Correspondence from Norman Mudd to Aleister Crowley

[1 February 1909]

I am writing immediately in order to clear up one or two things. I am not at all clear as to the order in which you received the note and telegram. I sent the letter on Saturday (I think, certainly not later) and the telegram at 5:15 on Sunday, after the meeting.

I wrote the note when everybody seemed to be dropping away and the Dons threatened to resign if we decided to fight. I wanted you to oil your tools and be ready to hew them in pieces before mine eyes that I might paddle in their treacly guts.

Cornford's change surprised us. He had in the interval between his first declaration and the meeting to read The Star in the West and some of your work and many of his prejudices had disappeared.

I should also mention that among the bene meriti are Mottram (Don) and Dalton (Fabian President). They had decided to fight with us when affairs seemed most serious and before the shit began to crumble.

Spare these O Lord when thou smitest Sodom lest thy Sword of Song be stained with the blood of thy friends and become discordant.

Unless the Dean is game which I doubt there is no need to wipe him out yet a bit. You can bide your time and then batter him with your club. The Sword is for gentlemen with guts.

We had reckoned on the worst and were prepared to fight to the last ditch. Neuburg [Victor B. Neuburg] and Ward [Kenneth Ward] had determined if necessary to be sent down sooner then strike their flags. In the case of Pinset and myself the final step was a matter of greater delicacy. We had of course interviewed the safe members and made quite sure of getting the meeting to defy Parry.

Well Cornford and Campbell turned up at the meeting and I reckoned on a preliminary fight with them. But it was not to be. It seems that Parry has interviewed them and considerable modified his position (the loose contemptible shit). He was no longer imperative. He did not object to your talking on magic. But he barred your sexual ethics. Of course we could not compromise even on this point although probably none of us had thought of it. We decided finally simply to send him this resolution:—

"The Association having taken into consideration the request made to it by the Dean of Trinity regrets that it finds itself unable to comply with that request. It regards the right to invite down any person it thinks fit as essential to its principles and wishes to point out that its attitude towards any opinions advocated before it is purely critical." Proposed by Campbell. Carried unanimously.

It was an amendment on my original motion that we had decided on, of which I enclose a copy.

It was presented officially to the Dean at 2 o'clock. It was at five o'clock that I sent the telegram. It was considered almost certain that the Dean would cave in at all points. I have not yet received his official reply but I understand that he has surrendered privately to Cornford.

When this is decided I propose to lay siege to the position I temporarily vacated. Thank God I had sense enough not to give up my flag. Neuburg I am afraid was rather tactless but he will recover it.

You can't pull my leg about the London do. Understand that we have you up now whatever happens. Nevertheless I wish you joy in your London venture.

I will let you know anything that happens.

Neuburg sends his love to you and Mrs. Crowley.

And I? , well I am no beadsman masters

I am none of your friars and fasters

I take my joys as they come to me

So I again send my greetings to you and my respects to Mrs. Crowley.

Yours,

Norman Mudd

I think I can shame some Dons into coming to hear you and Fuller. It is important that Cornford should meet Fuller whom he seems to think a misfit. Give him my greetings when you see him.

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