Meher Baba's Life & Travels
VISITS TO THE WEST
BY
MEHER BABA
1ST VISIT : 1931 - Part B
27th October 1931 to 1st January 1932
Due to the large volume of information covering the almost 5 months tour, this visit to the West is covered in 2 parts on this website.
Meher Baba's first visit to the West in 1931 took just under 5 months to complete.
This web page picks up from the end of Part A which has Meher Baba and his close men boarding the S.S. Roma in the Italian port city of Genoa. Their destination is New York City in the USA.
Because of size limitations imposed by the web host for each web page, only brief accounts are showcased here as opposed to full accounts of conversations between Meher Baba and individuals as they appeared in various books.
This is in keeping with the style used for this web page topic. I've decided to keep these interactions to a minimum where possible.
Full accounts of these conversations can be found on the individual web pages, to access them, click on their under scored names or places.
In most case, if you click on an image, in most cases it will increase in display size.
With multiple images in a strip, there is additional information on each image if you click on them.
SHIP ROUTE : GENOA - NICE
Departed : 27th Oct. 10:00 am. Arrived : 28th Oct. 1:00 pm.
Genoa, Italy to Nice, France by S.S. Roma ship is 120 - 130 nautical miles / 222 - 240 kms.
It took 1 day to complete.
continued...
On the 27th October at 10:00 am, Baba, Chanji, Ali and Meredith all boarded the SS Roma bound for New York. The conditions were cramped for the first day of the journey in cabins 400 & 421, but the next day they were moved to better cabins 272 & 274. The first port of call was Nice, France, where they stayed briefly before continuing onto Naples Italy, arriving the next day , 28th October at 1:00 pm. The ship stayed for 3 hours, leaving at 4:00 pm.
After leaving Naples, the next destination was Gibraltar, then the Azores Islands and finally onto New York, USA.
Map of Nice, France 1920-30s : Port of Nice, France
Departed : 27th Oct. late afternoon. Arrived : 28th Oct. 1:00 am.
Nice, France to Naples, Italy by the same passenger ship SS Roma, is between
460 - 575 miles / 740 - 925 kms. It took 24 - 30 hours to complete.
continued...
During this voyage, Meredith introduced a lady from Toronto, Canada named Louise Skey, who over the next few days, visited Baba in his cabin and was quite taken by him, even weeping one day.
1930s : Map of Naples Naples & port with Mt. Vesuvius 1930s : Naples port
Departed : 28th Oct. 4:00 pm. Arrived : 30th Oct. afternoon.
Naples, Italy to Gibraltar (Br.) by the same passenger ship SS Roma, is between 2,200 miles / 3,540 kms. It took 2 days to complete.
continued...
During these days on board the ship, Kim Tolhurst and Kitty Davy both wrote letters expressing their longing for Baba. Meanwhile, Baba went for daily walks on the deck and would occasionally attend musical and cinema programmes in the evening.
Swami Vivekananda can be said to have done the first "spiritual spade work" in the West, when he established his American headquarters in New York City in 1895, only a year after Meher Baba was born. Vivekananda referred to New York as "the head, hand, and purse of the country."
KIM TOLHURST KITTY DAVY SWAMI VIVEKANANDA
Map of Gibraltar Aerial view of Gibraltar & Spain in b/ground Gibraltar port
Departed : 30th Oct. 5:00 pm. Arrived / Passed : 1st Nov. afternoon.
Gibraltar (Br.) to the Azores Islands (Port.) by the same passenger ship SS Roma, is between 1,600 - 1,840 miles / 2,962 kms. It took 2 days to reach the islands.
Map of Azores Islands Vila Franca, Ponta Delgada, San Miguel
Departed : Azores Is. 1st Nov. afternoon. Arrived : N.Y.C. 6th Nov. 2:00 pm.
Azores Islands ( Port. ) to New York City - Pier 97, by the same passenger ship
SS Roma, is between 2,360 miles / 3,798 kms. It took 5 days to complete.
continued...
Meher Baba sailed on the passenger ship S.S. Roma. On the 6th November, the ship passed the Statue of Liberty, then docked at New York City's Pier 97, which was at the end of
W 57 Street. There were a few people at the pier to meet him, but Baba and the men were held up for 2 hours when a U.S. Immigration official, who was suspicious of their intentions about coming to America, refused to grant Baba and his men permission to leave the ship.
He asked Baba directly, "You have come to teach people in America without speaking? With this board? How foolish! Who gave you this silly idea?"
Baba spelled out in reply, "I have come not to teach, but to awaken." In reply, the man laughed loudly, and Baba remarked to Chanji, "He laughs at this now, but I will show him. Poor, ignorant soul. I pity him!"
After a while, an officer of the ship dressed in white appeared and questioned this official saying; "Why do you detain these men when all the other passengers have left the ship?" The officer insisted by saying ; "What is wrong with them? Let them go." and "Quite frankly, I do not see any sense in your behavior. They even have references to show. If you still need a guarantor, I will stand guarantor. I am coming back shortly and want you to prepare permits for them to land."
The official relented and gave Meher Baba and his men the permits to leave the ship. Chanji later went to seek this ship's officer to thank him, but he couldn't locate him. They all disembarked down the gang-plank, with Baba wearing an olive green felt hat that concealed his hair and a grey-green trench-coat over his sadra. Baba then stepped onto American soil.
They were met by Malcolm Schloss (36) who introduced Catherine Gardner (46) and Lillian Wardall who were driving them in 2 cars to a small town north called Harmon-on-Hudson 40 miles / 65 kms along the Hudson River, where arrangements were made for their stay at a house. Lillian's husband Max Wardall (52) was also at the pier to greet Baba and the men. Max was known as a "national lecturer of the Theosophical Society." The group arrived at Croton - Harmon at 5:30 pm.
Malcolm Schloss was a poet, who along with his wife Jean Adriel (38) had run the North Node Bookshop in New York City, where many who were about to meet Meher Baba first heard of him there. They had closed the bookshop recently and had moved to Hancock, New Hampshire to live.
