All this, and a great deal more, including the conviction of all present that the occurrence was of an absolutely unimpeachable character as an evidence of the truth of the possibility of occult phenomena, being carefully embodied in the published statements, which had been duly read over to the party and signed. The publication of the statement aroused a great discussion in the newspapers of the day, by no means confined to India, and gave a powerful impetus to Madame Blavatsky's views. Mr. Allan Octavian Hume, happily still alive, son of Joseph Hume the great Radical member of Parliament, created C.B. for his very distinguished services in the Mutiny, retired from the Indian Civil Service in 1882 after a notable career in many departments. Ornithologist, and since his retirement following hereditary instincts by organizing and supporting the National Congress, and criticizing much of the policy of the Government of India. Mr. Sinnett, the leading actor in the affair described above, not long after the publication of the Simla narrative, ended his connection with _The Pioneer_, and may be regarded as one of the leading spirits of the Theosophical movement, in connection with which he has written many books, and he now holds high office in the London branch of the Society. NOTES [A: _Lit. Great Ladies_, i.e. _Wives of Heads of Departments_.] [B: _A genus of molluscous animals_.] [C: _A primary constituent of matter._] [D: _A slightly narcotic mixture_.] [E: _Throne_.] [F: _Hindu festivals in honour of the Ganges and the War God respectively_.] [G: _Household._] [H: _Official messengers._] [I: _Lit. high-handed._] [J: _Fairs._] [K: _Table attendants_.] [L: I have assumed the Most Honourable Order of the Bath in commemoration of the happy termination of the Afghan War.--A.B.] [M: _Confirmed in the appointment_.] [N: _Settlement of the land revenue_.] [O: _Children_.] [P: _Kitchen_.] [Q: _Grooms._] [R: The chuprassies are official messengers, wearing Imperial livery, who are attached to all civil officers in India.] [S: _Civil servants_.] [T: _An old English form of avaunt, begone!_ Vide "_Macbeth_," _I. iii. 6._] [U: "_Bring me a brandy and soda._"] [V: _Low-lying land_.] [W: _News_.] [X: _An arrangement, a plan_.] [Y: _Criminal cases_.] [Z: _Land revenue settlement_.] [AA: _A water-carrier's leathern bag._] [BB: _Chief Board of Land Revenue in the United Provinces_.] [CC: _Equivalent to Sir._]