Alexander Wilder was an American physician and
Neoplatonist scholar, and a prominent early member of the Theosophical Society.
And in an interview with Harold Waldwin Percival, the editor of Word magazine, Mr. Wild recounted his
memories about Blavatsky.
In 1876 I had barely heard of Madame
Blavatsky, but in no connection with anything relating to Theosophy, or other
subject that I knew anything about. She had been described as having introduced
herself to an acquaintance as a "rushing Russian," and her manner had
attracted attention. Nothing more was elicited at that time.
Later I was
commissioned to review the manuscript that would become "Isis
Unveiled" and that allowed me to get to know her personally.
She did not resemble in manner or
figure what I had been led to expect. She was tall, but not strapping; her
countenance bore the marks and exhibited the characteristics of one who had
seen much, thought much, traveled much, and experienced much. Her figure
reminded me of the description which Hippokrates has given to the Scyths, the
race from which she probably descended.
Her appearance was certainly
impressive, but in no respect was she coarse, awkward, or ill-bred. On the
other hand she exhibited culture, familiarity with the manners of the most
courtly society and genuine courtesy itself. She expressed her opinions with
boldness and decision, but not obtrusively. It was easy to perceive that she
had not been kept within the circumscribed limitations of a common female
education; she knew a vast variety of topics and could discourse freely upon
them.
In several particulars, I presume
that I never fairly or fully understood her. Perhaps this may have extended
further than I am willing to admit. I have heard tell of her profession of
superhuman powers and of extraordinary occurrences that would be termed
miraculous. I, too, believe, like Hamlet, that there are more things in heaven
and earth than our wise men of this age are willing to believe.
But Madam Blavatsky never made any
such claim to me. We always discoursed of topics which were familiar to both,
as individuals on a common plane. Colonel Olcott often spoke to me as one who
enjoyed a grand opportunity, but she herself made no affectation of superiority.
Nor did I ever see or know of any such thing occurring with anyone else.
She professed, however, to have
communicated with personages whom she called "the Brothers," and
intimated that this, at times, was by the agency, or some means analogous to what
is termed "telepathy." It is not necessary to show or insist that
this mode of communication has been known and even carried on from antiquity.
The Khabar is well known in the
Orient. I have supposed that an important condition for ability to hold such
intercourse was abstinence from artificial stimulation such as comes from the
use of flesh as food, alcoholic drink and other narcotic substances.
I do not attach any specific
immorality to these things, but I have conjectured that such abstemiousness was
essential in order to give the mental powers full play, and to the noetic
faculty free course without impediment or contamination from lower influence. But
Madam Blavatsky displayed no such asceticism. Her table was well furnished, but
without profusion, and after a manner not differing from that of other
housekeepers. Besides, she indulged freely in the smoking of cigarettes, which
she made as she had occasion. I never saw any evidence that these things
disturbed, or in any way interfered with her mental acuteness or activity.
(Cid's observation: maybe the meat
and alcoholic beverages were there for the others members and the guests, but I
don't think Blavatsky took them since the masters say that these foods greatly
impair the use of paranormal powers, while with tobacco there is no problem.)
At my first visit, her reception was
courteous and even friendly. She seemed to become acquainted at once. She spoke
of the abridgements which I had made of her manuscript, extolling what I had
done far beyond what it deserved.
We often discussed the topics, and
their various characteristics, for she was a superior conversationalist and at
home on every matter about which we discoursed. She spoke the English language
with the fluency of one perfectly familiar with it, and who thought in it. It
was the same to me as though talking with any man of my acquaintance.
She was ready to take the idea as it
was expressed, and uttered her own thoughts clearly, concisely and often
forcibly. Some of the words which she employed had characteristics which
indicated their source. Any thing which she did not approve or hold in respect
she promptly disposed of as "flapdoodle." I have never heard or encountered
the term elsewhere.
Not even the acts or projects of
Colonel Olcott escaped such scathing, and in fact he not unfrequently came
under her scorching criticism. He writhed under it, but, except for making some
brief expression at the time, he did not appear to cherish resentment.
She always treated me with courtesy.
When her work was most urgent, or she had been wearied with visitors, she
commanded the woman at the door to turn off all callers. That prohibition was
repeatedly spoken to me, but as she heard my voice, she would call out to admit
me.
This occurred when the call was not
a matter of business. She was ready in conversation, and was at home on any
topic, however abstruse. Few persons in any walk of life are as well supplied
with material for discourse. Even Colonel Olcott, who was by no means inferior
or commonplace, was not her equal except in his own profession.
After Isis Unveiled
was published, Madame Blavatsky and Colonel Olcott immediately began making
arrangements to go to India. There
Madam
Blavatsky wrote to me several times after their arrival at Bombay. She told of
many matters of interest to a student in comparative religions, such as I am,
and her letters were entertaining as well as instructive. But as time passed,
new duties took the place of old recollections.
The Theosophist, however, came regularly to me and
was preserved from its first number. This enabled me to keep track of the
party, and their doings — till the closing of their present earthly career.
(The Word, May 1908, v.7, p.77-87, excerpts)
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