They spoke of creating a real world, community educated through art, they discussed the reform of property laws, the organization of philanthropy, the relations of capital to labor, the part of woman in the civilized world, and spoke of mechanical development in theory and practice. The table talk of the ‘ Futuro’ has long since become one of the most valuable contributions to literature. I only know it through its publication, for I had no opportunity of joining the party on the vessel. I had no time to join in an excursion. I was in Haifa even before the ‘ Futuro ’ anchored in Genoa, but I have read this ‘table talk’ with much attention and many thanks. I am not a philosopher, and devoted even less attention to abstract thought then than now. Whatever seemed practical to me in the table talk of the ‘ Futuro,’ I endeavored to utilize, for it seemed to me that from the ‘ Futuro ’ there spoke a spirit of humanity to the Jewish people as it was about to create for itself a new existence. And the value of the ideas expounded on the ship increased when the tourists reached Palestine.
“The Ship of Wisdom touched the coasts and the tourists were allowed to land at their free will, making small groups and indulging in expeditions. Everything had been prepared to meet this. The geologists did not want to see what the electrical engineer wished to inspect. The botanists sought other paths than the architect. The sculptor devoted himself to other interests than the political economist. They went out, and they came back to the ‘Futuro’ as they wished. In some cases, the social spirit which was created, kept the guests aboard the ship for the larger part of the journey. Some, indeed, saw nothing of land but the coast line between Genoa and Jaffa, and the land from Jaffa to Jerusalem.
"One deep thinking writer, I am told (I do not know whether it is true), did not leave the vessel one moment of the journey. He is supposed to have said that 'this ship is Zion.' He, however, published a very full description of the land and its people. He could get the material from the very best sources, since those who did leave the vessel brought back a superabundance of material gathered by scientific and artistic eyes.
"So it came about that the table talk took the form of wonderful dialogues as to what could be done in Palestine. I have read that portion very often; in fact, I could repeat it by rote. The deepest impression made upon me was the advice given by the artists, because I am not one myself. In practice, only simple common sense would be required to transport what existed to other conditions. I have to thank the artists for the thought that our beautiful country was allowed to develop its natural beauties. It should be beautiful everywhere, beautiful for all, for beauty always rejoices the heart of mankind.
"One of my most remarkable experiences was that I never saw the 'Futuro.' I prepared its journey, and thought out the welfare of its guests. I was always thinking about it and followed the words of the wise but I did not see it; at any rate, not clearly. It happened thus. When the 'Futuro' arrived on the coast, I was in the interior. Fischer, Steineck and Alladino received the ship's company in the name of the New Community. I wanted to introduce myself to our guests as soon as I could get clear of some of my work, but it was a time when I had to work day and night, and journey from one center of activity to another. I even