The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda/Volume 6/Epistles - Second Series/CIX Joe Joe
CIX
C/O MISS MULLER,
AIRLIE LODGE, RIDGEWAY GARDENS,
WIMBLEDON, ENGLAND,
7th October, 1896.
Once more in London, dear Joe Joe, and the classes have begun already.
Instinctively I looked about for one familiar face which never had a line of
discouragement, never changed, but was always helpful, cheerful, and
strengthening — and my mind conjured up that face before me, in spite of a
few thousand miles of space. For what is space in the realm of spirit? Well,
you are gone to your home of rest and peace. For me, ever-increasing mad
work; yet I have your blessings with me always, have I not? My natural
tendency is to go into a cave and be quiet, but a fate behind pushes me
forward and I go. Whoever could resist fate?
Why did not Christ say in the Sermon on the Mount, "Blessed are they that
are always cheerful and always hopeful for they have already the kingdom of
heaven"? I am sure, He must have said it, He with the sorrows of a whole
world in His heart, He who likened the saintly soul with the child — but it
was not noted down; of a thousand things they noted down only one, I mean,
remembered.
Most of our friends came — one of the Galsworthys too — i.e. the married
daughter. Mrs. Galsworthy could not come today; it was very short notice. We
have a hall now, a pretty big one holding about 200 or more. There is a big
corner which will be fitted up as the Library. I have another man from India
now to help me.
I enjoyed Switzerland immensely, also Germany. Prof. Deussen was very kind
— we came together to London and had great fun here. Prof. Max Müller is
very, very friendly too. In all, the English work is becoming solid — and
respectable too, seeing that great scholars are sympathising. Probably I go
to India this winter with some English friends. So far about my own sweet
self.
Now what about the holy family? Everything is going on first-rate, I am sure. You must have heard of Fox by this time. I am afraid I rather made him dejected the day before he sailed by telling him that he could not marry Mabel, until he began to earn a good deal of money! Is Mabel with you now? Give her my love. Also give me your present address.
How is Mother? Frankincense, same solid sterling gold as ever, I am sure.
Alberta, working at her music and languages, laughing a good deal and eating
a good many apples as usual? By the by, I now live mostly on fruits and
nuts. They seem to agree with me well. If ever the old doctor, with "land"
up somewhere, comes to see you, you may confide to him this secret. I have
lost a good deal of my fat. But on days I lecture, I have to go on solid
food. How is Hollis? I never saw a sweeter boy — may all blessings ever
attend him through life.
I hear your friend Cola is lecturing on Zoroastrian philosophy — surely the
stars are not smiling on him. What about your Miss Andreas and our
Yoganandla? What news about the brotherhood of the ZZZ's and our Mrs.
(forgotten!)? I hear that half a shipload of Hindus and Buddhists and
Mohammedans and Brotherhoods and what not have entered the U.S., and another
cargo of Mahatma-seekers, evangelists etc. have entered India! Good. India
and the U.S. seem to be two countries for religious enterprise. Have a care,
Joe; the heathen corruption is dreadful. I met Madam Sterling in the street
today. She does not come any more for my lectures, good for her. Too much of
philosophy is not good. Do you remember that lady who used to come to every
meeting too late to hear a word but button-holed me immediately after and
kept me talking, till a battle of Waterloo would be raging in my internal
economy through hunger? She came. They are all coming and more. That is
cheering.
It is getting late in the night. So goodnight, Joe. (Is strict etiquette to be followed in New York too?) And Lord bless you ever and ever.
"Man's all-wise maker, wishing to create a faultless form whose matchless
symmetry should far transcend creation's choicest works, did call together
by his mighty will, and garner up in his eternal mind, a bright assemblage
of all lovely things, and then, as in a picture, fashioned them into one
perfect and ideal form. Such the divine, the wondrous prototype whence her
fair shape was moulded into being." (Shakuntalam by Kalidasa, translated by
Monier Williams).
That is you, Joe Joe; only I would add, the same the creator did with all purity and nobility and other qualities and then Joe was made.
Ever yours, with love and blessings,
VIVEKANANDA.
PS. Mrs. & Mr. Sevier in whose house (flat) I am writing now, send their
kindest regards.