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Correspondence from Aleister Crowley to the Master of Trinity University
[Undated: circa June 1910]
To the Rev the Master of Trinity.
Dear Master,
For three years you stood to me in loco parentis, and that I was a worthy child is evidenced by the fact that I never suffered rebuke of punishment from any of the College Authorities.
To that paternity I now appeal for justice in the following circumstances.
Since leaving Cambridge in 1898 I have travelled all over the world on one single business, the search for Truth.
This truth I believe that I have found: it may be stated in the thesis following:
By development of will-power, by rigorous self-control, by solitude, meditation and prayer, a man may be granted the Knowledge and Conversation of his Holy Guardian Angel; this being attained, the man may safely confide himself to the Guardianship: and that this attainment is the most sublime privilege of man.
It seemed to me a prime duty to tell others of the results of my search; and I naturally began in the University, and especially in the College which had sheltered me for those three years, to which I look back with greater pleasure than to any other part of my career.
To my surprise, I found myself regarded with great suspicion by some of the College Authorities. They even used methods which seemed to be at the same time high-handed and underground. In particular, the Revd St J. Parry endeavoured to poison the minds of some of my friends by insinuating certain things against me. But as he was afraid to say what these dreadful accusations were, his interference was useless to his purpose. I confronted him, ready to defend myself against any accusations and to make clear the purity of my intention, or even to give him an undertaking to fulfil any request of his that I could conscientiously comply with; but he refused to discuss the matter, and I regret to say that he so far forgot his obligations to God as to lie to me, and that I so far forgot my duty to him as to tell him that he lied.
The matter then lapsed, and I continued my teaching. The campaign of anonymous and whispered slander, however, continued. This term I learn that the College Council have ordered the doors of the College to be shut against my gallant friend Captain J.F.C. Fuller and myself, that any member of the College found in communication with me will be expelled forthwith, that no member of the College may belong to any society with which I am in any way connected—measures, in short, savouring alike of panic and of the Inquisition.
That you, dear Master, can be a consenting party to such measures is unthinkable.
I have always been refused to be heard in my defence, or even to hear of what nature are the accusations against me. However, some indication of their nature has leaked out. They are as false as they are abominable; could I track their author he would assuredly receive a sentence of some years' imprisonment at the hands of His Majesty's Judges, who hear evidence, and judge according to its weight, without fear or favour.
But the Council of Trinity College prefers the methods of the Council of Ten.
I here profess myself willing and anxious to submit myself to the judgement of any tribunal public or private that you may nominate, provided that I am allowed to obtain legal advice and representation, and that the ordinary Rules of Evidence are maintained.
I ask that, should my character be cleared, the Council of the College will rescind its Order, and promise that in the other event I will cease all relations with undergraduate members of the College.
Awaiting with the utmost hope and confidence a favourable reply from your justice and paternal affection.
I beg to subscribe myself, dear Master.
Yours faithfully,
Aleister Crowley.
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