“My visit to New Lanark was the first decided step towards an intimacy with the Owen family, which continued for many years. From the commencement I saw much to admire in Mr. Owen’s views; but I invariably urged him to be satisfied with their gradual introduction, and above all not to attempt to apply them in their complete form to persons of all ages taken indiscriminately, and without previous training, from society at large. Mr. Owen always evinced a most friendly, I might say affectionate, feeling towards myself, my wife, and other members of the family. His opinions regarding myself were shown, among other ways, by his urging me to undertake, on terms advantageous to myself, the management of one of his communities; but, for the reasons indicated above, I declined the offer.”
Not long after the removal to Bruce Castle, some of the brothers carefully prepared a scheme for establishing a “Social Community.” The first mention that I find of the plan is the following:—
“Sketch out a plan detailing—first, the objects in which union can take place with little danger of violence to our present habits; as, united purchases of food, clothing, coals; library; news-room; use of each other’s knowledge and connections; cooking; rooms and apparatus for receiving friends, parties, &c. (persons not to go to each other’s houses unless invited. If one wants society, he must go to the public rooms); pleasure grounds; baths; cab or omnibus.
“Economy of having men of various professions united, as a medical man, a lawyer, architect, schoolmaster; house-warmer; telegraph for own use and for hired use.”
From the scheme, when completed, I make the following extracts:—
“Plan Proposed.
“Object.—The union of the family and the formation of a small community of persons, in addition to the family, thinking and feeling as we do.
“The Community to be established near London, for the sake of access to the world at large, and to be located on a farm for the sake of economy, and as a means of providing profitable and healthy employment for the members during part of each day.
“Plans either for public good or private emolument to be matured in the Community, and then either prosecuted at the Community’s establishment or carried into effect in the world at large by members liberated for a time for that purpose.
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