Epistles (first series)
Annisquam
20th August, 1894
Dear Sister {Isabelle McKindley},
Your very kind letter duly reached me at Annisquam. I am with the Bagleys once more. They are kind as usual. Professor Wright was not here. But he came day before yesterday and we have very nice time together. Mr. Bradley of Evanston, whom you have met at Evanston, was here. His sister-in-law had me sit for a picture several days and had painted me. I had some very fine boating and one evening overturned the boat and had a good drenching--clothes and all.
I had very very nice time at Greenacre. They were all so earnest and kind people. Fanny Hartley and Mrs. Mills have by this time gone back home I suppose.
From here I think I will go back to New York. Or I may go to Boston to Mrs. Ole Bull. Perhaps you have heard of Mr. Ole Bull, the great violinist of this country. She is his widow. She is a very spiritual lady. She lives in Cambridge and has a fine big parlour made of woodwork brought all the way from India. She wants me to come over to her any time and use her parlour to lecture. Boston of course is the great field for everything, but the Boston people as quickly take hold of anything as give it up; while the New Yorkers are slow, but when they get hold of anything they do it with a mortal grip.
I have kept pretty good health all the time and hope to do in the future. I had no occasion yet to draw on my reserve, yet I am rolling on pretty fair. And I have given up all money-making schemes and will be quite satisfied with a bite and a shed and work on.
I believe you are enjoying your summer retreat. Kindly convey my best regards and love to Miss Howe and Mr. Frank Howe.
Perhaps I did not tell you in my last how I slept and lived and preached under the trees and for a few days at least found myself once more in the atmosphere of heaven.
Most probably I will make New York my centre for the next winter; and as soon as I fix on that, I will write to you. I am not yet settled in my ideas of remaining in this country any more. I cannot settle anything of that sort. I must bide my time. May the Lord bless you all for ever and ever is the constant prayer of your ever affectionate brother,
Vivekananda
Boston
26th Sept., 1894
Dear Sister {Isabelle McKindley},
Your letter with the India mail just to hand. A quantity of newspaper clippings were sent over to me from India. I send them back for your perusal and safe keeping.
I am busy writing letters to India last few days. I will remain a few days more in Boston.
With my love and blessings.
Yours ever affly,
Vivekananda
Washington
C/o Mrs. T. Totten,
1708 W I Street,
26th(?) October, 1894
Dear Sister {Isabelle McKindley},
Excuse my long silence; but I have been regularly writing to Mother Church. I am sure you are all enjoying this nice cool weather. I am enjoying Baltimore and Washington very much. I will go hence to Philadelphia. I thought Miss Mary was in Philadelphia, and so I wanted her address. But as she is in some other place near Philadelphia, I do not want to give her the trouble to come up to see me, as Mother Church says.
The lady with whom I am staying is Mrs. Totten, a niece of Miss Howe. I will be her guest more than a week yet; so you may write to me to her care.
I intend going over to England this winter somewhere in January or February. A lady from London with whom one of my friends is staying has sent an invitation to me to go over as her guest; and from India they are urging me every day to come back.
How did you like Pitoo in the cartoon? Do not show it to anybody. It is too bad of our people to caricature Pitoo that way.
I long ever so much to hear from you, but take a little more care to make your letter just a bit more distinct. Do not be angry for the suggestion.
Your ever loving brother,
Vivekananda.
54 West, 33 New York
25th February, 1895
Dear Sister {Isabelle McKindley},
I am sorry you had an attack of illness. I will give you an absent treatment though your confession takes half the strength out of my mind.
That you have rolled out of it is all right. All's well that ends well.
The books have arrived in good condition and many thanks for them.
Your ever affectionate bro.,
Vivekananda
54 W., 33 New York
27th March, 1895
Dear Sister {Isabelle McKindley},
Your kind note gave me pleasure inexpressible. I was also able to read it through very easily. I have at last hit upon the orange and have got a coat, but could not as yet get any in summer material. If you get any, kindly inform me. I will have it made here in New York. Your wonderful Dearborn Ave. misfit tailor is too much even for a monk.
Sister Locke writes me a long letter and perhaps wondering at my delay in reply. She is apt to be carried away by enthusiasm; so I am waiting, and again I do not know what to answer. Kindly tell her from me that it is impossible for me to fix any place just now. Mrs. Peake though noble, grand, and very spiritual, is as much clever in worldly matter as I, yet I am getting cleverer every day. Mrs. Peake has been offered, by some one whom she knows only hazily in Washington, a place for summer.
