< The Theosophists of India (continued from page 10-130) >
the one side and simple orthodoxy on the other. The contents of the first number of the Theosophist are to a great extent introductory. We meet first with a long article entitled “What is Theosophy?” and its rich erudition, so clearly from the same fount as that of Isis, reveals the authorship at a glance. We will not attempt the task of epitomising the explanations given. Readers, anxious to know what is theosophy, cannot expect to get their curiosity satisfied without a good deal of patient investigation. The article referred to is succeeded by another, entitled “What are the Theosophists?” and it would seem that a good deal of study as to the nature of theosophy may leave us still requiring enlightenment concerning the nature or the persons who profess that science. Meanwhile it is satisfactory to gather from the information now conveyed that “the root idea of the society is free and fearless investigation.” The present number of the new magazine gives a great deal besides the explanatory essays just mentioned— a remarkable native autobiography, some philosophical articles, a review of the Light of Asia, and sundry stories and anecdotes. It announces, moreover, that the society from which the Theosophist emanates is about to undertake a series of interesting meetings at its head-quarters in Bombay. We read:—“There will be a course of Saturday evening lectures by Colonel Olcott upon the occult sciences in general, with experimental demonstrations in the branches of mesmerism, psychometry, crystallomancy, and possibly Spiritualism.” The Theosophist will, no doubt, duly record the results. Finally, though the cultivated world generally will receive the unfamiliar teaching of the energetic society with great caution, we may all recognise that its Bombay members have one clearly defined claim on our regard. They are people who in a very disinterested way, for the love of their own intellectual convictions and to pursue what they believe to be truth, have become fellow-sojourners with the rest of us in this remarkable country, which, in spite of its good points, we most of us frequent for very much simpler and less elevated motives. It does not follow that we are less useful on that account: much good work is done for the sake of its pay, and the reflection has a wide application in British India. But still it is only right to recognise the moral dignity of persons whose aims in life are disconnected with that idea. And as bearing on that view of the Theosophists, we are glad to be able to conclude this notice of their new venture by an announcement of a satisfactory kind as regards themselves. It will be remembered that in the beginning of this year their feelings were deeply hurt on the occasion of a trip they made up-country by an insulting espionage set on foot against them by the police. It appears that some groundless calumny had preceded them to this country, and that the police put a very clumsy construction upon certain orders they received from Government respecting the new arrivals. However, since then the subject has been brought specially to the Viceroy’s notice, and, satisfied that the Theosophists were misrepresented in the first instance, he has given formal orders, through the Political Department, to the effect that they are not to be any longer subject to interference.
An Encounter with Burglars
...
<Untitled> (Mr. Husk’s seances...)
...
Editor's notes