmony. 
 They stir my being to its profoundest depths. Tears flow from my 
 eyes ; and I feel a solemn rapture, such as no other religious ser- 
 vice has ever inspired. Is not music the language of religion — of 
 all love ; even of the Infinite ? I experience now, also, a universal, 
 full hearted recognition. The children give me beautiful tokens of 
 loving confidence. When the morning hymn was sung, a little girl 
 of five years ran to me with a freshly gathered bouquet ; and, as 
 she gave it to me, held up her rosy cheek to be kissed for payment. 
 Her mother smiled and held out her hand with a frank good morn- 
 ing ; nor was there any one to chide, when I kissed the hand, as I 
 had kissed the cheek. There is a little interval after the music, for 
 these morning greetings; and amid the perfect order of every move- 
 ment here, there is also an unconstrained freedom, that is its bright- 
 est charm. I can only compare it to a tree, firm and symetrical, 
 yet covered all over with tender waving foliage and beautiful 
 flowers. 
 
 As the time of my departure draws nigh, I find many persons 
 and things to see, — and many inquiries to make ; for I wish to be 
 able to answer every question. Thus, in the Studio, this morning, 
 I said to Angelo, who presides over the development of the Esthetic 
 Life in Art, more perhaps than any other : " Do you never regret 
 not living in some great city ? " 
 
 " New York, for example," he answered, with a dry, droll smile ; 
 "with its magnificent galleries and noble patronage of art." 
 
 " Not New York, perhaps," said I, a liitle piqued in my patriot- 
 ism ; "but Paris, or Florence, or Rome." 
 
 " They contain great collections ; and are very interesting, and 
 in certain respects instructive to the artist ; but they are not of the 
 
300 ESPERANZA. 
 
 first necessity ; and tlie danger of imitation goes far to counterbal- 
 ance the knowledge to be acquired. We liave painters here, whom 
 I should feel sorry to see at Rome or Florence, until they are more 
 mature in their own growth. The life of art suffers from the bonds 
 of custom, fashion and requirement, as much as the social life. 
 Both must be in correspondence. Low life, low art. A high, 
 pure, spiritual life, makes its art expressions in harmony with itself. 
 The art of every age and people is the expression of its life, so far 
 as it finds such expression. Now, as our life here differs some- 
 Avhat notably from that of the world's great capitals, they can give 
 us little aid in its true expression. We need not go for study, in 
 the sense of imitaliun, — it would lower our standard : not for mo- 
 dels, — we have far better of our own, than any hired models can be ; 
 nor for patronage, — for we are above any such necessity." 
 
 As we talked, Evaline and Eugenia approached us, their arms 
 entwined about each other in sisterly enfoldraents. They joined in 
 the conversation. 
 
 " That is all very well, Mr. Angelo,," said Evaline, "but I can- 
 not so easily give up my old dream of going to Italy. You have 
 been there, and saw the folly of it ; but none the less do I wish to 
 see the folly, too." 
 
 "Well!" he answered cheerfully, "what hinders? You have 
 money enough — that used to be the difficulty with us poor artists, 
 you know. Wliy not go ? Here is Mr. Frank will be veiy happy 
 to attend you as far as New York ; and for the rest, you are a brave 
 girl ; and there are artists enough, going, on there, to affoid you 
 all the protection you will need. Why not go ? " 
 
 The gentle Evaline looked round this noble room, filled with me- 
 mentos of her happy life and associations. She felt the pressure 
 of the loving arms that were twined around her. She looked a 
 moment into the calm deep eyes of Angelo, to see how much he 
 was in earnest. Then a happy smile broke over her fjice. 
 
 " You are not very anxious to have me go, I think," said she. 
 "After all, I don't believe much in Italy. If a body could go wiih- 
 out a heart, it might do ; but I will wait for the party we were talk- 
 ing of the other day." 
 
ESPERANZA. 301 
 
 This party ; what do you think it was ? Only this. To charter 
 a fine, fast sailing clipper, and make a voyage up the Mediterranean, 
 to Italy, Greece, Egypt. This would be better than any other mode, for 
 they could lay in their own provisions and carry with them the life 
 of Esperanza. Beyond the simple charter of the vessel, there would 
 be but little expense ; and the trip might be made deliglitful, — if a 
 family so united, could be so long divided. But all this, if not now, 
 will be in the future, when Esperanza has grown to her full dimen- 
 sions, and still more, when such homes shall be scattered over the 
 earth, making its beautiful places more beautiful. 
 
 Vincent had been busy all the morning. I had scarcely seen 
 either him or Melodia. There were other signs of preparation for 
 some event of importance ; and I was left more alone than usual, 
 to prosecute my researches. So I walked over the gardens and 
 orchards; I inspected again the machinery and operations of the 
 factories ; I lounged a little while in the library, which took me 
 back into the world of civilization ; then I went to make one more 
 visit to the nursery, to see the blossoming of the future. 
 
 If the world could bat know the worth of its babies ! If men 
 and women could be as wise for infant humanity as they are for so 
 many other things ! Care, pains, expense, science, skill, are ex- 
 pended in perfecting all productions but just the most important ; 
 and these are left to ignorance and chance. It is not so here ; and 
 here, therefore, there are only healthy, strong, noble, and beautiful 
 children. 
 
 In this sweet nursery, which is a real infant's paradise, I met 
 Harmonia. With a passionate love of infancy, and much knowl- 
 edge in its proper care and education, she spends many of her 
 happiest and most useful hours with these babes and their mothers 
 and nurses. The little rosy darlings laughed and crowed, when 
 they saw her coming, and put out their little dimpled hands to be 
 taken to her bosom. 
 
 I stood watching this scene, which I have already described to 
 you ; and thought of the thousands of miserable, sickly babies, 
 growing up in poverty, filth, and every kind of wretchedness, or 
 swelling that horrible account of infant mortality. And I thought. 
 
302 ESPERASZA. 
 
 if Esperanza had done but this, it would be so good a work, that 
 all the world might well follow her example. 
 
 "I am glad to see this lesson so well learned," said Haimonia, 
 divining my thoughts. " My heart has bled so often for the poor 
 children of civilization ! Here, at last, a human spirit may find 
 some prospect of an existence well begun, and worth enjoying. 
 We may find some worthy recruits in the Avorld we have left, but 
 our best hope of the future is here." 
 
 She went with me to the theater. In it was a busy "work of 
 preparation. Vincent and Melodia were on the stage, engaged in a 
 rehearsal. 
 
 "You do not know what is going forward," said Harmonia." 
 "They are very discreet, but I am not. To-morrow is my birth- 
 day. How many I have had, has been kindly forgotten by all my 
 dear friends, — but they never forget wlien one comes ; and to- 
 morrow you will see how they celebrate it." 
 
 We stayed but a few moments ; just long enough to give me a 
 curiosity for the morrow's festival ; and then I continued my survey, 
 in the dear company so kindly bestowed upon me. My own 
 mother could not be more tenderly kind to me ; and she will be a 
 mother to you also, dear Clara ; a very wise, good mother ; and if 
 I am ever wrong to you in any way, she will see that the wrong is 
 righted. 
 
 As we passed through the gardens, we saw busy groups of chil- 
 dren, gathering and arranging flowers ; but they did not gather 
 round Harmonia as usual, but worked on, with a few shy glances, 
 as if their business was a great secret, and of the most importance. 
 "The beautiful children!" I said, aloud, "living together like 
 brothers and sisters of one family ; I wonder if they take account 
 of their actual relationships." 
 
 "You might have the apprehension, that some of our children 
 are no wiser in this respect, than many of the children of civili- 
 zation. The thought is natural ; but it is not justified by the 
 fact. In the world, there is every motive for a woman to conceal 
 paternity, unsanctioned by law ; yet I have known, even in tliis 
 moral country of ours, numerous cases, in which the reputed father 
 
ESPERANZA. '^3195 
 
 was not the actual one. These children must always remain in 
 ignorance, with the liabilities you may have feared for ours. Here 
 such a thing can never happen ; for there is no motive for conceal- 
 ment ; and every father can proudly own his children, and every 
 child can know its father. Birth is too sacred a thing with us, and 
 the welfare of the immortal souls, who take their bodily forms from 
 us, too important, for any hazard of evil or guilty secresy. As 
 every child is born of a most sacred love, guided by the best wisdom 
 of its parents, it has the best guarantees we can give it of a pure 
 birth, a healthy and beautiful organization, the tenderest care, the 
 most integral education, and the best development of all its faculties. 
 
