Correspondence from Norman Mudd to Aleister Crowley

[30 January 1909]

Dear Crowley,

I understand that Neuburg [Victor B. Neuburg] has written to you with characteristic vagueness about the combat we are about to wage. It falls to me to give an official account of the pretext for war and the preliminary movements.

On Thursday Jam, 28/09 I received a summons to wait on Rev. R. St. J. Parry Dean of Trinity, my tutor during my first term though not at present.

He made to me two demands:—

1. That I cease to distribute copies of The Star in the West a book called written by Captain Fuller [J.F.C. Fuller] on your work.

2. That the invitation sent to you by the C.U.F.A. [Cambridge University Freethought Association] be cancelled as he could not permit an Association in which Trinity men were concerned to extend an official welcome to men of evil repute.

(I, of course, am the Secretary.)

You will understand from this that

1. He has not read the book through

2. That he had not read your works.

3. That he had not the honour of your acquaintance.

The only explanation he could give of his demand was that the book was as filthy as its subject and author.

I pointed out of course that the Freethought question was not one I could settle myself and that I would bring it to the notice of the Committee, which he consents to see. I promised a reply in 24 hours.

The committee met the same evening and decided to interview the Dean the following day. Notices of an urgency meeting of the Association were then sent out and tactics discussed.

Free to cogitate I instant saw that the personal question must be shelved till the larger matter was settled. I accordingly wrote a letter to the Dean telling him what I thought of his soul and agreed not to distribute copies of The Star in the West without previously notifying him (i.e., until I am free to fight him.) I hope Fuller will not think I have betrayed him and will see that it was practically my only course. In any case it is only a waiting move and one cannot always attack.

The committee waited on him last night

1. To hear anything he had to say.

2. To inform him that the matter must go before the general meeting.

3. To give him the opportunity of saving his dirty soul by libelling you in plain terms before the Association.

He explicitly stated that he was afraid of libelling you by saying anything vague or definite and that we must put his demand before the Association without explanation from him. He said he was acting on his own responsibility, whereat he was informed in polite terms that his insolence was if possible more patent than his cowardice.

To me at least he showed signs of caving in. He talked of not wishing to make the matter public in order that he might be free to withdraw if liked.

We shall of course force his hand by getting the Society to snub him, and then the pitched battle will commence. I foresee a scandal of the first magnitude which may result in a ditch death. We are at present the enfants perdus of the movement and shall probably have to play a lone hand. For the dons like loose shits fall away and will decompose under strain.

You will understand that the invitation to you and Fuller for the 14th still holds. I will let you know the decision of the Association anon. If anything unexpected befalls I will wire.

Yours sincerely,

Norman Mudd

Kindly inform Fuller of the matter. I would write to him if I knew him better. Pay my humble respects to Mrs. Crowley.

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