Fourier was a man of dignified simplicity, friendly and polite, in diligent and sincere, but somewhat misanthropic in the latter part of his life, partly from disappointment in failing to realise his theory during his own lifetime. In person ho was slight, and of a nervous, irritable temperament: his stature about five feet seven inches. Ilia physiognomy was expressive, his hair light-brown, complexion fair ; his eyes blue and of a mild expreuioo. His nose was aquiline and chin larva, his lips thin and much compressed. His head was of the Gaulois form, less oval than the Celtic, prominent in front, depressed behind, and very full on each aide, and yet rather small than largo. In youth his favourite study was geography ; his favourite amusements were mueio and the oultivation of flowers.
In 1837 Fourier's health began to decline rapidly, and on the 10th of October he died, leaving a second volume of his ' False Industry,' partly printed, but not published. The whole of his published works comsat of—' Th6erie des Quatros Siouvoments et des Destin6ea G6n6 mica, 1 vol. 8vo, 420 pages, published in 1803; 'Trait6 de ]'Associa tion Domeitlqne Agricole,' 2 vole. Svo, published in 1822, and a sum mary of the same, published lu 1823, making altogether a work of 1443 closely prints, pages Le Nouveau Monde, Industriel ct Socid.
talre,' 1 vol. Svo, published In 1829, with a livret d'annouce of the same, published In 1830, 064 pages; ' Pieges et Charlatanisme des deux Sectee St. Simon et Owen, an octavo pamphlet of 72 pages, published in 1831 ; `La Faunae Industrie, morcel6e, repugnante, men 'enema ; et l'Antidoto, l'lndustrle naturelle, combin6e, attrayante, veridique, dormant quadruple Preduit,' 1 vol. 8vo, published in two parts, the first in 1835, the second iu 1837, 840 pages; and the' Pas sions of the Soul,' mentioned above, which has been translated into English (8vo, 1851) by the Rev. J. R. Morell, with a biography and general introduction by Hugh Doherty. Eight volumes of his' (Euvrea Completes' were published at Paris between 1841-45.
Fourier's views have unquestionably had a very powerful influence in modifying, if not in forming, those associative, communistic, or socialistic doctrines which were for awhile dominant, and though repressed are yet influential, and appear to have taken deep root in France ; have extended so widely throughout the European continent; and have been far from inoperative in this country and in America; though, as it would seem, their prevalence is less general and their influence less profound than the hopes and fears of their more ardent advocates and opponents have led them to believe. We therefore deem
it not unadvisable to place before our readers a summary of the views of Fourier, drawn up, ns will be seen, by a member of the Phalausterian school, one of Fourier's most devoted and able disciples—holding ourselves of course therefore free from all responsibility for the tone of acquiescence in opinions many of which we deem palpably erroneous.
Fourier's theory is based on One universal principle—that of attraction and repulsion, in all spheres of life and movement. The cardinal division of this One principle or law of movement pivots on, or terminates in, what he terms Passional or Social harmony. When stated mathematically his science resolves itself into three theorems— three aspects of universality—which are these :— These are accepted by the Phalansterian school as fundamenta axioms of science, and susceptible of demonstration; and all that Fourier has been able to demonstrate with them is admitted.
There can be no doubt that one principle of unity governs all the infinite varieties of nature, and that these varieties must therefore correspond to one another in some degree of close or of remote analogy as well as to the One principle in which they all unite ; and hence the evident necessity of Universal analogy as a connecting link in nature, and a ladder for the human mind to climb upon iu rising to the infinitely great, or in descouding to the infinitely small in creation.
That order is heaven'e first law, the law of universal harmony in fact, there cannot be a doubt in healthy minds ; and that variety is harmonised in unitary order, by the law of series or gradation, is self-evident, and helm the truth of Fourier'e second theorem. The application of this law however is Infallible in superhuman wisdom only, not in fallible humanity ; and hence it is that Fourier's school accept the law of order or series, as he explains it scientifically, but reserve their free assent in cases where a special application of this law is not sufficiently supported by experience or scientific demonstration.
That the general impulsions of created beioge are adapted to the ends for which they are created, is a theorem which cannot be denied without imputing imperfection to the author of our being; and hence the first theorem of Fourier, that attractions are proportional to final destinies.