New Britain. : A narrative of a journey by Mr. Ellis, to a country so called by its inhabitants, discovered in the vast plain of Missouri, in North America, and inhabited by a people of British origin, who live under an equitable system of society, productive of peculiar independence and happiness, also, some account of their constitution, laws, institutions, customs and philosophical opinions: together with a brief sketch of their history from the time of their departure from Great Britain..
Ellis, G. A.
London: : Printed for W. Simpkin and R. Marshall, Stationers' Court, Ludgate Street,,
1820..
includes errata.
Goldsmiths'-Kress no. 23074.
An interesting utopian narrative, probably written under a pseudonym, describing an imaginary ideal state in the American West. The author tells how he heard from an Englishman of the name of Hebertson of a settlement of people of Scottish origin in the plains near the Missouri River. He determined to visit, and commenced his journey from New York on April 7, 1818, travelling through Illinois, across the Mississippi, and southwest until he reached New Britain. Here he remained for nine months before returning to write his narrative. Most of the text of the work imagines the utopian civilization of New Britain, said to be founded by refugees from the era of Henry VIII seeking religious freedom. After a difficult beginning, the colony had renounced its previous laws and founded a government based on reason. The democratic socialist society evolved into a land of villages populated by artisans and agricultural works, a sort of Jeffersonian ideal. New ideas and technology were obtained by sending spies into the outside world. The society existed without money or trade, with universal education, controlled population growth, and minimal government. Religion was limited to communal worship of a supreme spirit. The author, deeply impressed, returns to England to spread the good news.
Utopias in literature.
Utopias
England London.