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Correspondence from George MacNie Cowie to Aleister Crowley
14 Glenisla Gardens, Edinburgh.
4 Apr 16.
Care Frater
Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law.
I have been too busy/lazy to write sooner. To dispose of some items first—The 'pastoral' was duly sent out to everyone whose address I have or could get: at the Equinox. In each case I enclosed a duplicate copy of the 'Message' [Message of the Master Therion] with a note as to duty about it. So far, April 3, save from the good Mary [Mary Davies], I have not had a solitary reply, or request for copies. As a matter of fact it is those outside the Order who seem most willing, e.g. De Thoren and Wilson and Hobbs. To each of these I sent a copy of the 'Pastoral' stating that though they were not entitled to it, I felt that their interest in you (Wilson's especially) warranted me in letting them see it. I regard these men as practically candidates, Wilson, de Thoren and Richmond. The latter at first refused to take copies of the Message but on my admonition that Service was as much part of the G[reat] W[ork] as anything he has sent for 50.
I have now under 100 copies left of the 1000. I will order a reprint shortly and will have the heading re-set in l[ower] c[ase]. The cap[ital]s in the first lot, followed your own M.S. copy, tho' I felt I was wrong, and that the M.S. style was possibly only a typist's variation—Still it in no-wise alters the sense.
I sent off 100 to Windram [James Windram], asking him to send 50 to the Australian Lodge with his own instructions, I had enclosed mats: but was in time to follow up with another letter by same mail to tell him to have the formula re-set in l.c. Jones [Charles Stansfeld Jones], I think I told you I sent 50 to, and rely on you to send him mats.
I enclose a letter from Mrs Davies of 22 ult: The latest I've mislaid pro tem, but it's settled that I go up to London on the 22 April for a week or so. She states that Hammond [Benjamin Charles Hammond] has not succeeded in finding a house. (Job's patience had not a perfect test, he had no Hammond) and that she does not think we can do better than take the Regent Str[eet] place. As I can't put off things till the Greek Kalends I've given her carte blanche to take the rooms. With luck I may get the things shifted whilst I am there. If not I must make the best arrangements I can and leave the rest to the others.
I hope to meet De Thoren and Steff Langston [William Steff-Langston] and another man who I think would come in.
[NOTE: The remainder of this letter may belong to another.]
I was at first greatly puzzled by your reference to 'Valentines' (more typists freaks?) I haven't got the sheets of the 'Poems' yet—they say there is so much to clear out and of course cartage is difficult just now. I've written to see if the Giant's Thumb can be traced. B and H don't exist, everything is being arranged by the liquidators. My impression is that B and H refused delivery till the other sheets were paid for. As this has now been done there should be no difficulty, and they will be only too glad to dump the stock here—you haven't sent Kennedy's address.
As to other matters the letter I enclose from 'Dear Hobbs' (I call her for short) will put you wise. Note how little I have exaggerated the difficulty of getting at things. I put my address, 'Return to——— if not delivered' on all envelopes with the Pastoral. So far, Apr 4, only one has come back—Donovan—'not known'.
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