Who knows that she will not be played upon? This is a wonderful country for cheating, and 99.9 per cent have some motive in the background to take advantage of others. If anyone just but closes his eyes for a moment, he is gone !! Sister Josephine is fiery. Mrs. Peake is a simple good woman. I have been so well handled by the people here that I look round me for hours before I take a step. Everything will come to right. Ask Sister Josephine to have a little patience.
You are every day finding kindergarten better than running an old man's home I am sure. You saw Mrs. Bull, and I am sure you were quite surprised to find her so tame and gentle. Do you see Mrs. Adams now and then? Mrs. Bull has been greatly benefited by her lessons. I also took a few, but no use; the ever increasing load in front does not allow me to bend forward as Mrs.Adams wants it. If I try to bend forward in walking, the centre of gravity comes to the surface of the stomach, and so I go cutting front somersaults.
No millionaire coming? Not even a few hundred thousands? Sorry, very sorry!!! I am trying my best; what I can do? My classes are full of women. You of course cannot marry a woman. Well, have patience. I will keep my eyes open and never let go an opportunity. If you do not get one, it would not be owing to any laziness at least on my part.
Life goes on the same old ruts. Sometimes I get disgusted with eternal lecturings and talkings, want to be silent for days and days.
Hoping you the best dreams (for that is the only way to be happy).
I remain ever your loving bro.,
Vivekananda
U.S.A
4th April 1895
Dear Alasinga,
Your letter just to hand. You need not be afraid of anybody's attempting to hurt me. So long as the Lord protects me I shall be impregnable. Your ideas of America are very hazy. . . . This is a huge country, the majority do not care much about religion. . . . Christianity holds its ground as a mere patriotism, and nothing more.. . .
Now my son, do not lose courage. . . . Send me the Vedanta-Sutras and the Bhashyas (commentaries) of all the sects. . . . I am in His hands. What is the use of going back to India? India cannot further my ideas. This country takes kindly to my ideas. I will go back when I get the Command. In the meanwhile, do you all gently and patiently work. If anybody attacks me, simply ignore his existence. . . . My idea is for you to start a Society where people could be taught the Vedas and the Vedanta, with the commentaries. Work on this line at present. . . . Know that every time you feel weak, you not only hurt yourself but also the Cause. Infinite faith and strength are the only conditions of success.Be cheerful. . . . Hold on to your own idea. . . . Above all, never attempt to guide or rule others, or, as the Yankees say, "boss" others. Be the servant of all.
Ever yours with blessings,
Vivekananda
XVII
New York
26th April, 1894
Dear Sister {Isabelle McKindley},
Your letter reached me yesterday. You were perfectly right I enjoyed the fun of the lunatic Interior, 81 but the mail you sent yesterday from India was really, as Mother Church says in her letter, a good news after a long interval. There is a beautiful letter from Dewanji. The old man Lord bless him offers as usual to help me. Then there was a little pamphlet published in Calcutta about me revealing that once at least in my life the prophet has been honoured in his own country. There are extracts from American and Indian papers and magazines about me. The extracts printed from Calcutta papers were especially gratifying, although the strain is so fulsome that I refuse to send the pamphlet over to you. They call me illustrious, wonderful, and all sorts of nonsense, but they forward me the gratitude of the whole nation. Now I do not care what they even of my own people say about me except for one thing. I have an old mother. She has suffered much all her life and in the midst of all she could bear to give me up for the service of God and man; but to have given up the most beloved of her children her hope to live a beastly immoral life in a far distant country, as Mazoomdar was telling in Calcutta, would have simply killed her. But the Lord is great, none can injure His children.
The cat is out of the bag without my seeking at all. And who do you think is the editor of one of our leading papers which praise me so much and thank
God that I came to America to represent Hinduism? Mazoomdar's cousin!! Poor Mazoomdar he has injured his cause by telling lies through jealousy. Lord knows I never attempted any defence.
I read the article of Mr. Gandhi in the Forum before this.
If you have got the Review of Reviews of last month read to mother the testimony about the Hindus in connection with the opium question in India by one of the highest officials of the English in India. He compares the English with the Hindus and lauds the Hindu to the skies. Sir Lepel Griffin was one of the bitterest enemies of our race. What made this change of front?
I had a very good time in Boston at Mrs. Breed's and saw Prof. Wright. I am going to Boston again. The tailor is making my new gown. I am going to speak at Cambridge University [Harvard] and would be the guest of Prof. Wright there. They write grand welcomes to me in the Boston papers.
I am tired of all this nonsense. Towards the latter part of May I will come back to Chicago, and after a few day's stay would come back to the East again.
