Afterwards, when decline had already set in, so far as the material basis of the undertaking was concerned, and those who had its success most at heart had begun to study Fourier for fruitful suggestions, the first practical hint from that quarter resulted in Mr.Dana's organizing "a group of servitors." These, writes Mrs.Kirby,* comprised "four of the most elegant youths at the community--the son of a Louisiana planter, a young Spanish hidalgo, a rudimentary Free-soiler from Hingham, and, if I remember rightly, Edward Barlow (the brother of Francis).

These, with one accord, elected as chief their handsome and beloved teacher.
It is hardly necessary to observe that the business was henceforth attended to with such courtly grace and such promptness that the new _regime_ was applauded by every one, although it did appear at first as if we were all engaged in acting a play.

The group, with their admired chief, took dinner, which had been kept warm for them, afterwards, and were themselves waited upon with the utmost consideration, but I confess I never could get accustomed to the new regulation." [* _Years of Experience,_ pp.

178, 179.] The watchword of the place was fraternity, not communism.

People took up residence at Brook Farm on different terms.