A year ago, while in London, Wanden La Farge and I went
every day to the British Museum to compile a list of original Baha’i
manuscripts. Each morning at ten o’clock we knocked on the little hidden door
of the Oriental room. An iron bar was pulled back from within and we found
ourselves in the midst of impressive Oriental scholars completely absorbed in
poring over ancient manuscripts. So deep and profound was the silence that, to
ask for what was necessary, one was obliged to lower the voice to a shadowy
whisper. After several days of cataloging and not being able to find any trace
of the Tablet to Queen Victoria, the head of the department suggested that we
might ask for an interview with the Curator of the Museum. This was a special
privilege which was granted, the Director receiving us with the utmost
cordiality and showed a lively interest in our quest. He assured us that the
Tablet we so specially sought had never been in the British Museum, but that,
after the death of Prof. E.G. Brown, his heirs had sent one original Baha’i
manuscript to the Museum. This, however, was not written by either Baha’u’llah
or ‘Abdu’l-Baha so it might not be of value to us at this time. This news was a
great disappointment until he added, “It is in the hand of ‘Ali Muhammad, the
Báb.” At this unexpected and wonderful news we asked if it was possible to see
it. It is too valuable to be on view, he replied, but I will send for it. It
proved to be a single sheet of heavy vellum inscribed in the delicate
handwriting of the Báb, illuminated in exquisite colors and so written as to
form a star.
It has not been officially translated but the Oriental
believers who have looked at it, say it contains derivations of the word
Baha’i. During my long illness and absence from New York it was not unwrapt but
now we shall have copies made and placed on sale with the Publishing Committee,
so that all the friends may share in this priceless treasure.
(Loulie A.
Mathews; Baha’i News no. 49, March 1931)