Blavatsky H.P. - The Russian Scientists - Revision history

Sergey at 11:55, 7 July 2025

2025-07-07T11:55:27Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:55, 7 July 2025
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	{{Style P-Subtitle\|EXCITEMENT IN ST. PETERSBURG.—A PROTEST BY THE HIGHEST NOBILITY OF THE EMPIRE.—THE SEVEREST REBUKE A SCIENTIFIC BODY EVER HAD.}}		{{Style P-Subtitle\|EXCITEMENT IN ST. PETERSBURG.—A PROTEST BY THE HIGHEST NOBILITY OF THE EMPIRE.—THE SEVEREST REBUKE A SCIENTIFIC BODY EVER HAD.}}

			{{HPB-CW-comment\|view=center\|[''Banner of Light'', Boston, Vol. XXXIX, June 24, 1876, p. 8]}}

	{{Vertical space\|}}		{{Vertical space\|}}
	<center>Special Correspondence of the ''Banner of Light''.</center>		<center>Special Correspondence of the ''Banner of Light''.</center>

Sergey at 15:36, 27 May 2025

2025-05-27T15:36:26Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:36, 27 May 2025
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	{{Style P-Quote\|{{HPB-CW-comment\|“I have ever striven to be an honest man, and ''I never condescended to write an anonymous letter'', or to make charges sotto voce against anyone. What I say I can prove:* I sign my name. Sign yours!”}}}}		{{Style P-Quote\|{{HPB-CW-comment\|“I have ever striven to be an honest man, and ''I never condescended to write an anonymous letter'', or to make charges sotto voce against anyone. What I say I can prove:* I sign my name. Sign yours!”}}}}

	{{HPB-CW-comment\|H.P.B. pasted the cutting in her {{SB-page\|v=1\|p=164\|text=Scrapbook, Vol. I, pp. 164-65}}, underlined as shown above, added an asterisk, and wrote in pen and ink the following remarks:]}}		{{HPB-CW-comment\|H.P.B. pasted the cutting in her {{SB-page\|v=1\|p=164\|text=''Scrapbook'', Vol. I, pp. 164-65}}, underlined as shown above, added an asterisk, and wrote in pen and ink the following remarks:]}}

	Except in the case of anonymous and infamous letters sent to a poor lady at Geneva, traced to him (D. D. Home) and for which an English officer, a friend of Prince Wittgenstein went to flog him. His behaviour was so cowardly that the officer left in disgust, “without even whipping him a little” adds the Prince who wrote the facts to Col. Olcott.		Except in the case of anonymous and infamous letters sent to a poor lady at Geneva, traced to him (D. D. Home) and for which an English officer, a friend of Prince Wittgenstein went to flog him. His behaviour was so cowardly that the officer left in disgust, “without even whipping him a little” adds the Prince who wrote the facts to Col. Olcott.

Pavel Malakhov at 06:02, 11 May 2025

2025-05-11T06:02:06Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 06:02, 11 May 2025
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	\| volume = 1		\| volume = 1
	\| pages = 215-220		\| pages = 215-220
	\| publications = Banner of Light, Boston, Vol. XXXIX, June 24,1876, p. 8		\| publications = Banner of Light, Boston, Vol. XXXIX, June 24, 1876, p. 8
	\| scrapbook =		\| scrapbook =
	\| previous = Blavatsky H.P. - Mediums, Beware!		\| previous = Blavatsky H.P. - Mediums, Beware
	\| next = Blavatsky H.P. - (New) York Against Lankester		\| next = Blavatsky H.P. - (New) York Against Lankester
	\| alternatives = [https://universaltheosophy.com/hpb/the-russian-scientists/ UT]		\| alternatives = [https://universaltheosophy.com/hpb/the-russian-scientists/ UT]
	\| translations =		\| translations = [[:t-ru-lib:Блаватская_Е.П._-_Российские_учёные\|Russian]]
	}}		}}

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	{{Vertical space\|}}		{{Vertical space\|}}

	{{Style P-Align right\|''~~NEW YORK,~~ June'' ~~15th~~, 1876.}}		{{Style P-Align right\|{{Style S-Small capitals\|New York}}, ''June'' 15''th'', 1876.}}
	{{Vertical space\|}}		{{Vertical space\|}}

