MRS. BESANT is said to have told a representative of a daily paper, that
"an adept in Theosophy uses his supernatural powers solely for his own
convenience, just as ordinary people avail themselves of a messenger, or
the telephone or telegraph."
We have it on the very best of authority that the discharge of handbills
from aërial bombs is to be entirely surpassed as a method for
advertising a commodity, by a new and protected process.
"A Company is being formed," so runs the prospectus, "for the express
purpose of importing Mahatmas of the very best vintage (guaranteed
_extra sec_), direct from Thibet, where an exceptionally luxuriant crop
has been produced during past years.
"They will be shipped to any port in the United Kingdom, and delivered
to any address, carriage free, at prices which will compare most
favourably with those quoted by foreign firms for inferior articles.
"The trade supplied by special contract.
"They will prove invaluable to advertisers and others.
"No family should be without one. Order early.
"They can be used for a variety of purposes; but they will be found most
particularly serviceable for distributing handbills and posters,
especially in inaccessible places.
"_Domestic servants entirely superseded by them._
"Prompt and accurate delivery of any object may be effected by their
agency, owing to their marvellous powers of precipitation.
"Full instructions for working, and instruments for repairing, supplied
with each specimen.
"Not liable to get out of order.
"Safe in the hands of a child. Yet they are not toys.
"Procurable of any respectable Lunatic Asylum.
"Ask for Our Brand, and see that you get none other.
"Beware of worthless foreign imitations, which dishonest dealers will
try to foist upon you.
"Of Mahatmas young, and Mahatmas old,
Of Mahatmas meek, and Mahatmas bold,
Of Mahatmas gentle, and Mahatmas rough,
We lay long odds that we'll sell enough."
The financial column of the Journal of the Future, we may expect, will
read somewhat as follows:--"Mahatmas opened weak, but slowly advanced a
third. Later they became stronger, and closed firm at 8-1/4.
Latest--Mahatmas fell rapidly."
_Tempora mutantur, nos et mutamur in illis._
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CHARITY BEGINS ABROAD.--The following advertisement (which recently
appeared in the _Times_) has been sent for solution:--
GENTLEMAN, with knowledge of business and disposing of
100,000 francs, is desirous of REPRESENTING, either in
Europe, Africa, America, or elsewhere, a serious FIRM,
capable of giving important profits. Offers to be
addressed, &c.
In reply to this appeal, _Mr. Punch_ begs to say that "the gentleman
with knowledge of business" seems to be anxious to act as an _alter ego_
to a serious (not a jocular) firm "capable of giving profits."
"GENTLEMAN" does not specify whose profits the serious firm is capable
of giving, and thus it may be presumed that the 100,000 francs would
form the capital with which the charitable transaction would be
conducted. This is the more probable as "GENTLEMAN" says he knows how to
dispose of them.
* * * * *