THEORY OF UTILITY ACT II. IX. ⸻ Dalpatram Shukla treated Moniya like a brother, patiently practicing English with him, and teaching him the peculiar customs and manners of the English people. Moniya’s diet, however, became a serious question. Their landlady did not know how to prepare vegetarian food, and he could not stomach unseasoned boiled vegetables. They had oatmeal for breakfast (which was filling,) but he was famished by the time lunch time and dinner. For both of these... Read more
ET IN ARCADIA EGO ACT II. VIII. ⸻ On October 19, 1888, the eve of departure, a second meeting was held in the rooms of the Royal Institute of British Architects. Colonel Olcott took the chair, and the rules for the newly formed British Section of the Theosophical Society were voted on.[1] The Arcadia in 1887.[2] The weather in Southampton was fair, if slightly foggy, when Charley, Verochka, Harte, and Baroness S.A, Krummesse boarded the S.S. Arcadia... Read more
ALWAYS THIN AND GRAVE ACT II. VII. ⸻ “The New York Morning Journal, under date of September 5th, devotes three-quarters of a column to a minute description of our new Theosophical Headquarters,” said Judge, reviewing the Theosophical activities. It was Tuesday, October 16, and the Aryan Branch was having its regular meeting. “The account is especially interesting because of its fullness,” Judge continued. “It will doubtless draw increased public attention to the fact that Theosophy is not a visitor... Read more
GLORIFIED IN THE LAND OF BABYLON ACT II. VI. ⸻ The marriage of Verochka and Charley was solemnized on October 12, 1888, at the Register Officer in Kensington. Olcott, Blavatsky, and Charley’s mother, Georgiana Barbara Hay were the witnesses.[1] Being a descendant of the Plantagenets, Georgiana, like Blavatsky, was of minor nobility.[2] Verochka joined the Theosophical Society on the same day the civil marriage was solemnized.[3] Marriage Registration. [4] Though they were technically married, the real wedding was... Read more
A CURIOUS REUNION ON WALNUT STREET ACT II. V. ⸻ Govindarao Sattay was among the dozen men, mostly Theosophists, and believers (more or less) in Spiritualism, that were invited to attend the séance of Horatio Eddy on October 13, 1888. The host of the gathering, Henry B. Foulke, was a well-known Philadelphia real estate agent, and recent President locum tenens of the Krishna Branch T.S. (Philadelphia.)[1] He discussed the invitation with W.Q. Judge near the steps of St. Boniface... Read more
NONSENSE OF BROKEN TEACUPS ACT II. IV. ⸻ ~ After Olcott’s arrival at London a circular was issued to each registered French member, appointing a time and place of meeting in Paris. He was accompanied by an “austere gentleman” named Richard Harte, a former New York newspaperman of Irish extraction, and old friend of Olcott who joined the Society in 1878.[1] Living in London in the 1880s, Harte acquired “considerable reputation” among Theosophists as the writer of a famous editorial... Read more
IN DARKEST LONDON ACT II. III. ⸻ “The ticketing agent for the Great Western says the trains to Notting Hill run every half-hour,” Charley told Verochka. Charley and Verochka were tired and out of spirits—a disposition aggregated by the ten-hour trip on the Mail Boat from Ireland.[1] With their wedding in London just days away, Charley and Verochka could only spend a few days mourning the death of Ina with his family. “Charlushka, let us take a cab.” ... Read more
UNION OF HEARTS ACT II. II. (Maud’s story continued from “The Servant of the Queen.”) ⸻ Houses of Parliament from the Thames, London, England.[1] “Fill in a form with the name of the M.P. you wish to see,” the policeman politely told Maud in St. Stephen’s Hall. “Your name, your address, and your business.” Maud hesitated about the “business,” before finally scribbling “important.” She wondered if that might be a slight exaggeration. “Fighting the British Empire was important,... Read more
THE LITTLE TOY TEMPLE ON NASSAU STREET ACT II. I. ⸻ On September 25, 1888, William Quan Judge sat with his fellow Theosophists in a room in handsome brick mansion at 64 Madison Avenue.[1] Mott Memorial Hall was the room rented on specified Tuesday nights for the regular meetings of the Aryan Branch.[2] It had a special meaning for Judge, as Mott Memorial Hall was where the inaugural address of the Theosophical Society was delivered by Olcott in 1875.... Read more
SOUDAN ~ In February 1907, Irvine returned to New York from South. He was met with both encouraging and discouraging news regarding the progress of Socialism. The English economist, W.H. Mallock, was delivering a lecture series at Columbia University that was highly-critical of Socialism.[1] This would naturally influence the college men. If all went as planned, this would not be an issue for future college men (and hopefully women.) Frances Gill, head of a committee for the Socialist Sabbath... Read more
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