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	The Russians are waiting eagerly to see Dr. Slade’s phenomena. A contract has been signed today, which binds him to report in St. Petersburg on the 1st of November next, and remain there three months. The Theosophical Society, as you are aware, has made a very careful and patient investigation. Two out of three ''skeptics'' on the Committee were converted beyond backsliding, and the manifestations were found ''genuine''. A copy of the official report was duly forwarded to St. Petersburg, as a sedative for the Russian psychophobists .		The Russians are waiting eagerly to see Dr. Slade’s phenomena. A contract has been signed today, which binds him to report in St. Petersburg on the 1st of November next, and remain there three months. The Theosophical Society, as you are aware, has made a very careful and patient investigation. Two out of three ''skeptics'' on the Committee were converted beyond backsliding, and the manifestations were found ''genuine''. A copy of the official report was duly forwarded to St. Petersburg, as a sedative for the Russian psychophobists .
	{{Style P-Signature in capitals\|H. P. ~~BLAVATSKY~~.}}		{{Style P-Signature in capitals\|H. P. Blavatsky.}}
	{{Vertical space\|}}		{{Vertical space\|}}

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	We believe that the above opinion, which issues from the very stronghold of the avowed enemies of Spiritism, reflects in a manner which cannot be improved, the general opinion respecting the pretended “investigations” of the Commission.		We believe that the above opinion, which issues from the very stronghold of the avowed enemies of Spiritism, reflects in a manner which cannot be improved, the general opinion respecting the pretended “investigations” of the Commission.
	{{Style P-Signature in capitals\|V. ~~MARKOFF~~.}}}}
			{{Style P-Signature in capitals\|V. Markoff.}}}}
	{{Vertical space\|}}		{{Vertical space\|}}

Sergey at 09:56, 28 April 2025

2025-04-28T09:56:37Z

Show changes

Sergey at 10:29, 5 December 2024

2024-12-05T10:29:47Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:29, 5 December 2024
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	The names attached to this protest represent the best blood of Russia. It is the most influentially signed document, {{Page aside\|216}} probably, that ever appeared in an official journal of my country. It represents a large part of our wealth, intellect and family influence. Some of the names will be recognized by your readers as historical, and as having shed lustre upon the Russian name the wide world over. Its effect upon the scientists, as I learn from private letters, has been amusing and wholesome. Mendeleyeff has been forced into a corner, like a fugitive rat, and is now preparing his defense in the shape of a book, we are told! Professor Wagner’s favorable review of Colonel Olcott’s People from the Other World has contributed largely toward creating the excitement in the ranks of our enemies.		The names attached to this protest represent the best blood of Russia. It is the most influentially signed document, {{Page aside\|216}} probably, that ever appeared in an official journal of my country. It represents a large part of our wealth, intellect and family influence. Some of the names will be recognized by your readers as historical, and as having shed lustre upon the Russian name the wide world over. Its effect upon the scientists, as I learn from private letters, has been amusing and wholesome. Mendeleyeff has been forced into a corner, like a fugitive rat, and is now preparing his defense in the shape of a book, we are told! Professor Wagner’s favorable review of Colonel Olcott’s People from the Other World has contributed largely toward creating the excitement in the ranks of our enemies.

	The Russians are waiting eagerly to see Dr. Slade’s phenomena. A contract has been signed today, which binds him to report in St.		The Russians are waiting eagerly to see Dr. Slade’s phenomena. A contract has been signed today, which binds him to report in St.
	Petersburg on the 1st of November next, and remain there three months. The Theosophical Society, as you are aware, has made a very careful and patient investigation. Two out of three skeptics on the Committee were converted beyond backsliding, and the manifestations were found genuine. A copy of the official report was duly forwarded to St. Petersburg, as a sedative for the Russian psychophobists .		Petersburg on the 1st of November next, and remain there three months. The Theosophical Society, as you are aware, has made a very careful and patient investigation. Two out of three skeptics on the Committee were converted beyond backsliding, and the manifestations were found genuine. A copy of the official report was duly forwarded to St. Petersburg, as a sedative for the Russian psychophobists .
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	{{Vertical space\|}}		{{Vertical space\|}}

	~~<center>~~PROTEST AGAINST THE CONCLUSIONS OF THE COMMISSION FOR		{{Style P-Subtitle\|PROTEST AGAINST THE CONCLUSIONS OF THE COMMISSION FOR INVESTIGATING MEDIUMISM.}}
	INVESTIGATING MEDIUMISM.~~</center>~~
	~~{{Vertical space\|~~}}

