The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1886-08-26

uuced by an amusing bit of by-play. A
Bostonian smiled down upon a western
sister, saying, Il suppose you are not well
acquainted with Plato."
The answer came with entire simplicity.
"a friend and have been studying him a
good deal for the last six years"
"In translation of course, urged the Bos-
tonian."
"Oh, no, always in the original" was the
reply. CONSERVATION and hasty retreat.
Well, the week on Plato is ended, and |
hear from friend that she got few clear
conceptions, though, on the whole, she is still
vague as to the oneness of nothingness and
the finiteness of infinity. She thinks she
sees that what is isn't, and what isn't be-
comes but is not wholly convinced that 'the
mind is always Using or thinging things
One lecturer said these uitul points were, at
first, a little obscure, and the audience
actually had enough sense left to greet the
assertion with roars of laughter.
But all work and no play makes Jack
dull boy; so to relieve the philosophic mind
there are occasional picnics and receptions.
One breezy metaphysician, of the feminine
gender, though quite unknown to everybody,
gushingly invited all the students to her
rooms, generously extending her invitation to
the leSturers and some of the people of Con-
cord. She declared her intention beforehand
of making her "at home" complete success"
When the multitude was assembled in her
diminutive apartments she asked two of the
School of Philosophy speakers if they had
anything to say. Naturally, they had not
The courtesy was returned-"have you moth
ing to give us yourself" The fair hostess
proved to be poet who had been doomed to
sing unheard. Here was her opportunity
She breathed out her inmost soul. One of
the deepest thoughts was
"Oh, rose, love thee,
Fair rose, l love thee still"
There was no appearance of affectation or
conceit, the abnormal sentimentalism was
wholly sincere She had come long distance
she said, to throw herself at the feet of
one lecturer-one of the masculine gender
naturally.
Concord and its inhabitants are the chief
glory of the School of Philosophy. Among
pleasant experiences was a delightful informal
reception at Mr.. and Mrs Hoar's, and several
happy meetings with Louise Alcott Con-
versation with the charming wife of Frank
B. Sanborn made me doubly sorry in missing
his lectures
Miss Alcott calls herself, in referring to her
fathers prot@g6 the School of Philosophy,
"a naughty outsider" The description APP
plies to most Concord people. The doctrine
of the Hillside chapel is not food to their souls
1t is exceptional to see an "old inhabitant'
present. They smile good naturally at the
whole venture, and, with patronizng tone
foretell its decease from season to season
What has kept it alive is to them and tc
many others mystery.
But to return to Miss Alcott; she is 6
woman given to practical effort, and really
has no leisure to devote to fruitless theorizing
She talks exactly like her books and is jus
as frank, just as charming as they. She ha'
a keen sense of humor and recognizes thu
can't of the "isms." / heard her graphically
describe community her father once started
It was more thorough going than Brool
Farm-no compromise there with degenerate
humanity. The wearing of linen was thei
supreme doctrine no other material To-
clothes was permitted. One disciple declared
nudity was the chief necessity, and would
have ridden his naked hobby but for the re
monstrances of good Mrs. Alcott At las
this son of Adam adopted fig leaf, in shape o
linen sheet, with a hole in the center TO
his head to slip through. In thi
meagre attire he wandered away over tn
hills into the forest primeval. He fed o
berries and roots, but, alasl was picked u
and brought home insensible at the end o
three days. Another disciple thought cooked
food the root of all evil, and ate his potatoes
beans and peas raw Another joyous mem
Der believed Juliet's philosophy "What's in
name,n and used to say damn you" for Zoo
bless you," holding that as he was known tx
be a man running over with the milk o
human kindness a curse from him was tender
greeting. Still another festive gentleman
there was who claimed the right to d.
lust what he felt like at any given mo
ment. Often at the midnigh+ hour littlC
Louise was awakened by the shrieks anC
bowls of this aspiring soul He would roll oil
the floor, making melody the while, the ex
PLANTATION being: II feel like it," But through
the fiery furnace Louise Alcott passed un
scathed. She is q brave, common sens
woman, who quite single-handed has wor
an honored name in American literature
Her fineness of feeling and good judgmen
came out strongly upon one point. A well
intentioned but unwise person persuaded Mr.
| Alcott to go to the school one morning
Miss Alcott opposed this until opposition wa
fruitless. | shall never forget the womanly
tenderness, the injured pride in her tone, a
she said in referring to the occurrence, :"
dislike exhibitions of infirmity." As WI
parted from Miss Alcott she said, sect W
a school of the philanthropies andTll join"
HARRIoT STANTON BLATCH.