The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1874-12-24
A NEW COMMUNITY" "
ABROAD.

A london letter gives q graphic de
| scription OF curious community eStab
lished In one of the corners of tue New
Forest, in HAMPSHIRE. 1t recalls the ex
perlments of Fourier and others. and a.
parallel to az int, nned establishment
in our own State of Vermont, the "ex
perrin, nj )" may be worth the reading;
1t Is said that they number in all, men
women and children, 1870 souls, with IN
estate OF thlrty.one acres. They began in
January, 1879, with nucleus of about
fourteen persons, but the estate is already
sin a iair stale Of cultivation, though nol
sufficient to be selfsupporting. There
are stated to be number OF persons
waiting to Join the brotherhood as soon
as fresh land can be obtained, but at the
present there is no room for more. The
society has more than doubled since last
year. OF the thirty.On acres, about al
acre is devoted to spade culture, the re-
mainder being laid down for grass, wheat.
&c. There is little fruit, and tile flow.
ers are the special charge Of the women
The community includes q variety Of
craftsmen, such as tailors, shOemakers
wOodcutters, brickmakers, &c. Their
is a miller, tOo, but he has not yet got t.
work, because his mill is not ready
Besides the flowers, the women also at
tend to the washing, sewing, and genera
housekeeping. The members Of the
community are supposed to be capabl,
OF making and repairing their own
clothes, with, we suppose, the assistance
OF the tailor in an emergency The men
appear to be wearing out the clothes
they brought with them from the outpI
world, but the women have characters
tically invented new style OF costume.
Even In Eden Ewes mind runs on robes
The sisters wear an attire neatly uniform
in pattern, though varying widely In
color and material. II consists simply
OF plain bodice, short skirt and trous
ers, and none can realise, without
actual observation, the peculiar yet pleas.
ing and attractive effect OF The dress,
worn by nearly every female In the
family, whether Of early or mature
years" Earrings, chignons, and othe
vanitles are vigorously abolished. The
hair is worn curiOusly, with or Withon
curs, but generally loose and flowing
down behind. The head of this soclt u
is q lady, who Is called Mother. She Is
supreme among them, governing by th,
law Of love. and is consulted on every
subject Thrre is neither marriage MOI
giving In marriage in this community
and all live together as brothers and sis.
ters. Property is held in common.
and everybody Is supposed to get wha
is good for her or him. Each contr
bules according to his powers, and re.
ceiyes according to his necessities "-th,
old jargou. The community takes tn
Bible as its only law-bOOk. One lady
Of wealth and education Is q sister, and
there is also q wel-tOdo village shoe
maker, farmer, and a London shop.
keeper in the society, But The majority
of the members are poor, and many OF
the poorest class. Music 10 the chir
amusement of the brothers and sisters
and there is the fullest liberty with tn
most perfect unanimity." 1t Is needles,
to anticipate the fate Of this society, OF
which there have been many fOrerunners
There is no reason TO suppose that ku
man nature is likely to be transformer
in the New Forest any more than a.
Brocton or elsewhere. The majority OF
the members are poor, and vet there /.
said to be "no poverty In the ausle,
sense" This would seem to mean tn
they are living on the means provide
by the well-Io.do section, and when
these are exhausted 1t is easy 10 impg I
what will happen.