" A NEW MESSIAH " [To the Editor of the
SPECTATOR.]
SIR,—The account given by your correspondent, " Y." of the little Hindu girl, " Bulbul," who was said to be a reincar- nation of Madame Blavatsky, and to be " The New World Teacher," is doubtless the sort of story that would be sure of a popular reception—more especially perhaps twenty years ago—amongst the gossips of Anglo-Indian conventional society, decorated as the tale is, with all those picturesque details of " notes showered by Mahatmas," &c., &c. But, without evidence not yet vouchsafed, it seems less than reasonable to saddle Dr.. Besant. with responsibility in con- nexion with a story told to your anonymous correspondent by an unnamed lady, whose authority for the story is not divulged.
I have been a member of the Theosophical Society for over eighteen years, and have never heard the story before—with Or without the trimmings---4hOugh for most of that time I have been in a good position to hear what was being discussed at Headquarters and in the Society generally. I cannot say for certain iioir long ago:it is since Dr. Besant and others with her knew (or if it is preferred, believed) that the young Indian, Mi. kriShnarnurti, would, if he proved worthy, be used by the
expected World Teacher. Certainly I myself and many others had heard it fifteen or more years ago. And though I cannot verify the exact time at this moment, I think that the expects. tion of these leaders of the Theosophical Societk'probably antedated 1906 (the year of " Y.'s " story) by some years. Speaking as a Theosophist of long standing, the impression given me by " Y.'s " story is that it is merely gossip, confused and " seasoned according to taste."—I am, Sir, &c., J. A. EDWARD WREN. Portsmouth.
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