adise is still
through the strait gate and narrow way of self-denial. Eden's avenue
is yet guarded by the fiery-sworded cherubim, and humility and
charity are the credentials for admission. Unless well armed with
valor and patience, we must continue in the old and much-trodden
broad way, and take share of the penalties paid by all who walk
thereon.

"The conditions for one are conditions for all. Hence there can be no
parley with the tempter, no private pleas for self-indulgence, no
leaning on the broken reed of circumstances.

"It is not for us to prescribe conditions; these are prescribed on
our natures, our state of being--and the best we can do, if
disqualified, is either to attain an amended character, or to
relinquish all hopes of securing felicity.

"Our purposes, as far as we know them at present, are briefly these:

"First, to obtain the free use of a spot of land adequate by our own
labor to our support; including, of course, a convenient plain house,
and offices, wood-lot, garden, and orchard.

"Secondly, to live independently of foreign aids by being
sufficiently elevated to procure all articles for subsistence in the
productions of the spot, under a regimen of healthful labor and
recreation; with benignity towards all creatures, human and inferior;
with beauty and refinement in all economies; and the purest charity
throughout our demeanor.

"Should this kind of life attract parties towards us--individuals of
like aims and issues--that state of being itself determines the law
of association; and the particular mode may be spoken of more
definitely as individual cases may arise; but, in no case, could
inferior ends compromise the principles laid down.

"Doubtless such a household, with our library, our services and
manner of life, may attract young men and women, possibly also
families with children, desirous of access to the channels and
fountain of wisdom and purity; and we are not without hope that
Providence will use us progressively for beneficial effects in the
great work of human regeneration, and the restoration of the highest
life on earth.

"With the humane wish that yourself and little ones may be led to
confide in providential Love,

"I am, dear friend, very truly yours,

"A. BRONSON ALCOTT."

It must be admitted that there is something delightful in the
_naivete_ of this undertaking to be "sufficiently elevated to live
independently of foreign aids," after first getting "the _free