THE OTTAWA JOURNAL

Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

15 December 1934

(page 15)

His 'Black Magic' Libel Dismissed.

Author Loses Appeal Against Publishers in Sensational Court Case.

LONDON.—The appeal by Edward Alexander (Aleister) Crowley, the author, against the dismissal of his action in respect of an alleged libel in "Laughing Torso," was dismissed in the Court of Appeal.

The defendants were Constable and Company, Limited, Charles Whittingham and Briggs, Limited, and Miss Nina Hamnett, the publishers, printers and writer of the book.

Mr. Crowley complained that in "Laughing Torso" Miss Hamnett said he had had a temple at Cefalu, Sicily, where he was supposed to have practised black magic.

It was contended by Mr. Crowley that the words of which he complained imputed to him a practice that was not only foul but was for the most part criminal, and that the statement that one day a baby had disappeared mysteriously imputed that he killed the child by black magic.

Lord Justice Greer, giving judgment, said there might be something to be said in favor of the summing-up of the judge (Mr. Justice Swift) not being as full as it ought reasonably to have been, and that it contained one or two statements which were not in accordance with the law.