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Correspondence from George MacNie Cowie to Aleister Crowley
14 Glenisla Gardens, Edinburgh.
Oct 8-12. [1916]
Care Frater.
Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law.
If you had not warned me that he was a crusty customer, Fra. J.M., I should have wondered what old Hun ogre you had let loose on me. Behold the enclosed epistle. Perhaps he did not want it sent on, but the personal bit will only amuse you. It is piffle about posting the MS as I specially said some way might be devised of receiving it personally from his hands whilst I was in London—Well at least he has kept the pamphlets, and saved the extra penny.
I've finished a long letter to S.L. [William Steff-Langston], one to Mary [Mary Davies] for their joint guidance, and a copy of part of the S[outh] A[frican] letter, to indicate the policy now being pursued, and that all the Lodges must begin to contribute to G[rand] L[odge]. By the way I think it would be a good rule that all initiation fees and annual dues of those above the V degree should be paid direct to the G[rand] T[reasurer]. Colonial Lodges should not rely on these for local expenses. They should rely for such on the dues for minor grades, remitting what is left over to G[rand] L[odge]. This rule, naturally, would be a little elastic at the outset, but should be understood to be the regulation thing to do.
S.L. wrote about a matter I don't approve of. When he was in London last week, Hammond [Benjamin Charles Hammond] interviewed him and tried to get him to agree to take a large house of which he would occupy part and pay half the rent. Neither S.L. nor M.D. [Mary Davies] like this idea and it would cause all sorts of complications. I said to tell him (Hammond) that although doubtful about it, I was ready to meet him half way at the outset, he had months to look for a house and did nothing. Further a proposition of this sort must be clearly for the advantage of the Order. A person making such a proposal should not only satisfy us of his absolute ability to pay his share, but even of being able to help out, if our own funds were deficient. In the choice of new and central premises, probably in a year, we are not going to be hampered by regard to the interests of individual members—If we are in a position to take a full sized house, and a resident is advisable, H[ammond] will get first offer, but that's all. I won't agree, for a moment, on any other terms—I am certain we should be 'left'. The Davies have done a lot for him, even to helping to set him up in business. Mary is indignant, however, because lately she purposely introduced him to some 'good' people and he repaid her by promptly borrowing fifty pounds of them. This is the piece of tittle-tattle I crossed out in a recent letter, but it's pertinent here. There is great indignation too, because he has contemptuously refused offers of Government work at £5 a week, giving as the reason that 'if' work came in as it should, he could make £30 a day—I don't think!
I wrote to S[outh] A[frica] in the precise terms you indicated. I have given M.D. a partial copy of the contents, to show her and S.L. the policy in force now, and that the other Lodges will be made to fall in line. I heartily agree that certain things should not remain a dead letter. I knew nothing about the Australian VII degrees. I could not ask Stansfield Jones [Charles Stansfeld Jones] for his initiation fees without your instructions, when I sent him the MS (D.N.D.) [De Natura Deorum] and it rather makes it a farce if none in the higher grades pay anything at all to G[rand] L[odge]. Rough, too, on those who do pay the minor grades. Nous avons change tout cela?
In this connection, I was rather sore when Mary mentioned as a fact that H[ammond] had been promised all the grades and a money payment for doing what might have been done (without danger) by ordinary type punch-cutters. This may have been necessary as a proper safeguard of the Knowledge, but it's decidedly rough on the G[rand] T[reasurer] G[eneral] and unfair to those who do help by paying. S.L. asks what is to be done about Althea [Althea Hobbs], A.W. [Anna Wright] and Hammond. I say he can call them honorary members. I don't think it is right that those who contribute nil should share in the full privileges, there should be some clear understanding about this, or later, trouble will arise. It was unavoidable at the start I dare say.
I have now had time to consider things and am sending the J.B. Mason Epistle (to L.B.K.) to be printed. I should be able to pay the first two now and it seems safe. Sending the M.S. to editors means months of delay, better to print it and give permission to copy it by the press generally. The pity of too little money is that it would be a great economy of postage if I could send it along with other pamphlets, but it will take some time to send round the Press, and I may have copies soon.
It all feels rather futile. One wants thousands and all one's time, to do things properly. However, the only thing is to do one's possible, and leave the event where it is sure. A high class monthly with a big Review list and fee [free?] list is what we want.
By way of Record.
