Annie Besant and
Volume III (1897) of "The Secret Doctrine"
On January 7, 1891, Claude Falls Wright writes that "H.P.B. has within the last week or so begun to get together the MSS. (long ago written) for the Third Volume of The Secret Doctrine; it will, however, take a good twelve months to prepare for publication."
Concerning the time period January through March 1891, Annie Besant states the following:
"[Madame Blavatsky]...sits at her writing table all day from about half past eight o'clock in the morning until six, with an interval of an hour in the middle of the day....she writes the whole day....There is one...work of hers, which I have seen in manuscript, still unpublished; a third volume of "The Secret Doctrine" which is now being got ready for the press [by HPB] under my own eyes....." (Statement dated May 4, 1891.)
"...The third volume of The Secret Doctrine...was placed into my hands by H.P.B...."
"The papers [in Volume 3 of "The Secret Doctrine" were] given to me by H. P. B....."
"'The Mystery of Buddha'...Sections....were given into my hands [by H.P.B.] to publish, as part of the Third Volume of the Secret Doctrine...."
"[There are] ...MSS. left by...[H.P.B.] in my charge...." (Statement dated August 1891.)
On March 27, 1891, Madame Blavatsky writes W.Q. Judge that Annie Besant "is a most wonderful woman, my right hand, my successor, when I will be forced to leave you, my sole hope in England, as you are my sole hope in America....."
Also in March 1891 HPB writes to the American TS Convention that "...my friend and trusted messenger, Annie Besant, she who is my right arm here, will be able to explain to you my wishes.....
On March 31, 1891, HPB writes an esoteric notice that reads: "I hereby appoint Mrs. Annie Besant (Councillor of the E.S.) to be my agent and representative during her visit to the U.S. She is directed to call together Lodges and Groups of the E.S. whenever practicable and to explain such matters as are necessary. Bro. W.Q. Judge is requested to give Mrs. Besant all the aid necessary for this undertaking."
On April 1, 1891, HPB issues an E. S. ORDER which reads:
"I hereby appoint, in the name of the MASTER, Annie Besant Chief Secretary of the Inner Group of the Esoteric Section and Recorder of the Teachings."
On April 1, 1891, Annie Besant leaves England for the U.S.A., carrying the last Letter from HPB to the T.S. American Convention. She reaches America April 9.
On April 26 and 27, 1891, the Fifth Convention of the American Section of the T.S. is held in Boston, Massachusetts.
On May 4, 1891, W.Q. Judge writes HPB: "I am glad you sent Annie Besant here. It has done good not only to the T. S. but to me. She has brought me many words about you and your sayings...and I love her, finding in her a sister and a friend."
On May 6, 1891, Annie Besant leaves the United States setting sail for England.
On May 8, 1891, HPB dies at 2:25 pm (London time).
On May 8, 1891 (soon after H.P.B. had died), Countess Constance Wachtmeister writes that she "...searched diligently and minutely for various articles belonging to H.P.B. after her death, thus obeying certain instructions given by her to me....H.P.B.'s property, which I had thus collected, I handed over to Annie Besant on her arrival in England from America....."
Isabel Cooper-Oakley and Laura Cooper testify that they "...were present when Countess Wachtmeister made the search...and after everything had been carefully examined, all cupboards, drawers and boxes were sealed up in our presence until Mrs. Besant's return...."
A May 27, 1891 Esoteric School document states that "...henceforth with Annie Besant and William Q. Judge rests the full charge and management of this School."
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