it be true, then in time and tune they are immensely our superiors; for
how few people can whistle a tune correctly, and how difficult it is to
drill people into keeping time!
The religious observances of the Ekoi are altogether a fascinating
study. Beneath many modern corruptions and disfigurements are yet to
be found traces of an older, purer, form of worship, traces which
carry us back to the oldest-known Minoan civilization, and link the
belief of the modern Ekoi with that of the ancient Phoenician, the
Egyptian, the Roman, and the Greek.
Trees are sacred; birds are sacred, for
Should the birds be injured or driven away the women would become
barren and even the cattle cease to bear.
More recognition of the inviolability of cosmic law! Call it
self-interest, if you will, it is at least a higher and worthier form
of self-interest than the kind that rips the feathers off the birds and
turns them loose to die a lingering death, or planes off the wooded
hills in order to pile up riches on high.
The Ekoi spend their whole lives in the twilight of the beautiful
mysterious bush, peopled, to their fancy, not by wild animals alone,
of which they have no fear, but by were-leopards, and all kinds of
terrible half-human shapes, and by the genii of rocks, trees, and
rivers. Here, more truly even than in old Greece, the terror of Pan is
everywhere!
Verily "savage" life is not without its consolations. We have dwelt on
the bright side of the picture, and purposely so, for the other side
has been too much dwelt upon; and so far from exaggerating, we are
merely tending to restore the balance of an equable view. If we regard
life as mainly the experience of a Soul, then the outward appurtenances
of civilization count for less; and a people like the Ekoi may possibly
fulfil the purposes of Soul in quite a satisfactory way. One can even
imagine a Soul, wearied with life in modern civilization, taking a
resting incarnation in such a people, to dwell with Pan in these
beautiful glades.
That the journal of the Royal Geographical Society should publish such
a sympathetic account is a noteworthy sign of the times. There seems
to be a reactionary movement by which the heathen in his darkness is
shedding a little light on our inveterate superstition.
[Illustration: Lomaland Photo. and Engraving Dept. A SEMINOLE INDIAN
(Photo. by the Albertype Co., Brooklyn, N. Y.)]
[Illustration: Lomaland Photo. and Engraving Dept. A FAMILY GROUP OF
SEMINOLE INDIANS]
AN UNKNOWN AMERICAN NATION: by H. S. Turner
But few people know that living within the precincts of this country,
there is a nation, independent and virtually free from dominance of the
United States Government, or of any of its States. Its history is a
singular one and is practically unknown. Even our school histories have
but little to say about it; so that the impression left on the minds of
casual readers is that this nation long ago ceased to exist, as a body
of people.
Far down in the southern part of the peninsula of Florida, this nation
has its center; its rulers, laws, and government. It has no written
treaties with foreign governments--for such is the United States
considered by them--yet there is an unwritten treaty accepted by both,
which to their common credit has never been broken. This treaty, or
agreement as it should be called, stipulates that each nation shall go
its own way and not interfere with the other.
The Seminole Nation is its name, and its existence, as at present
constituted, dates from the year 1842. Seven years previous to this
date, the United States Government decided that the Seminole Indians,
who belong to the family of the Muscogees, should be moved from their
fertile Florida lands and taken to those of the Creek Nation, far away
in the West. At this time the authorities concentrated our Indian wards
in a few special places.
The Seminoles bitterly resisted the efforts made to remove them. It was
only after a seven years' war that two thousand of them surrendered and
were duly sent westward.
Originally the Seminoles had been numerically strong. This hard-fought
war reduced their numbers to such a point that after those who
surrendered had been transported, but five hundred remained in Florida.
They represented, however, the strongest and most determined of their
tribe; those who preferred death to surrender.
