Quotes:Wachtmeister, Constance

Zirkoff, Boris

Wachtmeister, Countess Constance Georgina Louise (née de Bourbel de Monpinçon). Born March 28, 1838 at Florence, Italy. Her parents were the Marquis de Bourbel formerly in the French diplomatic service, and Constance Bulkley. The de Bourbel family is one of the most ancient in France; originating from the southeast of the country, they settled in Normandy around 936 A.D.; several members of that family were distinguished in French history, especially Raoul de Bourbel in the reign of Louis XIV.

Constance de Bourbel lost her parents at an early age; was sent to England to her aunt, Mrs. Bulkley, of Linden Hill, Berkshire; educated and lived there until her marriage, 1863, with her counsin, Count Karl Wachtmeister (b. April 21, 1823—d. Oct. 14, 1871), then Swedish and Norwegian Minister at the Court of St. James. Resided in London for three years, when her husband was called to Copenhagen as Minister to the Danish Court. In 1868, took residence in Stockholm, where the Count was nominated Minister of Foreign Affairs. Constance W. was then created “state lady of the land” by the King, and was the last one to receive this distinction, as the title then became extinct. After death of husband, she remained in Sweden for several years, spending winters in warmer climates on acc. of health. She had one son, Count Axel Raoul (1865-1938), well known as a composer. His early Theosophical associations are mentioned in his Memories (London: John M. Watkins, 1936, 55 pp.).

In 1879, Countess W. began investigating Spiritualism, but after two years found it unsatisfactory. She joined the Theos. Soc. in 1881, and remained an indefatigable worker therein until her death in 1910. She met H. P. B. in April, 1884, being on a visit to London, and soon became one of her closest friends, who stood by her in time of great distress, both physical and social. She was for a while Secretary and Treasurer of the Blavatsky Lodge in London; for a long time, she carried on the work of the Theos. Publ. Society, and contributed to its sound financial basis.

Countess W. wrote a fascinating eye-witness account of her life with H. P. B. at Würzburg, Germany, and Ostende, published under the title: *Reminiscences of H. P. Blavatsky and “The Secret Doctrine” (London: Theos. Publ. Soc., New York: The Path, and Madras: Theos. Soc., 1893, 162 pp.). The Appendices to this book contain accounts regarding the writing of The Secret Doctrine, by Bertram Keightley, Dr. Archibald Keightley, Wm. Q. Judge, Vera P. de Zhelihovsky, H. P. B.’s sister, Vera Johnston, Dr. Franz Hartmann, and Dr. Wm. Hübbe-Schleiden; also extracts from The Path, New York, April, 1893, p. 2, embodying the Teachers’ statement regarding the triple authorship of The Secret Doctrine, and other interesting material bearing upon these early days of the Movement and H. P. B.’s life.

Source: Boris de Zirkoff, «H. P. Blavatsky Collected Writings», vol. 6, p. 448

Wachtmeister, Countess Constance (1838-1910). Reminiscences of H. P. Blavatsky and “The Secret Doctrine.” London: Theos. Publ. Soc.; New York: The Path; and Madras: Theos. Soc., 1893, 162 pp. Vide Vol. VI, p. 448, in the present Series, for detailed biographical data.

Source: Boris de Zirkoff, «H. P. Blavatsky Collected Writings», vol. 7, p. 401