*There is no known photo of Lillian Wardell
Departed : 6th November 2:30 pm. Arrived : 5:30 pm.
New York City - Pier 97 to Harmon-on-Hudson (Croton), by car is between 30 - 35 miles / 48 - 56 kms. It took 3 hours to complete.
BEGINNINGS :
Richard Mayer (59) of Boston first mentioned Meher Baba to Malcolm Schloss at Malcolm's bookshop in winter of 1930. He mentioned Meredith Starr who had stayed with Baba in India from the end of June to the end of December 1928. He now had a retreat-ashram East Challacombe, in Devon, England.
In May 1931, Malcolm saw Richard in Boston and was told that Richard was sailing soon along with Thomas Watson to spend some time at Meredith's retreat.
Malcolm and Jean soon sold their bookshop and went to live communally with like minded aspirants from Boston in Hancock, New Hampshire.
In July, a friend of theirs, famous author Mary Antin called them and said that Milo Shuttuck had come back from England and was instructed by Watson to tell Mary all about Meher Baba, which had impressed Milo. Malcolm and Jean were also impressed with what they heard.
Milo came to Hancock and talked to the group there which included ; Dane Rudhyar, Catherine Gardner along with Max and Lillian Wardall, all were Theosophists, about Baba.
Soon, the group received news of Meher Baba's imminent arrival to the States, and funds were gathered to pay for the visit and arrangements made for his stay at Harmon. About 350 people were notified of Baba's arrival and were invited to meet with Meher Baba.
On 5th November, the Watsons returned to New York with Malcolm and Jean greeting them at the pier and then, along with Mary Antin, visiting their hotel where Thomas Watson read from his diary about their time at the retreat at East Challacombe in Devon.
Malcolm and Jean had approached the Broadway playwright Margaret Mayo (49) to rent the property in Croton. They had on a previous occasion rented another property from her. When Margaret learned why, she donated her property for Baba's use.
This was a 4 bedroom stone house with red window frames situated in a wooden area along the east side of the Croton River at 180 Old Albany Road (South). Baba's room was upstairs and occupied the whole floor, along with a balcony which provided views over the tree tops.
Jean Adriel was waiting at the house for Baba's arrival in the late afternoon of the 6th November. She greeted Baba and the others by saying "I am so happy you have come".
Baba replied, "I am happy to be here" and then embraced her. She then showed Baba to his bedroom. That night during dinner, Baba sat at the head of the table with candles for light. Malcolm described Baba as, "Looking for all the world like a Rembrandt painting of Jesus come to life."
HOUSE AT HARMON-ON-HUDSON
continued...
The next morning, 7th November, at eleven o'clock, Baba asked Jean for details about the Harmon house, and she placed before him all the difficulties that they had passed through planning his stay. But she was determined that the work be carried on, despite setbacks. "Don't worry," Baba reassured her. "Everything will be all right. I am pleased with you and I will help you spiritually."
As Malcolm was chopping wood in the late afternoon, Baba strolled by with Chanji, Meredith and Ali, and he joined them for a walk through the woods. The sun was setting, and the still blue river and the dark-green cypresses were breathtaking in the Master's presence. Stopping for a moment, Baba took out his board, turned to Malcolm and spelled,
"I am God."
"I know," Malcolm quietly replied.
"I am the Ancient One," Baba spelled out. He pointed to the sky blazing with color and motioned, "All this is illusion. Everything is within you."
Malcolm then told Baba that he had had several inner experiences, which led him to agree. Baba gestured, "Those were glimpses; you must make them permanent. I will help you."
Baba met the people who were staying in the house and in nearby accommodations. That included Max & Lillian Wardell, Alice & Chester Green, Catherine Gardner and the acclaimed artist Julian Lamar. Baba gave him permission to paint his portrait. Baba did sit for it and it was completed in April 1932.
Baba gave each of those people messages about themselves and of others as well.
There is no image or web page for Alice & Chester Green
*This painting hangs in Baba's House at the Meher Center in Myrtle Beach, Sth. Carolina.
JULIAN LAMAR JULIAN'S PAINTING OF MEHER BABA
continued...
Baba saw a few outside people on the 8th November, but many came the following day - 9th November. One of the first was James Graham Phelps Stokes (59) along with his wife Lettice (38). Stokes was a prominent banker in New York and had been a regular customer of Malcolm's bookshop for the past 4 years. James was very impressed with meeting Baba and invited him to stay at his house in Greenwich Village, New York City, which Baba accepted.
Another prominent visitor was Princess Norina Matchabelli (51) the Italian wife of Prince Georges Matchabelli (46) from Georgia, now occupied by the U.S.S.R. He had fought against them before moving to America in 1921. He was a trained chemist and had the famous Matchabelli perfume company.
Norina was an actress who was famous for her portrayal of the Madonna in Max Reinhardt's unique 1911 pantomime spectacle play "The Miracle" which had a cast of over 1,000 participants and included many costumes. Sher had performed the play over 1,000 times including a performance for the Pope in 1914. She also performed in 25 silent Italian films. She was a friend of Jean Adriel.
Jean had seen Norina in her apartment, the day before Baba's arrival, and Norina was confused about worshiping a man. Jean explained what Thomas Watson had experienced in England, but she was still not impressed.
Norina asked Jean, "How can you worship at the feet of any man, even if he does call himself a Master? Women like ourselves — who have had such deep inner experiences — don't need any man to show us the way to God. How can you allow yourself to be drawn into such foolishness?"
As Jean was leaving, Norina sarcastically remarked, "Well, darling, when your Master arrives, I must meet him. I too would like to weep like dear old Watson!"
Three days after Baba's arrival, Norina phoned Jean at Harmon, saying, "The strangest thing has been happening to me. From the moment Meher Baba landed in New York, I have been weeping continuously. You must arrange for me to see him."
When Norina encountered Baba in Harmon on the 11th November, tears of ecstasy rolled down her cheeks and she totally forgot her princessly self. Her life became Baba's and she dedicated herself completely at his feet.
