Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1886-08-22

mind is always ising or thinsing things "
One lecturer said these UtIi points were, at
first, a little obscure, and the audience
actually had enough sense left to greet the
assertion with ruars of laughter
But all work and no play makes Jack a
dull boy; so to relieve the philoSophic mind
there are occasional picnics and receptions.
One breezy metaphyscian, of the feminine
gender, though quite unknown TO erybody,
gIshingly invited all the students to her
rooms, generously extending her invitation to
the lecturers 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 returncl-"have you moth
ing to give Us YOURSELF" The fair hostess
proved to be Il poet who had been doomed to
sing unheari. Here was her opportunity
She breathed out her inmnst soul One of
the deepest thoughts was
''Oh. roS.. love thee
Fair ru-e. love thee still'"
There was no appearance of affeCtation or
conceit the abnormal sentimentalism was
wholly sincere. She had come a 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 delightful informal
reception at Mr. and Mrs. Hears and several
happv meetings with Louise Alcott Con
veTsation with the charming wife of Frank
b Sanborn made me dOubly sorry in missing
his lectures.
Mis- Alcott calls herself, in referring to her
fathers prutIgf, the School of Philosophy
n naughty outsider" The description ap-
plies to most Concord people. The doctrine
of the Hillside chapel is not food to their souls.
II is exceptional TO see an "old inhahitant'
present They smile good naturally at the
whole venture, and. with patrunizing tone,
for,atell its decease frt IN season 10 season.
What has kept it alive is 10 them and tC
many others mystery.
But 10 return To Mis- AlcOtt; she is
woman given TO practical effort, and really
has no leisure to devote TO fruitl,7Ss theorizing
She talks exactly lie her books. and is just
rs frank, Just rs charming as they. She has
a keen sense of humur and recognizes the
cant Of the "iSInS" heard her graphically
describe IA community her father once started.
1t was more thorough going than Brook
Farm-no compromise there with degenerate
humanity. The wearing Of linen was their
supreme doctrine; no other material for
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 last
this son Of Adam adopted fig leaf, in shape of
linen sheet. with hole in the center for
his head 20 slip through. In this
meagre attire he wandered away over the
hills into the forest primeval. He fed on
berries and roots, but, alas was picked up
and brought home insensible at the end of
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 a
name" and used 10 say damn you" for God
bless you" holding that as he was known to
be a man running over with the milk of
human kindness a curse from him was tender
greeting. Still another festive gentleman
there was who claimed the right to do
Just what he felt like at any given mo
ment Often at the midnight hour little
Louise was awakened by the shrieks and
howls of this aspiring soul He would roll ON
tlic "ullt, i1t tN-
PLANTATION being: Il feel like it," But through
the fiery furnace Louise Alcott passed un-
scathed. She is a brave, common sense
woman, who quite single handed has won
an honorei name in American literature |
Her fineness of feeling and good Judgment
came out strongly upon one point. A we'll |
intentioned but unwise person persuaded Mr.. |
Aloott to go 10 the school one morning |
81.
fruitless. | shall never forget the womanly |
tenderness, the injured pride in her tone, as !
she said in referring TO the occurrence, Il
dislike exhibitions of infirmity.r As we
parted from Miss Alcott she said, Get up |
a school of the philanthropies andI1l join"
HARRIOr STANTON BLArCH