organizing “a group of servitors.”  These, writes Mrs. Kirby,* comprised “four of the most elegant youths at the community—­the son of a Louisiana planter, a young Spanish hidalgo, a rudimentary Free-soiler from Hingham, and, if I remember rightly, Edward Barlow (the brother of Francis).  These, with one accord, elected as chief their handsome and beloved teacher.  It is hardly necessary to observe that the business was henceforth attended to with such courtly grace and such promptness that the new regime was applauded by every one, although it did appear at first as if we were all engaged in acting a play.  The group, with their admired chief, took dinner, which had been kept warm for them, afterwards, and were themselves waited upon with the utmost consideration, but I confess I never could get accustomed to the new regulation.”

[* Years of Experience, pp. 178, 179.]

The watchword of the place was fraternity, not communism.  People took up residence at Brook Farm on different terms.  Some paid a stipulated board, and thus freed themselves from any obligatory share in either domestic or out-door labor.  Others contributed smaller sums and worked out the balance.  Some gave labor only, as was the case with Mrs. Kirby, then Georgiana Bruce, an English girl of strong character.  She says she agreed to work eight hours a day for her board and instruction in any branches of study which she elected to pursue.  As an illustration of the actual poverty to which the community were soon reduced, and, moreover, of the low money value they set on domestic labor, we give another characteristic passage from her book.  The price of full board, as we learn from a bill sent by Mr. Ripley to Isaac Hecker after the latter’s final departure from the Farm, was five dollars and fifty cents a week: 

“When a year had elapsed I found my purse empty and my wardrobe much the worse for wear.  As I was known to be heartily interested in the new movement, my case was taken under consideration, and, with the understanding that I was to add two more hours to my working day, I was admitted as bona-fide member of the association (which included only a dozen), and was allowed to draw on the treasury for my very moderate necessities.  Forty dollars a year would cover these, writing-paper and postage included.  The last item was no unimportant one, as each letter cost from ten to fifty cents, and money counted for more then than now.

“I should explain that for the whole of one winter there remained but two bonnets fit for city eyes among six of us.  But the best of these was forced on whomever was going to town.  As for best dresses, a twenty-five cent delaine was held to be gorgeous apparel.  The gentlemen had found it desirable to adopt a tunic in place of the more expensive, old-world coat."*

[* Years of Experience, p. 132.]