 "And there is another thing, of which, perhaps, you have not 
 thought. These children grow up to the heritage and possession 
 of a home. Each one is an heir to a princely inheritance. In the 
 world we have left, thousands of parents have no homes of their 
 own ; and of course none for their children. They pay high 
 rents for poor shelter ; and their children grow up, in ignorance 
 and privation, to a like fate. When better off, the little homestead 
 will not hold the growing family, and brothers and sisters are torn 
 asunder and scattered over the earth. No sooner is a little group 
 formed, with something of harmonious life, than it is rudely de- 
 stroyed ; and so on forever, amid sighs and tears. Aged parents 
 pining in loneliness, — young hearts always bleeding. This is the 
 life of civilization. 
 
 " But here, there are no such sorrows in store for us. The hive 
 grows as the swarm increases. When tlie time comes that we can 
 form a new home from the increase of the old, there will be no soli- 
 tary scattering over the earth, but those who go will be well provided 
 for, as well as those who remain. We shall all have two homes 
 then. Over the whole earth, how many have any real home ?" 
 
 " So few! so few!" I said, " are there any who have truly a home?" 
 
 " The desire for the home exists everywhere. It is a human 
 instinct which forever seeks to embody its ideal ; and little groups 
 are formed by the family, but weak and soon broken. Larger 
 societies have gathered, religious and others ; but crude and im- 
 perfect in their organization. Aggregations of discordance do not 
 
304 EsPERANZA. 
 
 make harmonies ; nor is silence harmony. Many elements are 
 necessary to a social harmony. One or two are not enough. The 
 societies of the religious, in the Catholic Church, have depended 
 chiefly on the religious element. Other societies have made indus- 
 try more prominent. The Shakers unite these two ; but these are 
 not enough." 
 
 "Will you tell me what you think the most important elements 
 of a society ?" 
 
 "Yes; religion, love, industry, art; these four elements in 
 orderly development and exercise, comprise the necessities of life. 
 Religion gives us unity with the Infinite, and aspiration to the 
 higher and more perfect life. Love is the sum of all attractions to, 
 and harmonies with, each other. Industry is the basis of the physi- 
 cal life, and the natural outflow of its energies. Art is the culti- 
 vation and expression of the beautiful. Order is the perfect adap- 
 tation and harmony of these four elements. 
 
 "Every human being has some consciousness of wants, corres- 
 ponding to these social elements. A true society must satisfy these 
 wants. A group of faculties belongs to each, and that social con- 
 dition fails of its purpose which does not give exercise to every 
 human faculty, and satisfy, in some good degree, every human 
 desire. You can see how far our life does this, — and how far 
 others either do it, or fail of their true purpose. The true life of 
 man includes all the goods of * the life that now is,' as well as 
 ' the life to come.' " 
 
 We were walking beside a thick hedge of current bushes ; for the 
 hedges here are all of flowering or fruitful shrubs ; when on the 
 other side we heard a group of children busily at work, and sing- 
 ing in full chorus : 
 
 " Flowers, beautiful flowers, to crown thy natal day ; 
 Fruits, fruits delicious, accept from us, we pray ; 
 Sweet as the garlands, we bring thy hair to twine. 
 As sweet and fragrant, be each love of thine. 
 Heaven grant our wish sincere ! 
 Bless thee, our mother dear ! 
 All brightest blessings round thee ever shine 1" 
 
ESPERANZA. 305 
 
 "Ah!" sofdy exckimed Harruonia, "we have stumbled on 
 another rehearsal, it seems. Come ; we must go away. One can 't 
 eat one's cake and have it, too ; and sufficient unto the morrow 
 will be the goods thereof." 
 
 So we walked softly out of hearing of the dear little minstrels, 
 who were preparing so busily for the fete of the morrow. 
 
 Melodia sent me, by the bright Angela, an invitation to take my 
 supper in her lovely saloon, with Vincent and Serafa. Harmonia had 
 accepted an invitation to spend the evening with Evaline, and some 
 of her artist friends. On account of the festival of the morrow, there 
 was no general gathering of any kind in the evening, but many little 
 groups of congenial spirits ; while others were working away, with 
 a loving interest, to complete the preparations for the morrow. 
 
 I prepared myself with care for the evening. Never have I been 
 so careful in my dress as here, because I have never been in any 
 society where the arts of dress and personal adornment were so 
 highly cultivated. We have seen much greater expense, but never 
 such artistic taste, and such lovely effects of costume and orna- 
 ment as here, where dress is one of the fine arts. There is beauty 
 of form, and harmony of colors, and adaptations. Nothing is done 
 by chance, but every shade has its purpose. 
 
 When I entered the room where the three were seated on a 
 lounge, I could not but admire the picture they made. And as I 
 came nearer, other senses were as pleasantly aftected. Each had 
 selected some delicate perfume, and the three blended into a har- 
 mony of odors. When they spoke to me, their speech was musical, 
 and their voices delicately attuned to each other. Oh ! the coarse, 
 brawling, mumbling, lisping, spluttering, uncouth speech of our 
 "best society," where not one person in a hundred has any refine- 
 ment of education ; — I can never endure it again. With these, 
 the simplest phrase is music. The Emperor Charles V., a very 
 accomplished man, but not very scrupulous, used to say that we 
 should speak Spanish with the gods, Italian with our lovers, French 
 with our friends, German with soldiers, English with geese, 
 Hungarian with horses, and Bohemian with the devil. You may 
 26 
 
306 EsPEKANZA. 
 
 have spoken English with geese very often ; but here, you will find 
 it musical enough for any purpose. 
 
 I went to sit by the side of tSerafa, with the feeling, rather than 
 thought of leaving Melodia more to Vincent ; but she arranged 
 it otherwise, motioning with her fan of sandal wood, that scattered 
 its soft, oriental odor at every movement, that I should take an 
 ottoman nearest her. It was a queenly act ; slight as it might seem 
 to one who did not know its purport. It gave to Serafa just so 
 much of Vincent as I could balance on the other side. It was but 
 little, — but the act was no less generous to her and also to me. So 
 much for the wave of a lady's fan. Why not ? Do not human 
 destinies, — the destinies of nations even, hang on nods, or smiles, 
 or a yes or no ? 
 
 We had conversation, running like a quiet stream, now glittering 
 over bright pebbles, now pausing in serene depths, now eddying 
 backward to the past, now shooting forward to a widening future. 
 We, or they, I should rather say, and I do it in no affected humility, 
 talked of literature, art, science, poetry, philosophy, and especially 
 of the philosophy of life. Serafa had brought a little ode she had 
 written for the morrow. When she read it, Melodia took it, saying : 
 
 "Why, my darling, this ought to be sung, do you know ?" 
 
 " Doubtless, music would make it more worthful," said the 
 modest poet; "they say that very silly verses seem good, when 
 they are set to music !" 
 
 "Naughty child !" said Melodia, opening the piano-forte, "your 
 verses are so musical that no reading can properly express them, — ■ 
 let's see now if we can find some music for them." She read a 
 few lines over hummingly ; then struck a prelude, that seemed the 
 very voice of the verse, and then sang them gloriously, divinely. 
 Vincent looked at her with a look of proud admiration, and Serafa 
 was in tears. She went gently to Melodia, still seated at the piano- 
 forte, and kneeling at her feet, said : 
 
 " Thank you, beautiful One. Will you take my poor verses, 
 and sino- them to-morrow evenino-." 
 
 " Yes, darlinu" :" she answered, with her radiant smile of strenglh 
 and happiness, a smile born out of the consciousness of power, " it 
 
EsPERANZA. 307 
 
 shall be as you wish." Then she kissed her tenderly, and raised 
 her up ; then opening- her desk, set me to copy the poem. 
 
