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Zirkoff B. - The Diaries of H.P. Blavatsky (view source)
Revision as of 13:14, 9 September 2023
, 13:14, 9 September 2023no edit summary
We got cold again, I think. Oh, unfortunate, empty, rotten old body!
We got cold again, I think. Oh, unfortunate, empty, rotten old body!
After dinner Wimb. was sorely surprised by the arrival {{Page aside|427}}
After dinner Wimb. was sorely surprised by the arrival {{Page aside|427}} of Sinclair and Moses. Thought they were going to arrest him. They came for a compromise. If he does not make a fool of himself he will be free of all trouble tomorrow.—He plays his last card.
Evening. Pike and Hallet. Wimb. went to his office. When at 12 they wanted to go home, the door downstairs could not be opened! Latch and knob were broken. They returned and sat till 2. At last H.P.B. suggested that a policeman should be called through kitchen window, and he broke door and so liberated them. Wimb. came home half past two.
December 7. No letters from H.S.O. A letter from Miss Ellen F. Burr, with a dollar enclosed in it for my portrait. Cannot give hers as it always represents her as if drunk. Wants me to write for their paper from India. Have to go and have some made today.
Letter from Billing—says a voice was heard in their drawing-room which told them there were but four theosoph. in London who should be taught by him theosophy,—when asked who he was answered: “One of the Brothers from India.” Thomas was present.
Judge came this morning. Last night went to Tiflis, and learnt that parcel was just received finally, and that Mme. Jelihovsky had sold her bird for 30 roubles! She must have been starving.
Wimb. wound up matters—all safe now. Sold monkey and brought money. H.P.B. with Marble the whole day preparing for auction. Bought a stateroom trunk, 4 doll. Had photos taken $3 a dozen.
Evening. Letters from Otho Alexander, Nicolaides and three for Olcott. Marble, Batchelor and Thompson from Montreal.
December 8. Miss Potter came and she, H.P.B. and Wimb. went all to photographer. H.P.B. was taken with Wim., a group!! Miss Potter will call on Tuesday again.
We write from the closet room, anciently occupied by H.S.O. where Marble drove us in under the pretext of auction. Sent Stars with Curtis’ article on H.P.B.’s lottery to {{Page aside|428}} Hurrychund, Mooljee, Thomas and Otho Alexander, also letter to Vera Jelihovsky.
Pike was first to make his appearance—and welcome; for Jenny went away at three, and Marble drove me nearly crazy fidgeting.
Evening Visitors. Blackmore and Clough—latter wants his diploma. Then Curtis, Maynard with a Captain Hommons (a mystic and seer and a Rosicrucian). Then Tom, with Wimb. and O’Donovan, finally Paris broke gas lamp and carried off lots of rubbish—Marble went to sleep on four chairs with no mattress in dining room.
Tomorrow good-bye all. But—will H.S.O. be ready? That’s the question. One, only one week more! God help him if he fails . . . . [ . . . . . ]62
December 9. Went to bed at four and was aroused at 6—thanks to Marble, who locked the door and Jennie could not get in. Got up breakfasted and went off to meet [ . . . . ]63—Battery. Came home at 2. Most infernal row and hullaballoo at auction. All went for a song, as they say in America. If Marble surpassed himself in kindness he did the same in zeal. He sold at auction Levi’s,—the landlord’s three window shades for 50 cents ! ! !
Curtis came to look out for an article on the sale. Levi the landlord came and demanded his money believing H.P.B. was going away with the furniture. The grocer insulted Jenny and saying that over $100 being due to him he would not trust for one penny more. Elegant.—
Auctioneer took big clock—promised to sell for 60 dollars.
Capt. Hommons came with Maynard,—gave N: 64 the grip and password of the Madagascar [ . . . . ]65 and therefore was accepted as a Fellow, signed the obligation, paid Maynard $5 initiation to be sent to Hurrychund and went off.
5 o’clock—Everything gone. Baron de Palm—adieu.
Evening. Curtis came to write article. Marble prostrated. Wimb. gone office.—Evans from Philadelphia turns up to fetch me! Impossible. Suddenly H.S.O. makes his {{Page aside|429}} appearance. Bosses and patronises Wimb. at night until the latter becomes raving mad! H.S.O. calls the [ . . . .] 66 “old horse.”
