Zirkoff B. - The Diaries of H. P. Blavatsky: Difference between revisions

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<center>{{HPB-CW-comment|[The superior numbers occurring in the text of the Diaries refer to

Compiler’s Notes appended at the end of them.]}}</center>

{{HPB-CW-comment|[Among the most valuable documents in the Adyar Archives are the many volumes of Colonel H. S. Olcott’s Diaries. He was in the habit of writing down daily the occurrences of the day, to mention those whom he met and to recount briefly various events that were taking place at the time. He kept such Diaries at least from 1875 on, and almost to the time of his death in 1907. The Diaries of 1875-77 mysteriously disappeared years ago, and the Colonel had no idea what could have become of them. For this reason, the Diaries for the year 1878 are the first ones available. They are especially interesting because they are the only ones in which H.P.B. wrote. In those days, Col. Olcott had to absent himself on business rather frequently, and during his absences, H.P.B. made all kinds of entries in his Diary. When he returned, he resumed writing himself. The 1878 Diary gives a vivid picture of the life of H.P.B. and Col. Olcott in the last year of their stay in America, before embarking for India.

Col. Olcott’s entries are printed in small type, and only those from October 23rd are included. It has been thought advisable to preserve as much as possible the original punctuation which at times is very ambiguous. No alterations have been made in H.P.B.’s often peculiar abbreviations.]}}

February 6. Visitors—Hyneman.—Shut up in the room H.P.B. and Isab. Mitchell.<ref>Mrs. Isabel B. Mitchell (Isabella Buloid), born Feb. 23, 1835, married in May, 1860, to Wm. H. Mitchell. She was Col. H. S. Olcott’s oldest sister for whom he had a deep affection all his life.</ref> Sotheran<ref>Charles Sotheran, one of the original “formers” of the T.S. He was a relative of the London booksellers of the same name. He was also with Sabin & Sons, booksellers in New York, and connected in a literary way with their journal The American Bibliopolist. Sotheran had a peculiar temperament. Three mouths after the Society was founded, trouble arose, as Sotheran made inflammatory speeches at a political street meeting and wrote bitterly in the newspapers against H.P.B. and the Society. His resignation was accepted, and, for the sake of protection, the Society was made into a secret body, with signs and passwords. Later on, Sotheran apologized and was taken back into membership. He gave useful help to H.P.B. during the writing of Isis Unveiled, and published a small short-lived journal called The Echo, in which H.P.B. wrote a couple of articles. After the Founders’ departure for India, his name was not again mentioned. See Bio-Bibliogr. Index for further data.</ref> brings Richard Harte of the N.Y. Echo—insists upon H.P.B. writing an Editorial for Wednesday following. Entrance and visits forbidden. H.P.B. writes her corresp. for Russia.