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Title: La Ruche
Author: Emma Goldman
Date: November 1907
Language: en
Topics: La Ruche, Libertarian Education, Sebastian Faure, Libertarian Labyrinth, Mother Earth
Source: Retrieved on 25th April 2021 from http://wiki.libertarian-labyrinth.org/index.php?title=La_Ruche
Notes: Published in Mother Earth. v.2 (November 1907). pp. 275–77.

Emma Goldman

La Ruche

THE rearing of children—whether in the sense of training or in the sense

of free unfoldment—is still causing much dispute. The tendency of the

times is to produce uniform and average types. Spontaneity and

originality are considered out of date and useless. In fact, the less

creative man is, the better his chances in every vocation of life.

The division of labor has never before reached such height, nor has man

ever before been so much degraded to a mere machine. The spirit of an

Emerson or a Goethe is rare indeed, and impractical for our daily life.

The most lamentable quality of modern man is his great capacity for

adjustment. His activities are mechanical; his work, instead of

liberating him, is riveting his chains still deeper into his flesh. The

iron necessity of eking out a living imposes such occupations which are

remunerative, though in no way related to his nature or inclinations.

The question is not as to what could give the greatest satisfaction or

joy; rather is it what gain, what material results can accrue therefrom.

The same spirit actuates the ideals of our times in the rearing and

educating of the child. Most parents see in the school, the college and

university the medium of profitable positions. They look upon education

as a good investment, eagerly awaiting the time when they and their

children will reap the dividends.

The idea that the rearing of the child—whether boy or girl—implies a

consideration of the individual tendencies, has vanished from the

horizon of parents and educators of to-day. No wonder they fail to grasp

the importance of free unfoldment and growth. * * *

An attempt to give the child an opportunity for unhampered development

is being made in France by Sebastian Faure. The latter became widely

known during the high tide of the Dreyfuss campaign. Together with Emile

Zola, Anatole France, and Octave Mirbeau, Sebastian Faure fought the

corrupt nationalistic and militaristic cliques which were endeavoring to

use the Dreyfuss affair to further their own reactionary aims, mindful

of Dr. Johnson’s remark, that patriotism is the resource of knaves.

Faure is considered the most formidable foe of the reactionists, because

of his remarkable oratorical ability. But Faure’s particular forte is

his opposition to religion and churchism, with which, as an ex-priest,

he is thoroughly familiar. Faure might be compared to Robert Ingersoll,

except that the ideas of the former are much broader and higher. He did

not stop at free thought; but, as Anarchist and educator he is equally

uncompromising in his opposition to economic and social iniquities.

Faure is a practical idealist—one that applies his theories of a happier

future to the immediate regeneration of society.

“La Ruche” is an hour’s journey from Paris; it is situated on the

outskirts of a village named Rambouillet, a former stronghold of French

nobility and now owned by the government, serving as a summer resort of

the President.

Two years ago comrade Faure bought the land on which he has built his

“Beehive.” In that comparatively short time he succeeded to transform

the former wild, uncultivated country into a blooming spot, having all

the appearances of a prosperous and well-kept farm. A large, square

court, enclosed by three buildings, and a broad path leading to the

garden and orchards, greet the eye of the visitor. The garden, kept as

only a Frenchman knows how, furnishes a large variety of vegetables for

the “Hive.” Faure is not a faddist; but he believes that fresh

vegetables contain more nutrition than meat; the latter is therefore

served but once a week at “La Ruche.” Nor do they lack fresh vegetables

in the winter time, for the large greenhouse is well stocked. Almost

anybody would be tempted to turn vegetarian at the sight of the

inviting, artistically grouped garden patches. Added to them are an

orchard and a flower garden, which further enhance the beauty of “La

Ruche.”

Sebastian Faure is of the opinion that if the child is subjected to

contradictory influences, its development suffers in consequence. Only

when the material needs, the hygiene of the home and intellectual

environment are harmonious, can the child grow into a healthy, free

being.

I had read of “La Ruche” when it was first founded. On my arrival in

Paris I wrote comrade Faure that I should very much like to see his

venture in operation. I soon received his kind invitation to visit the

place, of which I gladly took advantage in the company of a friend.

At the station of Rambouillet we were met by a little woman, the

housekeeper and general manager of “La Ruche,” who was accompanied by a

young girl of about twelve years, very pretty and healthy-looking. After

half an hour’s ride through the beautiful country, we reached the

“Beehive.” On the way I was struck with the affectionate relations

between my hostess and her little companion, sweet and tender as chums.

I soon learned that the same atmosphere prevailed in the entire place.

Comrade Faure, whom I had previously met in 1900, greeted us with simple

cordiality, and knowing that we had come to see and to learn, he lost no

time in showing us through the place—a rare treat, not easily forgotten.

The cleanliness and beauty of the “Hive” filled us with admiration. Most

wonderful of all, however, proved the dormitory and lavatory of

children, furnished in the plainest conceivable manner and yet producing

a remarkably bright and cheerful effect. The latter was due to the

hand-painted wall paper—a labor of love by some of the ablest artists of

France. Flowers, plants, birds and animals were grouped in harmonious

colors, thus quickening the imagination of the children more effectively

than a hundred lessons.

