Sir,—My attention has been called
to a paragraph in the Gazette, describing me as possessing
in a marked degree the quality of “insensate folly.” This,
by name, and in my absence, is of course the acme of good
taste; but putting that aside, I should like to defend
myself and my brother mountaineers from this sweeping
condemnation.
The climbing of chalk or anything
else is utterly foolish where persons unaccustomed to, and
ignorant of their task, undertake it. Criticism of such
climbing by persons ignorant of the subject seems to me
equally so.
The photographs in Mr. Gibbs’ window may appear to the
uninitiated as representing perilous positions—to the
mountaineer they are by no means of such a character.
Thousands of people consider cycling suicide and football
felo de se, but even “Censor’s” eloquence would hardly
convince the cyclist or the footballer.
The suggestion that the cliffs are
marred by our “pick-axes,” as our weapons are quaintly mistermed, is surely rather grotesque if not puerile.
Chatsworth is hardly defaced by the fall of one tree, nor is
the midnight sky irretrievably ruined by the fall of one
meteor. Besides, the weather, in a week, destroys more of
the cliff than the united Alpine Club could possibly do in
twenty years.
I must thank “Censor” for terming
me adventurous, even though in scorn. A study of history
might reveal the fact that there was a time when a spice of
British pluck was not held as either a vice or a folly. But
I write, perhaps, of long-past ages.
However, as “Censor” truly says,
there is a limit at which pluck becomes foolhardiness. It
is, in the case in point, when men without properly nailed
boots, without ice-axes, without a rope, and without any
experience of rotten rock, attempt passages where there is
the least danger to life or limb. But for those properly
equipped I must maintain that climbing on Beachy Head is a
most healthful exercise, and one—beyond its physical
effects—teaching pluck, nerve, coolness, steadiness,
prudence and experience. It is the best possible training
for the Alps, &c., since the chalk climber has to use such
extreme care.
In conclusion, I regret that
others should have been made so anxious—as I believe,
unnecessarily—also that others should have been led to
imitate my climbs without suitable precautions.
Mountaineering undertaken lightly, and without a serious
conception of the responsibility incurred, is alike insane
and criminal.
Trusting you will afford me space
for this defence and warning.
I remain, sir, yours very
sincerely,
E. ALEISTER CROWLEY.
Hotel Sulden, Tyrol, Austria.
Monday, Aug. 27th.