worked out the balance. Some gave labor only, as was the case with
Mrs. Kirby, then Georgiana Bruce, an English girl of strong
character. She says she agreed to work eight hours a day for her
board and instruction in any branches of study which she elected to
pursue. As an illustration of the actual poverty to which the
community were soon reduced, and, moreover, of the low money value
they set on domestic labor, we give another characteristic passage
from her book. The price of full board, as we learn from a bill sent
by Mr. Ripley to Isaac Hecker after the latter's final departure from
the Farm, was five dollars and fifty cents a week:

"When a year had elapsed I found my purse empty and my wardrobe much
the worse for wear. As I was known to be heartily interested in the
new movement, my case was taken under consideration, and, with the
understanding that I was to add two more hours to my working day, I
was admitted as _bona-fide_ member of the association (which included
only a dozen), and was allowed to draw on the treasury for my very
moderate necessities. Forty dollars a year would cover these,
writing-paper and postage included. The last item was no unimportant
one, as each letter cost from ten to fifty cents, and money counted
for more then than now.

"I should explain that for the whole of one winter there remained but
two bonnets fit for city eyes among six of us. But the best of these
was forced on whomever was going to town. As for best dresses, a
twenty-five cent delaine was held to be gorgeous apparel. The
gentlemen had found it desirable to adopt a tunic in place of the
more expensive, old-world coat."*

[* _Years of Experience,_ p. 132.]