JAMES PHELPS STOKES PR. NORINA MATCHABELLI PR.GEORGES MATCHABELLI
continued...
On the 10th November, Perley Poore Sheehan, an American film writer, novelist and film director came to see Baba. Josephine Grabau nee Ross (24) also had an audience with Baba and knelt at his feet "I was lost in his luminous brown eyes," she recalled. "Almost at once, I felt I knew him. Here was the living Christ. There was no doubt in my mind … Meeting Baba was like going to heaven and meeting God. He was gentle, kind, beautiful, holy and, most important, he was natural."
Josephine first met Baba in 1928 in India, when she travelled to India with her sister Margaret who was Meredith Starr's fiancé. She was allowed to stay and help her mother Mary Antin with the chores, she stayed at another house nearby, but that night, that house caught fire and was totally destroyed. She and the others had to move to the main house, which made them very happy.
Baba inspected the ruins the next day (11th) He asked if the occupants were all right and was then informed by Jean that the hostess Margaret Mayo was alright financially because that the insurance would pay for it.
When Norina Matchabelli came to see Baba on that day, she brought along an art student named Anita de Caro (22) who she was financially helping. Baba asked her to paint him, she tried but left the painting unfinished. Both ladies became life long followers of Meher Baba. Anita in later life became Anita Vieillard.
PERLEY POORE SHEEHAN JOSEPHINE ROSS-GRABAU ANITA DE CARO ANITA'S PAINTING OF BABA
continued...
Visitors who came see Baba on the Thursday 12th November 1931, included Louise Skey, the young Canadian girl from the SS Roma ship, Nancy Fullwood a trance medium and author and another psychic Theosophist - Dora van Gelder Kuntz (27).
On the Friday 13th November, a nutritionist Norman Walker (45) met Baba as did Dorothy Louise Norris and Percy Stewart.
The following day, 14th November, Kitty Davy's younger sister Angela Lambert came to see Baba as did the mystic author and lecturer Henry Steiger.
* There are no known images of Norman Walker, Louise Skey, Nancy Fullwood,
Percy Stewart, Angela Lambert & Henry Steiger.
DORA van GELDER KUNTZ NORMAN WALKER HARMON to STOKES
STOKE'S HOME : 88 GROVE STREET WEST VILLAGE, NEW YORK
Departed : 15th November morning. Arrived : late morning.
Harmon-on-Hudson (Croton), by car to New York City is between 30 - 35 miles / 48 - 56 kms. It took 3 hours to complete.
continued...
On the 15th November, Meher Baba was driven to Manhattan to arrange travel documents for his return to Europe and India. He visited several places to meet people. The first place was the home of the president of City College New York, Dr. Frederick B. Robinson, at 282 Convent Avenue, where he met with several new people. Dr. Robinson had written a preface for one of Swami Yogananda's books, Songs of the Soul. His wife, Julia, had driven to Harmon and met Baba the week before, on 8 November 1931.
He then went to stay for two days at the Stokes' residence at 88 Grove Street. Among those he saw in New York were Milo Shattuck, Grace Mann, Julian Lamar and Anita and her mother Jacqueline de Caro, a strict Catholic who nonetheless felt something special when she saw Baba in person. Jacqueline who was quite ill, had a transformation in herself, more confidant and was constantly saying Baba's name on her lips and now had a photograph of him by her pillow.
Two of Kitty Davy's musical friends came to see Baba in New York, Miss Valentine and David Sherry.
There were no known images of Jacquerline de Caro, Miss Valentine & David Sherry.
DR. FREDERICK B. & JULIA ROBINSON YOGANANDA'S BOOK GRACE MANN
Dr. Frederick B. Robinson residence, at 282 Convent Avenue, New York
On the following day, 16th November, work was done to have the visas in preparation for the next journeys to be undertaken after leaving the United States in 3 weeks time.
At this time, a 12 year old boy was brought to Baba by his parents at the Stokes House at 88 Grove Street, New York. Baba had been seeking the "ideal boy", which had been quite fruitless so far. The boy was named Jimmy S. Bartow, Jr. He visited Baba at another time at the Harmon home with his parents.
No image if known for Jimmy S. Bartow, Jrn.
ELIZABETH PATTERSON BOOK COVER SCHATZ ADAMS WEICKER
Departed : 17th November morning. Arrived : late morning.
New York City to Harmon-on-Hudson (Croton), by car is between 30 - 35 miles /
48 - 56 kms. It took 3 hours to complete.
continued...
The following day, 17th November, Mary Antin had a private meeting with Baba and expressed her love for him and offered to use her services as a writer for his cause. Baba agreed and accepted a copy of her acclaimed book "Promised Land".
During the morning, two students from Norina Matchabelli's International Theatre Arts Institute - Eileen Burns, seventeen, and Beatrice Graham met Baba.
There is no known image of these 2 people.
This morning Jean Adriel had telephoned one of her customers from the bookstore - Elizabeth Chapin Patterson, a successful insurance broker, who was married to Kenneth Askew Patterson, a prominent NY stock broker. She told her that Baba had arrived and that he had invited her to meet him in Harmon. Jean gave her directions on how to get there, and she promptly drove there with her friend named Schatz Adams Weicker.
There is no known image of Kenneth Patterson.
After a vegetarian lunch in the afternoon, each was taken separately to meet Baba. Each was taken separately upstairs to meet Baba. Meredith led Elizabeth into Baba's room. Elizabeth described her first meeting with her Master:
Immediately my feeling was one of recognition. All the way to the far end of the room where he was seated, I tried to recall where I had seen him before. The feeling was one of familiarity, like meeting a friend in a foreign land — a friend whom one has known well since childhood, only since that earlier period the appearance has changed.
Still in the process of recalling, I walked over to where Baba was seated, with sandaled feet folded in front of him and the sun shining on his beautiful hair. His remarkable eyes reminded me of a Persian print, but they were so alive with a thousand dancing fires in them that I realized I had never seen anyone like Baba before. Nowhere in my world travels had I seen his likeness, nor did he seem to fit into any nationality.
