The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-10-25
A MODERN BROOK FARM.
Settlement of Chriscian Socialists in
the ACKNOWLEDGES.

the AdirOndacks.
Boston Transcript.
Away up in the Adirondacks at one of the
highest points where hotel is to be found
two thousand feet above the level OF the
seals log camp devoted to the gather
ings of a summer community. Upon visit
ing this locality during the past season L
was interested to find this little settlement.
The houses are very striking in appearance,
bearing a close resemblance to a Swiss
chalet; their pretty curved roofs apparently
quite messy grown. The latter seemed
tages had been recently built, when upon
a nearer approach / discovered that the
moss effect is produced by a well-selected
green paint. The twenty acres which
the houses are located owned by Miss
M of New York-the founder of the set
tlement-and are upon a small plateau nut
ting out from among the foot hills OF
Mount Hurricane commanding one OF the
finest mountain views of the AdLrondacks,
Mount Marcy, the highest peak, the Giants,
and others being close at hand Ihis set
Element is known as Summer BROOK 1t
was started during the summer OF 1888, ana
carried out somewhat on the plan OF Brook
Farm, which had its beginning IN 1896. Like
the latter. the members We're all OF cuitl-
waited families. They met together by in
to the methods of fraternal cooperation
working walking, studying together. Two
and with that exception the members do
all the work, which equally divided. did not
require more than In, two h0urs gay yo OF
by the ladies' the men assisting at the
wI.ingers The special work of the men,
however. comprises what might be called
the agricultural duties, caring for the fields
and gardens and picking berries
In the main house is large entertain
ment hall which is almost too vast ana run
of variety to describe. The floors are OF
hard wood the fireplaces are suggestive of
I'VE olden time much of the furniture has
a rustic effect as some of the pieces and
doors have panels of rough birch bark. AT
the emu of the hall facing Mount Marcy
is an immense plate glass window afordlng
the best possible opportunity of studying
a gathering storm or the glories OF moon
light night. In common with the Brook
farmers the members of this settlement are
la rgeiy Socialists and with their predeces-
sors they believe in reorganizing society on
a new basis to reduce hours of toll so that
all people will have sufficient time for self
Improvement. In the words of part of the
constitution of Brook Farm they believe
that humanity trained by these long GEN.
turtles of suffering and struggle is at length
prepared to enter into that order towards
zshich il has perpetually moved: thus also
il is perceived that the present has its own
nigh mission. that its only salvation lies in
reorga nizing society according to the UNI
changing laws of human nature and OF uni
Vcrsal harmony. In these days of intense
flldividualisrn the Socialist must work out
his own destiny, and as a spark of fire is
produced by friction of matter with other
similar matter. 50 the spark of eternal
truth is frequently established by mind
coming In contact with mind.
Probably the best-known member OF the
Summer Brook settlement was Mr. Henry