	The learned Commission organized for the examination of mediumistic phenomena, had for its object—if we may credit the assertion of Mr. Mendeleyeff which appeared in the Golos (No. 137, 1875)—to carefully investigate “these manifestations,” and thereby “render a great and universal public service.”		The learned Commission organized for the examination of mediumistic phenomena, had for its object—if we may credit the assertion of Mr. Mendeleyeff which appeared in the Golos (No. 137, 1875)—to carefully investigate “these manifestations,” and thereby “render a great and universal public service.”
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	It now announces in its Report of March 21st (Golos, No. 85 1876) that it has finished its labors, that “its object is attained,” and that its unanimous verdict is that “mediumistic phenomena are {{Page aside\|218}} produced either by unconscious movements or conscious fraud,” and that the “Spiritist doctrine is nothing but superstition.”		It now announces in its Report of March 21st (Golos, No. 85 1876) that it has finished its labors, that “its object is attained,” and that its unanimous verdict is that “mediumistic phenomena are {{Page aside\|218}} produced either by unconscious movements or conscious fraud,” and that the “Spiritist doctrine is nothing but superstition.”

	This verdict of the Commission is based, according to its own declaration, upon eight séances, at the first four of which there were no mediumistic phenomena at all, and at the last four, the Commission only saw a few movements of the table and heard a few raps!		This verdict of the Commission is based, according to its own declaration, upon eight séances, at the first four of which there were no mediumistic phenomena at all, and at the last four, the Commission only saw a few movements of the table and heard a few raps! But where are the promised experiments of the Commission with movements of objects without contact, the alteration of weight of bodies, the dialogistic, psychographic and mediumo-plastic wonders? Of the limited programme of investigation which the Commission prescribed for itself, it appears that it did not carry out even the fourth part. But on the other hand, without the slightest warrant, it busied itself with the doctrine of Spiritism, which did not enter in its programme at all.

	But where are the promised experiments of the Commission with movements of objects without contact, the alteration of weight of bodies, the dialogistic, psychographic and mediumo-plastic wonders? Of the limited programme of investigation which the Commission prescribed for itself, it appears that it did not carry out even the fourth part. But on the other hand, without the slightest warrant, it busied itself with the doctrine of Spiritism, which did not enter in its programme at all.

	Therefore, we, the undersigned, deem it our duty to declare that by such a superficial and hasty treatment of the grave subject under investigation, the Commission has by no means solved the problem which it undertook to demonstrate. It evidently did not gather data enough to warrant it in either accepting or rejecting the occurrence of mediumistic phenomena.		Therefore, we, the undersigned, deem it our duty to declare that by such a superficial and hasty treatment of the grave subject under investigation, the Commission has by no means solved the problem which it undertook to demonstrate. It evidently did not gather data enough to warrant it in either accepting or rejecting the occurrence of mediumistic phenomena.
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	{{HPB-CW-separator}}		{{HPB-CW-separator}}

	{{HPB-CW-comment\|[The Spiritual Scientist published “A Letter from D. D. Home” in its issue of July 6, 1876. The letter was written in self-defence against an anonymous “Comte” who attacked Home because he insulted a lady. In the first paragraph of this letter, Home writes as follows:}}		{{HPB-CW-comment\|[The Spiritual Scientist published “A Letter from D. D. Home” in its issue of July 6, 1876. The letter was written in self-defence against an anonymous “Comte” who attacked Home because he insulted a lady. In the first paragraph of this letter, Home writes as follows:}}

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	{{HPB-CW-separator}}		{{HPB-CW-separator}}

	{{HPB-CW-comment\|[In H.P.B.’s {{SB-page\|v=1\|p=185\|text=Scrapbook, Vol. I, p. 185}}, there is a cutting which gives an account most likely from the Boston Herald of October, 1876, of various “materializations” produced by Mrs. Bennett, a medium, and of how she was finally exposed as a trickster. To this H.P.B. added the following in pen and ink:]}}		{{HPB-CW-comment\|[In H.P.B.’s {{SB-page\|v=1\|p=185\|text=Scrapbook, Vol. I, p. 185}}, there is a cutting which gives an account most likely from the Boston Herald of October, 1876, of various “materializations” produced by Mrs. Bennett, a medium, and of how she was finally exposed as a trickster. To this H.P.B. added the following in pen and ink:]}}