Upon this close observation, my recognition ceased, but as he smilingly motioned me to sit by him on the orange-colored divan, I still felt completely at ease and at home with him. His silence did not seem strange or awkward. Baba's smile is so disarming and puts one so at ease. I was unconscious of any personality dividing us, either of his or mine.
I can only liken [being in his presence] to being seated by a quiet pool at the base of a great mountain with only the sense of peace in nature, newly born. This feeling has never left me.
Baba dictated (Meredith reading the board) that he was pleased to see her. Elizabeth replied, "I am trying to remember where I have seen you before."
Meredith interjected, " 'Remembrance' happens to many people who meet Baba for the first time, as they are old 'contacts' from previous lives."
Meredith then inquired if Elizabeth had any questions to ask Baba. Elizabeth told Baba about one of her oldest and dearest friends, Elsie Saltus Munds, 34, whom she had known since their boarding school days together. Elsie had met Baba on the 15th in the city, but she was quite ill from a nervous breakdown. Baba assured Elizabeth there was no need to worry, Elsie would recover. Elizabeth should leave the matter to him and bring Elsie the next time she came to Harmon.
Elizabeth, then more relaxed, began to ask questions. "Now my many questions tumbled out," she later related, " and Baba smiled uncomprehendingly. I had the impression of receiving his answer directly in my mind, while the communication through his fast moving finger on the board seemed like an echo as it was read out by Meredith."
After ten minutes, Elizabeth's initial interview was over. She shook hands with Baba, later saying, "I left so happy that, on descending the stairs, my feet did not seem to touch them and I felt as light as joy itself!"
Three days later- (20th), Schatz Weicker called to ask Elizabeth to return to Harmon. She agreed and brought Elsie with her.
continued...
The next morning - 18th November, Baba was having a conversation during breakfast and he predicted that another World War would break out: "The war is a necessary prelude to my manifestation and the subsequent birth of a new and better world." The group questioned Baba about this.
Malcolm Schloss has a vivid dream in his sleep the previous night showing Baba's true nature - his Universal Form. When Malcolm entered the breakfast table just as Baba had finished talking about a future war. Baba embraced him and asked if he had slept well. Malcolm nodded and said, "Baba, why don't you reveal yourself to everyone as you revealed yourself last night to me? Then there would be no need of wars!" Baba smiled and embraced Malcolm again.
Baba had instructed the residents to remember him before they went to sleep. Many including Jean and Mary had elevating experiences.
During the day, other visitors came to see the Master, Harry Barnhart,(57) was the organizer and conductor of the predominantly black New York Community Chorus and a friend of the Schloss(s). He had come on the 11th, returning a second time with his wife to stay for two days in Harmon. Harry had psychic abilities and was very impressed with Baba, unlike other Indian spiritual teachers. He was feeling the power flowing from Baba.
On the same day, Edgar White Burrill who was a lecturer, radio personality and critic came to Harmon along with stage actress Anna Kostant and novelist and playwright Zona Gale, who was the first woman to win a Pulitzer Prize for drama.
continued...
On the 19th November, Countess Nadia Tolstoy (48), who was married to Count Leo Tolstoy's son Count Ilya, came to Harmon. She and her husband lived in the nearby area. She was also friends of Malcolm & Jean and was informed of Baba's visit. Nadia was to become a close long-life follower of the Master. Baba later nicknamed her Nadine.
When she came for Baba's darshan (blessing) she brought her friend Martha Hentschell, who was a young immigrant nurse from Germany. She exclaimed when she saw Baba "My search is over!"
Kitty Davy's sister May Cluse who lived in Canada also came on the same day and Celine Baekeland nee Swarts, the wife of Leo H. Baekeland, who was a chemist and the inventor of Bakelite, the fore-runner of plastic.
There are no images of May Cluse or Martha Hentschell.
In the following day, 20th November, the owner of the Harmon property, Margaret Mayo came to see Baba.
Meher Baba had been invited to come to Boston , so the locals could have an audience with him, also many Canadians came down from Canada, as well. One of prominent people who invited Baba was the Norwegian-born actress Asta Fleming Case (37), who had performed in the leading role as the Madonna in Max Reinhardt's latest production of 'The Miracle', the same role that Norina Matchabelli had made famous in the 1910s productions and revived again in the 1920s. Norina had performed in over 1,000 productions of this play under the name Maria Carmi.
Baba left for Boston from Harmon on the 21st November, in a car driven by Cath Gardner, a resident of New Hampshire who was familiar with the inland road routes to Boston. Jean Adriel sat next to him with May Cluse also in the same car. The other car was driven by Julian Lamar, with Malcolm Schloss, Chanji, Agha Ali and Meredith Starr accompanying him.
During the drive, Baba covered himself with a shawl or cape to do his inner work.
See map and details below.
NADINE TOLSTOY CELENE (SWARTS) BAEKELAND ASTA FLEMING CASE
Departed : 21st November early morning. Arrived : noon.
Harmon-on-Hudson (Croton) to Boston via Hartford by car is between 200 - 220 miles / 322 - 354 kms. It took over 6 hours to complete.
continued...
When they arrived in Boston they stayed at the Vendome Hotel which then stood on the corner of Commonwealth and Dartmouth Avenues. In 1972, part of the building burned down with a loss of many firefighter's lives.
VENDOME HOTEL
Then - 279 Newbury Avenue - (today ; 33 GloucesterAvenue)
Then - 279 Newbury Avenue - (today ; 33 GloucesterAvenue)
continued...
On the 22nd November Baba went to see Asta F. Case at her home at 279 Newbury Street.
After this visit, Baba was driven around the city for an hour before returning to the hotel at 11am, where 25 individuals had gathered to meet with Him. This included Chester Green and
Nicholas Bessaraboff, 37, who as a young man had been responsible for having P. D. Ouspensky's work translated into English.
Courtenay Baylor, 61, a religious psychotherapist, head of the Emmanuel Movement, and an expert on alcoholism, met Baba that day, as did George W. Coleman, a Boston businessman who had founded the Ford Hall Forum of free public lectures.