 Al'ier that we had our supper, delicate enough for the food of fairies. 
 Then she took a volume of the poems of Tennison, and improvised 
 music for a dozen or more of his daintiest sonofs. Then she sano- 
 some duets with Vincent ; I did my best to make out a trio some- 
 times ; and so spend our time until the moon rose, and threw her pale 
 light over the landscape. We walked out then, and down to the 
 lake, which was rippled all over with silver in the cool evening- 
 breeze. We entered a boat ; Vincent shook out the sail with a ready 
 band, and taking the lielm we were soon gliding off, like a white 
 ghost in the moon-beams. 
 
 When we had sailed a mile or more from the landing, so that the 
 lighted edifice of Esperanza looked like a fairy palace, Vincent took 
 his bugle from its case, which had been sent to the boat beforehand, 
 and blew first a few long signal notes, whose echoes came floating 
 back from every side over the still waters. He waited a moment 
 for some answering signal. Melodia pointed me to a star of lights 
 in a window of the central tower. It showed that Harmonia w^as in 
 her balcony ; that she had heard our signal, and that she was 
 probably looking at our white sail in the moonbeams. 
 
 Then this lover-husband played old airs of years long gone, — 
 airs of Moore's Melodies ; airs of favorite songs ; airs from Opera's ; 
 every thing that Harmonia had ever loved of music from her infancy 
 up, and through all the days of the sweet unity of their loving life. 
 He played them with a feeling that affected us all. Melodia sang 
 the words in a low, sweet, melodious cadence, as he played the 
 airs ; weaving them into a musical garland. Then, we glided away 
 into the shadows of the woods, — swept along the shores, and after 
 one of the most beautiful little voyages of my life, we were back 
 again at the landing, where Harmonia and Evaline met us, and 
 with them we walked up the lawn, and said our good night adieus 
 under the tree, where I had first seen the good father, playing with 
 his children. 
 
 Vincent went with Harmonia, Serafa with Evaline, and I was 
 left with Melodia. 
 
308 ESFBRAMZA. 
 
 As I looked at her queenly beauty in the moonlight, the thought 
 of the oncoming liour of parting swept over me. I think she saw 
 it in the expression of my features, the tremor of my voice, and 
 the pressure of my hand ; for she said, with a quiet solemnity : 
 
 "My friend, be calm and brave. You go to do your work, and 
 you will return, if you do it all worthily. No change will come 
 to those you love, and those who love you. All the riches of our 
 life is for you, if you remain as now. Peace, hope, love ; all joys, 
 all happiness, are yours, if you are faithful to the life and its 
 requirements. I pledge you all, and I give you, here, in the silvery 
 moonlight, on this sacred spot, and under the eye of the pure 
 heavens, I give you this token of acceptance. 
 
 She kissed my forehead, — I sank upon my knee, — I kissed her 
 hand, — I wet it with my tears. She drew it silently away ; and 
 when I rose, the angel had vanished. 
 
XXII.- 
 
 HARMONIA's BIRTHDAr. 
 
 Mv Darling : — I sank quickly into a sweet, dreamless slumber, 
 my last thoughts of you, my last prayer for your happiness. I had 
 slept some hours when my senses woke gradually to the loveliest 
 of all midnight seranades, in which a full band welcomed the first 
 moments of the birthday of Harmonia. From my window I saw 
 her come into her balcony, in flowing white robes, with a gauzy 
 scarf thrown over her head, and kiss her hand in tbe moouli"'ht, 
 to thank the dear friends who had so charmingly awaked her. 
 
 I sank again to sleep and heard no more until roused by a tender 
 yet triumpiiant strain from Vincent's bugle, followed by the morning 
 call of the full band ; then the morning hymn, after which came a 
 fairy-like procession of all the children, with baskets of fruits and 
 flowers, chanting the chorus we had overheard the day before. 
 Harmonia kissed and thanked them, and after the usual morning 
 lecture we went to a festal breakfast. The room had been decorated 
 for the occasion, so that when she, whose birthday all so love and 
 so delight to honor, went in leaning upon Vincent's arm, with one 
 of the prettiest of flower-wreaths on her head, and looked round at 
 the walls and tables, she burst into tears of happiness. 
 
 The work of the morning was accomplished, and dinner renewed 
 these sweet testimonials of love and gratitude. Her health was 
 drank in a fashion entirely new to me. At each table some one 
 rose, men, women and children, with a toast. At one table it was 
 Melodia : filling a glass of the pure nectar wine of Esperanza, she 
 rose and said : 
 
 " Dear friends : — Let us thank the good God for the return of 
 this happy festival ; drink to Harmonia, the interpreter of heavenly 
 wisdom !" 
 
 309 
 
310 EsPERANZA. 
 
 " To Harmonia," said a young- man, rising at a table near, 
 "guide and counsellor of the young !" 
 
 "To Harmonia," said next a beautiful woman, "the loving 
 mother of our little babes !" 
 
 "To Harmonia, sweet mother of us all!" said one of the dear 
 little girls who had been foremost in the floral offering. And so 
 the toasts went round. 
 
 Brief addresses were made by several of the younger portion of 
 the society. One or two of them, in direct reference to the active 
 part which had been taken by Harmonia in teaching the laws, and 
 unfolding the science of harmony in life. 
 
 When it became evident, by a longer pause of silence than 
 usual between speeches, that all had spoken who wished to do so, 
 Harmonia rose and said, " I thank you all, dear friends, for the 
 kindness and the love manifested toward me, not only upon the 
 present occasion, but for all that has come to me through all the 
 days since our gathering into the unity of this happy and tranquil 
 life. 
 
 "It is quite natural that young persons of ardent temperament 
 should treasure in the memory, and cherish with an interest ap- 
 proaching to devotion the names of their own dear mothers, and 
 of all indeed by whom they have been blessed with care, kindness 
 and love, during their infancy. Emotions of gratitude have their 
 foundation in a law of our nature, and are in themselves right. It 
 is well, however, that we all bear in mind the fact, that there is a 
 line of balance beyond which excess of good may become an evil. 
 Our own people, the full members of our society, understand each 
 other, and were it not that we have a few friends from a distance, 
 visitng us to-day, I might not have mentioned the subject. 
 
 " It is true, that the remembrance of the fact, that such a society 
 has been p-athered from the discords of the old world ; and this 
 beautiful home, built up within so short a time, may well be a vital 
 joy to us all. It is true, that for our triumph over many obstacles, 
 and the achievement in so short a time of this great success, we 
 are indebted much to the wisdom and the experience imparted to 
 us from the Spirit world. 
 
ESPERANZA. 311 
 
 " It is also true, that, my friends, those who know most of my 
 past life, can bear me witness, that I speak truly, wlieu I ^ay, that 
 there is not much room left me to lay claim to personal merit, or 
 for my friends to try their skill in seLting up the claim for me, even 
 were I vain enough to attempt, or desire it. I have, like other 
 skeptical persons, disputed inch by inch, every new philosophy 
 that lias been brought to me ; I was not friendly to the faith ; I even 
 went so far as to forbid my friends speaking of it in my presence. 
 Thus it was, while 1 was neither asking or seeking light, that by 
 the efforts of my angel friends, in the land of Spirit life, that the 
 influence and the power flowed in upon me, and I became su- 
 premely blest, not in credence or in belief, but in faith and knowl- 
 edge. 
 
 " My spiritual senses were opened, I saw, and conversed with 
 spirits as though they were in the body ; they controlled my hand, 
 and wrote whatever they wished, and gave convincing tests to many 
 of my friends, who, like myself, had been up to that time unbelieving. 
 
 " These things were no less a surprise to me than to others. A 
 few of us were designated by the spirits who offered us their coun- 
 sel, and we were told, that if we would give attention to the rules 
 which they were willing to ofier for our consideration and our 
 acceptance, if we chose, they would give us the benefit of their 
 own experience, and teach us, what they believed would enable us 
 to ultimate this society, and this blessed home in which we live and 
 enjoy. Thus, you will perceive that I de.serve no praise, and I 
 claim no merit, but might say with the Apostle, ' by the grace of 
 God, I am what I am.' 
 
