by Helen Densmore.
[Reprinted from The Religio-Philosophical
Journal
(Chicago, Illinois) March 10, 1888, p. 6.]
To the Editor of the Religio-Philosophical Journal.
In a recent issue of your Journal, I noticed a violent attack upon the character and social methods of Madame Blavatsky, written by Mr. Wm. E. Coleman, which I feel sure the writer would not have written if he had known how untrue in some particulars the statements he made are. It is not my intention to enter into a defense of this lady at this time, only to set your correspondent right in the matter referred to.
I am well acquainted with Madame Blavatsky. I knew her intimately in New York in ‘72 and ‘73, at the time the Theosophical Society was formed, and "Isis Unveiled" was written. I visited her sanctum sanscerimonte at all hours. I have renewed our acquaintance this winter in London, and I feel quite sure I am able to speak by the book regarding at least one of the charges your correspondent makes against her, that of the use of intoxicating liquors. Whatever the faults of this remarkable woman may be, surely this does not belong to them. "She is more than Moslem when the wine appears." She never drinks any thing of the nature of spirits in any form, at any time; not even the common claret so much used abroad for a dinner drink. Her physician prescribed porter for her lately, only a few weeks ago, whereupon Madame explained to him that she could not use it; that never having been accustomed to use anything of the sort, it made her ill; but upon being urged to try it, she obeyed, and the effect was such as to induce the physician to give up the prescription.
I write this solely in the interest of truth, which goddess, you as editor, Mr. Coleman as writer, and all of us as students, ought to woo with untiring zeal.
Helen Densmore.
51 Beaumont St., Portland Place, London, Eng.
[See W.E. Coleman's reply to this letter from Helen Densmore.]