THE SOMERSET AND WEST OF ENGLAND ADVERTISER

Wells, Somerset, England

4 May 1911

(page 7)

A SCOTS ANCESTRY.

AMUSING EVIDENCE IN LIBEL ACTION.

Mr. Justice Scrutton and a common jury, on Wednesday, resumed the hearing of the libel action brought by Mr. George Cecil Jones, a consulting and analytical chemist, against a weekly paper called the Looking Glass. The plaintiff contended that, in a series of articles dealing with the career of a Mr. Aleister Crowley, he was charged with immorality. The defence was that the articles did not libel the plaintiff, but referred solely to Mr. Crowley.

Mr. Samuel McGregor Mathers [MacGregor Mathers] was cross-examined by Mr. Simmons for the plaintiff. The witness admitted that he was registered in the name of Mathers, though he was now known as McGregor.—You assumed the name of McGregor—that name is of great antiquity, and in 1603 was forbidden to be used under pain of death.

Mr. Simmons: Your name in 1603 was McGregor?—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.

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 today?—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, witness said he was not responsible for traditions.

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

Witness: The Wandering Jew is another. (Laughter.)

Witness said 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 are others who assert that theirs is the true Rosicrucian Order?—Yes: that is why you have two other forms of it.

In answer to further questions, witness said that there were secret chiefs, 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.)

His Lordship: This is getting a long way from the issue the jury have to try. The jury are not here for amusement. They are here to do their business. I do not want this court to be turned into a place of amusement—Witness admitted that he had expelled members from the Rosicrucian Order, but declined to say how many.

Counsel was proceeding to question witness with regard to Alan Bennett [Allan Bennett], a Buddhist monk, and also a member of the order, when his Lordship intervened with the remark that, “This trial is getting very much like the trial in ‘Alice in Wonderland.’ ” (Laughter.)

Evidence was given as to the nature of Crowley’s books, and as to the séances conducted by him.

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