You do not find certain recent letters and notes of mine — including the one to the treasurer of the L.L., "philosophical" and in my usual style. It could scarcely be helped: I wrote but on the business of the moment — as I am doing now — and had no time for philosophy. With the L.L. and most of the other Western Branches of the T.S. in a deplorable state, philosophy may be invoked to restrain one's impatience, but the chief thing called for at present, is some practicable scheme for dealing with the situation. Some, most unjustly, try to make H.S.O. and H.P.B., solely responsible for the state of things. Those two are, say, far from perfect — in some respects, quite the opposite. But they have that in them (pardon the eternal repetition but it is being as constantly overlooked) which we have but too rarely found elsewhere — UNSELFISHNESS, and an eager readiness for self-sacrifice for the good of others; what a "multitude of sins" does not this cover! It is but a truism, yet I say it, that in adversity alone can we discover the real man. It is a true manhood when one boldly accepts one's share of the collective Karma of the group one works with, and does not permit oneself to be embittered, and to see others in blacker colours than reality, or to throw all blame upon some one "black sheep," a victim, specially selected. Such a true man as that we will ever protect and, despite his shortcomings, assist to develop the good he has in him. Such an one is sublimely unselfish; he sinks his personality in his cause, and takes no heed of discomforts or personal obloquy unjustly fastened upon him.
I have done, my good friend, and have nothing more to say. You have too much intelligence not to see clearly, as the Americans would say — the fix I am in, and that I, personally can do very little. The present situation, as you will find from M's letter has been gradually created by all of you as much as by the wretched "Founders." Yet without at least one of them we can hardly do, for several years more to come. You have treated the old body too cruelly and it now has its day. You will never agree in this fully with me — but it is fact, nevertheless. All I can do for you personally — I will do it, unless you make the situation still worse by not changing your policy. One who would have higher instruction given to him has to be a true theosophist in heart and soul, not merely in appearance.
Meanwhile, receive my poor blessings.
K. H.
Letter No. 132 (ML-135) Rec. October, 1884
In this short letter, H.P.B. tries to set Sinnett right concerning the doctrine of chains and rounds. We don't have Sinnett's letter, to which it was a response, but fortunately another letter from H.P.B., found in LBS, pp. 91-2, throw some light on the problem.
My dear Mr. Sinnett,
For fear that you should "trace back" to me a new treachery, permit me to say that I have never said to Hübbe Schleiden and Frank Gebhard245 that the existence of our seven objective planets was an allegory. What I said was, that the objectivity and actuality of the septenary chain had nothing to do with the correct understanding of the seven rounds. That outside of the initiates no one knew the mot final of this mystery. That you could not understand it thoroughly, nor explain it, because Mahatma K.H. told you a hundred times that you could not be told the whole doctrine; that you knew Hume had made him questions and cross-examined Him until his hair became grey. That there were a hundred apparent inconsistencies just because you had not the key to the x777x and could not be given it.246 In short that you gave the truth, but by far not the whole truth especially about rounds and rings which was only at best allegorical.
Yours,
H.P.B.
Letter No. 133 (ML-137) Rec. November 9, 1884
Actually, H.P.B. dated this letter "Sunday 8th", but Sunday happened to fall on November 9 that year. The letter was written from Algiers, while H.P.B. was en route from England to India. She returned by way of Egypt. It was in Cairo that H.P.B. learned the very damaging facts about the Coulombs.
Clan Drummond: Algiers.
Sunday 8th.
My dear Mr. Sinnett,
You see I am as good as my word. Last night as we were hopelessly tossed about and pitched in our Clan wash-tub Djual K. put in an appearance and asked in his Master's name if I would send you a chit. I said I would. He then asked me to prepare some paper — which I had not. He then said any would do. I then proceeded to ask some from a passenger, not having Mrs. Holloway to furnish me with [it]. Lo! I wish those passengers who quarrel with us every day about the possibility of phenomena could see what was taking place in my cabin on the foot of my berth! How D.K.'s hand, as real as life, was impressing the letter at his Master's dictation which came out in relief between the wall and my legs. He told me to read the letter but I am no wiser for it. I understand very well that it was all probation and all for the best; but it is devilish hard for me to understand why it should all be performed over my long suffering back. She is in correspondence with Myers and the Gebhards and many others. You will see what splatters I will receive as an effect of the causes produced by that probation business. I wish I had never seen the woman. Such treachery, such a deceit I would never have dreamt of. I was also a chela and guilty of more than one flapdoodle; but I would have thought as soon of murdering physically a man as to murder morally my friends as she has. Had not Master brought about the explanation I would have gone away leaving a nice memory of myself in Mrs. Sinnett's and your hearts. We have on board Mrs. (Major) Burton of Simla. She left it the day before I came and has been always anxious since, to meet me. She wants to join us and is a charming little woman. We have several Anglo Indians and all kindly disposed. The steamer is a rolling wash-tub and the steward an infamy. We are all starving, and live upon our own tea and biscuits. Do write a word to Port Said, poste restante. We shall remain in Egypt perhaps a fortnight. It all depends on Olcott's letters and news from Adyar. Can't write for the rolling. Love to all.