THE DAILY INDEPENDENT

Sheffield, Yorkshire, England

23 September 1932

(page 3)

“INDECENT” BOOK ALLEGATION.

MOTION TO RESTRAIN PUBLICATION.

WOMAN AUTHOR.

A motion to restrain the further publication of a book entitled “Laughing Torso,” by Miss Nina Hamnett (published by Messrs. Constable and Co., Ltd.. and printed by Messrs. Charles Whittingham and Griggs, Ltd.), came before Mr. Justice Lawrence in the Vacation Court, yesterday.

Mr. Edward Alexander Crowley, living at Abermarle Court, Piccadilly, was the plaintiff in the action and on his behalf, Mr. C. Gallop, said Miss Nina Hamnett was a defendant, and the other defendants being the publishers and printers.

“CERTAIN PASSAGES.”

Mr. Crowley was an author who wrote under the style of Aleister Crowley and he complained of passages in the book. “In particular,” said Mr. Gallop “of passages which I have not the slightest intention of reading in this court unless obliged to do so.”

It was a sort of autobiographical work, but it included what were intended to be interesting anecdotes of persons, and among them, Mr. Crowley.

There is not a word of truth in what is written, said counsel. It is indecent, vulgar and ignorant.

The present motion was only for an interim injunction to restrain the further circulation of the book until the trial of the action or further order. But in the action Mr. Crowley asked for the delivery up of all available copies for the purpose of their being destroyed.

WITHIN TEN MINUTES.

Mr. Upjohn, for the publishers and printers, said that within ten minutes of their being served with the writ Messrs. Constable suspended its publication.

He was willing to give an undertaking not to continue publication until further order.

Mr. Martin O’Connor (for Miss Hamnett) asked that the motion against her might stand over, as it was desired to have time to consider the matter.

Mr. Justice Lawrence said that on the undertaking given the matter would stand over until 5 October.