Zirkoff B. - Appendix (BCW vol.11)

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Appendix

by Boris de Zirkoff

H. P. Blavatsky Collected Writtings, vol. 11, page(s) 562-596

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562

NOTE ON THE TRANSLITERATION OF SANSKRIT

The system of diacritical marks used in the Bibliographies and the Index (with square brackets), as well as in the English translations of original French and Russian texts, does not strictly follow any one specific scholar, to the exclusion of all others. While adhering to a very large extent to Sir Monier-Williams’ Sanskrit-English Dictionary, as for instance in the case of the Anusvâra, the transliteration adopted includes forms introduced by other Sanskrit scholars as well, being therefore of a selective nature.

It should also be noted that the diacritical mark for a long “a” was in the early days a circumflex, and therefore all of H.P.B.’s writings embody this sound in the form of “â.” No change has been made from this earlier notation to its more modern form of the “macron,” or line over the “a.” Such a change would have necessitated too many alterations, and almost certainly would have produced confusion; therefore the older usage has been adhered to throughout.

563

GENERAL BIBLIOGRAPHY (With Selected Biographical Notes)

The material contained in the following pages is of necessity a selective one, and is intended to serve three purposes: (a) to give condensed information, not otherwise readily available, about the life and writings of some individuals mentioned by H. P. B. in the text, and who are practically unknown to the present-day student; (b) to give similar data about a few well-known scholars who are discussed at length by H. P. B., and whose writings she constantly quotes; and (c) to give full information regarding all works and periodicals quoted or referred to in the main text and in the Compiler’s Notes, with or without biographical data of their authors. All such works are marked with an asterisk (*).

*Acts, clerical and lay, from the Chronicles of Baronius, collected in old monasteries: translated from the Polish and printed in the metropolis of Moscow, in the year of the Lord, 1791. No further information available.

Addison, Joseph (1672-1719). Passage has not been identified.

Aeschylus (525-456 b.c.). *Choephorae.—*Prometheus Bound. Loeb Classical Library.

Alipili. This is most likely a pseudonym, and the only work known under that name is: Centrum naturae concentratum: or, the salt of nature regenerated. Improperly called the philosopher’s stone. Written in Arabik by A., a Mauritanian, published in Low Dutch, and now done into English (by E. Price). London, 1696, 12°. It may be consulted in the British Museum (1033.d. 18.4.).

Allen, Grant (pseud, of James Grant Wilson, 1832-1914).

*Amagandha Sutta. Second Sutta of the Cula-vagga of the Sutta-Nipata, preached by the Buddha to the Brahmana Amagandha suffering from jaundice (panduroga), as a result of not eating fish and meat. The Buddha said that amagandha is neither fish nor meat, but lust and sinful desires.

564 Amélineau, M. E., *Essai sur Ie gnosticisme égyptien, ses développements et son origine égyptienne, in Annales du Musée Guimet, Vol. XIV, Paris, 1887.

Anderson, Dr. James (1680-1739). *The Book of Constitutions for Freemasons, London, 1723.

Anstey, E. (pseud, of Thomas Anstey Guthrie). *A Fallen Idol. New York: J. W. Lovell Co., 1866.

Apollonius Rhodius. Greek epic poet and grammarian of Alexandria who flourished under the Ptolemies Philopator and Epiphanes (222181 b.c.). Pupil of Callimachus. In his youth, composed the Argo- nautica, an epic in four books on the legend of the Argonauts, a work which was highly esteemed by the Romans and was imitated by several, including Virgil. Apollonius was most of his life librarian of the museum. Text and English translation may be found in the Loeb Classical Library.

Apuleius, Lucius (b. 125 a.d. ?). *Metamorphoses (Golden Ass). Loeb Classical Library.

Aratus. Greek didactic poet of the third century B.C., contemporary with Aristarchus of Samos and Theocritus. Native of Soli in Cilicia; was invited to the court of Antigonus Gonatas, king of Macedonia, where he spent the latter part of his life. His chief pursuits were physics, grammar and philosophy. His two poetic works, *Phainomena and Diosêmeia, treat of astronomy and weather; in the first one there occurs the passage quoted by St. Paul in his address to the Athenians (Acts, xvii, 28), Aratus drew a great deal from Eudoxus’ writings of a century earlier, and his astronomical knowledge seems to be rather weak. In spite of this he became very popular in both the Grecian and Roman world, to judge by the number of commentaries and Latin translations.