Another invitee was a Quaker philanthropist, Barbara Sohier Welch. Baba explained to all about the oneness and indivisibility of the soul, emphasizing to them, "There is nothing else except God. He is wholly in everyone and you do not realize what He is doing for you."
There is no image for Chester Green or Barbara Sohier Welch
NICHOLAS BESSARABOFF COURTENAY BAYLOR DANE RUDYAR GEORGE W. COLEMAN
continued...
In the afternoon, Baba met people between 2pm and 5pm. This included Max and Anna Gysi, the astrologer-author Dane Rudhyar, 36, and the composer Williams Arms Fisher. Richard Mayer (the person who had first told Malcolm about Baba) was also present and commented to Baba, "Only you know how you suffer."
In reply, Baba spelled out, "I am eternally happy [blissful], yet I feel compassion for all who suffer and help them through my knowledge and power. Thus, my mercy is my suffering."
A monk from India named Swami Paramananda, 47, arrived to meet Baba, accompanied by his niece - Laura Glenn aka Sister Devamata, and three of his students. Paramananda had come to America in 1906 as the youngest disciple of Swami Vivekananda and three years later founded the Vedanta Center in Boston.
There are no images for Richard Mayer, Max and Anna Gysi.
WILLIAMS ARMS FISHER SWAMI PARAMANANDA LAURA GLENN SWAMI VIVEKANADA
Departed : 22nd November, early morning. Arrived : noon, returned to Boston the same day. Arrived : evening.
Boston, MA to Hancock, NH by car is between 120 - 130 miles / 193 - 209 kms. It took over 2 - 3 hours to complete. After a short stay, they returned the same day , using the same route.
A total of 240 - 260 miles / 386 - 418 kms.
continued...
Thomas and his wife Elizabeth Watson met Baba at 3pm. They had met Him in England prior to Baba's visit to the States. The Watsons had paid for Baba's trip to the States, but this time Thomas was unresponsive to Baba unlike his previous meeting.
Cath Gardner wanted to turn over to the Master her 100-acre wooded estate in Greenfield, New Hampshire to use as a retreat. The property was near to her Hancock farm where Malcolm and Jean had stayed. Baba liked the idea and was driven there (about 80 miles) to see both places on Monday, 23 November 1931. It was a beautiful spot surrounded by mountains and meadows. The Hancock property had an old farmhouse with ten rooms.
Cath did gift the Greenfield property during this time, property titles were signed however, the property was returned to her 2 years later when she asked for it back. She paid for any repairs that had been made during the time of Bab's possession.
This was the only land Meher Baba owned albeit for a short period of time.
Departed : 23rd November 5:00 pm. Arrived : 24th Nov. 10:00 am.
Boston, MA to New York City wharves by passenger ship SS George Washington is 290 miles / 465 kms. It took over 17 hours to complete.
continued...
They all returned to Boston in the afternoon. Later, at 5pm they boarded the SS George Washington at the docks in Boston. This was an overnight boat trip back to New York City.
They arrived at 10 am, 24th November and they stayed at the Astor Hotel on Broadway between 44th & 45th Street organized by Norina.
ROBERT NORWOOD, REV. LEOPOLD STOKOWSKI HENRY J. FOREMAN LEILA & BRUCE LEARNED
ASTOR HOTEL, NEW YORK CITY
continued...
The rector (chief pastor) of St. Bartholomew's Church, (325 Park Ave) Rev. Dr. Robert Norwood, came to see Baba at the Astor on 24 November. Norwood, 57, was a well-known Canadian poet who held a doctorate in theology. Norwood was disillusioned with organized religion and had little faith in any sect, dogma or doctrine. Baba gave Norwood a long interview, which can be read on Dr. Norwood's web page. Click on his name "DR. NORWOOD" to visit the page.
That night Baba was taken to the theatre by Norina and Anita de Caro, but there is no record of what they watched.
Two women, Dorothy Norris and her friend Juliana De Taverna came to see Baba on the following day 25th November. They had previously been to Harmon to see Him. They were followed by Florence M. Wilson the wife of Ten Broek Terhune ,and a young artist and writer, John O'Hara Cosgrove. Eileen Burns came in the afternoon.
There are no known images of the above mentioned individuals.
That night Baba went to see 2 movies with Norina, Eileen and Anita. The first was "Over the Hill" which was on at the Roxy Theatre, formerly at 153 West 50th Street. Later they walked to Lowe's State Theatre located at 1540 Broadway, where they saw the Marx Brothers movie "Monkey Business".
Roxy Theatre Loew's State Theatre "Over the Hill" "Monkey Business"
MARY F. ROBERTS WILLIAM SHEPHERD GEORGES MATCHABELLI ELIZABETH PATTERSON
continued...
Another person who came to the Astor Hotel to see Meher Baba was Mrs. H.B. Steffanson who had a good discussion with Baba. A writer for The New York Times named Henry James Forman, 51, an acquaintance of Malcolm's, met Baba at Harmon on the 11th and he brought his wife to meet Baba on the 26th. Mrs. Forman had seen Baba twice in a dream and was very drawn to him.
There is no known image of Mrs. H.B. Steffanson & Mrs. Forman.
Leila, the wife of the artist Arthur Garfield Learned, met Baba at Harmon and came again to the Astor on the 26th with her son Bruce.
Mary Fanton Roberts, 67, a prominent journalist involved in the city's art, literary and theatrical circles, came as well. William R. Shepherd, 60, a professor of history and a cartographer at Columbia University, also met Baba that day.
Norina's husband Prince Georges Matchabelli met Baba at this time, but could not accept him as the God-Man. Baba remarked to Georges, "Just before you die, you will experience who Baba is." Elizabeth Patterson came again to visit Baba.
That night Baba went to Henry Miller's Theatre where he saw a new comedy, The Good Fairy (a take-off on the Cinderella story) starring Helen Hayes and Walter Connolly.
* Henry Miller Theatre is now the Stephen Sondheim Theatre located at 124 West 43rd Street.
