Infants don’t go for much among the Free Lovers, and are Put Out—­to Nurse.  After the age of Fifteen months they are surrendered by their Ma’s to the Charge of the Two Hundred (the number of men and women in the Community,) who become their common parents, and the infants become common property.  The domestic arrangements are entrusted to two females, who are called the “Mothers of the Community.”  But whether these dual Mothers Do All the Nursing I am unable to say.

I had a little conversation with the Eminent and Aged Free Lover who acted as my guide, and I give it in the manner of the “interviewing reporter.”

CHINC.  Venerable Seer, tip us your views on the subject of Love.

AGED FREE-LOVER Do you then take an Interest in our Principles?

CHINC. (Dubiously.) Then you have—­

A. F. L. Yes, of our own.  They are not those of a prejudiced Wor-r-r-ld.  Our principles are Embraced in the Communism of Love and Passional Attraction.

CHINC. (Confidently.) Ah, yes; of course—­you are Free Lovers.

A. F. L. Sir-r-r?

CHINC. (Much abashed.) Excuse me.  I am young, inexperienced, and but slightly acquainted with the Dictionary.

A. P. L. So I see.  Know, young man, that we scorn and repudiate the name of Free Lovers as applied to us by the newspapers.  It is true we believe that Love should be untrammelled by the Hateful Bonds of Marriage.  With us a Lady may have an affinity for any number of gentlemen, and vice-versa.  But we are not Free Lovers.

CHINC.  Oh, no!  Not by no means.  Not any.

A. F. L. (Growing eloquent.) We have only advanced from the simple to the more complex form of matrimony.  Why should not the faithfulness which constitutes the wretchedly exclusive dual Marriage of the Wor-r-r-ld exist as well between Two Hundred as between two?  Why?

CHINC.  Why, O why?  But there may be reasons—­

A.F.L.  Young Man, reared in the hateful prejudices of an Unprogressive
Wor-r-ld, there air none.

CHINC.  This system, as you, Ancient Person, observe, is much complexed.  Do I, then, understand you that a woman may have fifty affinities and yet be faithful to each?

A.F.L.  Yes, my son, any number.  This plurality of affinities you of course cannot appreciate.  A prejudiced Wor-r-r-ld cannot understand the Bond of Union which connects all the Brothers and Sisters in a Spiritual Marriage.  The results of the complex system are—­

CHINC. (Interrupting.) I—­I—­fear the complexity of your system is one too many for me.  I feel that my Brow cannot stand the pressure.  I must away.  Farewell, old man—­Adieu!

Such, Mr. PUNCHINELLO, is briefly the Free and Easy Doctrine of Natural Affinity and Passional Attraction.  I have no doubt there are some illiberal Persons who would give it a much harsher name.  For myself, I believe in the Biggest kind of Liberty, but not for the Biggest kind of Libertines.  Reverentially yours,