|
THE MORNING LEADER London, England 27 April 1911 (page 5)
FANTASTIC STORY IN COURT.
EVIDENCE BY HEAD OF MYSTIC ORDER.
TRADITION OF KING WHO NEVER DIED.
Mystic rites and invocations; scraps of historical legend and tradition; the doctrines of a modern “order” bearing the name of a secret society famous just after the close of the Middle Ages—these and other things incongruous and fantastic were mentioned yesterday in a case which Mr. Justice Scrutton describes as reminding him of the trial in “Alice in Wonderland.”
The action—which was unsuccessful—was for libel; it was brought by Mr. George Cecil Jones, consulting chemist, against the publishers of the “Looking Glass,” Messrs. Love and Malcomson, and the editor, Mr. Fenton, for alleged libel in a series of articles called “An Amazing Sect,.”
In these articles charges were made against Mr. Aleister Crowley, who had been expelled from the Rosicrucian Order. The “Looking Glass” accused Crowley of immorality and said that his aliases would grace an Old Bailey criminal. They included, according to the article complained of, the names of Count Svareff, Count Skellatt, Edward Aleister, Lord Boleskine, and Baron Rosen Kreutz.
Crowley was further charged with writing obscene poems, and being a man of evil habits.
Head of the Order.
The bizarre elements suggested above were introduced chiefly in the evidence of a witness for the defence who gave his name as Comte Macgregor de Glenstrae, External and Visible Head of the Rosicrucian Order.
He 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.
In cross-examination by Mr. Simmons, for the plaintiff, witness said he was registered at birth as Samuel Liddel Mathers. His birth certificate was in the possession of the Bedford Grammar School. The name of Mathers dated, the witness said, to 1602, because then the name of Macgregor was used under pain of death.
Mr. Simmons: Your name in 1603 was Macgregor, then? (Laughter.)—Yes, if you put it so.
You have called yourself Count Macgregor Gleestrae!—Yes.
Ever called yourself the Chevalier Macgregor?—Never. You are thinking of Crowley’s aliases.
King Who Never Died.
Have you ever said that you were connected with King James IV. Of Scotland?—Every member of a Scotch family is connected with King James IV.
Have you ever asserted that James IV. Never died?—There is a tradition to that effect, and it forms the basis of one of Allan Cunningham’s novels.
Mr. Simmons (hurriedly): No, no, we don’t want more fiction.
The Judge: Well, you began it.
Mr. Simmons then asked the Comte whether he did not claim that James IV. was embodied in himself, and the witness loudly denied it. The witness pointed to the traditions of the Comte St. Germain in “La Russe” and Cagliostro. “See,” exclaimed the witness, “if there are not traditions!”
The judge suggested that if Mr. Simmons wanted to pursue the subject, the “Flying Dutchman” would make a good third,” and the witness added the “Wandering Jew.” As a runner-up.
Powers of the Order.
Witness went on to give an account of the Rosicrucian Order, to which he said he had given the best years of his life.
In the Middle Ages, the witness said, “Rosicrucian” was used to express unknown or secret orders, and the judge remarked that there was some doubt about their being orders at all. The witness said that he was in touch with more than 200 members of the Order.
Mr. Simmons: You exercise all the powers of the Order?—I do.
You are the External Head, but there are secret chiefs?—Yes.
Would it be a liberty to ask who the secret chiefs are?—I am sworn not to discuss the matter with you.
The judge intervened, and remarked that the questions were a long way from the alleged libel. “I don’t want this Court to be turned into a place of amusement.”
Invocation of Saturn.
The rites performed by Crowley in London were described to the court by Mr. William Migge, a City merchant. Witness said he paid five guineas, and didn’t like the rites, and asked for the return of his money. (Laughter.)
The judge asked what the rites were about. Witness said they were “ritual under planetary spirits.” The first was the Invocation of Saturn, and the room was in darkness.
The Judge: What was Saturn invoked for?—The witness said he did not know. The second planet invoked was Jupiter. (Laughter.)
Mr. Schiller: Was one lady present called the Mother of Heaven and another the Daughter of Heaven?—I couldn’t see very well. There was so much incense.
After further evidence, including the putting in of works written by Crowley, the jury returned a verdict for the defendants, and judgment was entered for them with costs. |