Henry Miller's Theatre Theatre programme
continued...
On the following day, 27th November, more people came to visit Baba at the Astor Hotel.They included Romanian Princess Henriette Sava-Goiu (who had hosted readings at her apartment by the Lebanese poet Kahlil Gibran, before he died earlier that year);
Israel Sheldon Tilney, an automobile inventor; Dr. Albert Grier, 67, a sincere New Age spiritual minister; the librettist Minette Hirst.
The actress Merle Maddern had visited a couple of times, (niece of the novelist Jack London), 44; the philanthropist, Ellen Dunlop Hopkins, the founder of the New York School of Applied Design for Women;
There is no image for Minette Hirst & Princess Henriette Sava-Goiu.
ISRAEL S. TILNEY DR. ALBERT GRIER MERLE MADDERN ELLEN D. HOPKINS
continued...
Others that came on the 27th November, were the Manchurian author, Princess Der Ling; Countess Castelli (twice visited); and the radio personality E. W. Burrill, (who paid a return visit to see Baba who previously visited on the 11th).
A noted neurologist and poet Dr. Frederick Peterson, 72, was a visitor on the 28th November, along with Dr. Henry Knight Miller, who had founded a popular psychology magazine focusing on self-help.
The photographer Arnold Genthe came to the hotel on both days and photographed Baba on the 28th.
There are no known images of Countess Castelli & Dr. Henry Knight Miller.
The above 3 images were taken in black & white. These have been rendered by Anthony Zois
Departed : 28th November - early evening. Arrived : 11:00 pm.
New York City to Harmon-on-Hudson (Croton), by car is between 30 - 35 miles / 48 - 56 kms. It took 3 hours to complete.
continued...
On Saturday evening, Baba returned to Harmon by car, with Jean driving Malcolm in a second car along with the luggage. The following day 29th November, Eilleen Burns arrived at noon with Beatrice Graham, staying 3 hours.
That night, Baba was driven to Sing Sing Prison in the town of Ossining about 4 miles / 7kms away on the Hudson River, before heading back to New York City.
Baba indicated that he wanted to make inner contact with a man in the prison who would do future work for him. They drove up to the entrance gate, "I will show you how I work." He was silent for a while then said, "There is a man in this prison who is my [spiritual] agent. He is doing good work for me. When I speak, I will free him."
Later they drove back to Croton and Baba had a light snack of coffee, cheese and biscuits.
Departed : 29th November - 10pm. Arrived back : early morning.
Harmon-on-Hudson (Croton), by car to visit briefly Ossining (Sing Sing Prison) is between 3 - 5 miles / 5 - 8 kms. It took 15 mins to arrive but the visit to the area took several hours to complete.
Map of Ossining & Sing Sing Prison
continued...
While at Harmon, on 2 December 1931, Baba assigned each person different duties and chalked out a schedule to be followed at the retreat after his departure. Margaret Mayo had been impressed by Baba. For his work, she had agreed to permit the use of her house for a year, which was to be known as Meherashram.
In Harmon, the topic of making a film on spirituality was brought up for the first time. It would be a topic that would occupy much of Baba's attention over the subsequent few years.
On the 3rd December, Margaret Mayo conversed with Jean and Malcolm about her friend Harry E. Aitken, a movie producer who had worked with the film director D. W. Griffith. Margaret thought Harry was the most suitable to progress the idea of a film. Baba agreed to go ahead and started dictating points to her and an hour later there was a plot - the beginning of creation, followed by stages of evolution, reincarnation through to Realization. All present were very happy with the draft and it was then typed out.
That evening, Harry Aitken (54) was invited over. Baba's story was read out and he was very impressed. "Can it be properly worked out [into a movie]?" Baba asked him. "Certainly," Aitken assured him, and the film was discussed further. (Aitken suggested the film be shot in India, and that its opening be there also, with Baba in attendance!) Its suggested title was A Touch of Maya.
Departed : 4th December 8:00 am. Arrived : 11:00am.
Harmon-on-Hudson (Croton), to Brooklyn, New York - Wharf 4 by car is between 30 - 35 miles / 45 - 55 kms. It took 3 hours to complete.
continued...
After staying for 5 days, Baba departed the following day 4th December at 8:00am. Eillen drove Baba to the Stokes residence in Greenwich Village , Manhattan, arriving at noon. Baba allowed the last group of 25 to meet him. Among them were Elliot and Elizabeth Holt, Nadine, Elizabeth, and the widow of the banker Adolph Ladenburg, Baroness von Miltitz, Dr. James H. Cousins and his wife Margaret, Dorothy Norris, Countess Castelli, the artist
A. Garfield Learned and Charles and Virginia Crocker.
Following this, Baba wanted to be driven around the Wall Street financial district, but being a Saturday, the streets were deserted. Baba pointed to the skyscrapers, smiled at Eileen and gestured, "It is all a bubble, so easy to prick!"
Before returning to India, Baba left the handwritten manuscript of his book with someone in America, where it remained for the next five years. The exact details of what happened to this "missing book" remain a mystery.
There are no images for Eillen, Mrs.Adolph Ladenburg, Baroness von Miltitz, Countess Castelli, and Charles and Virginia Crocker.
DR. JAMES COUSINS MARGARET COUSINS ARTHUR LEARNED ELLIOT & ELIZABETH HOLT
PIER 4, BROOKLYN, NEW YORK
Departed : 5th December midnight. Arrived : 11th Dec. afternoon.
Brooklyn, New York - Pier 4 to Cherbourg, France by the passenger ship
SS Bremen is about 3,100 miles / 3,568 kms. It took 5.5 days to complete.
continued...
After staying a month in America, Meher Baba departed on the North German Lloyd liner SS Bremen for France, accompanied by Chanji, Ali and Meredith.
The voyage to France took 5 days. For the first few days of the crossing, the seas were rough, so most people stayed in their cabins, including Baba who preferred the seclusion and avoidance of being recognized.