Aristides, P. Aelius. Sumamed Theodorus. One of the most celebrated Greek rhetoricians of the second century after Christ, b. at Adriani in Mysia, the son of Eudaemon, a priest of Zeus. Travelled extensively and resided for many years in Smyrna. His eloquence brought him a great many honors, and he had considerable influence with the emperor Marcus Aurelius. We have from him some fifty or more orations and several treatises on various subjects. In some of his orations there are many accounts respecting the cure of the sick in temples by means which suggest a knowledge of mesmeric forces.

565 Aristophanes (4487-380? b.c.). *Ranae (Frogs). Loeb Class. Library.

Aristotle (384-322 b.c.). * Metaphysics. Loeb Classical Library.

Arrianus, Flavius (2nd cent.). *Anabasis of Alexander. Loeb Class. Library. Vide Vol. V, pp. 369-70, for further data regarding the author and his works.

Ashmole, Elias. British antiquarian, b. at Lichfield, May 3, 1617; d. May 18, 1692. He was the son of a saddler. Became a solicitor, 1638, and was appointed commissioner of excise, 1644; later was commissioned captain of horse. He was a high favorite at the court of Charles II; was made Windsor herald, comptroller, and accountantgeneral of excise, commissioner for Surinam and comptroller of the White Office; was nominated for the office of Garter king-of-arms, but declined in favor of Sir William Dugdale, whose daughter he married after the death of his second wife. In 1677, he presented to the Univ, of Oxford the first public collection of curiosities in the kingdom, which became the Ashmolean Museum, further enriched after Ashmole’s death. One of the chief interests of his life was heraldry and antiquarian research, some of the results of which were embodied in his great work entitled The Institution, Laws and Ceremonies of the most noble Order of the Garter (London, 1672).

A less known side of his character was his profound interest in astrology, alchemy and mystical lore. It is probable that this interest was aroused by Sir George Wharton and the famous astrologer William Lilly. From the methodical diaries kept by Ashmole himself, we leam that he was associated with various astrologers, kabalists, Rosicrucians, alchemists and early Freemasons, although his entries in the diary are couched in cautious language and suggest more than they actually give out. According to one of the entries, namely, Jan. 13, 1653, it would appear that “Father” Backhouse, an obscure alchemist, communicated to Ashmole as a legacy “in syllables, the true matter of the Philosophers’ Stone.” This circumstance is most likely related to the fact that Ashmole published anonymously a work entitled Theatrum Chemicum Britannicum (London, 1652), and some five years later made public the works of an anonymous adept under the title of The Way to Bliss. In the preface to this work, the true author is spoken of as an Englishman, one of the “Anonymi.” The work also speaks of “a Nation of Wise-men” whose description reminds us of the Adepts and Initiates of the Theosophical tradition.

Ashmole was also a leading member of the Society of Astrologers who met at Masons’ Hall. On October 16, 1646, he was initiated a Freemason at Warrington, Lancashire. This fact has been considered 566for a long time as an important Masonic landmark, and Ashmole has been spoken of as the first gentleman not associated with the building arts to be accepted into the Craft. Writing about Ashmole, H.P.B. says (Isis Unveiled, Vol. II, p. 349):

“Who was, in fact, the first operative Mason of any consequence? Elias Ashmole, the last of the Rosicrucians and alchemists. Admitted to the freedom of the Operative Masons’ Company in London, in 1646, he died in 1692. At that time Masonry was not what it became later; it was neither a political nor a Christian institution, but a true secret organization, which admitted into the ties of fellowship all men anxious to obtain the priceless boon of liberty of conscience and avoid clerical persecution ...”

Athenagoras. Christian apologist and philosopher of the 2nd century A.D., believed to have been a native of Athens. His principal work is the Apology (text in Migne, PCC, Ser. Gr.-Lat., Vol. VI; Engl. tr. in ANF) addressed to the Emperors Marcus Aurelius and Lucius Commodus, in which he refutes a number of accusations against the Christians. He also wrote a discourse on the resurrection of the body. His theology is strongly tinged with Platonism.

Augustine, Saint (Aurelius Augustinus, 354-430). *Contra epistolam Manichaei quam vocant fundamenti (Against the Epistle of Manichaeus called fundamental). Migne, PCC, Series Latina, Vol. 42; Engl. tr. in Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, First Ser., Vol. IV.