Separating themselves from those who decided to surrender, they
penetrated to the innermost recesses of the Everglades, that
death-dealing morass, covered with reeds and jungle-growth, through
which winds a veritable labyrinth of stagnant streams, in whose mud
crocodiles and alligators disport themselves, and where snakes,
mosquitos, and other poisonous life abound. What little solid earth was
to be found was nothing but a bog-like mass of sodden ground, thickly
covered with grass and vines. Yet there and under such conditions these
were determined to look up their home. They valued their freedom above
all, and were willing to make any sacrifice and undergo any hardship
rather than lose what they valued so highly.
White men could not endure the conditions they had to meet in the
swamps, neither could they ever equal the Red man in ability to move
quickly in such a place. The little band of Indians scattered and
built their shelters on the driest spots they could find, maintaining
themselves by hunting the game that was found on every hand.
So accustomed have they become to the conditions in which they live,
that they are almost amphibious and absolutely immune to the bites of
mosquitos or other poisonous insects.
At times some of the Indians will come out of their retirement and
visit their white neighbors. Quite often many of them can be seen on
the streets of Miami, Florida, where they go to purchase what limited
supplies they may need, the money for the same being obtained by the
sale of alligator hides.
At times a few white men have been invited by them to visit their
homes in the Everglades. Those who have accepted this invitation have
always been glad to hasten their departure, on account of the ravenous
hordes of mosquitos and the familiarity of the water-snakes, and this
notwithstanding the hospitality and sincere cordiality of their hosts.
Undoubtedly it is due to the ravages of these so-called pests--to their
beneficent protection in this instance--that these Indians owe their
freedom from the usual contaminating vices of the white man. The latter
is simply unable to get close enough in touch to demoralize them. So we
find these Indians today, whose life is the same as it was before the
white man set foot upon the North American Continent.
They are free from the vice of drink, they live according to the
highest moral code, they do not gamble, and are altogether a happy and
care-free people. Let us hope they will ever remain so; that they will
never lose their natural simplicity of character and their dignified
reserve.
The typical costume of the Seminoles is as singularly different from
the one usually adopted by American Indians, as their customs and mode
of life are. The accompanying photographic reproductions show this
feature, as well as give one an idea of their strength of character.
The "American type" is clearly shown by the facial angles.
THE CONFINES OF SCIENCE: by Investigator
It is still debated whether the earth in its orbital motion drags the
adjacent part of the ether along with it, or whether the earth travels
through the ether without stirring the latter. On the one hand it is
argued that if the earth (and presumably other planets also) dragged
the ether along, complex currents would thereby be set up in the ether;
and this circumstance would upset the calculations with regard to the
aberration of light, whereas the observations of aberration do not
indicate the existence of any such currents in the ether. On the other
hand are cited certain delicate experiments of Michelsen and Morley,
connected with the measurement of vibration-rates of light, which go to
show that there is little or no relative motion between the earth and
the ether, or, in other words, that the circumjacent ether moves with
the earth. Hence we are required to make the ether stationary for some
purposes, but moveable and full of currents for other purposes; not the
first time that the ether has been required to perform inconsistent, or
apparently inconsistent, rôles.
This quandary has led some petulantly to throw the ether overboard,
alleging that "there ain't no such a thing"; while others have sought
refuge in abstruse mathematico-metaphysical speculations as to the
nature of our conceptions of space and time and the meaning of such
conceptual words as _mass_ and _velocity_.
It must be remembered that the ether so far is not an observed object
but a hypothetical something. The necessities of our reasoning
have demanded that we should, on various occasions and for various
purposes, postulate a fixed standard of reference. Thus the undulatory
theory of light has required the supposition of a medium to convey
the undulations; the kinetic theory of matter has required that we
postulate a substantial basis wherein the supposed vortices or centers
of energy can inhere. But the ether is, and _ex hypothesi_ must be,
beyond the reach of sense perception. Could we but weigh it or measure
it in any way--at once we should stand in need of another ether yet
more subtle. In a word, however far we go, there is always something
beyond.