 " Should what I am saying, appear not well timed, or not ap- 
 propriate to the present occasion, I know you will excuse me. 
 
 " I feel that a spirit of watchfulness, humility and prayer, is need- 
 ful for us all. We may thank the kind angels, honor the Spirit 
 of Wisdom, and the law of " Salvation by Christ." We may 
 sing praises to the Divine Author of Harmony and Celestial Love, 
 yot we should be sparing of praises bestowed upon fellow mortals. 
 
 "I would not mar the present harmony by improper criticism, 
 but I ran not forget that we are the children of a race prone to 
 
312 EsPERANZA. 
 
 idolatry, the enthusiasm of a joyous company may lead to ex- 
 tremes, there is danger of ascribing to the instrument, honor and 
 praises, which are due to the wisdom of the angels, or the Divine 
 influences which have controled, or spoken through those instru- 
 ments. 
 
 " How was it even with the good St. John, — did he not manifest 
 this same human weakness, when an angvl liad brouglit liim glad 
 tidings from the spiritual world, and explained to him some of the 
 many wonders connected with angel life? 
 
 '■ His own tesumony toucliing the circumstance, as we find it on 
 record in the last chapter of Revelations, is given in tlie following 
 words, (opening a gilt edged copy of the New Testament which she 
 drew from her pocket, she read :) " And I, John, saw these things, 
 and heard them, and when I had heard and seen, I fell down to wor- 
 ship before the feet of the angel which showed me these things. 
 
 " Tlien saith he unto me, see thou do it not ; for I am thy fellow- 
 servant, and of tliy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep 
 the sayings of this book ; worship God.' " 
 
 As Harmonia closed and resumed her seat, Vincent rose and 
 said: "Perhaps it is time for us now to adjourn till the evening; 
 and yet I had thought of oft'ering to sing something which has just 
 now been freshly revived in n\y memory." 
 
 All faces at once beamed with a look of renewed interest and 
 anticipated pleasure. Vincent felt his welcome, and calling Melodia 
 to his aid, the two stood up together, and sang 
 
 " THE FOUR LEAVED SHAMROCK." 
 I '11 seek a four leaved shamrock. 
 
 In all the fairy dells ; 
 And if I find its charmed leaves. 
 
 Oh ! how I '11 weave my spells. ^ 
 
 I would not waste my magic might 
 
 On diamond, pearl, or gold ; 
 For treasure tires the wearied sense — 
 ' Such triumph is but cold : 
 
 But I would play tlie Enchantress part. 
 
 And scatter bliss around 
 That not a tear, nor aching heart. 
 Should in the world be found. 
 
ESPERANZA. 313 
 
 To worth, I would give honor, 
 
 I 'd dry the mourner's tears ; 
 And to the pallid lip recall, 
 
 The smile of happier j-ears. 
 And hearts that had been long estranged. 
 
 And friends that had grown cold, 
 Should meet again like parted streams, 
 
 And mingle as of old. 
 Oh ! thus I 'd play the Enchantress part, 
 
 And scatter bliss around. 
 That not a tear, nor aching heaii;. 
 
 Should in the world be found. 
 
 The heart that had been mourning, 
 
 O 'er vanished dreams of love ; 
 Should see them all returning. 
 
 Like Noah's faithful dove : 
 And hope should launch her blessed bark, 
 
 On sorrow's darkening sea. 
 And miseries' sons should find an ark. 
 
 And saved from sinking be. 
 Oh ! thus I 'd plaj' the Enchantress part, 
 
 And scatter bliss around. 
 That not a tear, nor aching heart 
 
 Should in the world be found. 
 
 I will not pretend to describe the beauty of the tune, or the 
 enchanting manner in which this song was sung. I could not 
 describe it, — Vincent and Melodia are both of them excellent 
 singers, yet on this occasion both appeared to be inspired, and to 
 excel all that I had ever before heard from ihem in music. Before 
 this beautiful song was half completed, all was hushed into the 
 deepest silence, not a sound to be heard, save the beauteous min- 
 gling of the two singing voices. When they finished the last line, 
 there was not one person present, that I could see, whose eyes were 
 not freshly moistened with tears. My own dearest Clara, many 
 times since I have been here, I have wished that you were with me, 
 to share in some beauty or some rare enjoyment ; but never did I 
 miss you from my side so much as during the singing of this 
 beautiful song. Hope whispers to me that we may yet hear it 
 together. Melodia thanked tlie audience for their quiet and atlen- 
 
314 ESPERANSSA. 
 
 tive appreciation of the song, and announced that the festive enjoy- 
 ments would be resumed again at evening. 
 
 The evening came, which was to be the crowning festival in honor 
 of Harmonia's birthday. Her tastes and wishes had been consulted ; 
 and as she does not dance, but is passionately fond of music, we 
 had her favorite opera, and a musical concert. It began early. The 
 band gave the overture to Massaniello with delightful spirit. You 
 heard it with Salvi as the hero. Ours was not a thorough artist 
 like him, but still very spirited. There could scarcely be a better 
 Fenella than our Melodia. The opera went off with salvos of 
 applause. 
 
 Then a cheering little social intermission. There was a jubilant 
 interchange of happy greetings all over the house. The performers 
 on the stage came among the audience to receive their praises. In 
 a few moments after the curtain fell, a little troop of waiters scattered 
 over the house bearing delicate refreshments. Then came more 
 music ; and at last the beautiful ode of Serafa was sung by Melodia 
 and encored with enthusiasm,— then came a grand chorus. I 
 thought this mio-ht be the end, but it was not. Vincent came for- 
 ward with a little scroll of paper in his hand, and said : 
 
 " Dear Friends : — Years ago, when our home was yet an un- 
 realized ideal, she whose birthday you are so kind as to celebrate, 
 was surrounded by a little group of loving hearts ; and then, as 
 now, they wished to make her birthday a little festival. For one 
 of these occasions she wrote a simple, heartful song. I found 
 some music for it, and sang it to our assembled friends. Let me 
 offer you this little souvenir of our germinal efforts." 
 
 The proposal was, of course, welcomed with enthusiasm, and he 
 seated himself at the piano-forte, and sang : 
 
 All sweetly, humbly, joyfully, 
 
 Rings music through ray heart, 
 And sings itself triumphally. 
 
 As if of heaven a part ; 
 All solemnly and thankfully 
 
 I feel its blissening power 
 As ringing out victoriously, 
 
 It celebrates the hour- - 
 
ESPERANZA. 5V& 
 
 When angels meet us faithfully 
 
 To found a home on earth. 
 Where lovefully and truthfully, 
 
 Their heaven shall find a birth. 
 The song leaps up rejoicingly, 
 
 The ringing music comes 
 Through all the heart's sweet lovingness, 
 
 From the celestial homes. 
 
 The burden of its blessedness 
 
 Is brooding o'er the soul j 
 In purity, fidelity, 
 
 The heavenly currents roll. 
 All sweetly, humbly, joyfully, 
 
 It ringeth through the heart, 
 And sings itself triumphally, 
 
 For ' tis of heaven a part. 
 
 There was no applause, only a profound silence, in the midst of 
 ■which Harmonia, dressed in pure white, came forward without 
 waiting to be called. Her face was lighted with an expression ot 
 deep joy. 
 
 There was no sound to interrupt her ; you might have heard 
 heart beats. She said : 
 
 "Beloved : — I have but this word to call you. My heart is full 
 of gratitude to God, and the angels, and you. I feel a renewed 
 thankfulness springing up in my heart toward the good angels who 
 first came to me, or I would say, to us, and enabled us to become 
 humble instruments of this work. To-day, I feel a renewed evi- 
 dence, that there are greater goods in store for us. 
 
 "I feel an assurance that the way is soon to be opened, whereby 
 our brethren and sisters in humanity can be more generally made 
 partakers of the blessings which we enjoy. Tliis assurance makes 
 this the happiest of all birthdays to me. 
 
 " Rest, dear friends, in this hope. The future is all radiant and 
 glowing with promise, and the fulfillment is hastening on ; my 
 heart's gratitude and dear love flows out to you all ; may we all be 
 enabled to so live, that both our example and our precept may be 
 useful, and greatly help all with whom we associate, upward and 
 
316 EsPERANZA. 
 
 onward, to new conditions of unfolding, and higher degrees of light, 
 knowledge and wisdom." 
 
