The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1885-06-12
SENSE AND SPIRIT.
Robert Duncan Milne In The ARR ,nautl

existence Oh unseen IOrCes anu enciRioS ia
nature OF which modern science knows moth
ing, but which may yet he brought under
the control of human beings properly con-
stituted or trained to exercise such control,
and whose elements and conditions are
actually known to some favored few who DO
actually exercise such control; q mysterious.
occult world. in short, co-existent with the
sensible and tangible world In which ordi-
nary beings live AMI move, and in manner
connected with it, though the bridges form
ing such connection are rare and require
peculiar powers to overpassP
dressed. II have had actual experience OF
the fact. and am therefore constrained to
have faith in it."
The rerson who spoke was young and
rising artist of this city, to whom had lately
ben introduced through the medium OF the
Palette club and in whose studio was then
seated. Julian Armitage-such was the
name of my friend-belonged to quite the
class of men of whom ideas like this might
be- predicted. Tall and well formed, not
more than eight and twenty years OF age,
his high forehead, long and wavy golden
brown hair, and lustrous, dreamy eyes, be-
tokenei that he possessed no ordinary share
of the poetic and artistic temperament, while
his conversation and cast of thought, coupled
with the mystic and allegorical themes which
usually covered his canvases, at once sug-
gcsted intimate communion with the realms
of the ideal.
II have always felt desire" l remarked,
after a pause, Ito know something more OF
these mysterious, occult forces which our
modern nineteenth century science derides,
but to the belief in which so many persons
OF no ordinary intellectual caliber so closely
cling; though, l fear" l added. deprecat-
ingly, that my practical nature and mat
ter-of fact mode of life would not fit me for
the prosecution OF an inquiry demanding,
DOUBTLESS, high degree OF Ideally in the
r.secutor."
mot necessarily So" replied Armitage.
@The con .itions necessary to the knowledge
You indicate are not wholly inconsistent
with the vocations Of everyday life. Per-
ms living. as you do, in the cloest relations
with the work-a-day world may become
T.eosophists without interfering with their
ordinary occupations"
~Theosphi,t'," repeated, musingly. Il
have somewhere read somsthing about
Theosophical society as existing, or having
existed, in New York soms years ago. 1t
was founded, IL remember rightly, by a
Madame Blavatsky and Col OlcOtt, was it
noti Its purpose was to inquire into and
study the occult forces Of nature which are
presumed to be still controlled by adopts
among the Hindoos and other Oriental ma
tions"
"You are perfectly correct" assented Ar
mitage. MADAME Blavatsky has written
work explaining this scope OF that society,
and defining the principles Of the inquiry on
which it is engaged Woull it surprise you
to hear that there is branch OF that society
here in San Francisco, and that |, myself,
am a member Of itp
"You interest me-" i rejoined. Il can not
say that am surprised, however. / should
very much like to know something OF it"
1t is quite family circle" replied ArIai-
tage. ."All its members are related, and you
can readily infer that 1t does not court
publicity. l shall, however, II you desire it,
ask permission to introduce you, and you
can then judge for yourself"
Thanking him for his kindness, took my
departure, after promising to meet him
again ON the following Sunday afternoon.
"I have obtained the necessary permission"
said Armitage as | entered his studio next
Sunday; "and the members OF the society
will he happy TO receive you, with the one
proviso--that you will not reveal their
identity until authorized to do so.
gave the necessary promise, and, after
dining with my friend at a fashionable res
taurant, where he confnel himself, re-
marked, to the simplest and most abstem-
ious diet, and, in reply to query regarding
his health, smilingly said that this was his
usual fare, we strolled toward the western
addition
We paused before a commodious mansion,
and, ascending the steps, Armitage opened
the door, and we both entered. Passing
down corridor, my friend rappe at
door, which presently opened to receive w.
A TALL benevolent-,ooking gentleman, from
whose chin depenIe long, white beard, IL
vited us to enter We did so. and found our
selves in an elegantly furn shed apartment
the furniture, hangings, br.c-a. brac, ah
paintings in which betokened wealth: din
light, admitted only by three stained-glas
windows, opening, "a | could see through
one which happened to he ajar, upon
whole with species Of religious
calm. Two ladies rose from ottomans
where they had Leen reading, as we entered
and was successively introduced to DR.. On.
well Hathaway, the old gentleman who re-
ceived us first: Miriam Hathaway. hs
daughter, and Mis- Agatha Howard, hs
niece.
The former lady was tall, magnificent
looking brunette, with lustrous eyes and q
wealth of blue-black hair. She seemed 10
be about % yearj DID, and would have been
considered by most ju igss strikngly beaui-
ful. The curves of her 1.-THE figure were per-
feet as was the expression of her features n
repose-though these, when animated, gave
evidence of spirit perhaps too passionate
and q will too strong to suit the ideal Won
anly tenderness and grace. Her cousin,
Agatha Howard, was of a totally different
type Of beauty. Goldan-haired, fair-skinned
ami of much more slender proportions than
those of Miram's vo,u3tuous form, she
possessed q more ethereal and spiritual love
illness. Perhaps the most apt distinction that
could be drawn between the cousins would
be to say that they respectively realized the
ideal of spiritual and sensuous beauty.
The evening was spent In conversation
and music, the ladies fully bearing out the
character / had instinctively assigned to
each at first-Miriam Hathaway's manipula-
ton Of her instrument being distinguished
for dash and bravura, while Agatha How.
ard excelled In such hnrmonies required
more delicacy Of touch and feeling Ths
whole evening was SO delightfully."- Informal
that caught myself speculating as to when
the members Of the Theosophical society
had come to be introduced to would arrive.
and, In fact. haxarded remark to DIR. HatA-
away upon the point
1Your society, presume" / said. address
ing him, numbers among 1t some OF ous
well known social and scientific lights"
-On the contrary" he replied, smiling
1T numbers only thos whom you see before
you. We are all here. see,n be added
after pause. noticing my surprise at what
be had Just said, athat cur methods do moi
tally with your expectations You ex
pscted, no doubt, to witness something mys
terious, mystic, occult. and are surprised te
find yourself introduced TO very ordinary
family circle. All In good time. my friend;
all In good time We SHALL have no doubt
be able to satisfy your curiosity i'm every
reasonable manner. and give you proof 81
the really Of the existence OF the benencent
knowIedge we are aiming to acquire.
"Theosophy," he went on, in reply TO some
further queries on my part, 1is perfectly
consistent with the conduct OF the ordinary
affairs OF lifa We are not ascetics, as you
can see; but on the other hand, our enjoy
ments are purely Of an exalte nature. Any
form Of self-indulgence intellectual no les
than moral or physical-wouid be fatal td
that serenity and exaltation Of mind
through which alone we can approach ths
goal we aim at-a knowledge Of and CON
troll over the unseen forces Of nature. Yot
must not suppose that even the innocert re
creation, In which you have taken part TO
night. Is an illustration OF our ordinary
vxno1a ~ life E,,eh ,o..xoaffs.n In iurQe<d