Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-05-03

Hahn Won Rottenstern nam, 2
noble Mecklinburg family, which settled
in Russia. On her mothers side she 10 the
daughter of Helene Fadeef, and grand
daughter of Privy Councillor Andrew
Fadeef, and as such is connected with one
OF ".
The Noblest Families in the Empire
She herself is the widow of Councillor Of
State, Nicephore Blsvatsky, late Vice
Governor of the Province OF Erivsn. Con.
siderable literary talent also runs In both
sides Of her family-her own mother, young
as she was when she died (she was then only
25), was the first novelist that had ever ap'
peared in Russia, leaving some dozen novels
that have since been translated into Ger
man. give this much space to her lineage
the more willingly that there be some
among her detractors who, ignorantly or
otherwise, seek to confound her with an
other or others of like surname, and whose
adventures they profess to follow among
the leading cities OF Europe.
According to accounts given by relatives,
| Madame's childhood was a most remarks
BILE one. Strange things are reported even
of her babyhood. Psychic phenomena OF
certain kinds seem to have occurred around
her and in connection with her from her
cradle up. Such phenomena-less under
stood then-was usually set down to the
credit OF the devil; the little Mile. Hahn
was accordingly. .drenched.i in her youth with
enough holy water to have foated ship, T"
and exercised by the priest times without
number. As she grew older she developed
an individuality as extraordinarily strong
as it was rich and unique. Understood by
few, if by any, she yet interested and not un-
frequently astonished ali by her strange
powers of mind and intellectual originality.
Written Messages From the Dead.
Spiritualism was then beginning to at
tract the attention of many in all parts of
the civilized world-notably the United
States and Europe-and, as it happened,
Mile. Hahn, then only in her 9th or 10th
year, supplied many of its most prominent
phenomena, even to delivering written
messages from the dead" There are some,
indeed, who assert that Madame Blavatsky
was then and has ever been simply and sole
ly natural-born medium-a charge that
Madame herself denies with emphasis. She
explains all such phenomena from the
standpoint OF occult science based on natural
law, regulating the idea that the spirits Of
the departed can or do communicate with
the living; denouncing in toto the spiritual
istic belief as most misleading and danger
Gus delusion.
In her 10th year Mile. Hahn was forced
into most unwilling marriage with Gen
eral Blavatsky, a man old enough to be
her grandfather, and who was, however
suitable in other respects, certainly not the
right man for the place. The circumstances
leading up to this marriage would be comic
were it not for the touch of tragedy in its
effects upon the young lady herself Like
wild young creature, caught and Gagged, the
youthful bride utterly refused to take upon
herself the duties OF wife, and after three
months continued rebellion she ran home
to her family. Afraid. however, that the
paternal authority might insist upon a re-
turn to the Blavatsky roof, she started out
privately for an Eastern tour Of her own,
and, falling in with friends, made the trip
to Egypt, Greece, ETC., without let or him
drance. Thenceforth Nine. BIavatsky be-
came veritable
Wanderer on the Face of the Earth.
Communicating secretly meanwhile with
her father, who supplied her with funds,
aiding her when possible in her various
journeys from place to place. The amount
of ground she covered in those days of slow
travel is surprising. The year 1851 found
her at Quebec. New Orleans and Mexico.
In 1852 she started for India, returning to
England in 1858. During 185475 she again
visited the Estates, crossed the plains in an
emigrant wagon to San Francisco, reaching
Calcutta in 1856. Three years later finds
her again in Europe and once more at
home. Il
Her immediate object during all these
wanderings was the requirement of occult
knowled sc aud training. The latter she is
supposed to have especially acquired during
her stay in India, among the trans-Hima-
layan initiates. For the next few years we
ind hpr fatir NJ har lat
in Russia. Her sister, Nine. Jelihowsky,
has written several articles for Russian
describing Madame BIS now
increased powers.
The Agent of Higher Powers.
Some time between 1s67-70 Madame made
another trip to Thibet, from which time on
she has devoted strength, time, title and
fortune to the furtherance OF the theosophi-
cal cause, claiming only to be the chosen
agent of higher powers, and giving TO the
unprei udiced proofs supporting that claim,
she gives out freely to the world that which
she has received in the way OF esoteric truth,
her latest work. ''The Secret DOCTRINE" be-
ing in itself stupendous witness to her in
strength and acumen, of the oc-
cult powers which have ever been the chief
attraction among the simply curious,
Madame has spoken lightly-as SO many
psychological tricks" unworthy the furore |
Of comment they excited.
Never in entirely perfect health her con-
stitution has of late years completely broken |
down from overwork aud worry. Incurable |
disease now renders any hope Of ultimate re-
covery impossible. Naturally somewhat &C. |
centric, as all people of strong individuality
usually are, constant illness, by reacting |
upon an exceedingly sensitive and high |
strung temperament. has ever served to aug
nent the tendency thereto, but were her &C. |
increased an hundredfold those |
who have learned to know and honor the |
real woman beneath could but still continue |
to love and revere. Meantime, with a cour-
age that is dauutless, heart that is ever
open and warm toward suffering humanity, |
a mind that is utterly regardless OF personal |
comfort and gain, the dying exponent of |
theosophical truth works on with upabatei |
vigor, surrounded, I am glad to |
say, in this, her old age and poverty, by an |
ever widening circle of reverential and de- |
voted friends and followers. +. T. 8.
A FOX THAT COULD REASON.