I spoke last night at the Waldorf hotel. Mrs. Smith sold tickets at $2 each. I had a full hall which by the way was a small one. I have not seen anything of the money yet. Hope to see in the course of the day.
I made a hundred dollars at Lynn which I do not send because I have to make my new gown and other nonsense.
Do not expect to make any money at Boston. Still I must touch the brain of America and stir it up if I can.
Your loving brother,
Vivekananda.
XVIII
New York,
2nd [actually 1st] May, 1894
Dear Sister {Isabelle McKindley},
I am afraid I cannot send you the pamphlet just now. But I got a little bit of a newspaper cutting from India yesterday which I send you up. After you have read it kindly send it over to Mrs. Bagley. The editor of this paper is a relative of Mr. Mazoomdar. I am now sorry for poor Mazoomdar!! 82
I could not find the exact orange colour of my coat here, so I have been obliged to satisfy myself with the next best a cardinal red with more of yellow.
The coat will be ready in a few days.
Got about $70 the other day by lecturing at Waldorf. And hope to get some more by tomorrow's lecture.
From 7th to 19th there are engagements in Boston, but they pay very little.
Yesterday I bought a pipe for $13 meerschaum do not tell it to father Pope. The coat will cost $30. I am all right getting food . . . and money enough. Hope very soon to put something in the bank after the coming lecture.
. . . in the evening I am going to speak in a vegetarian dinner! Well, I am a vegetarian . . ., because I prefer it when I can get it. I have another invitation to lunch with Lyman Abbott day after tomorrow. After all, I am having very nice time and hope to have very nice time in Boston only that nasty nasty lecturing disgusting. However as soon as 19th is over one leap from Boston . . . to Chicago . . . and then I will have a long long breath and rest, rest for two three weeks. I will simply sit down and talk talk and smoke.
By the by, your New York people are very good only more money than brains.
I am going to speak to the students of the Harvard University. Three lectures at Boston, three at Harvard all arranged by Mrs. Breed. They are arranging something here too, so that I will, on my way to Chicago, come to New York once more give them a few hard raps and pocket the boodle and fly to Chicago.
If you want anything from New York or Boston which cannot be had at Chicago write sharp. I have plenty of dollars now. I will send you over anything you want in a minute. Don't think it would be indelicate anyway no humbug about me. If I am a brother so I am. I hate only one thing in the world hypocrisy.
Your affectionate brother,
Vivekananda.
Epistles (third series)
XVII
New York
26th April, 1894
Dear Sister {Isabelle McKindley},
Your letter reached me yesterday. You were perfectly right--I enjoyed the fun of the lunatic Interior, 81 but the mail you sent yesterday from India was really, as Mother Church says in her letter, a good news after a long interval. There is a beautiful letter from Dewanji. The old man--Lord bless him--offers as usual to help me. Then there was a little pamphlet published in Calcutta about me--revealing that once at least in my life the prophet has been honoured in his own country. There are extracts from American and Indian papers and magazines about me. The extracts printed from Calcutta papers were especially gratifying, although the strain is so fulsome that I refuse to send the pamphlet over to you. They call me illustrious, wonderful, and all sorts of nonsense, but they forward me the gratitude of the whole nation. Now I do not care what they even of my own people say about me--except for one thing. I have an old mother. She has suffered much all her life and in the midst of all she could bear to give me up for the service of God and man; but to have given up the most beloved of her children--her hope--to live a beastly immoral life in a far distant country, as Mazoomdar was telling in Calcutta, would have simply killed her. But the Lord is great, none can injure His children.
The cat is out of the bag--without my seeking at all. And who do you think is the editor of one of our leading papers which praise me so much and thank God that I came to America to represent Hinduism? Mazoomdar's cousin!!--Poor Mazoomdar--he has injured his cause by telling lies through jealousy. Lord knows I never attempted any defence.
I read the article of Mr. Gandhi in the Forum before this.
If you have got the Review of Reviews of last month--read to mother the testimony about the Hindus in connection with the opium question in India by one of the highest officials of the English in India. He compares the English with the Hindus and lauds the Hindu to the skies. Sir Lepel Griffin was one of the bitterest enemies of our race. What made this change of front?
I had a very good time in Boston at Mrs. Breed's--and saw Prof. Wright. I am going to Boston again. The tailor is making my new gown. I am going to speak at Cambridge University [Harvard] and would be the guest of Prof. Wright there. They write grand welcomes to me in the Boston papers.