Physical science, being admittedly a limited sphere, must of course
become indeterminate near its borders. Rules which are found to apply
with sufficient exactitude within certain limits will be found to
apply no longer when we transcend those limits. So long as we study
physical phenomena in their relation to each other, we may find those
mutual relations sufficiently exact and constant; but when we begin to
study physical phenomena in relation to _what lies beyond_, then the
uncertainty supervenes. We find it necessary to inquire into the nature
of our own perceptions and conceptions.
A phenomenon has its subjective factor as well as its objective
factor; but our physics has so far been based on the tacit assumption
that the subjective factor is fixed and constant. And it may indeed
be so regarded within certain limits. But now we propose to explore
the limits of the illimitable and the confines of eternity, regions,
whither our senses and our instruments cannot penetrate. What wonder
that we find those conceptions of time, space, and motion, which we
have derived from our sensory experience in this world, inadequate as a
means of formulating what lies beyond!
A slight acquaintance with certain ancient sciences suffices to
show that they took into account the subjective component of our
perceptions and conceptions, studying the mind and its organs along
with nature and its qualities. Regarding phenomena as the result of
interactions or coalescences between faculties within and qualities
without, they studied both concurrently. Neglecting to do this, we have
landed ourselves in not a few difficulties. Needing a fixed standard
of reference in our study of motion, we have postulated _space_ as
objective, while at the same time our very hypothesis has divested
that space of every property which could entitle it to be regarded as
an object at all. In vain do we try to overtake our shadow, to put
things on a shelf out of our reach, to explore the land of nowhere,
or to measure the cubic contents of zero. The notion of "space" as
possessing size and three-dimensional extension, but _nothing_ else, is
an assumption that may well be regarded by Nature as groundless; yet it
is to this standard that we refer our calculations as to motion, etc.
Practical science strides ahead in defiance of such speculations, for
it is founded on an investigation of what actually exists in Nature.
And even where the theories serve to guide our path to new discoveries,
it is as likely as not that our discoveries will outstrip the limits
of the theories. There is bound to come a time, if it has not begun to
dawn already, when we shall be uncertain whether it is external nature
or our own internal faculties that we are studying; as was brought
out in connexion with those very singular "Blondlot rays," which were
visible (apparently) to Latin races but not to Teutonic!
Having thus suggested the possibility of a study of states of
consciousness, such as might result in placing the observer in an
entirely new relation to external nature and thereby rendering nugatory
all his previous conceptions of time, space, and the like--it remains
to add a few words on that topic. There are many people engaged in a
heedless and unguided dabbling in such fields, and both old-time wisdom
and contemporary experience indicate that the practice is fraught with
dangers to health and mental balance. Such explorations demand that
we shall step out from the safe shelter of our familiar five-sense
consciousness and brave the perils of an unknown land. We are in
precisely the position of a man who forsakes the dry land, his native
element, where he is lord of the beasts and can plant his feet and his
dwelling firmly, and plunges into a sea without bottom or stability and
teeming with sharks, and where his life depends on his constant energy
and watchfulness. Hence the study of science in its deeper aspects
becomes primarily a question of _discipline_--a fact always recognized
in the ancient Mysteries. In proof that this statement is true, we
need only point to the state of affairs in the world of psychic
investigation today; a condition which breathes more of menace than of
promise to the future welfare of society, a world where fatuity and
folly seem to dog the steps of the heedless explorer.
We give out all our secrets to the mob because there is no one who can
successfully assert his claim to be above the mob; our only rule of
fair-play is indiscriminate distribution. One cannot presume to set up
a sacred college, and the mob rightly and justly fears the possible
domination of a clique of biological or theological theorists. Yet
knowledge is inseparably connected with duty and obligation; and if
this connexion is ignored, that which should be a blessing will prove a
curse. What has already occurred in connexion with dynamite and drugs
can occur in far worse form in connexion with hypnotism and mental
influence. This is sufficient to explain the Theosophical program of
work and the reason why Theosophical workers do not find such public
researches a profitable field for their efforts while there is so much
preliminary work yet to be done both in their own characters and in the
world.
