The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-01-04
MRS. ANNIE BEsANr.
A Visit to the Famous English Socialist
Leader.

l.
OF her innumerable essays on the ques-
tons of the hour. had heard so much of
her unselhsh devotion the public good, of
her heroic behavior to under many trying
circumstances, of her liberal ideas on
government, religion, and social ethics,
that | longed TO meet her face to face and
talk with so rare, fearless, and independent
thinker OF my own sex. combining as
she does all the virtues and graces of a
true womanhood with the clear reasoning
powers and self-assertion supposed TO be-
long only to the sterner sex.
Altogether Annie Besant is the greatest
woman in England.
was determined to see and know her.
/ at last persuaded her to spend few DAYS
with me in the quiet country home of my
daughter, Mrs. Stanton-Blatch, near Lon
don.
Mrs. Besant is so many-sided in her in
terests and activities that she is the buiest
woman in Great Britain. She belongs to
the socialistic movement, is an active
member of the Fabian Society, containing
200 members. who meet once a week to
discuss social questions; she also takes
part in the Social Democratic Federation,
sympathizes in all the demands of labor.
at the great demonstrations in Hyde Park.
She is deeply interested, too, in the school
OF theosophy, attending the weekly lodge
meetings and studying the occult sciences.
She is at present the resident manager of
house where Nine. Blavatsky and sew
eral theosophists reside, and of larger
home, just opened, for friendless young
girls struggling TO maintain themselves.
For very triaing sum they can there lind
food and shelter mid clean and orderly
surroundings in respectable neighbor-
hood
Besides giving her time to all these occu-
pations Mrs. Besant is an active member
on the London school board, pressing
many needed reforms in the educational
system of England. She has been elected
several times to this Office, having done
invaluable service in the cause of popular
instruction. At the last election She was
strongly opposed by the church influence
and those not III favor of the reforms she
advocates, but her popularity among the
laboring classes gave her 1900 votes, an
assured victory at the top of the poll.
One of the most barbarous features in
English discipline for hayward children,
learn from Mrs Besant, is found in what
are called the ''truant schools" for boys.
To know the fundamental principle on
which they are conducted enables one to
imagine the details of the sad lives the
boys must lead who are incarcerated with
in these walls for three months. The rul-
ing idea is to keep them always under pun
ishment and TO make their lives as dreary
as possible.
1t is against all such abuses in schools,
charitable institutions, jails. prisons and
the world of work that Mrs. Besant has
raised her voice during the last twenty
years. She is one of those rare characters,
purified and elevated by every sorrow,
whose learning has passed from her men,
DRY TO her judgment and made her wiser
in all the practical details of life.
She has made a brave struggle with
many adverse winds; and maintained
lofty self-respect under most severe trials
and prosecutions.
Mrs. Besant was married when very
young TO clergyman of the Established
church, whose violent temper and bigotry
led her TO question the religious faith that
produced such character. After much
reading, study and thought she began to
DOUBT the inspiration of the Scriptures, the
evidences of Christianity, the creeds and
dogmas of the church. and In due time re-
fused to obey church discipline and observe
its ordinances.
At last like John Ward, preacher, her
husband told her that she must tnke
the sacrament and conform TO the
rules of the church or leave him for
ever. She chose the latter course, only
too happy TO throw off the yoke she had
found too grieyous TO be borne.
At irst, by decree of the courts, she Sc
cured legal separation and the custody of
her children, but afterward the children
were claimed by the father on the ground
that as the mothers free religious princi-
Piles became more pronounced she was not
safe person TO mold the moral character
and religious faith of her children. The
courts decreed that the rights of the father
over the children, if claimed, were abso-
] L.. a - -
ever, when they reached the age TO choose
for themselves they returned 20 the mother
and are now living happily together.
We piled her with questions about the
school OF theosophy. Mrs. Besant thinks
its ideas are spreading slowly IN England.
There are three lodges in London-the
Lennett Lodge the London Lodge. and
the one of which Nine. Blavatsky is head,
comprising 100 members, and TO which
Mrs. Besant belongs.
Mrs. BeSant thinks society in England is
so grossly material that the nation cannot
maintain itself muct longer without the
cultivation of some spiritual forces. But
theosophlsts are not propagandlsts; they
wait for people TO seek them. which viii
never be- done in large numbers as the few
only would endure the self-denial and hard
work necessary 20 cultivate clear spiritual
vision.
Without this insight, Mrs. Besant tells,
the study OF the occult sciences Is lmpoS-
sible. The proper physical condition is
acquired by early rising. abundant exer-
else, vegetable and fruit diet. by CONT
nence. pure and holy living and thinking.
Mrs. Besant took only milk, bread and
| fruit while with us, indulging moderately
in tea and coffee. But Nine. Blavatsky
takes the ordinary diet now, and smokes
constantly, having attained. we are told,
the necessary insight for the study and
teaching of occuitism. However, as a
mark of special respect for our republican
institutions, our guest did partake of our
delicious American cake called "angel
food "a cake not only Ii for the gods but
for the most developed theosophists. At
this point we come down for season from
our high discourse 10 write out the recipe
of this wonderful cake for Mrs. Besant and
! 10 present her with the orthodox tin pan
in which To bake il.
But 10 return 10 Mrs. Desert. In man.
ner and appearance she is very attractive
She is of medium size and we'll proper
toned, has a hne head, covered With
luxuriant hair just turning gray, large.
soft eyes, good features. and altogether 3
bright. pleasing face, with 8 touch of sad
ness when az rest. She has a sweet. we'll
modulated voice. and an easy uow Of
I language. In q word, she Is q charming
woman and impresses one as an earnest
seeker after truth as one who would will
ingiy go 10 the stake for hev -~-lneiples.