	This is the same Mrs. Bennett whose mediumship was so strongly believed in by Epes Sargent. He wrote me a letter and sent a picture made in the dark by this cheat of the {{Page aside\|221}} departed daughter of one of his friends. The picture was unanimously recognized. “The best test that was ever given” wrote poor Epes Sargent to his correspondents.		This is the same Mrs. Bennett whose mediumship was so strongly believed in by Epes Sargent. He wrote me a letter and sent a picture made in the dark by this cheat of the {{Page aside\|221}} departed daughter of one of his friends. The picture was unanimously recognized. “The best test that was ever given” wrote poor Epes Sargent to his correspondents.

Sergey at 10:27, 5 December 2024

2024-12-05T10:27:09Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:27, 5 December 2024
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	{{Style P-Title\|THE RUSSIAN SCIENTISTS}}		{{Style P-Title\|THE RUSSIAN SCIENTISTS}}

	~~<center>~~EXCITEMENT IN ST. PETERSBURG.—A PROTEST BY THE HIGHEST NOBILITY OF THE EMPIRE.—THE SEVEREST REBUKE A SCIENTIFIC BODY EVER HAD.~~</center>~~		{{Style P-Subtitle\|EXCITEMENT IN ST. PETERSBURG.—A PROTEST BY THE HIGHEST NOBILITY OF THE EMPIRE.—THE SEVEREST REBUKE A SCIENTIFIC BODY EVER HAD.}}
	{{Vertical space\|}}		{{Vertical space\|}}

	<center>Special Correspondence of the Banner of Light.</center>		<center>Special Correspondence of the Banner of Light.</center>
	{{Vertical space\|}}		{{Vertical space\|}}

	{{Style P-Align right\|NEW YORK, June 15th, 1876.}}		{{Style P-Align right\|NEW YORK, June 15th, 1876.}}
			{{Vertical space\|}}

	Dear Sir,—By the last Russian mail I received the highly important document which I enclose. It is the sharpest rebuke that a scientific body ever had within my remembrance. The Commission for the investigation of the spiritual phenomena was composed of our most eminent scientists, and when they agreed to devote forty séances to the investigation of what they term “mediumistic manifestations,” every one expected them to make good their promise. The country was as sure that the bottom of the thing would be reached as they would have been if Wagner had undertaken to report on zoology, Butleroff on chemistry, Mendeleyeff himself on physics. But when, after four miserable sittings, Mendeleyeff prostituted his great reputation to pander to ignorant prejudice, the whole influential class of the Empire rose in indignation. The best papers in the country—which had not a shade of sympathy with or knowledge of Spiritualism—agreed as to the insufficiency of his arguments and the injustice of his conclusions upon the facts stated. One of them declares that Mohammed did not have half as good a basis for Mohammedanism as the Spiritists for Spiritualism, and that the matter must be investigated thoroughly and impartially. A universal laugh was raised at the Commission’s assertion that all the mediumistic phenomena can be explained by mechanical contrivances hid beneath the medium’s petticoats!		Dear Sir,—By the last Russian mail I received the highly important document which I enclose. It is the sharpest rebuke that a scientific body ever had within my remembrance. The Commission for the investigation of the spiritual phenomena was composed of our most eminent scientists, and when they agreed to devote forty séances to the investigation of what they term “mediumistic manifestations,” every one expected them to make good their promise. The country was as sure that the bottom of the thing would be reached as they would have been if Wagner had undertaken to report on zoology, Butleroff on chemistry, Mendeleyeff himself on physics. But when, after four miserable sittings, Mendeleyeff prostituted his great reputation to pander to ignorant prejudice, the whole influential class of the Empire rose in indignation. The best papers in the country—which had not a shade of sympathy with or knowledge of Spiritualism—agreed as to the insufficiency of his arguments and the injustice of his conclusions upon the facts stated. One of them declares that Mohammed did not have half as good a basis for Mohammedanism as the Spiritists for Spiritualism, and that the matter must be investigated thoroughly and impartially. A universal laugh was raised at the Commission’s assertion that all the mediumistic phenomena can be explained by mechanical contrivances hid beneath the medium’s petticoats!