When we begin to explore the ether of our own inner nature, we find
that investigation comes second to management; we must _control_ our
nature--or it will control us. Knowledge is relative to Duty.
THE TOWER OF LONDON AND THE HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT: by Carolus
The Tower of London and the Houses of Parliament, Westminster, are the
most striking and important buildings that stand on the banks of the
Thames in London. Both are on the north side of the river, but are at a
considerable distance from each other.
The Tower is one of the few early Norman castles which have come down
to us in a fairly perfect condition. Tradition says a fortress was
built by Julius Caesar on the site, but the nucleus of the present
building was begun in 1078 by William the Conqueror. This was the
White Tower, the highest building with the four turrets shown in our
illustration. It was completed by William Rufus, who also built the
famous "Traitor's Gate," through which the unfortunate victims of
Royal displeasure were rowed in from the river. Many additions were
afterwards made, and the building and courts now cover thirteen acres
surrounded by a moat. The Tower was closely identified with many of
the most tragic events in English history for at least five hundred
years after its erection, and if its walls could speak the tale of
horror could hardly be surpassed by the record of any other medieval
building. In the Chapel of St. Peter-in-Chains, lie the bodies of
Queen Anne Boleyn and her brother, Queen Catherine Howard, the Earl of
Essex, the Duke of Monmouth, Bishop Fisher, More, and many other great
personages who suffered death in the Tower. It was a short road from
the Traitor's Gate, through the Bloody Tower, to this chapel. Many
State prisoners have spent weary years of incarceration in the Tower;
Sir Walter Raleigh, one of the greatest and noblest, was confined here
for thirteen years.
The Tower of London was occasionally the residence of the earlier
sovereigns of England, but its main purpose was the defense of the
city. In these days of powerful weapons it would be useless as a
fortress, but it is still a military post and headquarters, and
contains a large collection of armor. The Jewel Room, in which the
Royal Regalia are kept, and the rooms where distinguished prisoners
were confined, attract many visitors.
[Illustration: Lomaland Photo. and Engraving Dept. THE TOWER OF LONDON]
[Illustration: Lomaland Photo. and Engraving Dept. HOUSES OF
PARLIAMENT, LONDON VIEW FROM THE RIVER]
[Illustration: Lomaland Photo. and Engraving Dept. TRAFALGAR SQUARE,
LONDON TAKEN FROM THE NATIONAL GALLERY]
The Houses of Parliament at Westminster are--with the exception of
Westminster Hall, built by William Rufus--quite modern, and have no
gloomy associations such as those of the Tower. The building covers
about eight acres and the façade overlooking the Thames is nine
hundred feet long. The tall tower on the left in the illustration is
the Victoria Tower; it is supported upon four pointed arches sixty
feet in height, and the highest point is three hundred and forty feet
above the ground. The central tower is three hundred feet high, and
the picturesque Clock Tower, on the right, is three hundred and twenty
feet high. During the evening sittings of the Houses a lamp is kept
burning near the top of the Clock Tower, which is extinguished when the
debates are over. The building consists mainly of the House of Peers
and the House of Commons, with the connected apartments and offices,
the whole forming one structure. Just above the river, along the front
of the palace runs the Terrace, a broad paved walk where the members of
Parliament can stroll in the fresh air and yet be within sound of the
division bell.
The towers of Westminster Abbey are visible to the left of the Victoria
Tower, and a small portion of Westminster Bridge is seen at the extreme
right.
