Preface:
This book has been written by several persons who had the advantage of being closely associated with Helena Petrovna Blavatsky during her residence in Europe, while she was engaged in the great work of her life - The Secret Doctrine.

IN giving an account of the manner in which Helena Petrovna Blavatsky wrote The Secret Doctrine, while yet the circumstances are fresh in my memory, with memoranda and letters still available for reference, I shall not shrink from dwelling as some length on my own relations with my dear friend and teacher; and on many attendant circumstances which, while not directly connected with the actual writing of the book, will contribute, I feel sure, to an intelligent comprehension of both the author and her work.