 As she finished, flowers were thrown to her, a shower of beauty, 
 and of delicious odors. In the midst Melodia came forward and 
 placed a wreath of white lilies on her head, and kissed her, as if for 
 us all, and the whole house rose, and in a moment all broke into 
 one of those gi'and choral hymns, whose thrilling eff'ect so sung 
 can never be described. --' 
 
 After the singing of the beautiful hymn, the company all mingled 
 as they chose to, in little groups, or in single pairs. I mingled for 
 a short time with the many, after which I talked half an hour with 
 Melodia, then retired alone to my room that I might think of you, 
 and write these lines to you, my own beloved one, before I retire 
 to rest on my pillow. I have not written it before, and it brings a 
 strange, indescribable sort of thrilling sensation over me to write 
 it now, to say to you, dearest Clara, that this is my last evening at 
 Esperanza. 
 
 To-morrow I leave this lovely, this enchanting home. To-morrow 
 I start on my journey to come again to you. It seems to me like 
 a dream, when I think of the many weeks which have passed since 
 I pressed your hand, kissed your lips, and saw those beautiful eyes 
 fill with tears, when with trembling voice you said "good by." I 
 have loved you devotedly for years, but it seems to-night that I 
 never loved you so well as now. It feels to me like I had gained 
 greatly in my capacity, — my power to love since I saw you. Oh, 
 I pray for your health and your happiness, and that I may have a 
 safe and speedy journey to you. I trust that I shall not pain you, 
 darling, when I confess that a sore trial awaits me in bidding fare- 
 well to this beautiful place, and the many beautiful and loving 
 friends I have found here. It appears to me as though I should not 
 be very well able to endure it, were it not that I hope to return 
 again and bring you with me, to partake of, and share the life and 
 the love that is here in waiting for all the pure in heart. 
 
 I have talked it all over to-night with Melodia, and she bid me go. 
 
 Never did this dear and beautiful one appear more loving, or 
 more tenderly precious in my eyes than she did this evening, when 
 
ESPEBANZA. 317 
 
 she said, "go and bring dear Clara to us; both you and she are 
 worthy of this life, and of all our united love ; and perchance both 
 of you may find all of us worthy of yourselves, and all the knowl- 
 edge, industry, friendship and love you may bring to us." She 
 assured me that her thoughts and her prayers would go with me 
 on my journey, and that she would "pray without ceasing" for 
 my safe and my speedy journey, and for my finding you with love 
 unchanged, and willing to bear me company to this peaceful home. 
 
 To-morrow, the beautiful Fairy which brought me here, and a 
 loving company will attend me, and see me safely on board some 
 steamer bound for New Orleans. 
 
 I will, I think, write you one more letter before I reach you. I 
 may find time to write you a note to-morrow ; at any rate, I hope 
 I shall find time and opportunity to write you again, so as to mail 
 the letter before I sail from New Orleans. 
 
 I must close this now, and retire to my bed. Good night, dearest 
 one. Good night. 
 
xxm. 
 
 ADIEU TO ESPERANZA. 
 
 Dearest Clara : — I begin this letter the last I hope, that I may 
 ever have to write you on the turbid waters of the Mississippi. 
 Will finish, and mail it at New Orleans, before embarking on my 
 first voyage at sea. 
 
 At the dawn of day, on Monday morning, I rose to take one 
 more walk over the beautiful grounds of Esperanza. I walked 
 through the gardens and orchards ; as I passed down toward the 
 
 lake, I met Mr. S , (a friend from the East, who is here on a 
 
 visit, and who I think will be likely to join the society,) and we 
 finished our morning walk together. 
 
 " How beautiful this is," said Mr. S ►, as we stood upon a 
 
 hill, and looked over the broad fields, orchards, gardens and edifices. 
 " How very beautiful. These people have been aided by the wisdom 
 of angels, man alone could never have accomplished this ; he is 
 unequal to the task, so it seems to me." 
 
 Finding that I had been spending some time at the place, he 
 asked many questions, and wished to have my opinion of the faith, 
 and the life. 
 
 To both of us, it seemed a wonderful change from life in civili- 
 zation. These people, now so united in the bonds of friendship and 
 harmony, were but a few years ago most of them strangers to each 
 other, and scattered far apart ; many of them were church members. 
 Some were Catholics, and some Methodists, — some were Baptists, 
 others Presbyterians, — some Unitarians, some Swedenborgians, 
 Universalists, Shakers, Quakers, etc., etc. I believe nearly every 
 Christian denomination has furnished a share, and the Israelites 
 also, have been quite as liberal in supplying members for the har- 
 monic life, as any of their Christian neighbors. These people were 
 318 
 
ESPERANZA. 319 
 
 first broken off, and liberated from the fetters in which their various 
 creeds and confessions of faith had bound them, and like new land 
 cleared of its first growth, were all prepared for the reception and 
 culture of such seeds or plants as yield more healthy and valuable 
 fruits. 
 
 Mr, S and I stood on a rising ground by the shore of the 
 
 lake, and listened to the band of music, which every morning 
 awakens the members from their repose. We heard the echoes of 
 the morning gun, and the soft cadence of the morning hymn, and 
 then walked slowly home to breakfast. 
 
 I was met and greeted with a sad tenderness by all the dear 
 fi-iends from whom I was about to part. Within an hour after we 
 had finished our breakfast, the Fairy was at her wharf, and gave her 
 musical signal that all was ready. I bid farewell to all, except the 
 little party who were to go with me on the boat. Melodia wished 
 to bear me company in leaving, as she had done in my comiug. 
 The dear, bright Angela, also, volunteered to go, as did likewise 
 Eveline, Serafa, Paul, Alfred, and Oliver, who has been absent 
 most of the time since I came. Oliver's mission appears two-fold, 
 he transacts commercial business, and is also a messenger of glad 
 tidings to those who are scattered and isolated, and who have 
 been prepared, through suffering, for a more chaste and orderly life, 
 yet have not known that this beautiful home, and loving friends, 
 were ready and waiting to receive them. He accompanied us at the 
 request of Angelia. As I walked toward the boat, all that I had 
 beheld of beauty, all that I had heard of instruction, and music, 
 or felt of love, came pressing into memory. I felt myself trem- 
 bling between hope and fear, the fear came, that I might never 
 return to this home of love again. The voice of hope whispered 
 in mine ear, "Fear not, thou shalt return." 
 
 We went on board, and as the boat cast off and got under way, 
 the band on shore gave us a musical adieu. Our boat gave back 
 its answer of beauteous melody. Then the waving of handker- 
 chiefs, sprigs of evergreen, boquets of flowers, or of whatever each 
 one happened at the moment to have in their hand. We passed 
 
320 ESPERANZA. 
 
 swiftly around the point of a hill ; and thus I had my last view, for 
 the present, at least, of that ever peaceful and beautiful home. The 
 distance which the Fairy would take me was uncertain ; we might 
 find a boat bound for New Orleans any time at some landing, or 
 wi-th our more rapid speed, we might overtake one. The day was 
 fine, the scenery along the river banks very beautiful. We walked 
 the deck, talked of the present and the future, of the friends near 
 us, and those far away. Melodia comforts me about you — says she 
 has a deep faith that you will not reject me because of the faith I 
 have in the righteousness of this pure and loving life. The fore- 
 noon passed quickly away : at noon, we sat down to our farewell 
 dinner — good bread, delicious fruits and sparkling wine. Most of 
 us sat and conversed around the table, after we had dined, for per- 
 haps an hour-and-half. Melodia simg a " song of parting," I think 
 it was composed expressly for the occasion. I intended to get. a 
 copy of it and send you, but had not time. 
 
