ow-ins who sailed across from Greece intent on some new
thing, but principally to get knowledge and a living without work.

And so Pythagoras and his wife formed a close corporation. For each
member there was an initiation, strict and severe, the intent of which
was absolutely to bar the transient triflers. Each member was to turn
over to the Common Treasury all the money and goods he had of every kind
and quality. They started naked, just as did Pythagoras when he stood at
the door of the temple in Egypt.

Simplicity, truth, honesty and mutual service were to govern. It was an
outcrop of the monastic impulse, save that women were admitted, also.
Unlike the Egyptians, Pythagoras believed now in the equality of the
sexes, and his wife daily led the women's chorus, and she also gave
lectures. The children were especially cared for by women set apart as
nurses and teachers. By rearing perfect children, it was hoped and
expected to produce in turn a perfect race.

The whole idea was a phase of totemism and tabu.

That it flourished for about thirty years is very certain. Two sons and
a daughter of Pythagoras grew to maturity in the college, and this
daughter was tried by the Order on the criminal charge of selling the
secret doctrines of her father to outsiders.

One of the sons it seems made trouble, also, in an attempt to usurp his
father's place and take charge of affairs, as "next friend." One
generation is about the limit of a Utopian Community. When those who
have organized the community weaken and one by one pass away, and the
young assume authority, the old ideas of austerity are forgotten and
dissipation and disintegration enter. So do we move in circles.

The final blow to the Pythagorean College came through jealousy and
misunderstanding of the citizens outside. It was the old question of
Town versus Gown. The Pythagoreans numbered nearly three hundred people.
They held themselves aloof, and no doubt had an exasperating pride. No
strangers were ever allowed inside the walls--they were a law unto
themselves.

Internal strife and tales told by dissenters excited the curiosity, and
then the prejudice, of the townspeople.

Then the report got abroad that the Pythagoreans were collecting arms
and were about to overthrow the local government and enslave the
officials.

On a certain night, led by a band of drunken soldiers, a mob made an
assault upon the college. The buildings were fired, and the members were