Masonic, Occult and Esoteric Online Library
The Mahatma Letters to A.P. Sinnett - 1923
By A. T. Barker
Letter No CXXXVI
March 17th.
My dear Mr. Sinnett,
Your invitation read with surprise.
Not ** surprise " at myself being invited, but surprise at youinviting me again, just as, if you had not had enough of me! ! Now what good can I be to any one in this world, except to makesome stare, others to speculate upon my cleverness as an impostor,and the small minority to eye me with the feeling of wonder generally in store for "monsters" exhibited in museums or aquariums. This is fact; and I had enoug-h proof of it, not to run again my neck into the halter if I can help it. My coming to stop with you even for a few days, would be only a source of disappointment to yourself, and one of torture to me.
Now, you must not take these words en mauvaise part. I am simply sincere with you. You are and have been,—especially Mrs. Sinnett, for ever so long—my best friends here ; but it is just because I consider you as such, that / am forced to rather give a momentary than a prolonged annoyance to you ; rather a refusal, than an acceptance of the kind invitation. Besides—as a medium of communication between yourself and K.H. (for I suppose you do not invite me pour mes heaux yeuxy alone?) I am utterly useless now. There is a limit to endurance, there is one to the greatest self-sacrifice. I have worked for them faithfully and unselfishly for years, and the result was, that I ruined my health, dishonoured my ancestral name, got reviled by every greengrocer from Oxford Street, and every fishmonger from Hungerford market—who had become a C.S. and—finally did no good to them, very little to the Society and none at all to either poor Olcott or myself. Believe me, we are better friends with several hundred miles between us than—a few steps. Besides this. Boss says there's a new development hanging over our heads. He and K.H. put their wise heads together and are preparing to work as they tell me. We have but a few months left until November and if things are not entirely whitewashed until then and fresh blood poured into the Brotherhood and Occultism—we may just as well go to bed all of us. Personally for myself it is a matter of very little moment, whether it is so or not. My time is also fast approaching when, my hour of triumph will strike. Then is it, that I also, may prove to those who speculated about me, those who believed as those who disbelieved that none of them approached within 100 miles the area of truth. I have suffered hell on earth, but before I leave it, I promise myself such a triumph, as will make the Regions and his Roman Catholics, and the Baly's and Bishop Sargeant with their Protestant donkeys—^bray as loud as their lungs will bear. Now, do you really think that you know ME my dear Mr. Sinnett? Do you believe that, because you have fathomed—as you think—my physical crust and brain ; that shre^\^d analyst of human nature though you be—you have ever penetrated even beneath the first cuticles of my Real Self? You would gravely err, if you did. I am held by all of you as untruthful because hitherto I have shown the world only the true exterior Mme. Blavatsky. It is just as if you complained of the falseness of a moss and weed covered, and wMi-covered, strong and rugged rock for writing outside " / am not moss covered and mud- plastered ; your eyes deceive you for you are unable to see beneaththe crust," etc. You must understand the allegfory. It is notboasting for I do not say whether inside that unprepossessing rockthere is a palatial residence or an humble hut. What I sayisthis : you do not know me ; for whatever there is inside it, is notwhat you think it is; and—to judge of me therefore, as of oneuntruthful is the greatest mistake in the world besides beingaflagrant injustice /, (the inner real " I ") am in prison and cannotshow myself as I am with all the desire I may have to. Whythen, should I, because speaking for myself as I am and feel myselfto be, why should I be held responsible for the outward jail-doorand its appearance, when I have neither built nor decorated it?
But all this will be for you no better than vexation of spirit.*' The poor old lady is crazy again—" will you remark. Andlet me prophecy that the day will come when you will accuseK.H. too of having deceived you ; for only failing to tell you whathe has no right to tell anyone. Yes ; you will blaspheme evenagainst him; because you always secretly hope that he may makean exception in your favour.
Why, such an extravagant, seemingly useless tirade as contained in this letter? Because, the hour is near; and that afterhaving proved what I have to, I will bow myself out from therefined Western Society and—be no more. You may all whistlethen for the Brothers. —Gospel.
Of course it was a joke. No ; you do not hate me ; you only feela friendly, indulgent, a kind of benevolent contempt for H.P.B.You are right there, so far as you know her the one who is readyto fall into pieces. Perchance you may find out yet your mistakeconcerning the other—the well hidden party. I have nowwithme Deb ; Deb ** Shortridg " as we call him, who looks a boyof12, though is past 30 and more. An ideal little face with smallcut delicate features, pearly teeth, long hair, almond cut eyes anda Chinese-tartar purple cap on the top of his head. He is my" heir of Salvation " and I have work to do with him. I can-not leave him and have no right to, now. I have to makeovermy work to him. He is my right hand (and K.H.'s left one)—atimposture and false pretence.
And now—God bless you. Better not be angry at anythingI may do or say; only as a friend, a real friend, I say to you,solong as you have not changed your mode of living, expectnoexception.
Yours truly
H.P.B.
My sincere love to Mrs. Sinnett and a kiss to dear little Dennie.
