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vol. title: Vol Four of The Theosophical Society of The Arya Samaj of Arya-wart vol. period: Sept 1878 – Sept 1879 pages in vol.: 350 |
< Humbug in India (continued from page 8-269) >
globe. Let us take now a new type of humbug. The youthful and delicate Miss—— that is just arrived from England and its pleasures, sees but misery in her residence in this land of cholera and mosquitoes. The Hindoos are such rogues, the Parsees so noisy, the Mahomedans such boasters, life in India is a continual infliction on the refined and romantic sensibilities of Miss——! Again the young Civilian, whom cramming and mathematics have made him what he is, cannot but perceive how this land has been misgoverned, how the native princes are a bevy of idle debauchees, and how he himself, the Civilian of twenty-five on a salary of five-hundred rupees, is superior to Sir Salar Jung! Then, there is the Police or Municipal Commissioner, raised above all human authority, a divine miniature of the Grand Mogul.
We should not forget to mention the Magistrate in some distant part of the Mofussil, who cannot bear to see a native with shoes in his court, to whom the presence of a native pleader is a signal for the discharge of pent-up fury, and who would be a tyrant if he were not a Magistrate. Can we pass in silence over our juries, the prop of this benighted, tottering country? Can we pass quietly over our Town Councils and Corporations? Can we be ever forgiven, if we neglect to mention, how the most petty, illiterate official may obtain a service of plate or an address at least, if he were so inclined? And last, though not the least, is it possible for us to exclude our Editors, both native and English, who seem to believe that India is a toy they are to play with, the Viceroy a target to shoot at, the people to be bullied and frightened like children, and themselves the haughty monarchs of earth and sky? We do believe in the immortality of humbug!
madame blavatsky.
Sir,—Be so kind as to make room in your next issue for this indignant protest of mine. Speaking of me in your leading article of May 23rd, and entitled “Theosophic Thaumaturgy,” I am mentioned as the “Countess” Blavatsky. Allow me to state, once for ever, that such is not my title, nor can I concede the right to include in the long list of vices I may be possibly endowed with that of a parvenu’s vanity. My family, on both sides, is quite ancient enough and noble enough to have transmitted to me too much pride to leave room for any petty feeling of vanity. I had to protest against this title while I was in America; have protested against it at another time in the Revue Spirite of Paris; and have just published in the Bombay Gazette of May 13th a third protest, stating that, for reasons sufficiently specified, and not wholly disconnected with American citizenship, my name is simply
Bombay, June 12th.
[The expression “Countess Blavatsky” was taken from the Indian newspapers.—Ed.]
correspondence.
Sir,—The philosophy of the belly is more important than the philosophy of the head. We are not starving for want of philosophy but we are starving for want of food. Why bring you not your arts and your sciences from America to India? You say you admire our philosophy. Well we thank you heartily for thus honouring our ancestors who deserved honour. But why don’t you, in return, bring us your Western wisdom—wisdom that will snatch our teeming millions from the jaws of death and free us from the clutches of poverty? Your philosophy will be welcomed by the few but your food-giving wisdom will be received with infinite gratitude by the many. The fact is we have had enough of dry empty philosophy—it does not give us food and comfort. Empty stomachs can scarcely think much less philosophize on your occult science. If you command influence in your country better use it in contriving the means of satisfying our immediate wants. Induce your countrymen to send us money and machines so that our starving young men may be fitted for the business of life and enabled to succeed in their struggle for existence. You have got the American trade policy in your pocket—why not open a large firm or start a big company and teach our young men the art of trading. By doing this you will have done some real service to the country. Material progress is what we want. Arts and professions is our urgent need. When we get these there will be time enough to study philosophy; to thank you for your obligations and to make a return for them. “Do you not know that what is remote and indefinite affects man far less than what is near and certain?” If you do not know this simple truth—why it bespeaks the most profound ignorance on your part of human nature? Take therefore our immediate wants into your kind consideration and do not try to give us what would not much serve our purpose under the circumstances.
My Dear,
From the enclosed prospectus you will find that the Members of the American Theosophical Society, who have taken up their residence in Bombay with a view to make researches into the religion, philosophy, Science and philology of our country, intend to publish a monthly Journal giving publicity to the results of their labour in various departments of learning. As the Subscription per year is so small I trust you will kindly respond to the appeal by subscribing for a copy, thereby showing your appreciation of their disinterested work.
This is what we expect of the—
Theosophists![6]
Sources
-
London Spiritualist, No. 359, July 11, 1879, p. 24
Inlay
Editor's notes
- ↑ Madame Blavatsky by Blavatsky, H. P. (signed as H. P. Blavatsky), London Spiritualist, No. 359, July 11, 1879
- ↑ Uncaptioned still-life illustration. by unknown author
- ↑ Correspondence by unknown author, Native Opinion, Sunday, 27th July 1879
- ↑ From the enclosed prospectus... by Shroff, K.M. (signed as K. M. Shroff), 8, Mody St. Fort, Bombay, July 30, 1879. Loose letter mounted over the Native Opinion clipping.
- ↑ Illustration of a waiter presenting a bill of fare. by unknown author
- ↑ Probably in HPB’s handwriting.