It is really premature, as I haven't any time to study the papers thoroughly, or puzzle out certain points, but I want to jot down something about the Knowledge. The general feelings of happiness and satisfaction at having reached this point (tho' not the ultimate point). My impression was that the previous document gave the Gain rather than the Ouranian aspect, and what I wanted was to get at the aspect of the matter from the upper plane, as it were, and to comprehend better wherein its holiness consists. Now I am more satisfied, it reconciles many things and more pieces of the puzzle get fitted into their correct place. It is also more consonant with my own nature to follow out the holier aspect of the thing. Naturally, I understand the substance of the Sacrament, but not the still mysterious third thing, nor even how properly to conjoin the first two. And in this connection, it has always seemed to me to be inferred that somehow the blood of the Moon, or that rose which is now white, now red, plays a part, how, or just why, I don't know.
The Trigram of the Order, I seem to see plainly what it conveys. More striking this if the letters are imagines as moveable and the tau capable of being turned with the shaft upwards.
I can only infer in a rough way that the three principles of Duty are equivalent to what on the material plane we may call sowing, Bearing the Fruit, all these apparently separate things being but one thing and by the operation of One.
I have taken a step nearer the comprehension of how Deus est homo, and of one's own Divine nature—Much more I might say but the old Enemy-Time, forbids. Gratitude it not forgotten. More! when I've really got the pearl detached from the Oyster.
F[iat] P[ax]
S.L. sent me draft of 2 notices he proposed to put up. (1) About the books in Library. (2) Each member to contribute 6d towards entertainment after meetings. I added to this a note to candidates to remind them that the ancient and immemorial custom that they entertain their initiators to a 'Banquet' is to be adhered to, but that in our present circumstances it will be regarded as good form to provide the very simplest form of entertainment, as for example cakes and Dandelion—I kicked at the lavishness when I was up, as it was charged, I discovered, when I got the Report, to Lodge Funds. They meant well, but—"don't do it again"—I made out a third notice as to the duty of members to help to distribute the literature—It is apt to scare them, and I have said that there is no call for the foolish zeal of the ordinary tract distributor, and that there are many ways of quietly and unostentatiously spreading the Law.
I enclose S.L.'s latest letter acknowledging inter alia the receipt of your Astrological commission. In other matters I feel myself fortunate to have secured so valuable and sound-headed a helper. I don't know yet whom he means by important people. If I could only get their addresses I'd have sent the tracts to people like Edward Carpenter, Cunningham Graham, and so on. Can you suggest any way, specially? I'm sending out I naturally mentioned your name, in the case of Shirley [Ralph Shirley] and Austin Harrison.
The Boleskine cheque has now come. I shall enclose two 'Epistles' [£5 notes] or for safety one this week and one next week. (Brother Claypole is active near you). The amount you will understand is now £27-10 per quarter. I've already sent you 10 in advance, 10 above and should manage 10 in Nov. After that we'll 'do our best' for you—as I've already said, heavy expenses come on at the year-end.
I've paid the bill for printing the last two 'tracts', I feel safe for the J.B. Mason one, especially as I'm not rubricating this one. The cost of these two inclusive carriages came to £14—a good deal more than in pre-war days.
London [Lodge] is paying the actual removal costs but they can't relieve me of the storage charges yet. They seem hopeful of being able to take larger premises next year, and that will be a considerable burden off me. It would not be wise at present, to demand contributions to G[rand] L[odge]. It depends on how many new people they get to join. A man in London I meant to secure—art editor of the Graphic has just died. He went out to see one of there magnificent pyrotechnic displays with which kind brother Noah[1] at vast expense regales the London populace; got pneumonia and passed.
H[ammond] in spite of promises has sent no proofs or anything, so I have 0 to enclose. In spite of his delinquencies which seem mainly to arise from a curious lethargy he is certainly absolutely loyal and devoted and for that much may be forgiven. I had a serious talk with, or rather to him and am sure he is trustworthy, save where keeping a promise is concerned.
Another letter from Fra Psi [in Greek]. Not very encouraging as far as taking a helpful interest in concerned—Enclosed.
I had to write to Stansfield Jones this week. I thought it wise to send him a copy unofficially and informally of the S[outh] A[frican] letter, making it clear that I had no instructions to do so, that I know his financial difficulties, and that it is not pointed at him. Without hurting his feelings, it will make the new policy clear.
Well I must close, lots of things get omitted which are not to be regarded as not attended to. Time is the enemy.
Love is the law, love under will.
Fraternally.
F[iat] P[ax]
Portrait of Proteus! arrived this a.m. Oct 12. You do look fit.
1—[For 'Noah' read 'Germans'. Gerald Yorke.]
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