who was himself considered of the fraternity, 'Their little nostrums and big blunders'." I am much inclined to think that the plans recommended by this society are the only remedy adequate to the magnitude of our difficulties; and I will in a few days furnish you with some papers which will explain more fully the general principles as well as the details of the projected communities. CHARLES WANSFORD. After the perusal of the manuscript Saadi retired for the purpose of writing to Almured, as a vessel was on the point of sailing from Greenock. Before the hour of rest was arrived, he had completed the following letter. CHAPTER XII. "The friends of reason, and the guides of youth, Saadi to Almured. REJOICE, my revered friend,—rejoice, Almured, for soon shall Persia be happy under the benignity of your councils. Often have I listened with scepticism to your descriptions of the future happiness of man, when his changing policies should be superseded by the invariable principles of science; but now I have ceased to wonder at your enthusiasm, and I look back with surprise at my own ignorance, when observing the simplicity of the regulations by which these societies are governed. The letter I addressed to you within two days of my arrival, conveyed an account of the external appearance and local situation of the Communities ; but as you will be anxious to learn the character of the inhabitants in general, I will now briefly state the result of my observations after a few weeks residence. I confess with shame, that so little attention had I devoted to this interesting subject, that whenever a community upon a system of equal property was mentioned, I always pictured to myself some fanatical or religious society, such as that of the Shakers, and Moravians, where peculiar doctrines must necessarily prevail, as an indispensable bond of union : judge then how great was my surprise to find, instead of a people contracted in their views, a race of men of benevolent and liberal sentiments, of elegant,―highly intellectual, and of noble aspect. manners The stranger on his first arrival, is struck with the solidity and splendour of the edifices, the luxuriance of the fields, gardens, and parks, the profusion of the products of foreign commerce, and of domestic industry; at the same time remarking the small portion of time in which the inhabitants are productively occupied. In a few days, however, he discovers the secret, in the judicious appliance of every talent or power, physical or mental, both individually and collectively. As the diminutive ants by their united efforts remove in a few hours the enormous weight from their citadel, so do the inhabitants accomplish Herculean objects with a rapidity which, to those who have not observed the power derived from the simultaneous and concentrated exertions of large numbers, appears almost incredible. For the more stupendous results of their combination, they are indebted to the mutual aid of several communities, alternately assisting each other, and also to the astonishing power of their machinery, which is brought to the very highest perfection. Chemistry and mechanism, and indeed the general principles of all the sciences, are familiar, theoretically and practically, to every individual. With such qualifications, united to vigorous health, you will readily conceive them to be most efficient co-operators. Besides the vast superiority these people exhibit in mental attainments, they differ from all others in the careful and peculiar education of the females, who are equally well-informed with the men upon all subjects to which they subsequently devote the same attention: indeed, the superiority found in either sex appears to arise from the opportunities which their respective avocations afford them, after arriving at an adult age. In a knowledge of those sciences a “That both sexes are equally capable of being taught, of comprehending, appreciating, and making their own, all the knowledge accumulated on moral and physical subjects, and judging of that knowledge, similar facilities being afforded to each, the most ample experience has fully proved."-Thompson's Appeal of Women, p. 136. the practical application of which requires greater strength, the men generally excel; but in those best suited to the habits of females, their perception is most improved. In the study of the nature and operations of the human mind, from which the Persian ladies are debarred, the females here are the most assiduous; for as the care of infants and of the earliest instruction of youth belong to them, it is considered of the greatest importance that they should be well grounded in whatever relates to the formation of character; and this knowledge, they say, is acquired less through the medium of metaphysical writings, than by a daily observation of the living subject. The high intelligence of the females has entirely dissipated the long prevailing error, that their intellectual powers are inferior to those of men; and while they display an elevation of character that commands admiration, they possess a sweetness of disposition and a kindness of manner that win upon the heart. But language would fail me were I to attempt a description of the rapid progress made by the children, animated by an insatiable thirst for the acquisition of knowledge, and an enthusiasm in the exercise of benevolent feeling. I have had frequent opportunities of observing with great pleasure their |