Bacon, Roger (1214-1294). *De mirabili potestate artis et naturae, 1256-57, a work usually spoken of as Treatise on the Admirable Force of Art and of Nature. Transl. into English by L. Davis. Easton, Penna.: The Chemical Publ. Co., 1923.

Baronius, Caesar. Italian ecclesiastical historian, b. at Sora, 1538; d. 1607. Educated at Veroli and Naples. Joined Oratory at Rome, 1557, and became superior in 1593. In 1596 he became Cardinal and librarian to the Vatican. Nearly elected Pope but opposed by Spain for his work On the Monarchy of Sicily. His chief work, however, is the Series known as the *Annales Ecclesiastici in twelve folios (15881607). In spite of some errors, especially in Greek history, this work is an honest one. The Annales end with the year 1198. They were continued by Rinaldi (9 Vols., 1676-77), by Laderchi (3 Vols., 1728-37), and by Theiner (3 Vols., 1856). The most useful edition is that of Mansi (38 Vols., Lucca, 1738-59).

See also under Acts, etc.

567 Bastian, Adolph. German ethnologist, b. at Bremen, June 26, 1826; d. 1905; educated as a physician, but from early years devoted himself to travel. Going to Australia as surgeon on a vessel, he had visited every part of the world before his return in 1859. Started in 1861 on an expedition to the Far East, which lasted five years. Upon his return, he commenced the publication of his great work, Die Völker des Östlichen Asien (Leipzig: 0. Wiegand, 1866-71), an immense storehouse of facts. Became professor of ethnology at the Univ, of Berlin and keeper of the ethnological museum; succeeded R. Virchow as Pres, of the Berlin Anthropol. Soc., and encouraged German colonialization of Africa. He later undertook further travels in Africa, So. America and India, reporting the results of his observations in a number of papers. He was co-editor, with Virchow and R. von Hartmann, of the Zeitschrift für Ethnologie. Other works: Der Mensch in der Geshichte, Leipzig, 1860, 3 Vols. — Ethnologische Forschungen, 1871-73. — Die Kulturländer des alten Amerika, Berlin, 1878-89. — Der Buddhismus in seiner Psychologie, 1881. — “Spiritisten und Theosophen,” in Deutsche Revue, Breslau, Oct., 1885, pp. 77-90.

Bellarmino, Roberto Francesco Romolo. Italian cardinal and theologian, b. at Monte Pulciano, Tuscany, Oct. 4. 1542 ; d. at Rome, Sept. 17, 1621. Entered the Society of Jesus, 1560; studied theology at Padua, 1567-68; ordained priest, 1570, and began to lecture on theology at Louvain. In 1576, having returned to Rome, he was chosen by Gregory XIII to lecture on the same subject in the new Roman college. His lectures appeared in the famous work, Disputationum de controversiis Christianae Fidei adversus huius temporis Haereticos (3 Vols., 1581, 1582, 1593; Venice, 1721) ; which aroused considerable controversy from the Protestant side. He was made cardinal, 1599, and archbishop of Capua, 1601. There existed between him and Galileo a bond of mutual respect and friendship. Bellarmino’s life was a model of Christian virtue, and he ranks very high among Catholic controversialists. His devotional treatises were very popular among English Catholics. The main source of his life is his Latin Autobiography (Rome, 1675; Louvain, 1753). His Complete Works in eight volumes appeared at Naples (1856-62, repr. 1872), and in twelve volumes at Paris (1870-74). His essay entitled *De ecclesia triumphante is part of the Disputationum, etc., being in the 2nd volume thereof.

Berthelot, Marcellin Pierre Eugène (1827-1907). *La Synthèse chimique. Paris: G. Baillière, 1876, 8vo.

568 Besant, Annie (1847-1933). *JFAy I became a Theosophist, July, 1889; 3rd ed., 1891.

Boerhaave, Hermann. Dutch physician and famous professor of medicine, b. at Voorhout, near Leyden, Dec. 31, 1668; d. at Leyden, Sept. 23, 1738. Graduated in philosophy at Leyden and in medicine at Harderwyck. Became rector of the Leyden Univ., and taught there most of his life, his genius raising the fame of the university to new heights. When Peter the Great went to Holland, 1715, to instruct himself in maritime affairs, he also took lessons from Boerhaave. Chief works: Institutiones medicae, Leyden, 1708; Elementa chemiae, Paris, 1724.

