Page:The Homes of the New World- Vol. III.djvu/453

Rh system of voluntary education embraces—combined with perfect individual freedom, not only common schools of rudimentary knowledge, but common enjoyments for all classes in the higher realms of art, letters, science, social recreations, and enjoyments. Were our legislators but wise enough to understand to-day the destinies of the New World, the gentility of Sir Philip Sidney, made universal, would not be half so much a miracle fifty years hence in America, as the idea of a whole nation of labouring men reading and writing, was in his day, in England.”

Thus my friend Downing, who has in this declared from his sphere, the mission of the New World, and who has taken a position which is worthy a son of the new creation, that of Christian artist.

He has gone forth among the people to elevate them to his point of view; he has united himself with that great, true republican party in the country, all of whose endeavours tend to “levelling upwards” and whose watch-word is “all things for all.”

It is an especial source of joy to me to see how near Downing now approaches to that point of view taken by my friends the S.'s. Probably they will hereafter come into closer personal contact. Downing may visit the Phalanstery, and may perhaps give it the benefit of his knowledge and artistic genius in those building schemes which are under contemplation. Thus are fraternal chains formed, the first link of which rests in his hand who first declared on earth that all men are brethren. His power will permeate it to the very extremest link. Praise be unto him!

Evening.—I cannot write much more from this place; time fails me, my heart fails me. The writing of many letters, and the duties of the present moment occupy the hours, and the thought of leaving this country, these friends, this people, is like a thorn in my heart. The weather also depresses me; the heat oppressive; not a breath of wind is stirring; the atmosphere is hot as is