Not far from the Houses of Parliament is Trafalgar Square, which is
probably more familiar to the general public than any spot in London,
for it is the meeting-place of so many important thoroughfares. Our
illustration is taken from the steps of the National Gallery of
Pictures. The fluted Corinthian Column erected to Admiral Nelson
dominates the scene. The colossal bronze statue of the hero is elevated
one hundred and seventy-six feet in the air and, needless to say, the
artistic workmanship is above criticism, for no one can distinguish
any detail at that height! The bronze lions at the base are by Sir
Edwin Landseer, and possess considerable dignity. At the far end of
the street to the left of the Nelson Monument (Parliament Street) the
faint outline of the Clock Tower of the Houses of Parliament can just
be distinguished. At the top of this street, not far from the Nelson
Monument, stands the fine antique equestrian statue of Charles I,
one of the few outdoor monuments that are creditable to the British
metropolis. A few steps to the left of Trafalgar Square as shown in the
plate is the new Charing Cross; the original one was destroyed by the
Puritan Parliament.
POINT LOMA NOTES: by C. J. R.
Here at Lomaland the yerba santa, whose leaves never lose their
delicate gray-green, is a widely scattered bush. It is a favorite
of the Leader's. Among other plants, the sumach, the manzanita, the
grease-wood, the "mahogany," and the dwarf-oak, clothe the sides of
the romantic cañons and the tops of the hills with bright verdure
throughout the year. There are always some wild flowers too, though the
kinds that blossom during the summer are generally not as plentiful or
beautiful as those of the spring. The thousands of eucalypts and cedar
trees, etc., which have been planted mainly upon the lower portions
of the grounds during the past few years by the Lomaland Forestry
Department, have greatly improved the beauty of the landscape for
miles along the ocean front; and the Canary palms and Date palms, the
lemon and pepper trees, the acacias and pines, within the Homestead
gardens and bordering the avenues, have now grown to a size and beauty
which make them a pleasure to look at. Every visitor who comes into
the grounds expresses delight at the wealth of foliage and cultivated
flowers which surround the Râja Yoga College and Temple as well as the
students' homes and bungalows.
In a few weeks we may expect the first rains, though sometimes they
do not arrive till nearly Christmas, and then the multitude of seeds
that have been quietly biding their time will begin to stir, and soon
after the opening of the new year the hills will assume the vivid
green which will not diminish till next summer; the five varieties of
Lomaland ferns will unfold their delicate fronds on the shady southern
side of the cañons; and then the ground will become carpeted with
spring flowers of many colors, chiefly purple and gold. When Katherine
Tingley first established the headquarters of our Society here there
was very little grass, except at the lower levels near San Diego, but
it has been gradually creeping up the hills until it has become a
characteristic feature of the Spring; it seems to have increased in
proportion to the enlargement of the human population of Point Loma.
* * * * *
WE have been reading with sympathy of the terrible heat that has been
such a marked feature of the present summer throughout Europe and the
larger portion of the United States. In Lomaland, and all along the
Pacific slope, nothing of the sort has been felt, for the constant
westerly breezes which blow from the ocean keep the temperature down;
no case of sunstroke has ever been recorded here, and there is never
any need to cease from outdoor work or exercise during the heat of the
day; the nights are never too hot for a blanket.
* * * * *
THOUGH we usually do not get our best sunsets until the so-called
"winter" months, lately there have been several of the magnificent ones
for which Lomaland is famous. In August a very remarkable mirage was
seen by a large number of persons at a sea-coast town about a hundred
miles to the northward. It represented a ship ashore on dangerous
rocks with the waves beating over it, and it was so real and vivid
that the lifeboat went out to rescue the supposed drowning crew. But
when it reached the spot (less than a mile from the beach) the boatmen
could see nothing, and there were no rocks near. From the shore it
appeared as if the lifeboat passed through the wreck. An attempt made
to photograph the mirage turned out a failure. About ten years ago a
strange mirage was seen from the Homestead in the form of an island
far out at sea. It persisted for several days and was so realistic
that some persons were on the point of chartering a boat to sail out
to it and take possession when it disappeared. The mystery of many
well-authenticated mirages has never been explained by the ordinary
laws of refraction and reflection. _The Century Path_ of October 25,
1908, which can be found in nearly all the libraries in America and
other countries, contains a special article on the subject, giving many
examples and treating it from the Theosophical standpoint.
* * * * *