December 10. We breakfast on a board three inches wide. Letter from Daniels and Evans. Article in Herald “Mad. Blavatsky” appears. A reporter from the Graphic comes to interview H.P.B. Is respectfully begged to go to the devil.
H.P.B. writes to Buck, Cincinnati,—to Ellen Burr, Hartford,—and to Hyde and sends him back his diploma. Two rich Jewesses, Mrs. and Miss Hoymen, produce a sudden siege and force themselves in. She wants to join the Society and signs application.
Evening. H.S.O. lends M ... 100 dollars.
December 11. Letters from Miss Burr. Marble flap-doodling all day.
Visitors, visitors, visitors.
H.S.O. lends Morya $100.
Went out on a jamboree with Judge.
December 12. Letters,—from everywhere. H.S.O. goes Orange to Belle. and H.P.B. has teeth extracted and does not go. Send replies and buy things.
Evening.—Curtis comes and invites to Fulton’s theatre. Tom at dinner, and brings album. Marble flapdoodles and fidgets—sets me mad. Harrisse after dinner. Dr. Weisse brings his new book on philology and we remain at home. Doulton Fulton and the son of Stephen Pearl Andrews!
H.S.O. does not go to sleep at all and
December 13. [H.S.O.] goes to Menloe Park to Edison67 about phonograph. H.P.B. sick; telegraphs to Belle Mitchell who comes from Orange and passes day with her.
Visitors, visitors. Articles in all papers. Mrs. Wells is initiated. Mrs. Ames comes with daughter and is also initiated. Curtis. Our photographs brought. Sent to Miss Burr to Thomas and Wyld, England.
Orders—go from Philadelphia. Kali suspects departure and thinks of arresting H.S.O. He receives his regular nomination from the Govt. and appointed commissioner with {{Page aside|430}} special passport. He has to go to Phil. on Monday or Tuesday too.
Never return to New York.
Judge and Wim. and H.S.O. and Morya in consultation till 4 a.m.
December 14. H.S.O. gone off early. Wimb. and Judge trying to help H.P.B. Today the trunks must go.—They do go—care of Hur. Chund, Bombay. So much the less. Tales feeling a sudden love for H.P.B. sends carriage and boy after her. Positive refusal.—Miss Potter came and wants to join Theosophical. Promises to send $5. Vediamo. Marble comes and—H.P.B. falls asleep.
H.S.O. returns with phonograph weighing 100 pounds. General Doubleday came.—Went away as he came. Wimb. on a jamboree with tile club men again. He takes it easy. Poor H.S.O. had barely the time to swallow three spoonfuls of soup and went off. H.P.B. dines alone with Charles purring and Marble jabbering. H.S.O. will have to go to Philadelphia. We send trunks by train on Monday night; and go—when H.S.O. writes he is ready. Wise determination of “old Horse.”
Marble—fidgeted and sent telegram to A. C. Wilder. Tile Club gave Wimb. a dinner at Monico’s Hotel. Wimb. DRANK.
Olcott back at 10—and passed evening writing letters. Sent Edison’s photo to Constant [inople], Corfu and London. Phonograph whistles.68
December 15. Whole day packing up.
Dinner. Paris, Wimb., Tom, Marbles and Gustam.
Evening. Two Judges—Wm. and John.—The latter initiated. Wilder,—Dr. Weisse, Shin and Ferris, Two brothers Langham, Clough,—Curtis. Griggs came from Connect. to be initiated. O’Sullivan and Johnston of the phonograph. All sent speeches to the Brothers in India. Mrs. Wells, Mrs. Ames and daughter, Maynard, O’Donovan and a painter who came with Mrs. Ames.
Edison was represented by E. H. Johnson.
{{Page aside|431}}
December 16. Packing up. H.P.B. went to O.’s office and destroyed papers. Changed money into English bank notes. Met at office Maynard, Marble, Griggs. Olcott came home after. Wimb. disappeared till 2 p.m.
Evening. Brosnan, brought presents to Olcott, Wilder, Dr. Gunn and Dr. Campbell, O’Sullivan and wife, Tomlinson, Maynard and wife.