 When we arose from the table and went on deck, the smoke 
 of a steamer was visible down the river. Our engineer plied his 
 furnaces, and we rapidly neared her ; soon we came alongside. 
 She proved to be the "Belle, of Natchez." We took leave, shed 
 our parting tears, and I sprang on board. The Fairy turned 
 with a graceful circling sweep, and was soon hull down in the 
 distance, and the dear, kind faces of her passengers were lost to 
 the vision of my tearful eyes. Then came the loud, clear, ringing 
 notes of music from the little steamer, playing as she did when 
 first I met her. The tune was one which I had often heard Melodia 
 sing in her most playful and cheerful moods. I went to my state 
 room, shut myself up alone, and wept. 
 
 And now, through an ever-increasing distance, I look back upon 
 life in Espkranza. It was beautiful in the beginning ; it was beauti- 
 ful every day ; and now, as I leave it, it appears more beautiful 
 than ever. God's blessing on thee, and all that are thine, oh Espe- 
 ranza, my heart's earthly home. 
 
 The scenery along the banks of the Mississipi is a sort of grand, 
 gloomy monotony, the foliage gradually changing to a more tropical 
 character, and the melancholy cypress, with its festoons of funeral 
 
ESPERANZA. 321 
 
 mosses, fill the swamps on either side. But when I rose in the 
 morning, the day that we reached New Orleans, the scene had 
 changed ; the banks of the river were lined with sugar plantations ; 
 the large fields of cane resembled our fields of Indian corn. 
 
 The white villas of the planters, often surrounded by pretty gar- 
 dens, the villages of negro cabins, many of them neatly whitewashed, 
 presented a scene in pleasing contrast with the desolation of wild, 
 savage nature through which we had been passing the last four 
 hundred miles. Looking off in the distance, I beheld the spires 
 and domes of New Orleans, glittering and sparkling in the rays of 
 the morning sun. I saw the gothic spires and the cross of the 
 Cathedral, and the white dome of the St. Charles Hotel, rising above 
 the flat crescent of the city. When our boat landed, I went to the 
 St. Charles, established myself in my room, then walked out to view 
 the city. It is now evening : I have taken a long walk this after- 
 noon. I must write a few more lines to you before I sleep, and 
 mail them in the morning, and be ready by ten o'clock to leave 
 New Orleans on my rapid journey home to you. I have engaged 
 passage on board a new, beautiful steamei', said to be a swift 
 sailing and safe vessel. The captain is a pleasant New Eng- 
 land man. 
 
 To-morrow I shall be far out on the Gulf of Mexico, and every 
 hour coming nearer to you. I come to you with a great happiness, 
 for I come with a great trust. I have written a few lines to the 
 loved friends at Esperanza, and now I turn my thoughts, my 
 hopes, my prayers, to you, my blessed, my beloved, my chosen one. 
 When you read this, I shall be approaching you. 
 
 Our captain can not tell the number of days we shall be at sea, or 
 when we may expect to be landed at New York : the winds and 
 the weather will have a voice in deciding these things ; and beside 
 this, the delays where we may stop to take in lading at other ports, 
 can not all be determined upon now. 
 
 I pray for you daily, my dearest love ; I pray for your health, 
 but most of all, that you, with me, may accept the faith, and live 
 the life of Spiritual harmony and perpetual progress. 
 
322 EsPERANZA. 
 
 It is late, I feel the need of rest ami sleep. I think I will have 
 time to add n page or two in the morning before the steamer 
 leaves the wharf. I wish I could know just now, dearest Clara, 
 that you were well, and cheerful and happy. I wish I could know 
 whether you were this moment sleeping, or whether you were 
 awake and thinking of me, as I am of you. I think of you 
 every hour. Good night, dear Clara ; may you and I always 
 enjoy good nights, and good mornings, good days, and good 
 lives. 
 
 Morning. — My beloved, my own. The morning is here. I am 
 awake, I am well, I have arisen, I am writing, and almost impatient 
 for the coming hour, when I can know that the many miles now 
 between ns have began to fall rapidly, one by one, behind the flying 
 vessel. I Avish I could be with you to-day, I have so much to 
 tell, and it is a tedious task when one has to write every word, 
 compared with the pleasure of verbal conversation. Can you 
 believe me, dearest Clara, I have seen a spirit or angel, I have 
 felt the touch and heard the voice of a guardian angel. 
 
 After I had written you last night, I retired to my bed and lay 
 for a time, thinking of you, and of the kind friends who brought 
 me on my journey a part of the way to this city on their own 
 boat. I had blown out my lamp and bad let the window screens 
 down to shut out the light of the gas lamp that was before my 
 window on the street. I went to sleep. How long I had been 
 sleeping, or at what hour of the night it was, I do not know, 
 when I was awakened by the touch of a soft hand passing gently 
 across my forehead and over my face. I opened my eyes, and 
 saw an angel standing beside the bed. The room was filled with 
 light, soft and delicate, resembling the brightest moonlight, with 
 a rose color mingled with the silver. The spirit form was a 
 female. I have not langiiage to describe her appearance ; no being 
 of earth ever presented such symmetry and beauty. 
 
 I knew that I was visited by an angel ; I felt no alarm, but a 
 thrilling sensation, a mingling together of joyful emotions, with 
 a feeling of humility. She was clothed in a robe of white, and 
 wore a scarf of pale blue ; around its edges was a border of golden 
 
ESPERAHZA. 323 
 
 stars, her hair was brown, slightly curling, and fell in ringlets 
 upon the shoulders ; her eyes were blue, glowing with animation 
 and intellectual love ; a crown of golden light was around her 
 head. 
 
 She took me by the hand and, smiling, said : 
 
 "Child of the earth, I rejoice to find thee so quiet and tran- 
 quil ; I have many things to say unto thee. Once I lived on 
 the earth, in the external or mortal body : more than a century of 
 years have passed since I experienced the change in life which 
 men call death. Neither the distance, or the difference, between 
 our life and the life on earth is so great as many believe. 
 
 "I have not lost my humanity; I retain my sympathetic con- 
 nection with the human race. Though I am a spirit, and live in 
 the angel world, I feel a sister's love, a sister's interest, and a 
 sister's care toward thee and over thee. Though living in the 
 external form, thou art nevertheless a spirit. I am one of thy 
 appointed guardians, and have come this night to instruct and to 
 bless with encouraging counsels. 
 
 "I have been near thee, and often with thee during all thy life, 
 from childhood to the present time. I have saved thee from 
 many dangers, guarded thy life from much evil. This night for 
 the first time I reveal myself to thine external senses. Hence- 
 forward thou shalt often see me, and we will converse together 
 face to face, as now. 
 
 "I was present when the marriage vow was made between thy- 
 self and Clara. That sacred pledge was sanctioned by your 
 guardian angels ; you had not only our consent, but our aid in 
 making it. Such pure, chaste love as you feel toward each other, 
 rises like the fragrance of sweet incense to the heavens, and gives 
 to angels joy. Other, and higher degrees of happiness are in 
 store for you. I come to thee here and now to aid in thy higher 
 unfolding. 
 
 "Thou hast little known how much of direct agency thy spi- 
 ritual guardians have had in directing and controlling the journey 
 from which thou art returning. 
 
 " We hope for results of great good, both to thyself and Clara, 
 
324 Ehpekanza. 
 
 also to the society at that beautiful home of love, where thou 
 hast been speiuling happy weeks, and learning many new and 
 useful lessons. 
 
 "The Society of Harmonists at Esperanza have done well; 
 they have done much for themselves individually, much for each 
 other, and much for the erring and suffering race ; they have a 
 clear knowledge of the harmonial philosophy, on many subjects ; 
 a few things they need yet to learn. 
 
 "They live faithful to the highest light they have attained, and 
 are succeeding quite as well as we anticipated. It was by our aid, 
 advice, and guardian counsel, that this life of happiness and ex- 
 ample was established on the earth. In connection with the 
 most vital principle of their faith, they retain one serious error of 
 opinion : from this error we wish to redeem them ; for this end, 
 we sent thee unto them. I now have allusion to the liberty per- 
 mitted and practiced, of sexual intimacy with more than one of 
 the opposite sex. One love, and one only, is the Divine law. 
 
 "Well dost thou remember the painful suffering which was 
 thy own, in experience even greater than was confessed in those 
 letters to Clara, when the theory of division, and distribution of 
 sexual love was first presented to thee, and so earnestly, honestly, 
 and ingeniously advocated. 
 
