The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1894-10-17
Interesting "reminiscences of Visits
to the TheOsOphist.
STRANGE REVELATIONS BY HER.
Stories Told of the Past of the Writer
That Were Startling Indeed, But
Representations as TO the Future Not
COrrect-Peculiar Revolver Incident.

AS the subject of theosophy is ex-
| citing considerable interest in Homo
lulu at the present time, and indeed
has been the occasion of much discus
sion and comment throughout the
United States for several years past.
| anything with reference to the famous
| author Of the system is likely TO be in
teresting.
In the summer of 1875, while in
| law office In New York with William
Q. Judge, the present head of the or
der in the United States, Madame
Blavatsky came into the city from
Europe. Her advent and doctrine
aroused some newspaper comment.
Mr.. Judge, [ believe, was personally
acquainted with Colonel Olcott and,
through him, procured un introduc-
tion to the Madame. One afternoon
he asked if 1 would like to meet her
with some other people holding vari-
Gus peculiar views. OF course, was
only too glad to have the opportunity.
In few days an appointment was
made, and with Mr.. Judge went one
evening to where Madame Blavatsky
was residing on Irving Place. We
found a dimly.lighted room, VITA q
few. rather interesting and curious
people already assembled.
Sitting round a large table, Madame
and some of the more prominent
thinkers, like Colonel Olcott, began
discussing some of the propositions
of spiritualism which were then excit-
ing attention. They had much to saw
of recent discoveries in Egypt and the
Orient. They discussed the meaning
of the hieroglyphics. It was stated
that the key had been found which
opened the way for those who became
sufficiently possessed of the theosoph-
ical idea to perform many wonderful
things, and to exercise immense spir-
itual power. 1t was said that one,
thoroughly acquainted with the signs
and symbols used by the magicians of
Egypt, could again accomplish many
| of the strange and apparently miracu-
lous acts performed by them.
| MADAME BLAvATsKY's APPEARANCE.
The Madame herself was to me quite
| as interesting as the subject discussed.
| She was very large, heavily built, very
| fieshy, with heavy face, bright,
sharp eyes, and the marks of, intelli-
gence and power; but, to my thinking,
| the face also seemed gross one.
1t so happened that / sat at one end
! of the table while she was at the
| other, and every once in while she
| observed what [ was doing. A revol-
yer lay before me and, seeing that it
was not loaded, L occasionally handled
| it, slowly cooking il, watching the
revolution of the barrel, while listen
| ing to the discussion. Now and then
| it caught at half-cock, though L could
| not see why. Presently Madame OBJ
served:
Be careful; you will hurt yourself
| with that pistol"
"Why," said, "what is the matter
with it?''
Nothing" she replied, "it is in
| perfect order, but sometimes John, in
spirit of mischief, NEEDLES with its
| working and it catches, and, il you are
not careful, it may suddenly snap and
hurt your fingers"
This was interesting, and / looked
at the revolver again very carefully
with renewed interest, trying to make
| up my mind as to who "John" might
| be, and wherein his interference con-
| sisted. Finally either myself or Mr..
| Judge asked:
Who is John, and where is hep"
"John," said Madame, ais a knight,
who lived during the time of Queen
Elizabeth, and he is often with me.
That is he," she said, pointing to
small picture in an oval frame hang
| ing on the wall.
1 glanced at it again, for / had
| looked at it several times during the
evening with some curiosity, for it
appeared as though a red rose mad
been forced between the glass and the
| picture. Both Mr.. Judge and myself
| examined the picture and observed
| that it appeared to be of a knight of
about the period of Queen Eliz-
| abeth apparently from his dress.
To me he seemed to wear a
| peculiar sinister expression. The eyes
| seemed to glisten Though this may
have been from my Imagination and,
| looking closely, it appeared TO me that
rose had been forced between the
| glass and the picture mat.
"Why is the rose tbeTe?n / asked
| of Madame.
"It comes ITSELF" she said; some
| times it is there and is again suddenly
removed"
| This again L found to be extremely
| interesting, and watched the picture
| furtively during the remainder of the