Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-08-28

is an exotic In this specializing, dusty and
perspiring world. 1t Is based upon extreme
ahruism. It's members love to call 1t
university for the cultivation of the science
Of the soul. Whether its members live up
to their ideals 1t is impossible for me to
say. They appear to be people Of culture
Of education. Those who are able to judge
by daily observation and contact differ In
opinion both as to the purity OF their mo-
tives and conduct. But after spending q
single afternoon at Lomaland and talking
with the leading people In the colony 1t Is
difficult to believe anything but good OF
ton for her imperial highness. Madame
Tingley and the results she has accom-
plished. At the same time have no SYM
pathy with theosophy. I regard 1t as
temporary fad, invented by a woman whose
knowledge of human nature taught her
that mysteries attract silly people as light
attracts moths. Nobody understands the
principles of theosophy; nobody can explain
them; they are expressed in tangled, am
biguous terms that have no meaning to a
clear mind, but convey an unutterable
amount Of wisdom and consolation to weak
intellects and sentimental souls that are
cropping and yearning for something they
cannot find.
Nor is 1t necessary to discuss the charac-
ter of the reigning empress. Not long ago
Madame Tingley brought a suit for libel
against General Harrison Gray Otis. editor
of the Los Angeles Times, and was given
verdict with damages to the extent OF
not for pecuniary reasons, but to secure an
opportunity to vindicate her reputation for
the good of the cause she represents. ana
that she spent 500 600 in securing testimony
that would forever set at rest and clear up
every charge and accusation that was ever
made against her character and every SIAN
der that had ever been cast at her name
But to her great disappointment, the court
declined to hear any evidence that did not
bear directly upon the publications In the
Times, and the jury found promptly that
they were untrue and libelous. Mrs. Ting
ley was therefore disappointed in not be-
ing allowed to disprove all that had been
said against her, but considers herself vim
dicated.
Her Early Life in Mist.
Her early life still remains in a mist She
was born in Newburyport, Mass; her
maiden name was Kate Westcott; her
father and grandfather were both we'll
known citizens; she is remembered there
as a wild and eccentric girl of unusual
beauty. strong character and imperions
will and she has been twice married. her
first husband r. H. Cook is printer ana
when last heard from was an infirm IN
mate of the printers home at Colorado
Springs. Number two, Mr.. Tingley, lives
in New York and is said to be an inventor.
His relations with his wife are not very
intimate.
Theosophy was invented by Helena Fa-
def Blavatsky, a Russian adventures,
Vile OF man Oh prominence, WIN uiSu
while governor of province In the eau
casus. Her ancestors were of the Russian
nobility. In 1874 she came to New YORK,
where w. .. Judge, lawyer of consldera-
bic wealth and recognized aplllty' was
brought under her influence, became her
disciple and apostle, and succeeded her as
leader of the movement after her death
in London in 1891. He continued her work,
founding associations or lodges, as they
are called, all over the world. and attract
ing several hundred thousand believers OF
all races. Mr.. Judge died in 1886 and Sc
lected as his successor Katherine Ilngiey,
who had been his secretary for two years.
At the time she joined the theosophcal
movement she was conducting mission for
fallen women on the east side of New York
city.
A few months after assuming authority
she made tour, or crusade" as she calls
it, around the world visiting sixteen coun-
tries, receiving distinguished attention,
making innumerable public and private ad-
dresses, and giving the movement great
Impetus On her way home she visited
San Diego and being charmed by its ideal
climate and other unusual features as a
residence, she bought the tract of land now
occupied on Point Iona, and in 1897 found
ed there the Universal Brotherhood of Man,
and made 1t the headquarters of the theo-
sophical society of the world. She has grad
ually concentrated her work here and has
made 1t the center Of the affiliated socie-
ties; she brought here the ashes of Madame
Blavatsky and w. Q. Judge, and here she
intends to establish her proposed school
for the revival of the lost mysteries Of an
tiquty," as soon as she can obtain suff1-
cient funds for that purpose. l have not
been able to find any one. not even her
serene highness, who can make clear to me
what the lost mysteries of antiquity are,
or how she is going to revive them. But
the phrase has a fascination for sentiment
tai people, and Madame Tingley has never
yet failed to obtain whatever funds she
needs to carry out her plans. She Is
woman of extraordinary magnetic influence,
as we'll as executive ability. In 1901 she
started her schools, of which l will tell
you in another letter. She has since been
extending them, buying more property,
erecting more buildings and gathering
more able and influential people into her
kingdom