THE SHIELDS NEWS

Tynemouth, Northumberland, England

7 November 1934

(page 6)

“BLACK MAGIC” LIBEL ACTION.

Mr. Crowley in Court of Appeal.

The Court of Appeal continued to-day the hearing of an appeal in the “Black Magic” libel action.

Mr. Aleister Crowley, the author, appealed from the judgment against him in the action he brought against Miss Nina Hamnett, authoress of “Laughing Torso,” Messrs Constable and Co., Ltd., publishers and Messrs Charles Whittingham and Briggs, publishers.

He complained of the summing-up of Mr. Justice Swift.

The book, he said, imputed that he had practised Black-Magic in Cefalu, in Sicily. He denied having done anything of the kind.

Mr. J. P. Eddy, on his behalf, submitted that it was perfectly open to a properly directed jury to give him a verdict.

“In fact, it was the only course open to them.”

Lord Justice Roche asked: why was an imputation of Black Magic defamatory.

Counsel replied that some people practised what was called White Magic.

“Some people practise what is alleged to be Black Magic. To my simple faith it means nothing, but the plaintiff says there is a vital difference between the two.”

“No ordinary persons know difference between White and Black Magic” remarked Lord Justice Greer, and he added, “I should have thought they were both nonsense.”

Mr. Eddy: I am not suggesting otherwise.