THE WESTERN TIMES

Exeter, Devon, England

25 November 1909

(page 4)

MADE A NEW RELIGION.

STRANGE HISTORY RELATED IN A SCOTTISH COURT.

In Edinburgh Court of Sessions yesterday, Lord Salvester granted a divorce with the custody of the child [Lola Zaza], and £52 a year aliment, for the latter, to Rose Edith Kelly or Crowley from Alister Macgregor Crowley, of Boleskine, Foyers, Inverness-shire, residing in London.

The suit was undefended.

Plaintiff said in 1902, when she was a widow, she met the defendant, who called himself 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.

Plaintiff's brother [Gerald Kelly] said the defendant was very proud of having, as he thought, Scottish 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 that defendant's domicile was Scottish whatever it was originally, and granted the decree.