WHAT IS THEOSOPHY?—By a fellow of the Theosophical Society. Cupples, Upham & Co., Boston, 1886.—This little book has just come out of the press, and is very attractively dressed. The sheets, all loose, have been merely placed between covers, which are tightly bound with cords of the same color as the covers. It is dedicated by the author to a son whose inquiring mind daily asked his father and mother, “What is Theosophy?” The result is good, and we are sure that this unpretentious little waif will do much toward aiding the cause; for when mothers and fathers all over the land see that there are families in which Theosophy is preached and practised, as this book evidences, they will feel attracted to it. The author rightly says, that “Theosophy means God’s wisdom.” The principal Aryan doctrines of use to the west, are adverted to, such as Karma, Reincarnation, Devachan, and Nirvana. One of the exalted beings referred to by the author has said, “that it is quite probable that the sons of Theosophists will become Theosophists.” Such is undoubtedly the case, and if the parents of other children will follow the example to be found in the family of our author, by inquiring into and trying to practise real Theosophy, teaching it to their children, instead of sneering at phenomena which never were claimed to be Theosophy, the great Day will soon dawn when our race may prepare to take a higher place. This book is written in an easy, pleasant style. On page 17 we find: “In a small apple seed there lies the harvest of many summers, and in the human soul there lie the possibilities of hundreds of lives.” True, and more true, that there may be tens of thousands of lives in the human soul. Natural arguments thus addressed to children produce great effects in their minds and life, and as from children grow the men, we ought to see to it that our own theories are right before we permit the youthful ones to drift with a prevailing current, and when we are really convinced of our own it should be inculcated. THEOSOPHICAL ACTIVITIES. THE ROCHESTER BRANCH.—This is the elder brother in America. It was formed in 1882, by Mr. W. B. Shelley and Mrs. J. W. Cables, who had been engaged with several friends, before that, in studying the problems presented to thinking minds in life and death. The coincidence is rather curious between the first Theosophical Branch starting in Rochester and the first sounding there so many years ago of the spiritualistic rappings. A great deal has been done by this Branch. They have constantly studied _The Theosophist_, and many people have, so to say, made pilgrimages there to become members of the Society. Here was started the first distinctively American Theosophical paper. It is called _The Occult Word_, and appears monthly.