Sergey at 11:16, 6 October 2023

2023-10-06T11:16:20Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:16, 6 October 2023
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	\| previous = Blavatsky H.P. - Mediums, Beware!		\| previous = Blavatsky H.P. - Mediums, Beware!
	\| next = Blavatsky H.P. - (New) York Against Lankester		\| next = Blavatsky H.P. - (New) York Against Lankester
	\| alternatives = [http://www.katinkahesselink.net/blavatsky/articles/v1/y1876_014.htm ~~KHL~~]		\| alternatives = [http://www.katinkahesselink.net/blavatsky/articles/v1/y1876_014.htm KH]; [https://universaltheosophy.com/hpb/the-russian-scientists/ UT]
	\| translations =		\| translations =
	}}		}}

Sergey at 00:25, 30 September 2023

2023-09-30T00:25:47Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:25, 30 September 2023
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	{{HPB-CW-comment\|“I have ever striven to be an honest man, and I never condescended to write an anonymous letter, or to make charges sotto voce against anyone. What I say I can prove:* I sign my name. Sign yours!”}}		{{HPB-CW-comment\|“I have ever striven to be an honest man, and I never condescended to write an anonymous letter, or to make charges sotto voce against anyone. What I say I can prove:* I sign my name. Sign yours!”}}

	{{HPB-CW-comment\|H.P.B. pasted the cutting in her Scrapbook, Vol. I, pp. 164-65, underlined as shown above, added an asterisk, and wrote in pen and ink the following remarks:]}}		{{HPB-CW-comment\|H.P.B. pasted the cutting in her {{SB-page\|v=1\|p=164\|text=Scrapbook, Vol. I, pp. 164-65}}, underlined as shown above, added an asterisk, and wrote in pen and ink the following remarks:]}}

	Except in the case of anonymous and infamous letters sent to a poor lady at Geneva, traced to him (D. D. Home) and for which an English officer, a friend of Prince Wittgenstein went to flog him. His behaviour was so cowardly that the officer left in disgust, “without even whipping him a little” adds the Prince who wrote the facts to Col. Olcott.		Except in the case of anonymous and infamous letters sent to a poor lady at Geneva, traced to him (D. D. Home) and for which an English officer, a friend of Prince Wittgenstein went to flog him. His behaviour was so cowardly that the officer left in disgust, “without even whipping him a little” adds the Prince who wrote the facts to Col. Olcott.

Sergey at 00:25, 30 September 2023

2023-09-30T00:25:15Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:25, 30 September 2023
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	{{HPB-CW-separator}}		{{HPB-CW-separator}}

	{{HPB-CW-comment\|[In H.P.B.’s Scrapbook, Vol. I, p. 185, there is a cutting which gives an account most likely from the Boston Herald of October, 1876, of various “materializations” produced by Mrs. Bennett, a medium, and of how she was finally exposed as a trickster. To this H.P.B. added the following in pen and ink:]}}		{{HPB-CW-comment\|[In H.P.B.’s {{SB-page\|v=1\|p=185\|text=Scrapbook, Vol. I, p. 185}}, there is a cutting which gives an account most likely from the Boston Herald of October, 1876, of various “materializations” produced by Mrs. Bennett, a medium, and of how she was finally exposed as a trickster. To this H.P.B. added the following in pen and ink:]}}

	This is the same Mrs. Bennett whose mediumship was so strongly believed in by Epes Sargent. He wrote me a letter and sent a picture made in the dark by this cheat of the {{Page aside\|221}} departed daughter of one of his friends. The picture was unanimously recognized. “The best test that was ever given” wrote poor Epes Sargent to his correspondents.		This is the same Mrs. Bennett whose mediumship was so strongly believed in by Epes Sargent. He wrote me a letter and sent a picture made in the dark by this cheat of the {{Page aside\|221}} departed daughter of one of his friends. The picture was unanimously recognized. “The best test that was ever given” wrote poor Epes Sargent to his correspondents.

