rpose
with which she came, and, with great tact, indicated the indiscretions
that might spoil the meeting."

Here is Margaret's own account of the first days.

TO R.W.E.

'_25th Nov._, 1839.--My class is prosperous. I was
so fortunate as to rouse, at once, the tone of simple
earnestness, which can scarcely, when once awakened, cease to
vibrate. All seem in a glow, and quite as receptive as I wish.
They question and examine, yet follow leadings; and thoughts,
not opinions, have ruled the hour every time. There are
about twenty-five members, and every one, I believe, full of
interest. The first time, ten took part in the conversation;
the last, still more. Mrs. ---- came out in a way that
surprised me. She seems to have shaken off a wonderful number
of films. She showed pure vision, sweet sincerity, and much
talent. Mrs. ---- ---- keeps us in good order, and takes care
that Christianity and morality are not forgotten. The first
day's topic was, the genealogy of heaven and earth; then the
Will, (Jupiter); the Understanding, (Mercury): the second
day's, the celestial inspiration of genius, perception, and
transmission of divine law, (Apollo); the terrene inspiration,
the impassioned abandonment of genius, (Bacchus). Of the
thunderbolt, the caduceus, the ray, and the grape, having
disposed as well as might be, we came to the wave, and the
sea-shell it moulds to Beauty, and Love her parent and her
child.

'I assure you, there is more Greek than Bostonian spoken at
the meetings; and we may have pure honey of Hymettus to give
you yet.'

To another friend she wrote:--

'The circle I meet interests me. So even devoutly thoughtful
seems their spirit, that, from the very first, I took my
proper place, and never had the feeling I dreaded, of display,
of a paid Corinne. I feel as I would, truly a teacher and a
guide. All are intelligent; five or six have talent. But I am
never driven home for ammunition; never put to any expense;
never truly called out. What I have is always enough; though I
feel how superficially I am treating my subject.'

Here is an extract from the letter of a lady, who joined the class,
for the first time, at the eighth meeting, to her friend in New
Haven:--

"Christmas made a holiday for Miss Fuller's class, but it met
on Saturday, at noon. As I sat there,