THE JOURNAL of the

AMERICAN SOCIETY for

PHYSICAL RESEARCH

New York, New York, USA

November 1929

(page 625)

INTERNATIONAL NOTES

I can give further details concerning the publication of the “Confessions” of Aleister Crowley who recently has been expelled from Italy by the Fascisti. His “life” will be published¹ in six volumes at two guineas a volume—so it will not be a cheap book. Two of the volumes will appear immediately, the remaining four being due next year. I imagine the work will become rare.

In the prospectus of the work his publisher admits that Crowley has been called a “monster of wickedness” by James Douglas: a “dirty degenerate” by Bottomley [Horatio Bottomley]; John Bull has recently described his as “England’s worst man.” Crowley describes himself as “Master Therion” and his Confessions an “Autohagiography.” He also says he is a gentleman.

One of the most interesting of Crowley’s experiences was the establishment of the Abbey of Thelema at Cefalu, Sicily. A fascinating account of life in the Cefalu Abbey is given by Betty May, the artist’s model, in her recently-published Tiger Woman—My Story. I met Crowley some years ago. His principal slogan was—perhaps is—“Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law.”

1—Mandrake Press, 41, Museum Street, London, W. C. 1.