THE IRISH INDEPENDENT

Dublin, Dublin, Republic of Ireland

27 April 1911

(page 5)

AMAZING SECT.

THE ROSICRUCIANS AND THEIR RITES.

SECRET CHIEFS AND THE PLANETS.

A verdict for the defendants was returned by a London jury yesterday in the case in which Mr. George Cecil Jones, consulting chemist sued the publishers of the “Looking Glass” Company, Messrs. Love and Malcolmson, and the editor, Mr. Fenton, for alleged libel in a series of articles called “An Amazing Sect.” In these articles charges were alleged to be made against Aleister Crowley, who had been expelled from the resuscitated Rosicrucian Order.

“Two of Crowley’s friends and introducers,” it was stated in one of the articles, “are still associated with him—(1) the rascally sham Buddhist, Allan Bennett, whose imposture was shown in ‘Truth’ some years ago; the other a person of the name of George Cecil Jones, who was for some time employed at Basingstoke in metallurgy, but of late has had some sort of a small merchant’s business in the city.”

Giving evidence for the defence, Comte MacGregor De Glenstrae [MacGregor Mathers], who was described as the head of the Rosicrucian Order, said that Aleister Crowley was expelled from the Order in 1905 because he circulated a libel and wrote anonymous letters, and acted against the interests of the Order.

THE SCOTTISH KINGS.

In cross-examination as to his title to the names he bore, the “Head” said that every Scotsman of ancient family was connected with the Scottish Kings. There was an old tradition that King James IV. of Scotland never died, but he refused to say whether he believed in the tradition. He was in communication with “secret chiefs” of the Rosicrucian Order, but he was sworn not to divulge their names.

Counsel was proceeding to put another question with regard to Rosicrucian mysteries, when the Judge remarked, “I don’t want this Court to be turned into a place of amusement.”

The rites performed by Crowley in London were described to the court by Mr. Wm. Migge, a city merchant. Witness said he paid five guineas, and didn’t like the rites, and asked us for a return of his money (laughter).

In reply to the Judge, witness said the ritual was “under planetary spirits.” First was the invocation of Saturn, when the room was in darkness, and then Jupiter was invoked (laughter). He considered the rites were not worth the money (laughter). He expected to see some clairvoyant manifestations.