Sergey at 08:52, 2 September 2023

2023-09-02T08:52:15Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 08:52, 2 September 2023
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	<center>EXCITEMENT IN ST. PETERSBURG.—A PROTEST BY THE HIGHEST NOBILITY OF THE EMPIRE.—THE SEVEREST REBUKE A SCIENTIFIC BODY EVER HAD.</center>		<center>EXCITEMENT IN ST. PETERSBURG.—A PROTEST BY THE HIGHEST NOBILITY OF THE EMPIRE.—THE SEVEREST REBUKE A SCIENTIFIC BODY EVER HAD.</center>
			{{Vertical space\|}}

	<center>Special Correspondence of the Banner of Light.</center>		<center>Special Correspondence of the Banner of Light.</center>
			{{Vertical space\|}}

	{{Style P-Align right\|NEW YORK, June 15th, 1876.}}		{{Style P-Align right\|NEW YORK, June 15th, 1876.}}
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	Petersburg on the 1st of November next, and remain there three months. The Theosophical Society, as you are aware, has made a very careful and patient investigation. Two out of three skeptics on the Committee were converted beyond backsliding, and the manifestations were found genuine. A copy of the official report was duly forwarded to St. Petersburg, as a sedative for the Russian psychophobists .		Petersburg on the 1st of November next, and remain there three months. The Theosophical Society, as you are aware, has made a very careful and patient investigation. Two out of three skeptics on the Committee were converted beyond backsliding, and the manifestations were found genuine. A copy of the official report was duly forwarded to St. Petersburg, as a sedative for the Russian psychophobists .
	{{Style P-Signature\|H. P. BLAVATSKY.}}		{{Style P-Signature\|H. P. BLAVATSKY.}}
			{{Vertical space\|}}

	The following document was sent to the office of the St. Petersburg Vedomosty, accompanied by this letter:		The following document was sent to the office of the St. Petersburg Vedomosty, accompanied by this letter:
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	We believe that the above opinion, which issues from the very stronghold of the avowed enemies of Spiritism, reflects in a manner which cannot be improved, the general opinion respecting the pretended “investigations” of the Commission.		We believe that the above opinion, which issues from the very stronghold of the avowed enemies of Spiritism, reflects in a manner which cannot be improved, the general opinion respecting the pretended “investigations” of the Commission.
	{{Style P-Signature\|V. MARKOFF.}}		{{Style P-Signature\|V. MARKOFF.}}
			{{Vertical space\|}}

	<center>PROTEST AGAINST THE CONCLUSIONS OF THE COMMISSION FOR		<center>PROTEST AGAINST THE CONCLUSIONS OF THE COMMISSION FOR
	INVESTIGATING MEDIUMISM.</center>		INVESTIGATING MEDIUMISM.</center>
			{{Vertical space\|}}

	The learned Commission organized for the examination of mediumistic phenomena, had for its object—if we may credit the assertion of Mr. Mendeleyeff which appeared in the Golos (No. 137, 1875)—to carefully investigate “these manifestations,” and thereby “render a great and universal public service.”		The learned Commission organized for the examination of mediumistic phenomena, had for its object—if we may credit the assertion of Mr. Mendeleyeff which appeared in the Golos (No. 137, 1875)—to carefully investigate “these manifestations,” and thereby “render a great and universal public service.”
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	D. ZINOVIEFF		D. ZINOVIEFF
	A. ZINOVIEVA		A. ZINOVIEVA

	{{HPB-CW-separator}}		{{HPB-CW-separator}}

	{{HPB-CW-comment\|[The Spiritual Scientist published “A Letter from D. D. Home” in its issue of July 6, 1876. The letter was written in self-defence against an anonymous “Comte” who attacked Home because he insulted a lady. In the first paragraph of this letter, Home writes as follows:]}}		{{HPB-CW-comment\|[The Spiritual Scientist published “A Letter from D. D. Home” in its issue of July 6, 1876. The letter was written in self-defence against an anonymous “Comte” who attacked Home because he insulted a lady. In the first paragraph of this letter, Home writes as follows:}}

	“I have ever striven to be an honest man, and I never condescended to write an anonymous letter, or to make charges sotto voce against anyone. What I say I can prove:* I sign my name. Sign yours!”		{{HPB-CW-comment\|“I have ever striven to be an honest man, and I never condescended to write an anonymous letter, or to make charges sotto voce against anyone. What I say I can prove:* I sign my name. Sign yours!”}}

