THE JARROW EXPRESS

& TYNESIDE ADVERTISER

Jarrow, Durham, England

28 April 1911

(page 6)

ROSICRUCIANS IN COURT.

JUDGE LIKENS TRIAL TO A SCENE IN "ALICE IN WONDERLAND."

LIBEL ACTION THAT FAILED.

“This trial is getting very much like the trial in ‘Alice in Wonderland,’ ” remarked Mr. Justice Scrutton, amid laughter, while Comte Macgregor de Gleestrae, the head of the Rosicrucian Order, was under cross-examination on Wednesday in a libel action against the Looking Glass.

     T

he trial took place in the King’s Bench Division, the plaintiff being Mr. George Cecil Jones, analytical chemist, who sued the Looking Glass for damages for alleged libel. He complained of statements in a series of articles dealing with the career of a Mr. Aleister Crowley. The defence was that the articles referred solely to Crowley.

The plaintiff is a member of the Rosicrucian Order, and the first witness called for the defence was Comte Macgregor de Gleestrae [MacGregor Mathers], of Paris. The witness said he was registered at his birth in the name of Mathers, though he was now known as Macgregor.

Cross-examined by Mr. Simmons, for the plaintiff, the Comte said that the name of Macgregor was of great antiquity, and in 1603 was forbidden to be used under pain of death.

Your name in 1603 was Macgregor?—Yes, if you put it that way. (Laughter.)

Have you ever suggested to anybody that you had some connection with James IV. of Scotland?—I do not understand what you mean. Of course, every Scotsman of ancient family must have some connection with James IV. And other Scottish kings.

SECRETS OF THE ORDER.

Are you asserting that James IV. of Scotland never died?—There is an old tradition about that in Scotland.

Do you assert that James IV. Is in existence to-day?—I refuse to answer that question.

Have you ever asserted that Cagliostro was one and the same person as yourself?—No. You are confusing me with Mr. Crowley’s aliases.

Questioned as to other people long since dead, the Comte said he was not responsible for traditions.

His Lordship (to counsel): “The Flying Dutchman is another instance if you want to pursue the subject further.” (Laughter.)

“And the Wandering Jew is another,” remarked the witness, amid renewed laughter.

The witness went on to say that he had no profession or occupation, but that for a man of no occupation he was probably the busiest man living. (Laughter.)

What work is that?—The establishment of the Rosicrucian Order. It required a knowledge of many languages and an enormous amount of work. There were secret chiefs, added the witness, and he was the External Head of the Order, and exercised administrative powers. He was in communication with the secret chiefs, but he was sworn not to reveal their names. (Laughter.)

NOT AN AMUSEMENT.

His Lordship: This is getting a long way from the issue the jury have to try. The jury are not here for amusement. I do not want this to be turned into a place of amusement.

The witness said he was on terms of friendship with Mr. Jones until he backed up Crowley on the latter’s expulsion form the Order.

Counsels proceeded to question the witness with regard to Alan Bennett [Allan Bennett], a Buddhist monk, and also a member of the Order, and it was at this point that his Lordship likened the trial to that in “Alice in Wonderland.”

Mr. William Migge, a merchant of Eastcheap, said he attended the first séance conducted by Crowley. He paid five guineas for a series of screen performances. He did not like the performances, and asked for his money back. The performance had something to do with Saturn.

His Lordship: What was Saturn being invoked for?—I do not know, my Lord, but I think each performance had a bearing on a particular planet. There was so much incense used that he could not see everything.

Evidence having been given by Dr. Berridge [Edward Berridge], of Gloucester-terrace, Hyde Park, who said he was a member of the Rosicrucian Order, counsel addressed the jury.

The jury returned a verdict for the defendants, and judgment was entered accordingly, with costs.