SOURCE: "Fourierism," in The Dial, Vol. IV, No. IV, April, 1844, pp. 473-83.

In the following essay, the critic offers a brief analysis of Fourier's philosophy as it was discussed at a convention held in Boston, Massachusetts, in late 1843 and early 1844.

In the last week of December, 1843, and first week of January, 1844, a Convention was held in Boston, which may be considered as the first publication of Fourierism in this region.

The works of Fourier do not seem to have reached us, and this want of text has been ill supplied by various conjectures respecting them; some of which are more remarkable for the morbid imagination they display than for their sagacity. For ourselves we confess to some remembrances of vague horror, connected with this name, as if it were some enormous parasitic plant sucking the life principles of society, while it spread apparently an equal shade, inviting man...