And Mr. Barmby, whilst he attacks with great
spirit and great contempt the conventions of society, is a worshipper
of love and of beauty, and vindicates the arts. "The apostleship of
veritable doctrine," he says, "in the fine arts is a really religious
Apostolate, as the fine arts in their perfect manifestation tend to
make mankind virtuous and happy."
It will give the reader some precise information of the views
of the most devout and intelligent persons in the company we have
described, if we add an account of a public conversation which
occurred during the last summer. In the (London) Morning Chronicle,
of 5 July, we find the following advertisement. "Public Invitation.
An open meeting of the friends to human progress will be held
to-morrow, July 6, at Mr. Wright's Alcott-House School, Ham Common,
near Richmond, Surrey, for the purpose of considering and adopting
means for the promotion of the great end, when all who are interested
in human destiny are earnestly urged to attend. The chair taken at
Three o'clock and again at Seven, by A. Bronson Alcott, Esq.
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