WCP3452

Letter (WCP3452.2939)

[1]1

1726 N STREET

WASHINGTON D.C.

Jan[uary]. 12. 1891.

My Dear Professor Wallace:

Thanks for your very kind letter of Nov[ember]. 30, in which you express so favourable an opinion of the English edition of my book.2 I am specially glad to have the suggestions you make, and will consider them in the event of another edition.

I am a little surprised to read what you say of my ‘ferocious attack’ on that old humbug H. P. B.3 The ‘terrific charges’ in a word are simply true. As to the evidence, much of it is on the face of the article in the Sun;4 of much more I am in person a competent witness; and of yet other points I hold the documentary testimony, perfectly valid in any court of law. The proof can be forthcoming, on demand; but she will never challenge its production, as her libel suit against the Sun and myself is mere opéra [sic] bouffe,5 for effect. Moreover, the [2]6 general tenor of my article is a matter of common report, and, I may add, of almost worldwide scandalous notoriety. I was truly pained to prepare the article, but it was necessary, and though I am prepared to have my motives questioned (by some — not by such as yourself, of course), I can affirm, and am prepared to prove, the good faith of the article, and its substantial truth in every material particular. — I do not think it 'overshot the mark', as you seem to fear, or had the contrary effect to that intended; for its influence was felt in three continents, was most salutary, and in America has practically killed forever her fraudulent schemes. In London, I understand, she holds still a sort of female incarnation of Buddha court, where some of her dupes burn joss-sticks. But as to that, I suppose you are already informed, the whole raison d’être7 is political intrigue [3]8 with Russian agitations, against the peace and welfare of the British. Of this also I hold the documentary proof, to be used whenever I choose.

I am always glad to hear of and from you, and to learn of your continued health & prosperity. I have lately seen some very complimentary notices in the papers, and rejoiced for you. My memory of our meetings, both here & in England, is always [1 word illeg.] & pleasant.

With great regard | Sincerely your friend, | Elliott Coues.9 [signature]

Professor Alfred Russel Wallace

&c &c &c

England

1
The page is numbered 1 (encircled) in ink in the top RH corner, crossed through in pencil, and the number 235 written below. The words "Prof[essor]. Elliott Coues" are written in pencil in the top LH corner.
2
This is possibly Coues, E. (1882). Biogen: A Speculation on the Origin and Nature of Life Washington, Judd & Detweiler. The second edition of the American publication (Boston, Estes & Lauriat) had already come out in 1884.
3
Blavatsky, Helena Petrovna (Yelena Petrovna Blavatskaya) (1831-1891) Russian occultist, spirit medium and author who co-founded the Theosophical Society in 1875. Blavatsky described Theosophy as "the synthesis of science, religion and philosophy", proclaiming that it was reviving an "Ancient Wisdom" which underlay all the world's religions. In 1880 she moved to India, where the Society was allied to a Hindu reform movement and in the same year while in Ceylon, she officially converted to Buddhism. In 1885 she returned to Europe, eventually settling in London, where she established the Blavatsky Lodge.
4
Blavatsky (see Endnote 3) published The Secret Doctrine a commentary on what she claimed were ancient Tibetan manuscripts, as well as two further books, The Key to Theosophy and The Voice of the Silence, a short devotional text which she also claimed was based on a Tibetan Buddhist document. As with The Secret Doctrine, most scholars of Buddhism have doubted that this latter text was authentic. She continued to face accusations of fraud; the U.S. newspaper The Sun published an article in July 1890 based on information provided by Coues (see Endnote 9), an ex-member of the Theosophical Society, of the fraudulent nature of Blavatsky’s claims. Blavatsky sued the newspaper for libel, and they publicly retracted their accusations in September 1892.
5
French comic opera, with dialogue in recitative and characters drawn from everyday life.
6
The page is numbered 2 (encircled) in ink in the top RH corner, crossed through in pencil, and the number 236 written below. The words "Elliott Coues" are written in pencil above the top RH corner. The text on this page over-writes the address on headed notepaper.
7
The most important reason or purpose for someone or something's existence (Fr.)
8
The page is numbered 3 (encircled) in ink in the top RH corner, crossed through in pencil, and the number 237 written below. The text on this page over-writes the address on headed notepaper.
9
Coues, Elliott Ladd (1842-1899). American army surgeon, historian, ornithologist and author. He also took an interest in Spiritualism and began speculations in Theosophy. Convinced by the principles of evolution, he believed that these principles may be capable of being applied in psychic research and he proposed to use it to explain obscure phenomena such as hypnotism, clairvoyance, telepathy etc. He claimed to have witnessed levitation of objects and developed a theory to explain the phenomena. After visiting Blavatsky (see Endnote 3) in Europe, he founded the Gnostic Theosophical Society of Washington, and in 1890 he became the president of the Esoteric Theosophical Society of America. Around this time he also exposed Blavatsky and lost his interest in the theosophical movement.

Editorial information

Status: Draft transcription [Letter (WCP3452.2939)]

For more information about the transcriptions and metadata, see https://wallaceletters.myspecies.info/content/epsilon

Revision history

Transcribed by O'Dell, Sandra [2018-08-15]

Please cite as “WCP3452,” in Beccaloni, G. W. (ed.), Ɛpsilon: The Alfred Russel Wallace Collection accessed on 27 April 2024, https://epsilon.ac.uk/view/wallace/letters/WCP3452