I am tired of all this nonsense. Towards the latter part of May I will come back to Chicago, and after a few day's stay would come back to the East again.
I spoke last night at the Waldorf hotel. Mrs. Smith sold tickets at $2 each. I had a full hall which by the way was a small one. I have not seen anything of the money yet. Hope to see in the course of the day.
I made a hundred dollars at Lynn which I do not send because I have to make my new gown and other nonsense.
Do not expect to make any money at Boston. Still I must touch the brain of America and stir it up if I can.
Your loving brother,
Vivekananda.
XVIII
New York,
2nd [actually 1st] May, 1894
Dear Sister {Isabelle McKindley},
I am afraid I cannot send you the pamphlet just now. But I got a little bit of a newspaper cutting from India yesterday which I send you up. After you have read it kindly send it over to Mrs. Bagley. The editor of this paper is a relative of Mr. Mazoomdar. I am now sorry for poor Mazoomdar!! 82
I could not find the exact orange colour of my coat here, so I have been obliged to satisfy myself with the next best--a cardinal red with more of yellow.
The coat will be ready in a few days.
Got about $70 the other day by lecturing at Waldorf. And hope to get some more by tomorrow's lecture.
From 7th to 19th there are engagements in Boston, but they pay very little.
Yesterday I bought a pipe for $13--meerschaum do not tell it to father Pope. The coat will cost $30. I am all right getting food . . . and money enough. Hope very soon to put something in the bank after the coming lecture.
. . . in the evening I am going to speak in a vegetarian dinner! Well, I am a vegetarian . . ., because I prefer it when I can get it. I have another invitation to lunch with Lyman Abbott day after tomorrow. After all, I am having very nice time and hope to have very nice time in Boston--only that nasty nasty lecturing--disgusting. However as soon as 19th is over--one leap from Boston . . . to Chicago . . . and then I will have a long long breath and rest, rest for two three weeks. I will simply sit down and talk--talk and smoke.
By the by, your New York people are very good--only more money than brains.
I am going to speak to the students of the Harvard University. Three lectures at Boston, three at Harvard--all arranged by Mrs. Breed. They are arranging something here too, so that I will, on my way to Chicago, come to New York once more--give them a few hard raps and pocket the boodle and fly to Chicago.
If you want anything from New York or Boston which cannot be had at Chicago--write sharp. I have plenty of dollars now. I will send you over anything you want in a minute. Don't think it would be indelicate anyway--no humbug about me. If I am a brother so I am. I hate only one thing in the world--hypocrisy.
Your affectionate brother,
Vivekananda.
Epistles (fourth series)
XXXVIII
To Miss Isabelle McKindley
528, 5th Ave., New York,
24th Jan., 1895.
Dear Miss Bell {Isabelle McKindley},
I hope you are well. . . .
My last lecture was not very much appreciated by the men but awfully so by vemen. You know this Brooklyn is the centre of anti-women's rights movements; and when I told them that women deserve and are fit for everything, they did not like it of course. Never mind, the women were in ecstasies.
I have got again a little cold. I am going to the Guernseys. I have got a room downtown also where I will go several hours to hold my classes etc. Mother Church must be all right by this time, and you are all enjoying this nice weather. Give Mrs. Adams mountain high love and regard from me when you see her next.
Send my letters as usual to the Guernseys.
With love for all,
Ever your aff. bro.,
Vivekananda.
Epistles (fifth series)
LXXII
To Miss Isabelle McKindley
80 Oakley Street
Chelsea, S.W.
London.
24th October '95
We meet and part. This is the law
and ever ever be.
I sadly ask O gentle ones
Do you remember me?
I haven't had any news from Chicago, nor did I write as I did not want to bother you--also I did not know where to.
Accompanying is a newspaper notice of a lecture I delivered in London. It is not bad. The London audiences are very learned and critical, and the English nature is far from being effusive. I have some friends here--made some more--so I am going on.
My bed is in the foaming deep
What care I, friend, the dew!
It is a queer life, mine--always travelling, no rest. Rest will be my death--such is the force of habit. Little success here, little there--and a good deal of bumping. Saw Paris a good [deal]. Miss Josephine M'cLeod [MacLeod], a New York friend, showed it all over to me for a month. Even there, the kind American girl! Here in England they know us more. Those that do not like the Hindus, they hate them; those that like, they worship them.
It is slow work here, but sure. Not frothy, not superficial. English women as a rule are not as highly educated as the American women, nor are so beautiful. They are quite submissive wives or hidden-away daughters or church-going mothers--the embodiments of crystallized conventionality. I am going to have some classes at the above address.