On the last day of the trip, 10 December 1931, a few newspaper reporters, photographers and an artist found out about Meher Baba's presence and they requested permission to take his picture. Baba granted their request and as the ship's band played in the background, several photographs were taken, as well as one short reel of film. This was the first occasion the Master had been filmed — but all these photographs and the film have been lost.
The artist present at the photographing, Emile Brunel, 57, later came to Baba's cabin with a friend, an Armenian carpet dealer of Los Angeles named H. P. Philibosian. Brunel, a prominent New York City portrait artist and celebrity photographer, requested to do a sketch of Baba in his white robe, and surprisingly, Baba permitted it. While posing, Baba spoke with him about spiritual and religious subjects.
Brunel invited Baba to visit his studio on Fifth Avenue and wished to see him again in Paris, but Baba did not wish to meet any outsiders while in Paris and gently refused.
There is no image for H. P. Philibosian.
EMILE BRUNEL BRUNEL'S DRAWING OF MEHER BABA
CHERBOURG, FRANCE
CHERBOURG, FRANCE
Departed : 11th Dec. 6:00 pm. Arrived : midnight.
Cherbourg by train to Gare St. Nazares R.S., Paris, France is 187 miles / 300 kms. It took 5 - 6 hours to complete.
continued...
Meher Baba's ship S.S. Bremen arrived at the port of Cherbourg on Friday, 11 December 1931. Baba arrived in Paris by train at Gare Saint Lazare railway station that evening and stayed at the Hotel Powers at 52 rue François. Margaret Starr, Margaret Craske, Delia, Kim and twelve-year-old John Cousins had arrived in Paris the previous day and joined Baba.
See group photo below.
PARIS, FRANCE
GARE SAINT LAZARE RAILWAY STATION, PARIS
continued...
Kitty Davy and her niece Zilla arrived in the afternoon of the following day 12th December,
That night, they all went to the Aubert Palace cinema to see Charlie Chaplin's "City Lights", and on another night they saw a Laurel & Hardy film. Because of Meredith Starr's annoying behaviour, Baba instructed him to return to England in a couple of days' time.
On the 13th December, they all left the hotel to go sightseeing that day in Paris. This including go up the Eiffel Tower and taken a group photo, which included Meredith and his wife prior to them departing for England. This brought about a new perspective for some of the people present; for example, when Baba inquired of Margaret Craske "Why haven't you put on lipstick today?", she came to understand, (after a few more gestures from Baba) that she needed to get rid of the reserve that had been enforced upon her by Meredith. In the following days after Meredith's and his wife Margaret's departure, the atmosphere became a lot more friendly instead of a more formal one. Later they all those remaining strolled the Seine River.
Over the next 2 days, Baba met the local seekers, thath Malcolm Schloss had previously contacted. They visited the Louvre museum, the Arc de Triomphe and the Cathedral of Notre Dame and then drove down the Champs Élysées. At the Galléries Lafayette department store Baba bought a new coat. On the evening of the 13th, they went to the Madeleine Cinema to see the movie Trader Horn.
AUBERT PALACE CINEMA, PARIS
PALACE OF VERSAILLES, FRANCE
continued...
On 15 December 1931, Baba and the group went in a Rolls-Royce to the magnificent Palace of Versailles, in a suburb outside of Paris. They saw the Hall of Mirrors where the treaty of Versailles was signed, ending the First World War. Then they went through the rest of the palace and saw Marie Antoinette's suite. In the gardens, the younger ones skipped happily in a line holding hands. Afterward, they had tea in a café where Delia accidentally spilled her cup on the tablecloth, much to the amusement of Baba. During that night, their last with Baba, they stayed at the hotel. Baba played tiddlywinks, *carrom and marbles with Ali, and the two other children, John and Zilla.
*Carrom game : South Asian, tabletop "strike and pocket" board game similar to billiards.
EIFFEL TOWER : (L-R Standing) F. 'Chanji' Dadachanji, Kitty Davy, Agha Ali, Meredith Starr, Margaret Craske, Kim Tolhurst, Delia De Leon. (Sitting L-R) Zilla Cluse, Baba, Margaret Starr, John Cousins.
GUIDE TO THE ABOVE MAP LOCATIONS
1. POWERS HOTEL
4. EIFFEL TOWER
9. MADELEINE CINEMA
11. GARE ST. LAZARES RAILWAY STATION
12. GARE DE LYON RAILWAY STATION
13. GARE D'ORSAY RAILWAY STATION
14. GARE DU NORD RAILWAY STATION
Departed : 16th Dec. 6:00 pm. Arrived : 17th Dec. late morning.
Gare de Lyon R.S., Paris by train to Marseilles, France is 410 miles / 660 kms. It took 16 hours to complete.
continued...
On the 16th December, their last day in Paris, Baba called a few to his room and stood beside the window, spelling on the board: "You do not see me as I really am. This body is not me; my Real Self is far more beautiful. I am Infinite Truth, Infinite Love, Infinite Power."
Then he stated, "I am Life Eternal. I was Krishna, I was Buddha, I was Jesus and now I am Meher Baba."
Baba had given them a choice whether to stay in the hotel or go out that afternoon. They chose to stay and Chanji narrated stories of Baba's life. After a few phonograph records were played, Baba dismissed them, calling them back one by one to give each a special message and orders while he was away. "Be happy and don't worry," he directed. "Write to me every ten days. I will return in the spring. Continue loving me more and more."
Accompanied by Margaret Craske, who knew French and was acting as an escort, Baba, Ali and Chanji took a train from Paris to Marseilles at six o'clock that evening. The whole group came to the railway station at Gare de Lyon to see them off.
Meanwhile on the train to Marseilles, before retiring in their sleeping compartments, Baba indicated to Margaret that if he were awake, he would tap three times on the wall adjoining their compartments. If she were awake, she was to reply with three knocks. Why? Baba indicated that it signified, "I love you." This "game" continued through the night, several times between them.
GARE DE LYON RAILWAY STATION, PARIS GARE DE MARSEILLES Railway station
F. 'CHANJI' DADACHANJI AGHA ALI MARGARET CRASKE
continued...