Co-education is still forbidden by the lawmakers of France. It is owing,

however, to the great popularity of Faure that the government does not

interfere with him, who not only propagates joint education, but also

maintains it at “La Ruche.” There the boys and girls mingle freely

together in class-room, workshop and gymnasium.

The schoolroom lacked the usual awe-inspiring appearance—the children

rocking in their chairs, listening to their instructor whom they seemed

to regard as one of their own number, telling them an interesting story.

Never before had I seen such spontaneous joy as on that September

afternoon, when Sebastian Faure led us into the classroom and—with the

most serious face—introduced the “American comrades to the comrades of

‘La Ruche’,” addressing each little tot as Mlle. Janette or Monsieur

Henri. No one could remain in doubt as to the affection the children

bore Faure.

Naturally, we were very anxious to hear the views of Faure himself, as

to his novel undertaking. Among other things he said:

“I have taken twenty-four children of both sexes, mostly orphans or

those whose parents are too poor to pay. They are clothed, housed and

educated at my expense. Till their twelfth year they will receive a

sound elementary education; between the age of twelve and fifteen—their

studies still continuing—they are to be taught some trade, in keeping

with their individual dispositions and abilities. After that they are at

liberty to leave ‘La Ruche’ to begin life in the outside world, with the

assurance that they may at any time return to ‘The Hive/ where they

shall be received with open arms and welcomed as parents do their

beloved children. Then, if they wish to work at our place, they may do

so under the following conditions: One-third of the product to cover the

expenses of his or her maintenance, another third to go towards the

general fund set aside for accommodating new children, and the last

third to be devoted to the personal use of the child, as he or she may

see fit.

“The health of the children who are now in my care is perfect. Pure air,

nutritious food, physical exercise in the open, long walks, observation

of hygienic rules, the short and interesting method of instruction and,

above all, our affectionate understanding and care of the children have

produced admirable physical and mental results.

“It would be unjust to claim that the children have accomplished

wonders; yet, considering that they belong to the average, having had no

previous opportunities, the results are gratifying indeed. The most

important thing they have acquired—a rare trait with ordinary school

children—is the love of study, the desire to know, to be informed. They

have learned a new method of work—one that quickens the memory and

stimulates the imagination. We make a particular effort to awaken the

child’s interest in his surroundings, to make him realize the importance

of observation, investigation and reflection, so that when the children

reach maturity, they should not be deaf and blind to the things about

them. Our children never accept anything in blind faith, without inquiry

as to why and wherefore; nor do they feel satisfied until their

questions are thoroughly answered. Thus their minds are free from doubts

and fear resultant from incomplete or untruthful replies; it is the

latter which warp the growth of the child and create a lack of

confidence in himself and those about him.”

I asked comrade Faure what the relations of the children were among

themselves and how they treated each other.

Faure replied: “It is surprising how frank, kind and affectionate the

children are to each other. The harmony between themselves and the

adults at ‘La Ruche’ is highly encouraging. We should feel at fault were

the children to fear or honor us merely because we are their elders. We

leave nothing undone to gain their confidence and love; that

accomplished, understanding will replace duty; confidence, fear; and

affection, sternness.

“No one has yet fully realized the wealth of sympathy, kindness and

generosity hidden in the soul of the child. Itie effort of every true

educator should be to unlock that treasure—to stimulate the child’s

impulses and call forth the best and noblest tendencies. What greater

reward can there be for one whose life-work is to watch over the growth

of the human plant, than to see its nature unfold its petals and to

observe it develop into a true individuality. My comrades at ‘The

Beehive’ look for no grander reward, and it is due to them and their

efforts, even more than my own, that our human garden promises to bear

beautiful fruit.”

Referring to the subject of history and the prevailing old methods of

instruction, I asked comrade Faure how that subject is being taught at

“The Hive.”

He replied, simply: “We explain to our children that true history is yet

to be written—the story of those who have died unknown in the effort to

aid humanity to greater achievement.”

The comrades associated with Sebastian Faure are so thoroughly imbued

with the spirit of the place that everything continues in the same

harmonious way, though he, himself, is absent the greater part of the

year on lecture tours. The latter serve the double purpose of education

and raising funds for “La Ruche,” forty thousand francs having been

raised during the two years of “The Hive’s” existence. Comrade Faure

hopes to earn this winter a sufficient sum to liquidate the amount still

due on “La Ruche.” That done, the venture will become self-supporting,

enabling Faure to enlarge his family.

Our visit to “La Ruche” was most interesting and instructive, and we

regretted that time did not permit us to prolong our visit.

We were driven to the station by the friend who had met us on our

arrival. She proved to be not only a kind and lovable person, but also a

highly intelligent woman with great independence of character. Being too

early for our train, we were asked to have a drive through the famous

Rambouillet woods, passing the palace where the French President, M.

Fallieres, was spending the summer.

How forcibly the place contrasted with “La Ruche”! The latter, an

attempt at a new life, new human beings, new habits. Rambouillet,

representing the decayed pillars of old and tottering institutions. What

a contrast!

Sebastian Faure calls his attempt a work of “education and solidarity.”

May it prosper and serve as a noble example for others to follow. In a

world of sham, hypocrisy and misery, is there any grander work than the

rearing of new men and women?