HPB-SB-14-71

H. P. Blavatsky Scrapbooks

from Adyar archives of the International Theosophical Society

T i

vol. 14, p. 71	volume 14, page 71 vol. title: vol. period: 1882 pages in vol.: 174
Legend HPB note HPB highlighted HPB underlined HPB crossed out <Editors note> <Archivist note> Lost or unclear SBT, DT Restored

<<   ☰   >>

eng • рус

---

---

Correspondence.

---

---

[We do not hold ourselves in any way responsible for the opinions of our correspondents.—Ed., I.M.]

---

---

THE NEW RIPON HOSPITAL AT
SIMLA,

——o—— To the Editor of the “Indian Mirror.”

Sir,—We are preparing to construct here, at Simla, the summer capital of the Empire, a new Hospital for Natives and Europeans.

As you will see from the enclosed report of the recent proceedings, Lord Ripon has laid the foundation-stone of this hospital, and has consented to permit it to bear his n…me. We desire to make it a fitting Memorial of a Viceroy, whose reign, so far, has been conspicuously characterised by a desire to do justice to the inhabitants of this country, and to develop amongst them the habits and capacities necessary for successful self-government.

From what I know of, and hear from the more enlightened classes of Natives, I believe that many of these are truly grateful for the kindly efforts that Lord Ripon has made, and continues to make on their behalf.

It is but a little while ago, so to speak, that Lord Ripon lay for days, almost weeks, between life and death; we did not then realise how good a friend it was whose life hung in the balance; but we know it now, and may well look upon this hospital, which is to keep his memory here green for many generations—this good work in which all classes and creeds may so fitly co-operate—as a thank-offering for, and a token of our rejoicing at his having been then, and thus, spared to India.

We want, at least, three lacs of rupees. There are scores and scores of educated Native noblemen and gentlemen, who are capable of appreciating what Lord Ripon is endeavouring to do for India, to whom ten, twenty, fifty thousand rupees are nothing; there are tens of thousands who could, without the smallest inconvenience, give from one to five hundred rupees. To all these—indeed, to every Native of India (able to contribute anything, without inconvenience, and capable of appreciating the honest, steadfast friend that the country has found in our present Viceroy), we appeal for donations to this hospital.

There are many Europeans also, we know, who will be no less anxious to aid, and from these, too, I hope to hear; but alike in numbers and in wealth, these are, necessarily, when compared with the Natives, but as a few drops to the ocean, and it is to the Native community that we look, and look confidently, for the bulk of the fund, required.

It will simply be a disgrace to Aryavarta, if, in this special and exceptional case, there is the smallest difficulty about money, and I do not myself believe that there can possibly be anything of the kind.

Intending contributors will please communicate with me, giving their names (and titles, if any) and addresses, in full, and noting the amounts that they subscribe,

Contributions may be paid into any treasury in India, and contributors would save trouble by enclosing to me some treasury officer’s receipt for the amount of their kind gifts.

All communications will be acknowledged, and all contributions published from time to time, and all donor’s names will be republished, with the amount of their donations, in a permanent form, when the work is completed.

Yours, &c.,
A. O. Hume,
President of the Ripon Hospital Committee.

Rothney, Simla, November 20, 1882.

---

<Untitled> (What was wanting in number and spirit at the political meeting…)

THE
Indian Spectator. …Y SUNDAY MORNING.

---

---

The Indian Spectator.

---

Sunday, December 10th, 1882.

---

---

D. S.

---

What was wanting in number and spirit at the political meeting was made up at the Theosophical meeting on Thursday evening. It was a remarkable gathering attended by representatives from all parts of India and even Ceylon. Business was opened by Mr. Sinnett in a neat little speech which Englishmen alone know how to make, followed by a statement of personal experience and the objects and achievements of the parent society and the Simla branch. Mr. Sinnett had nothing new or sensational to startle the audience with; but he threw considerable side-light on the subject of Theosophy as well as on its practical effect in different parts of the world. His statement was a manly, sober, thoroughly honest utterance, and the more intelligent of the audience no doubt appreciated his disinterested effort and listened to his words with respectful attention.

The President was followed, in an Aryan homily, by the venerable Gopal Rao Deshmukh. The appearance of this green old man with his red turban, white mustache, black coat, long stick and much longer talk, inspired a feeling which had some element of respect in it, but which soon began to wane as the Rao Bahadur waxed eloquent. The Deshmukh’s object was evidently to conciliate popularity in the interest of the Theosophic movement; but from his exquisitely slumberous accents the uninitiated might be excused for thinking that the speaker had mistaken the meeting for a Deccan Agriculturists Sabha or for a domestic confab to bring about reconciliation between the wife’s sister and her husband. The audience now and then gave the speaker a hint that they would gladly take the rest of his harangue as read, but he heeded them not and went on to the bitter end, with a glitter in his eye, meaning “I am master of the situation.” The audience accepted the inevitable with grace, remarking, by way of consolation, “this is the last meeting.”

The third speaker was the Bengal representative, Babu Norendro Nath Sen, editor and proprietor of the Indian Mirror. Mr. Sen was in terrible earnest, and from beginning to end he kept the audience as if it were on the edge of a precipice. Our reporter describes his sensations under Mr. Sen’s operation thus:—“copious perspiration, palpitation of the heart, the hair standing on end and turning gray in part.” And, indeed, it could not be otherwise with mortal man not a Theo-<... continues on page 14-72 >

Editor's notes