*Book of Numbers, Chaldean. Unavailable. Original source of the Zohar and other Kabalistic works. According to H.P.B., there are only two or three copies of it extant and these are in private hands.

*Book of the Dead. Consult Bio-Bibliographical Index of Volume X in the present Series, for comprehensive information concerning the nature of this title and the various editions of the text.

Borrichius, Olaus. Danish chemist and philologist, b. at Borchen, Jutland, April 26, 1626; d. Oct. 3, 1690. His father was a preacher. Distinguished himself as a teacher at Copenhagen and engaged in the study of medicine. Spent a number of years in widespread journeys, while engaged in studies, visiting and staying in Hamburg, in various parts of Holland and at Paris. After graduating as a physician at Angers, France, travelled through Italy, staying for two years at Rome. Returned to his native country, 1666, and was appointed Court Physician. During his travels, he became the friend of numerous scholars who held him in high esteem. He remained single and willed his considerable estate for the benefit of poor students to help them in their studies.

Brugsch-Bey, Heinrich Karl. German Egyptologist, b. in Berlin, Feb. 18, 1827; d. 1894. Started very early egyptological studies, publishing Scriptura Aegyptiorum demotica, Berlin, 1848. Went to Egypt, 1853; upon returning, became privat-docent at Univ, of Berlin. Went to Egypt again, 1857-58; then to Persia on official business. Was Consul in Cairo, 1864-68; Prof, at Göttingen, 1868-70. In the latter year, was asked to direct the School of Egyptology founded in Cairo. Was Commissioner General of the Egyptian Government at Vienna and Philadelphia exhibitions, 1873 and 1876; received, 1881, the title of Pasha. Founded, 1863, the Zeitschrift für Aegyptische Sprache und 569Altertumskunde. Chief Works: Geschichte Aegypten’s under den Pharaonen. Leipzig, 1877, 1878; Engl. tr. by P. Smith, 2nd ed., London, 1881. — Thesaurus inscriptionum aegyptiacarum. Leipzig, 1883-91, 6 Vols.

Burgoyne, T. H., *The Light of Egypt or the Science of the Soul and the Stars; publ. anonymously; Chicago: Religio-Philosophical Publ. House, 1889. 292 pp.

Burritt, Elihu. Called “the Learned Blacksmith.” American reformer, b. in New Britain, Conn., Dec. 8, 1811; d. Meh. 7, 1879. Son of a shoemaker; educated in the common school of his native town; at age 16 was apprenticed to a blacksmith. Had a great desire to read the Scriptures in their original language, which led him to philological studies in the intervals of labor; showed unusual diligence and remarkable faculties, learning rapidly. Removed to Worcester to take advantage of the Library of the Antiquarian Society. Still plying his trade, edited, 1844-51, the Christian Citizen, advocating abolishment of slavery, temperance and self-culture. Went to Europe, 1846-51, and established in England the League of Universal Brotherhood, publishing the Peace Advocate and Bond of Brotherhood. It was through his efforts that the Brussels Peace Congress was held in 1848. In 1852, he founded in Philadelphia the Citizen of the World, to promote the emancipation cause. Served, 1865-70, as United States Consul in Birmingham, England. Works: Sparks from the Anvil, 1848. — Ten Minutes Talks, 1873. — Chips from Many Blocks, 1878.

Consult: Curli, Merle E., The Learned Blacksmith: The Letters and Journals of Elihu Burritt, New York, 1937.

Byron, George Gordon Byron, 6th Baron (1788-1824). *Don Juan, 1818-23, unfinished. — *The Island.

Caine, William Sproston. English politician and temperance advocate, b. at Egremont, Wallacey, Chechire, March 26, 1842; d. of heart failure, March 17, 1903. Educated privately. Entered as partner in his father’s business; early bent for preaching and philanthropy, but mainly absorbed in temperance movement in Liverpool. Upon being elected to Parliament, urged his views on temperance; joined the new party of “Liberal Unionists” which became known as “Brand of Caine.” The native population of India engaged his sympathies, and he severely criticized British methods of government, esp. the encouragement of liquor and opium trade. Visited India, 1890, as delegate to Indian National Congress at Calcutta, and contributed to 570the Pall Mall Gazette a series of letters called *“Young India” which ably advocated large measures of self-government. He was a man of great courage, high ethical ideals and lively sense of humour, though often abrupt in speech. His two main works are: A Trip Round the World in 1887-88, and Picturesque India, a Handbook of European Travellers, London and New York, 1890.

