THE DWELLER ON THE THRESHOLD IX. ⸻ A heavy downpour of rain two nights earlier caused considerable damage in London. The weather over the British Isles appeared to be falling gradually into an unsettled condition again. Solar halos were seen all over the country and thunder hid in the oily clouds. Rain was a surety in the westward veering wind.[1] It came as a surprise, therefore, when Blavatsky agreed to Russell’s offer of taking her to get photographed at... Read more
THE SERVANT OF THE QUEEN VIII. ⸻ There had been much talk in early August of Dadabhai Naoroji, the Indian Home Ruler, who was presenting himself before an Irish constituency with plans to run for office. There were some notable names who thought Naoroji had a chance, namely the Irish republican activist, Michael Davitt. As the Voice of India noted: “The case of Ireland and that of India is not far too different.” Maud Gonne wanted to get to... Read more
IMPERIAL GOTHIC VII. ⸻ “From a drop of water, a logician could infer the possibility of an Atlantic or a Niagara without having seen or heard of one or the other,” said Charley, re-reading the sentence. “So all life is a great chain, the nature of which is known whenever we are shown a single link of it.” Like most everyone in the Britain, he was “captivated by the magic” of this great modern detective story. “Just like the... Read more
WITH LOW AND NEVER LIFTED HEAD VI. ⸻ At 8 in the evening Blavatsky’s party, taking advantage of the fine weather and the short distance, set off on foot through the picturesque streets beyond Kensington Gardens, where every house was built like a villa, and covered with creepers and colorful flowers. Bert Keightley, secretary of the Theosophical Society, led the way. “Arch returned from France,” Bert related to Blavatsky as they strolled slowly. “The troubles in the Isis Lodge (Paris... Read more
DOMOVOY V. ⸻ Blavatsky sat at her desk facing a large window looking which looked into the green leafy trees of Holland Park. Before her, and all around her, were heaps of papers, pamphlets, books, manuscripts, and a small bible for reference.[1] She knew her Bible well, though to her it was only one of many sacred books, all sacred to her; for through her Theosophy—she taught to drop the final “s” from religions. A deep student of perennial philosophy, some... Read more
DENIZEN OF ETERNITY IV. ⸻ “Now that we have the Theosophical Publishing Society, I want to print your stories. I want to make a volume of novels under which Russian names will be sold,” Blavatsky told her sister, Vera Petrovna. She arrived in London from Russia a few days earlier with her daughter, Verochka, (Blavatsky’s niece.)[1] Joining them was Charley, whom, as Blavatsky noticed, was one of the few people who could cheer up her mourning niece. “We... Read more
IN THE MIDST OF THE SEVEN CANDLESTICKS. ~ Alexander Svoboda had wandered Asia and the vast Ottoman Empire for many years, and, being a jealous man, could claim, with pride, to be the first to photograph the caves of Elephanta and the monument of Ctesiphon. No place in the world, however, seemed so remarkable for its natural phenomena as Hierapolis. Together with his friend Barth, who had joined him from Smyrna, he wandered among the tapestry of ruins in the quilt... Read more
THE TIMES ARE CHANGED III. ⸻ Joshiji was a shrewd and learned Brahman who, in addition to be an adviser to Moniya’s family, was an old friend. Joshiji maintained his connection with the family, even after the death of Moniya’s father, so it came as no surprise when he called on the family during Moniya’s break from school. Learning that Moniya was enrolled at Samaldas College, he asked Moniya’s mother, Putlibai, and elder brother, Laxmidas, about his studies. ... Read more
CARELESS WHENCE COMES YOUR GOLD II. ⸻ THE FABIANS “I will not go into the question whether it is desirable that women should work in factories or workshops, for it would be useless to do so,” said Clementina Black. “We may differ upon that point—but short of a social revolution, it is impossible, at the present time, but that a considerable proportion of women should have to work. The fact is—the lamentable fact—that a large proportion of working-women in... Read more
MUCKERS ~ A group of three buildings made up the “Muckers Camp” on the brow Reeders Hill, near Bessemer, Alabama.[1] The first was a kitchen and dining room. The second was a wash-house. The third was a large dormitory—where Irvine and the other laborers lived while working in the Muscoda Mines of the Tennessee Coal and Iron Company. The original design for the dormitory was a collection of small rooms—but that plan was scrapped prematurely. It was now a warehouse... Read more
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