Letters from Massey, Taffy and Billing.
December 17. Great day! Olcott packed up. At 10 he thought going to Phil. At 12 [ . . . . ]69 stepped in and— as he [H.S.O.] would have no more money coming, and received his last $500 from Reading Co.—he concluded to send him off from New York tomorrow or the day after. Bouton came and gave three copies.—Dr. Weisse brought two copies also for the Bombay and Calcutta papers.
Marble fidgeted but made himself useful. Tom the whole day.
What next? All dark—but tranquil.
CONSUMMATUM EST70
Olcott returned at 7 with three tickets for the British steamboat the “Canada.” Wrote letters till 11½. Curtis and Judge passed the evening. Maynard took H.P.B. to dinner to his home. She returned home at 9. Maynard made a present of a tobacco pouch. Charles lost ! !71 At nearly 12 H.S.O. and H.P.B. took leave of the chandelier72 and drove off in a carriage to the steamer, leaving Marble to sleep at home and wait for Wimbridge who was taking leave of Tom until a very late hour.
December 18. Passed last night on the “Canada.” Got frozen, sleeping in wet blankets and passed a sleepless night, but S———— 73 had the best of us and we did leave the American soil on the 17th. H.P.B. in trances of fear for H.S.O. (Kali) and Wimb. (Sinclair) who both had a right to prevent their leaving America—till the moment of departure. Instead of leaving at 11 the steamer left at 2½. Both Judges came on board. Curtis, Paris, O’Donovan,
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{{Style P-No indent|Mac Grath, Tom. Maynard brought H.P.B. a silver tankard with the initials—Good fellow. Tom remained with O’Donovan till the last moment. Touching scene. He on deck she waiting on wharf. Poor girl, she really felt for us. At last we sailed off at 3,—ran three or four miles and— dropped anchor off Coney Island waiting for tide. H.P.B. who had begun breathing collapsed in fear again for Kali might hearing of H.S.O. departure on the 19th send after him, etc., etc. No real fear, but great exhaustion in order to ward off danger from H.S.O.
Evening. Made acquaintance with a Mrs. Wise, Capt. and Mrs. Payton, a Revd. and a young Mr. Wansborough. After tea theological dispute with the Rev.}}
December 19. Magnificent day. Clear, blue cloudless but—devilish cold. Fits of fear lasted till 11 (the body is difficult to manage—Spirit strong but flesh very weak). At last at 121/2 the pilot took the steamer across the Sandy Hook bar. Fortunately we did not get stuck in the sand.
(No danger of that. O.)
All day eating—at 8, 12, 4 and 7. H.P.B. eats like three hogs. Wrote letters to Judge, Billing—London and Brosnan. Wimb. wrote to Tom. Yesterday morning Judge brought to me on the steamer Hurrychund’s letter of Nov. 18, the last I will receive from him in America. (How very wise!)
December 20. Still splendid weather, wind abaft, and sea very quiet. Slight motion to ship, but not enough to speak of. Yet H.P.B. the only woman at table.
Last eve after tea had my first set-to with the Revd. Sturge (who has a mouth like a sturgeon). He’s an eloquent, oily chap but apparently an easy antagonist to handle. The debate drew from Capt. Payton the admission that missionaries were an unmitigated nuisance. He believed they caused the Sepoy Mutiny.
December 21. Good weather. Little motion. Monotonous and stupid. Several tugs with the Revd. Sturge. Eating all day.
December 22. Weather changed. Wind and gale. Rain and fog. Came pouring into the saloon skylarks [? sky- {{Page aside|434}} lights]. Everyone seasick except Mrs. Wise and H.P.B. Captain Payton and the Revd played piano and Moloney sang songs.
December 23. The same. Only Moloney and Wimb. sick and flapdoodle all day. Weather cleared up.
Evening. After a beautiful day, a fearful gale. Captain telling fearful stories of shipwreck and drowning the whole evening. Mrs. Wise and Mrs. Payton frightened out of their wits.
December 24. Night of tossing and rolling. H.S.O. sick in bed.—Monotonous, stupid, wearisome. Oh for the land —oh for India and home!