Placed so near a large city, and in a populous neighborhood, the
original liability for land, etc., was so large as still to leave a
considerable burden of debt. This state of things seems fairly to
entitle the establishment to re-draw from the old world in fees for
education, or in the sale of produce, sufficient to pay the annual
interest of such liabilities. Hence the necessity for a more intimate
intercourse with the trading world, and a deeper involvement in money
affairs than would have attended a more retired effort of the like
kind. To enter into the corrupting modes of the world, with the view of
diminishing or destroying them, is a delusive hope. It will,
notwithstanding, be a labor of no little worth, to induce improvements
in the two grand departments of industry and education. We say
_improvement_ as distinct from _progress_; for with any
association short of community, we do not see how it is possible for an
institution to stand so high above the present world as to conduct its
affairs on principles entirely different from those which now influence
men in general.
There are other considerations also suggested by a glance at Brook
Farm, which are worthy the attention of the many minds now attracted by
the deeply interesting subject of human association.
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