*Cathechism of the Gupta-Vidyâ. Untraced; most likely an esoteric work that is unavailable.

Chaho, J.-Augustin. French writer, b. at Tardets (Basses-Pyrénées), 1811; d. in 1858. Travelled a great deal in Spain, and studied deeply the language and the literature of the Basques. Chief works: *Philosophie des religions comparées, Bayonne, 1846-48, 2 vols. 8vo. — Histoire primitive des Euskariens-Basques, langue, poésie, moeurs et caractère de ce peuple, Bayonne, 1847. 8vo. — Dictionnaire français-basque-espagnol et latin (unfinished), 1856. 4to.

Chevreul, Michel Eugène. French chemist, b. at Angers, August 31, 1786, where his father was a physician; d. at Paris, April 9, 1889, being 103 years of age. At 17, went to Paris and entered the Vauquelin chemical laboratory; became assistant at the natural history museum in the famous Jardin des Plantes. Prof, of chemistry at the Lycée Charlemagne, 1813. Subsequently undertook the directorship of the Gobelins tapestry works. In 1826, became member of the Academy of Sciences and a foreign member of the Royal Society of London. Succeeded his master, Vauquelin, as professor of organic chemistry in the natural history museum, 1830, and became its director (186079). His chief researches were on the subject of animal fats which led to new methods in the manufacture of soap and candles.

Cicero, Marcus Tullius (106-43 b.c.). *De natura Deorum.—*Oratio pro Flacco. — *De legibus. — *De divinatione. Text and parallel Engl, transl. in Loeb Class. Library.

Clement Alexandrinus (Titus Flavius Clemens, 150?-220? a.d.). Strômateis or Stromata (Miscellanies). Standard ed. of collected works is the one of O. Stâhlin (Leipzig, 1905). H.P.B. frequently uses the ed. of John Potter, Bishop of Oxford, and later Archbishop of Canterbury, Clementis . . . opera quae extant, etc. (Greek and Latin), 1715 and 1757 fol. 2 vols. — Engl. tr. in Ante-Nicene Fathers Series.

*Conversations Lexicon.

571 Cory, I. P. (1802-42). *Ancient Fragments, etc. London: Wm. Pickering, 1828, 8vo.; 2nd ed., 1832; lix, 361 pp. Greek, Latin and English texts; the most valuable edition.

Coryn, Dr. Herbert A. W. (1863-1927). Vide biographical sketch in Volume IX of the present Series.

Coues, Elliott. *Kuthumi, etc. See p. 315, footnote for data.

Crawford, J. M., *The Kalevala, the Epic Poem of Finland. Translated into English verse. New York; J. B. Alden, 1888, 2 vols. 8vo.

*Cullavagga. Second Section of the Khandhakas, or second main division of the V inaya-Pitaka. SBE, Vols. XVII and XX.

Decharme, Paul (1839-1905). *Mythcilogie de la Grece antique. Paris: Gamier freres, 1879, 8vo, xxxv, 644 pp.; 2nd rev. and corr. ed., ibid., 1886. See Vol. VIII, p. 435 of this Series for other data about him.

Dexiphanes. Vide Sostratus the Cnidian.

*Dhammapada. In the Khuddaka-Nikaya of the Sutta-Pitaka. SBE, Vol. X.

Dick, Frederick J. (1856-1927). Civil engineer by profession, a member of the Institute of Civil Engineers, and for some years Head of the Harbors and Lighthouse Board for Ireland, and Inspector of Harbors. Joined the Theosophical Society in Dublin in 1888, and soon became a personal pupil of H. P. Blavatsky. While in Ireland, he was Secretary of the Dublin Lodge of the T.S. and editor of The Irish Theosophist. He was greatly interested in the Gaelic Movement, the aim of which was to revive the spirit and knowledge of Irish antiquity. This spiritual effort was started in the Dublin Lodge and involved such men as W. B. Yeats, Charles Johnston, John Eglinton, Charles Weeks, George W. Russell (AE), Robert E. Coates and others.

Professor Dick came to the Theosophical Headquarters at Point Loma, California, in 1905, and soon became one of its outstanding workers. He was a mathematical astronomer of unusual qualifications, and a capable commentator on the subject of the Mayan calendar and chronology. For many years he wrote important essays for The Theosophical Path published at Point Loma, and also became an authority on meteorology and earthquakes. On mystical and philosophical subjects, he was a lucid and profound writer.

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