In Marseilles the next day, 17th December, after taking the luggage to the ship and having breakfast, Margaret took Baba to an old church called Our Lady of the Sea (Notre-Dame De La Garde) which stood on a hill overlooking the Mediterranean. Outside the church was a beggar to whom Margaret wanted to give some money. Baba stopped her, explaining, "Give it from me. If you give it [from yourself], you may receive sanskaras from him."
In the church was a statue of the Pieta. As Baba stood before it, Margaret wondered if Baba would be crucified. Baba immediately responded by spelling on the board, "It will not happen this time, but I will have mental persecution."
NOTRE-DAME DE LA GARDE & PIETA
THE BIG HOUSE (French film) "Révolte dans la prison" CHARLES BOYER (left) FILM POSTERS
continued...
Later in Marseilles , they saw a French film in Marseilles titled The Big House, with Charles Boyer about inmates in a prison. Margaret Craske kept Baba informed of the plot by translating it into English. Suddenly she noticed that Baba had slumped in his seat and seemed not to be listening. She stopped, and Baba sat up after a while, remarking to Chanji, "I have been to Vienna."
Margaret was sent back to Paris the same day, 17th December. She later wrote to Baba when she returned to England.
Departed : 18th Dec. midnight. Arrived : 23rd Dec. at Port Said.
Arrived : Bombay 1st Jan. 1932 at 8:00am.
Marseilles, France to Bombay, India via Suez Canal by passenger ship
RMS Narkanda is about 6,000 miles / 9,656 kms. It took 13.5 days to complete.
continued...
On Friday, 18 December 1931, Baba, Chanji and Aga Ali boarded the P & O Line SS Narkunda for their voyage to India. Kimco sent this telegram on the 22nd, which Baba received at Port Said: "Impossible [to] get rid of us; we are still with you." Baba had taken the Paul Robeson records back with him and would have them played in his cabin.
On the 23rd at Port Said, Chanji observed Baba weep as he listened to one of Robeson's songs, Hear the Lambs A-cryin' ( see below )— perhaps thinking of the lovers he had left behind and their grief at his departure.
On the ship, Baba sent messages to his lovers in England and America. To Malcolm and Jean, he wrote: "I will come back to America to pour out my love to you and to spiritualize America."
On board, a Muslim physician who recognized Baba as a great spiritual personality,(although the Master was still traveling incognito as M. S. Irani), persuaded Baba to give a private address to a small gathering in the ship's hall, when Baba arrived there were about 300 people gathered to hear an Indian guru. The discourse lasted an hour with questions being asked by many there. He declined to give a separate discourse to the 1st class passengers.
continued...
Christmas and New Year's Eve were celebrated on the ship with much joy as was customary for the European passengers. Baba was asked to give a message to the world via radio, but he now strictly adhered to his wish to travel without publicity and so refused.
continued...
Arriving in Bombay, India, Baba, Chanji and Aga Ali at 8:00 A.M. on Friday, 1 January 1932. At Ballard Pier, Baba was welcomed home with heartfelt joy by Rustom and his mother Gulmai, Soonamasi, Shireenmai, Ghani, Ramjoo, Khak Saheb, Kalemama, Nusserwan, Chinchorkar and other followers. Baba was taken to the apartment on Frere Road of Kaka Baria's sister and brother-in-law Manekji and Banubai Confectioner (where he had stayed before, in 1930). Baba had been away for five months.
Bombay Wharf, January 1932
Banubai Confectioner (yellow sari), Shireenmai, Manekji Confectioner (shiny hat),
Baba, Agha Ali (behind Baba), Gulmai Irani. Uncle Rustom Irani (far right).
continued... January 1932
There had been continuing correspondence between Meher Baba and Mahatma Gandhi throughout Baba's visit to the West. A meeting was hastily arranged as soon as Baba returned to India. The political situation in India had become very intense and Gandhi's arrest was expected very soon.
Accompanied by Chanji, Baba went to Mahatma Gandhi's residence, Mani Bhawan at Gamdevi, Bombay, late at night at 11:45pm on Sunday, 3 January 1932. Gandhi welcomed Baba with a loving embrace. They sat down and discussed matters for about an hour.
This is a small part of their talk between each other. Baba was using his alphabet board.
"I am very, very glad to see you," Gandhi said.
"I am also glad we could meet," Baba replied. "I was quite busy the whole day, but I had to see you at least once."
"Yes, Rustom had delivered your message here and I sent word that I must see you."
"That is why I came."
"Your dictum and doctrine of non-violence is out-and-out the best, and I, too, wish this non-violent attitude to be followed and acted on. But I know it is very, very difficult — rather impossible. And that is why I repeatedly ask you to see the Viceroy once in person in order to bring about a spirit of reconciliation between the rulers and the ruled. For, let me tell you once again, if this meeting does not come about, matters will turn from bad to worse. People will turn violent and once violence is adopted, it will be destructive in every way."
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
The conversation then shifted to Baba's recent visit to Europe and America:
"What do you think about the West from your experiences and tours?" Gandhi asked.
"In America, the spiritual hunger is intense. That is why I went and stayed there for a month. There is everything there materially. There is wealth; there are brains; there is heart. In other words, there is sufficient preparedness for spiritual growth and development."
Gandhi asked, "Then there is an awakening and interest about spirituality in America?"
"Yes, there is much," Baba answered. "But the Americans have not had proper light and guidance [by a Master] in this direction. If they get these, they will respond wonderfully."
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Baba then embraced Gandhi, saluted the other politicians and left. A day after meeting Baba, Gandhi and Sardar Patel were arrested by the British and remanded to Yeravda Prison in Poona.
This was the last time Baba and Gandhi would meet in person, but they continuously communicated until Gandhi's assassination in 1948.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Meher Baba then went to Nasik following their meeting, to meet with a delegation of Untouchables who were seeking guidance on how to participate in India's struggle for independence.
Meher Baba's next visit to the West (2nd) commenced on 24th March, 1932. This visit lasted 16 weeks till 15th July, 1932.
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