 "I saw it all ; I Avas near thee during all that time. I heard the 
 arguments, I read thy thoughts, and witnessed thy perplexity. I 
 visited Clara when those letters reached her. I heard every sigh 
 which she drew, as in sorrow and deep mental anguish, looking 
 through tears, she traced the lines thy pen had made. It was a 
 deep trial to you both ; you bore it bravely, and the lesson will 
 not be lost. 
 
 "Be content with the past, and all it has brought thee." Ex- 
 perience is the safe guide to wisdom. Clai'a is thine, thine alone; 
 thou art hers, and hers only. Your union is the true ' conjugal 
 love.' You will never separate on the earth or in the heavens. 
 
 "You will to go to Esperanza, and be a true example of Divine 
 matehood, each to the other, and for the other will fill entirely all 
 inmost askinsrs of the heart for sexual affection and love. 
 
EsPERANZA. 325 
 
 " With this home of sweetest rest and peace, each in the heart 
 of the other, you will radiate, and impart so much of the uni- 
 versal, fraternal, brotherly love to all others, that your example 
 ■will be all that is requisite to establish the truth, and demonstrate 
 the beauty and safety of sexual duality to the minds of all the 
 members. 
 
 "I perceive in thy mind a query arising, why it was that this 
 eiTor was not corrected in the beginning, or first formation of the 
 society ; or why it was that the angel guardians did not select 
 mediums free from error on every subject, for the central group of 
 the gathering order. 
 
 "Be calm and patient; I will explain all. We find it very diffi- 
 cult, indeed it has hitherto been impossible for us to find medi- 
 ums whom we could impress to speak or write our communi- 
 cations, without their being colored and modified by the opinions 
 and faith which the mediums themselves entertained. 
 
 " This has been the case in regard to our mediums, and the com- 
 munications we gave through them in forming the society now 
 under consideration. They nevertheless done the best they could, 
 and angels can do no more. They received our teachings, and 
 imparted them to others in accordance with their own imder- 
 standings and convictions, not knowing or believing that their 
 own j)reconceived opinions had given color to some sentiments not 
 in accordance Avith our wishes. We have been patient, and wish 
 all to be patient with each other. Our object is not yet fully com- 
 pleted; we shall succeed in all that we have undertaken; we were 
 aware of those difficulties in the beginning, and made allowance 
 for them. 
 
 "Throughout the entire civilized world, the customs and laws 
 in regard to marriage, are, in many instances, little better than 
 granting and selling indulgences for lustful gratification and sex- 
 ual abuse. There can not l;e health or happiness to the race 
 until there is acquired sufficient wisdom and love, to secure to 
 children an origin entirely free from blind and sensual lust. 
 We intend the society at Esperanza to be exemplary in this, as 
 well as in other needful changes and reforms which the world of 
 
326 EsPEKANZA. 
 
 mankind greatly need. Many of the active workers in the first 
 gathering of the menihers, wore persons who had suffered for a 
 time in the bonds of marriage without love; the reaction in their 
 minds after freeing themselves from the old bonds, would natu- 
 rally lead them into the opposite extreme for a time ; this, though 
 a matter of regret, must be patiently borne with ; the human mind, 
 Avhen greatly agitated or disturbed, requires time to settle on the 
 line of truth between extremes. 
 
 "In our selection of mediums and persons, we made choice of 
 those who had suffered much in life ; they were not only moie 
 easily influenced to engage in the work of reform, but they had 
 also acquired a strength to endure the opposition and the perse- 
 cution which friends and relatives in the world deal out to refor- 
 mers. Those who have been fortunate in their marriage, and in 
 all affairs of life successful, having reputations unsullied in the 
 eyes of the world, could not be influenced, or induced to bear the 
 scoftings and tho ridicule wliich the mistaken and thoughtless mul- 
 titudes deal out to all those who deviate from the jDopuIar path- 
 way. 
 
 "There is an unfailing law of recompense, by and through which 
 all who suffer will be rewarded ; those who endure anguish and 
 pain, acquire an increase of capacity for pleasure and enjoyment, and 
 when the day of compensation comes, those who have mourned 
 in solitude, and wept in secret places, will rejoice and be exceed- 
 ing glad that they were accounted worthy to suffer for truth's 
 sake. 
 
 "Dark and shadowy as human affairs now appear amongst all 
 nations, there has been steady and gradual improvement from 
 age to age, since the first morning after the creation of man. 
 Creative Wisdom has made no failure — no mistake. The march 
 of human progress is onward, toward the millcnial day. There 
 is no conflict between Reason and Revelation, neither is there 
 l)etween God and Nature. 
 
 " The knowledge of tho truth of spiritual intercourse is fast 
 spreading, and becoming established among the Xations. Kings 
 and Queens, Emperors, Nolilemen, iNIombers of Parl!am?nt, Mem- 
 
EsPERANZA. 327 
 
 bers of Congress and of the various legislative bodies, are receiv- 
 ing messages of truth and love from those who have proved the 
 realities of life beyond the grave. 
 
 " We can, if we choose to do so, know and reveal the hidden 
 thoughts and the most secret actions of men ; a knowledge of these 
 facts, and of the great interest which all good spirits and angels 
 have in human affairs un the earth will do a great work in restrain- 
 ing those who have hitherto been ' doers of evil.' We have begun 
 the good work of human elevation in earnest ; we shall not cease 
 from the heavenly mission until the knowledge of God covers the 
 earth as the waters cover the sea. We are choosing from the 
 multitudes, and sending abroad many messengers of spiritual 
 truth ; we find many men, and a large number of -vvomen, whom 
 we can impress to stand before the assembled multitudes and 
 speak to the people, * as never man spake.' 
 
 "The wisest men, those possessed of the greatest intellectual 
 powers, and having the most liberal collegiate education, are not 
 so capable of interesting and instructing a public audience as are 
 many female speakers, when these latter are under our control. 
 Old opinions, traditions, and superstitions are passing away ; for 
 a time there will be great tumidt and confusion. ' Cities of 
 refuge' must be prepared; in these all chaste and honest minds 
 may retire and enjoy j^eace and rest. 
 
 " ' It must needs be that offenses will come, but wo unto those 
 by whom they come.' 
 
 "Those who attempt to stand alone in the midst of an excited 
 multitude, will be stoned, and abused in exact proportion to their 
 hight above that multitude, because their life is a reproof to all 
 wrong doers if they are faithful to our teachings, to the example 
 of Christ, au'l to the spirit of Christ in themselves. ' Examine 
 yourselves, piove yourselves ; know ye not your own selves, that 
 Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates.' The immediate 
 disciples of Christ were socialists, not selfish, individual property 
 holders. 
 
 "Go then, thyself and Cluia, to Espcranza, and to those already 
 gathered to that beautiful homp, be yc a living example of divine 
 
328 ESPERANZA. 
 
 matehood, a manifestation of the heavenly marriage upon earth, 
 a representation of true sexual duality, an imitation of the angel 
 life of ' conjugal love.' The members of that home will at 
 once discover, that by accepting your example, they will abandon 
 only evils, whilst they will receive infinite gains ; they will give 
 up no principle Avorth possessing, but will receive immeasurable 
 riches. I entreat you both to go ; all things are now ready. The 
 Sun of righteousness will soon arise with 'healing in his wings.' 
 "The time draws nigh, when 
 
 " 'A gentle hand shall wipe the tears 
 
 From every weeping eye. 
 And sighs, and groans, and grief, and fears. 
 
 And death itself shall die.' 
 
 " Your most intimate friends will discourage your going. They 
 will not believe success in a harmonic life possible. Be patient, 
 kind, and firm ; look to the ' light within.' Kemember, in the 
 ' work of righteousness shall be peace, and the reward of right- 
 eousness, quietness and assurance forever.' Be hopeful and trust- 
 ful ; I will visit thee again during the voyage. I go now, to visit 
 the object of thy love, and whisper words of comfort in her ear. I 
 will tell her of thy safety, and of thy coming. 
 
