Brook Farm | Page 8

keenly sensitive to
harmony of all kinds; amiable, thoughtful, kind. Touched with the
divine desire to do good to all, he entered into the work with his whole
earnest soul. Modest to a fault, but singularly persistent in what he felt
to be his duty, he never flinched or failed to act when occasion required
it. His tastes were of the most refined order. He shrank from coarse
contact with an unusual degree of sensitiveness, but his great heart
embraced all mankind in brotherhood. He graduated at Harvard College,
and rumor says that he had more than ordinarily the goodwill of his
classmates. He studied and made some fine translations from French
and German authors, and was ordained to the ministry. He soon left the
pulpit, feeling that it was better to try to actualize a Christian life,
preaching it by deeds himself, than to preach it by words to others. He
was supremely musical, though his musical feeling sometimes showed
itself in verse, and he stamped Brook Farm with his musical influence.
Short in stature, delicate in physical organization, the school claimed
the major part of his services.
Mrs. Ripley was born under favorable stars and had superior mental
talent and training, with hosts of friends and relatives. Her devotion to
the "Community" caused a great flutter in her social circle. Her
relatives were noted for their position, their personal dignity, and
generally for a haughtiness of manner unknown in these days. In person
she was tall, slender and graceful, with rather light, smooth hair, worn
in the plain style of the day. Being near-sighted she was obliged to use
a glass when looking at a distant person or thing. Her manner was
vivacious and she was a good conversationalist. Mr. Ripley had
changed since the description given of his appearance in earlier days,
and had grown stouter; had lost his pallor and gained a good, healthy
color. He had allowed a vigorous beard to grow, and shaved only his
upper lip.

A young man of education, culture and marked ability was Charles
Anderson Dana when from Harvard College he presented himself at the
farm. He was strong of purpose and lithe of frame, and it was not long
before Mr. Ripley found it out and gave him a place at the front. He
was about four and twenty years of age, and he took to books, language
and literature. Social, good-natured and animated, he readily pleased all
with whom he came in contact. He was above medium height; his
complexion was light, and his beard, which he wore full but well
trimmed, was vigorous and of auburn hue, and his thick head of hair
was well cut to moderate shortness. His features were quite regular; his
forehead high and full, and his head large. His face was pleasant and
animated, and he had a genial smile and greeting for all. His voice was
musical and clear, and his language remarkably correct. He loved to
spend a portion of his time in work on the farm and in the tree nursery,
and you might be sure of finding him there when not otherwise
occupied. Enjoying fun and social life, there was always a dignity
remaining which gave him influence and commanded respect. If you
looked into his room you saw pleasant volumes in various languages
peeping at you from the table, chair, bookcase, and even from the floor,
and they gave one the impression that for so young a person he was
remarkably studious and well informed.
George P. Bradford had the department of Belle Lettres. Of him, after
his decease, his former friend and pupil, George William Curtis, wrote
as follows in _Harper's Monthly_ for May, 1890:--
"The recollection of George Bradford is that of a long life as serene and
happy as it was blameless and delightful to others. It was a life of
affection and many interests and friendly devotion; but it was not that
of a recluse scholar like Edward Fitzgerald, with the pensive
consciousness of something desired but undone. George Bradford was
in full sympathy with the best spirit of his time. He had all the
distinctive American interest in public affairs. His conscience was as
sensitive to public wrongs and perilous tendencies as to private and
personal conduct. He voted with strong convictions, and wondered
sometimes that the course so plain to him was not equally plain to
others.

"It was a life with nothing of what we call achievement, and yet a life
beneficent to every other life that it touched, like a summer wind laden
with a thousand invisible seeds that, dropping everywhere, spring up
into flowers and fruit. It is a name which to most readers of these words
is wholly unknown, and which will not be written, like that of so