THE EAST ANGLIAN DAILY TIMES

Ipswich, Suffolk, England

25 November 1909

(page 6)

"A NEW RELIGION."

CURIOUS EVIDENCE IN DIVORCE ACTION.

In the Court of Session, Edinburgh, on Wednesday, Lord Salveson granted a divorce with the custody of the child [Lola Zaza] £104 a year aliment for the latter to Rose Edith Kelly or Crowley, from Alister MacGregor Crowley, of Boleskine, Foyers, Inverness-shire, and residing in London. The suit was undefended.

Plaintiff said in 1902 when she was a widow she met defendant, who called himself Count Skellet. Later he called himself MacGregor to identify himself with Scotland, where he had bought an estate. After the marriage he called himself Lord Boleskine, saying people in Scotland called themselves after their estates. In July last she left him, and by accidentally opening a letter she ascertained he was the father of a child born to another lady.

Plaintiff’s brother [Gerald Kelly] said defendant was very proud of having, as he thought, Scotch blood in his veins. He invented a new kind of religion: he was a Cabalist and studied ancient manuscripts. Defendant got some mark of distinction from an Indian chief and thereupon called himself Lord Boleskine. There was a lot of land round Boleskine, but it was mostly perpendicular. Defendant’s father was a Plymouth Brother. He had lots of money, but was stupid where money was concerned.

His lordship thought he might assume defendant’s domicile was Scottish, whatever it was originally, and granted the decree.