 "In the early morning, whilst they remain fresh in memory, 
 write the words I have spoken, the record may prove useful in 
 the future. 'Believe not every spiiit, but try the spirits whether 
 they be of God.' Every suggestion, whether presented from within 
 the mind, or from the mind of another, in or out of the external 
 form, bring to the test of reason : when the external judgment is 
 satisfied, and the witness in the soul sanctions, go forward; if 
 otherwise, wait." 
 
 With a like radiant smile, with which she came, she bade me 
 adieu. Gradually the light faded from the room, and I was alone. 
 I have more to relate when we meet. 
 
 In the bonds of true affection, I remain your own 
 
 Frank. 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 From New York to Niagara. — Cars crowded — Seats occupied — ^New- 
 experience — Instructive lessons — Niagara — International Hotel — An 
 unworthy thought — Remorse — Gentle reproof — Repentance — Forgive- 
 ness — Repose and sleep, 7 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 A Day at Niagara. — The Female Guide, and morning walk — The wild 
 flowers, the memories they call up — The question of Love — New 
 tlioughts respecting human freedom — Invitation to visit the home of 
 Miss Elmore — Memorable lesson of the foot bath, 18 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 Buffalo and a Ftlgrimage. — The old piano — Beautiful song — Visit to 
 the prison — The cell where a dear friend had been confined — Historical 
 events — Wicked conspiracy — Triumph of truth — ^Various incidents,. . . 36 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 Cincinnati. — Description of the journey from Cleveland over the Little 
 Miami Rail-road — Sabbath in Cincinnati — A new society — Miss 
 Elmore's address at the meeting — The new order of Harmony — Even- 
 ing walk, 47 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 The Ohio and Mississippi. — Downward voyage on board the " Effie 
 Afton" — Contrast of North and South — White Slaves, and tlieir con- 
 dition — Boat discussions — A parson with the Testament in hand 
 combating the "isms" — St. Paul and Woman's Rights — The Maine 
 Law — A quarrel — The wrath of man subdued by the gentleness of 
 woman — The little steamboat with a single smoke-pipe — The white 
 flag and golden star — The burst of blue smoke and cannon's roar — 
 Aastounding peal of triumphant music — Leaving the "Effie Afton,". . 68 
 
 329 
 
330 CONTENTS. 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 Tax. AaEiVAL. — Introduction to new friends on board the Fairy — Miss 
 Elmore's new name — The music on the boat — Supper — Jealousy — 
 " The perfect love that casteth out fear" — Arrival at Esperanza — Joy- 87 
 OU8 welcome, 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 My FIE8T DAT AT EsPERANZA. — Moming reveille — Order of work for the 
 day — The lecture room — Public address — Costume — ^Vincent — ^Harmo- 
 nia — Labor in harmony — A beloved patriarch — The opera, 107 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 Habmonia. — Joys of life in Freedom — Severing of old bonds — Former 
 attempts at Association — Causes of their failure — The gallery of Art, 126 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 The Masqcicsade. — Grains and fruits — Sickness and health — Reforming 
 criminals — Governments — The Improvisatrice — The baths — Tho even- 
 ing masquerade, ....^ 146 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 SdNDAT a DAT OF EEVIEW, AND OF NEW BEGINNING IN THE LIFE OF THE 
 
 FUTURE. — An hour with Melodia — The question of Love — The Art ova- 
 tion — Religious service — Making all time holy 163 
 
 CHAPTER XI. 
 
 EeoNOMTES. — ^The domain — A right beginning — Individual and collective 
 rights — Working for love — The spirit of justice, 176 
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 
 The children. — Remembered visits to a Shaker village — The contrast — 
 Individuality— School of life— The nursery and the "baby world"— 
 New "Declaration of Independence" — Rights of children, 187 
 
 CHAPTER XIII. 
 Education. — Finding a confessor — ^Unity of life — ^How to attain to love 
 
 and unity,. 
 
 200 
 
CONTENTS. "Sol 
 
 CHAPTER XIV. 
 The Loves of Harmony. — Self-ownership — Marriage in Savageism and 
 in Civilization— Chivalry— Purity and freedom— Living in unity and 
 harmony, ojj 
 
 CHAPTER XV. 
 Immoetality.— An aged father nears the spirit life— His conversation 
 with •' Frank ' — Vincent explains the difference between the rules of 
 life adopted at Esperanza, and those contained in the writings of Fou- 
 rier-Man a condition maker— The soul of a plant explained to the 
 children — the theatre and its uses, 223 
 
 CHAPTER XVI. 
 The last fkstival. — Harmonies of dress and work — Menial labor — Owner- 
 ship of woman — The vestulate — Father Gautier— Melodia sings of 
 freedom achieved, of harmonies established, of peace, love and happi- 
 ness, 237 
 
 CHAPTER XVII. 
 Propogandism.— Psychometry or the faculty of Soul measuring — Harmo- 
 nia describes " Clara," by holding a letter in her hand — Father Gau- 
 tier — Instructive teachings and explanations — The white rose 249 
 
 CHAPTER XVIII. 
 The Transition of Death.— Nine strokes of the bell— The gathered as- 
 sembly — Father Gautier brought in — His last meeting with them in 
 bodily form — His adieu and his blessing — His departure from earth 
 surrounded by friends, and midst the melody of sweet music — First 
 experience of Death in Esperanza — The white flag at half-mast— Sun- 
 set parade — Dirge — Triumphal hymn — Tolling of the bell — Minute 
 guns — The order of the funeral — Communing with spirits — Messao-e 
 from Father Gautier — The funeral procession — The order of burial 263 
 
 CHAPTER XIX. 
 Religion-. — A full description of the Religious Faith, given to Frank by 
 Harmonia. 274 
 
 CHAPTER XX. 
 The order and the work. — Character of the Government — The gospel 
 of harmony— The Mormons— The Society of Jesus— The missionaries 
 of Social Redemption — The alarm of fire — Comparison between a life 
 in Harmony, and life in Civilization — Privilege, and commission, to 
 invite others to this life, and this Home 284 
 
332 ( ONTEXTs. 
 
 CHAPTER XXI. 
 
 A DREAM WITHIN A DREAM. — All aftist's rcasoii for not going to Italy — 
 Children and their inheritance — The rehearsal beside the hedge — 
 Moonlight excursion on the lake — Notes of the bugle answered by 
 " a star of lights " — The token of acceptance, 297 
 
 CHAPTER XXII. 
 
 Harmonia's birth-DAT. — Responding to toasts — Song of the "four leaved 
 shamrock " — Vincent sings a song which Harmonia had composed fm- 
 a similar occasion years ago — Harmonia's address in response to the 
 song 309 
 
 CHAPTER XXIII. 
 
 Adieu to Espkranza. — Alfred, Paul and Oliver, Melodia, Angela, Eveline 
 and Serapha, accomi)any Frank, on the Faiiy, in the first part of Iiis 
 returning voyage — "The Belle of Natches" — "Parting tears" — Mis- 
 sissippi scenery — New Orleans — Message of an Angel, 318 
 
THE 
 
 ILLUSTRATED MANNERS ROOK, 
 
 A Volume of Five Hundred Pages, 
 ILLUSTRATED WITH TWO HUNDRED ENGRAVINGS. 
 
 This book has twenty-six chapters, containing the princi- 
 ples of Politeness and Refinement, with the most minute and 
 careful directions respecting the person, dress, conduct, ob- 
 servances, decorums, customs, conversation, courtesies, 
 fashions, delicacies and requirements for all occasions and 
 relations in life. 
 
 The chapters on speech and conversation, writing, and 
 correspondence, pronunciation of foreign languages ; on cho- 
 rographic exercises, and on fashion and the toilet, are of 
 exceeding interest and value. This book is beautifully 
 adapted to the important uses for which it was expressly 
 written, and will be found worth many times its cost to 
 every thoughtful reader. It should not only be read, but 
 carefully studied, chapter by chapter. — Price one doUar. 
 
 Sample copies forwarded by mail (postage paid-,) to any 
 part of the United States, on receipt of the price. 
 
 Orders to the trade supplied on liberal terms. 
 
 Address VALENTINE NICHOLSON, 
 
 Cincinnati, Ohio. 
 

 
 iiliiiii,: 
 
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