	{{HPB-CW-comment\|[H.P.B. pasted the cutting in her Scrapbook, Vol. I, pp. 164-65, underlined as shown above, added an asterisk, and wrote in pen and ink the following remarks:]}}		{{HPB-CW-comment\|H.P.B. pasted the cutting in her Scrapbook, Vol. I, pp. 164-65, underlined as shown above, added an asterisk, and wrote in pen and ink the following remarks:]}}

	Except in the case of anonymous and infamous letters sent to a poor lady at Geneva, traced to him (D. D. Home) and for which an English officer, a friend of Prince Wittgenstein went to flog him. His behaviour was so cowardly that the officer left in disgust, “without even whipping him a little” adds the Prince who wrote the facts to Col. Olcott.		Except in the case of anonymous and infamous letters sent to a poor lady at Geneva, traced to him (D. D. Home) and for which an English officer, a friend of Prince Wittgenstein went to flog him. His behaviour was so cowardly that the officer left in disgust, “without even whipping him a little” adds the Prince who wrote the facts to Col. Olcott.

	{{HPB-CW-separator}}		{{HPB-CW-separator}}

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:27, 5 December 2024
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	{{Style P-Title\|THE RUSSIAN SCIENTISTS}}		{{Style P-Title\|THE RUSSIAN SCIENTISTS}}

	~~<center>~~EXCITEMENT IN ST. PETERSBURG.—A PROTEST BY THE HIGHEST NOBILITY OF THE EMPIRE.—THE SEVEREST REBUKE A SCIENTIFIC BODY EVER HAD.~~</center>~~		{{Style P-Subtitle\|EXCITEMENT IN ST. PETERSBURG.—A PROTEST BY THE HIGHEST NOBILITY OF THE EMPIRE.—THE SEVEREST REBUKE A SCIENTIFIC BODY EVER HAD.}}
	{{Vertical space\|}}		{{Vertical space\|}}

	<center>Special Correspondence of the Banner of Light.</center>		<center>Special Correspondence of the Banner of Light.</center>
	{{Vertical space\|}}		{{Vertical space\|}}

	{{Style P-Align right\|NEW YORK, June 15th, 1876.}}		{{Style P-Align right\|NEW YORK, June 15th, 1876.}}
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	Dear Sir,—By the last Russian mail I received the highly important document which I enclose. It is the sharpest rebuke that a scientific body ever had within my remembrance. The Commission for the investigation of the spiritual phenomena was composed of our most eminent scientists, and when they agreed to devote forty séances to the investigation of what they term “mediumistic manifestations,” every one expected them to make good their promise. The country was as sure that the bottom of the thing would be reached as they would have been if Wagner had undertaken to report on zoology, Butleroff on chemistry, Mendeleyeff himself on physics. But when, after four miserable sittings, Mendeleyeff prostituted his great reputation to pander to ignorant prejudice, the whole influential class of the Empire rose in indignation. The best papers in the country—which had not a shade of sympathy with or knowledge of Spiritualism—agreed as to the insufficiency of his arguments and the injustice of his conclusions upon the facts stated. One of them declares that Mohammed did not have half as good a basis for Mohammedanism as the Spiritists for Spiritualism, and that the matter must be investigated thoroughly and impartially. A universal laugh was raised at the Commission’s assertion that all the mediumistic phenomena can be explained by mechanical contrivances hid beneath the medium’s petticoats!		Dear Sir,—By the last Russian mail I received the highly important document which I enclose. It is the sharpest rebuke that a scientific body ever had within my remembrance. The Commission for the investigation of the spiritual phenomena was composed of our most eminent scientists, and when they agreed to devote forty séances to the investigation of what they term “mediumistic manifestations,” every one expected them to make good their promise. The country was as sure that the bottom of the thing would be reached as they would have been if Wagner had undertaken to report on zoology, Butleroff on chemistry, Mendeleyeff himself on physics. But when, after four miserable sittings, Mendeleyeff prostituted his great reputation to pander to ignorant prejudice, the whole influential class of the Empire rose in indignation. The best papers in the country—which had not a shade of sympathy with or knowledge of Spiritualism—agreed as to the insufficiency of his arguments and the injustice of his conclusions upon the facts stated. One of them declares that Mohammed did not have half as good a basis for Mohammedanism as the Spiritists for Spiritualism, and that the matter must be investigated thoroughly and impartially. A universal laugh was raised at the Commission’s assertion that all the mediumistic phenomena can be explained by mechanical contrivances hid beneath the medium’s petticoats!