Sometimes--and generally when I score a success--I feel a despondence; I feel as if everything is vain--as if this life has no meaning, as if it is a waking dream. Love, friendship, religion, virtue, kindness--everything, a momentary state of mind. I seem to long to go; in spite of myself I say, how far--O how far! Yet the body-and-mind will have to work its Karma out. I hope it will not be bad.
How are you all going on? Where is Mother Church? Is she interviewing the ghosts of the Thotmeses and Rameses 99 in the Pyramids--or calmly going her round of duties at home?Yet the life seems to grow deep and at the same time lose its hold on itself.
Not disgust, nor joy for life, but a sort of indifference--things will take their course; who can resist--only stand by and look on. Well, I will not talk about myself so much. Egregious egotist! I always was that, you know. How about you all? Great fun this life, isn't it? Don't go to the extremes. A calm, restful, settled married life is good for the majority of mankind. Mr. [Edward T.] Sturdy, the friend with whom I am living now, was in India several times. He mixed with our monks and is very ascetic in his habits, but he is married at last and has settled down. And [he] has got a beautiful little baby. Their life is very nice. The wife, of course, doesn't much care about metaphysics or Sanskrit, but her whole life is in her husband--and husband's soul is in Sanskrit metaphysics! Yet it is a good combination of theory and practice, I think. Write me all about yourselves if you have time and inclination, and give Mother Church my eternal gratitude.
My movements are so, so uncertain. Yet I will be a month more in London.
With never-ending gratitude and love,
Vivekananda
LXXIII
To Sister Christine
228 W. 39th Street
[New York]
8th Dec. '95
Dear Christina,
I am once more on American Soil and have taken lodgings at 228 W. 39, where I begin work from Monday next. Sometime after Christmas I intend to make a tour through Detroit and Chicago.
I do not care for public lecturings at all--and do not think I shall have any more public lectures charging admission. If you will see Mrs. Phelps and others of our friends and arrange some classes (strictly on nonpayment basis), it will facilitate things a good deal.
Write at your earliest opportunity and give Mrs. Phunkey [Funke] and all our friends my deepest love and gratitude.
Yours ever in the Lord,
Vivekananda
P.S. Kripananda is over full of praise of you and Mrs. Funkey [Funke] and sends his loving regards for you.
LXXIV
To Sister Christine
228 W. 39th Street
[New York]
Dec. 10, 1895
Dear Christina,
Perhaps by this time you have received my first letter. I received yours just now.
I had a splendid success in England and have left a nucleus there to work till my arrival next summer. You will be aston-ished to learn that some of my strongest friends are big "guns" of the Church of England.
This Christmas I am going away a week, from 24th Decem., to the country with Mr. and Mrs. Leggett--after that I resume my work. In the meanwhile the classes have begun.
I have written to you my intention of taking a quick turn through Detroit and Chicago in the meanwhile and [then] return back.
Give Mrs. Phelps my love and kindly arrange the classes [in Detroit] with her. The best thing is to arrange for a public lecture where I give out my general plan of work. The Unitarian church is available; and if the lecture is free, there will be a big crowd. The collection most possibly will cover the expenses. Then out of this we will get the materials of a big class and then hurry them through, leaving Mrs. Phelps and you and Mrs. Funkey [Funke] to work on with them.
This plan is entirely feasible and if Mrs. Phelps and Mrs. Bagley desire it, they can work it out very quickly.
Ever yours with love and blessings,
Vivekananda
LXXV
To Sister Christine
228 W. 39th Street
New York
12 December 1895
Dear Christina,
I am going away out of town from the 24th of this month and will come back on the 2nd of January. From the 24th_the 2nd I will not be here. I will settle the dates for Detroit and Chicago after hearing from you and from Chicago.
[Paragraph excised from the original letter.]
My love to Mrs. Phunkey [Funke] [excised] and all other friends.
Ever yours in the Lord,
Vivekananda
CXLIV
To Miss Isabelle McKindley
Ridgely Manor
Stone Ridge, N.Y.
31st August '99
M dear Isabel--
Many thanks for your kind note. I will be so, so glad to see you. Miss M'cLeod [MacLeod] is going to write you to stop a day and a night here on your way to the West.
My love to the holy family in Chicago, and hope surely to be able to come West and have great fun.
So you are in Greenacre at last. Is this the first year you have been there? How do you like the place? [You have] seen Miss Farme r, of course. Kindly convey her my kindest regards and to all the rest of my friends there.
Ever yours affectionately,
Vivekananda
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