the _sans-culotte_ tendency in their manners, throwing
themselves on the floor, yawning, and going out when they
had heard enough. Yet as the majority differ with me, to
begin with--that being the reason this subject was
chosen--they showed on the whole more interest and
deference than I had expected. As I am accustomed to
deference, however, and need it for the boldness and
animation which my part requires, I did not speak with as
much force as usual.... Sunday.--A glorious day; the woods
full of perfume; I was out all the morning. In the afternoon
Mrs. R. and I had a talk. I said my position would be too
uncertain here, as I could not work. ---- said 'they would
all like to work for a person of genius.' ... 'Yes,' I told
her; 'but where would be my repose when they were always to
be judging whether I was worth it or not?.... Each day you
must prove yourself anew.' ... We talked of the principles
of the community. I said I had not a right to come, because
all the confidence I had in it was as an _experiment_ worth
trying, and that it was part of the great wave of inspired
thought.... We had valuable discussion on these points. All
Monday morning in the woods again. Afternoon, out with the
drawing party; I felt the evils of the want of conventional
refinement, in the impudence with which one of the girls
treated me. She has since thought of it with regret, I
notice; and by every day's observation of me will see that
she ought not to have done it. In the evening a husking in
the barn ... a most picturesque scene.... I stayed and
helped about half an hour, and then took a long walk beneath
the stars. Wednesday.... In the evening a conversation on
Impulse.... I defended nature, as I always do;--the spirit