“The conditions for one are conditions for all.  Hence there can be no parley with the tempter, no private pleas for self-indulgence, no leaning on the broken reed of circumstances.

“It is not for us to prescribe conditions; these are prescribed on our natures, our state of being—­and the best we can do, if disqualified, is either to attain an amended character, or to relinquish all hopes of securing felicity.

“Our purposes, as far as we know them at present, are briefly these: 

“First, to obtain the free use of a spot of land adequate by our own labor to our support; including, of course, a convenient plain house, and offices, wood-lot, garden, and orchard.

“Secondly, to live independently of foreign aids by being sufficiently elevated to procure all articles for subsistence in the productions of the spot, under a regimen of healthful labor and recreation; with benignity towards all creatures, human and inferior; with beauty and refinement in all economies; and the purest charity throughout our demeanor.

“Should this kind of life attract parties towards us—­individuals of like aims and issues—­that state of being itself determines the law of association; and the particular mode may be spoken of more definitely as individual cases may arise; but, in no case, could inferior ends compromise the principles laid down.

“Doubtless such a household, with our library, our services and manner of life, may attract young men and women, possibly also families with children, desirous of access to the channels and fountain of wisdom and purity; and we are not without hope that Providence will use us progressively for beneficial effects in the great work of human regeneration, and the restoration of the highest life on earth.

“With the humane wish that yourself and little ones may be led to confide in providential Love,

“I am, dear friend, very truly yours,

“A.  BRONSON ALCOTT.”

It must be admitted that there is something delightful in the naivete of this undertaking to be “sufficiently elevated to live independently of foreign aids,” after first getting “the free use of a spot of land, . . . including, of course, a convenient plain house, and offices, wood-lot, garden, and orchard.”  Establishments which would tolerably approximate to this description, and to the really essential needs of its prospective founder, have long existed in every civilized community.  There are certain restrictions placed upon their inmates, however, and Mr. Alcott’s desire was to make sure of his basis of earthly supplies, while left entirely free to persuade himself that he had arrived at an elevation which made him independent of them.  Still, though “a charlatan,” it must not be forgotten that he was “an innocent” one.  He was plainly born great in that way, and had no need to achieve greatness in it.  As Father Hecker said of him long afterwards, “Diogenes