Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-05-12

Conversion of a Smithsonian Professor
To Mysticism-A Pen Sk ctch of n New
Leader-lIis Prophecy Concerning the
Future.
shington Cor. n. Y. World

Washington Cor ". Y. World
WASHINGTON. May 9.-According 10 recent
reports DIR. Elliott Coues, of Washington, has
been making great stir in certain circles I'm
New York by his lectures upon theosophy. pr.
Coues is the president OF the Washington
branch Of theosophists in this country. lie Is
one of the best known of the scientists who
have been connected with the Smithsonian In
stitution since its foundation. Although he IL n
comparatively young man, he is an acknowl-
edged authority upon the subject OF ornithology.
Prof. AgassiZ, before his death, paid him the
compliment of saying that he was the best
Informed scientist upon that subject In this
country. He first acquired his reputation
In this branch OF study while holding the
position OF surgeon I'm the United States army.
He obtained through political influence "A detail
OF service at Washington. For four or five Years
he occupied desk IN one OF the quiet hooks Of
the Smithsonian. He was not upon the pay
rolls Of that institution, but he had full COM
mand OF its resources for study, and he was
assisted 10y Its influence in the publication OF
became jealous of the reputation that he was
making, and suggested tn the War Department
that the surgeon was on fancy duty at Wash
ington and that he was being unduly favored
He was ordered 10 join his regiment I'm New
Mexico. This was great blow 10 him, a. he
was obliged To give up his studies and quiet
life at the capital. He did go west for "A short
time, but he soon after resigned and became
his own master. Since that time he has made
more and more OF reputation In literature
and in the field of scientific research. The fact
that he has become "A convert to any system OF
mysticism is more surprising TO his Intimate
friends than even To those who are merely Ia
miliar with his scientific and literary work.
He has nearly all his life been materialist.
For several years he was "A pronounced adyo-
cate of agnosticsm. Few understand the means
employed 10 convert the doctor, and lac is silent
upon that subject. He IL one of the best known
figures in Washington society, rather has
been. He goes out now very little, and appears
TO be thoroughly satisfied with the joys OF the
new Lie found by him in the study and pfae-
tice OF theosophy. He il quite tall. Five years
ago he was considered one of the handsomest
men in Washington. He is a regular-icatured
blonde, with clear blue eyes, "A good compiler ioa
ana the air and grace of "A man of the
world. The lower part OF his face lew years
ago was ornamented with neatly trimmed
blonde beard and a trinity twisted yellow mus
tache. He used To be eaboratcIy careful In his
DRESS and had a most gallant reputation among
the ladies, who were fond OF many admirers.
To-day his dress il careless. his Trim beard has
grown To almost patriarchicai length his clear
blue eye now has "A dreamy look of mysticism,
the gaze OF an opium-eatcr. He has for years
been an incessant smoker of cigarettes. Both
OF his long, lean hands are stained yellow ON
the inside with the juice Of cigarettes. Two
years ago he visited Europe. During that time
he was received 10y all OF the prominent scienti-
lie people in London, Paris and Berlin. Huxley
and others made quite social lion OF him dur.
ing his London stay.
did not become generally known among his
friends until he returned from this European
identified with the organized thcosophista
To-day he appears to be one oi the most con-
tented OF men. III his belief Is a dclusion IL is
most happy one for him, for IL consoles him for
the loss of society and ole friends. His CONVEX.
sion To this doctrine of mysticism does not
appear to have affected his standing "A. a scien.
tific man. His writings are still in demand
they were before ii became known that
he had departed from all orthodox
paths. I saw the doctor the other day
and asked him IL ii true that he had
said that he could project his spirit from his
body. and that he could appear TO people at u
distant place while his real body was In an.
other lie said that this was true. He said fur.
Their that the ability of experts in theosophy TO
project their astral bodies had become well
established that IL was no longer "A question ior
discussion. The doctor said, with great deal
of emphasis, that there a perfect revolu-
ton OF public sentiment now going on upon
this subject, and with that i'm view he wished
TO place a certain prophecy upon the record.
MARK this" said he. within one years time
there will be perfect mad rush of people 10
the front seeking TO claim the originating Of
this doctrine. L know that IL is not now con.
sidered a sound or reasonable doctrine and thaa
people who believe in il are generally regarded
cranks But you viii see within the time ]
have mentioned entire change In publte
opinion upon this subject" Dr. Coues follows
the example OF all of the theosophsts by declin-
ing to talk very much upon the suit. Get of Ills
belief or his experiments. He says that he u
satisfied and that at the present time the public
is not educated up TO the standard OF appreciat
ing the theosophists doctrine. He and his fellow
experts occupy at the present such a superior
plane that all OF the rest OF humanity appear
very small and misguided. What may be the
opinions OF the people who dwell I'm this lower
upper plane is a matter Of supreme indifference
10 no at