|
Correspondence from George MacNie Cowie to Aleister Crowley
14 Glenisla Gardens. Edinburgh.
20-22 Feb 1917 e.v.
Care Frater.
Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law.
That business of the mortgage [on Boleskine] is now settled and in a way unhoped for in the past. Same interest as before pro tem. The credit for this is due in the first place to Mary [Mary Davies], next to one of our sisters—Mrs Donald—who is Scots—. It must be regarded as a strictly business transaction. The interest is part of her income so I have impressed on the lawyers that the interest (4%) is to be a first charge on the property. As mentioned before, I had arranged with them—to simplify things in the event of accident misfortune to myself—that they will receive the rent, pay all the charges on the property, and remit to me, only the net proceeds quarterly. This is to guard against another great grasshopper act. It's unfortunate that all the heavy charges come on just in midwinter.
The B. Priestess is still wrapped in mystery. I hope the matter of her reception can be delayed till we hear of you can throw any light on the scene. The latest is that she is perhaps as it seems to me, a wooden headed puppet moved by Kennedy—who is in London I am told—. That would account for her knowledge, which rather impressed me, of certain private matters. I will know more when Mary is here. She had not too much time for writing, and only mentioned in a hurried way that there is some book out, against us, and containing all our rituals. Kennedy I believe was in possession of these. She also mentions that K. is acting along with some one she refers to as B.C. I don't recognise the initials. I will add, infra, if I have any further information before mail time.
Both Mary and her husband will be here on Thu. for a week. He is too much of an invalid just now to be left behind. It is difficult to exaggerate all that we, and I personally, owe to Mary. Without her, I could have done nothing in London, and she has made real sacrifices. Practically every new member has been brought in by her, besides, and the membership is steadily growing. H.Q. is perhaps growing on rather milk and watery lines, but for a start, that is all for the best, as attracting a very large class of the B[ritish] P[ublic]—by which I don't mean the Buddhist P.—It is unavoidable in these time that the feminine element should be so strong, can't be helped.
I'll be disappointed if the devotee of the great gawd Budd. turns out a myth as regards ability to help. I had had rosy visions of a D.G.S.G. who could put her hands into her breeches (this is almost literal) pockets when it was desirable, and make all serene. The vain Seeker of Serenity appears to be going to be disappointed again. Let's hope not.
The atmosphere to me still has an unpleasant cerulean tinge, but I hope to manage a Nairne [banknote] next week—out of my own breeches. Anything else, even from a sales, is impossible. Living expenses keep going up—and you will find it the same all over there—and I can hardly get down to greater simplicity, so my surplus income is always diminishing. Nothing to do but to sit tight and hope for funerals! Though, really, I'd feel quite all right, if only assured that you were making enough to live in comfort at least, and pay a printer or two.
By bragging about my recovered health, I landed myself with another cold last week, but having taken it in time, I have shaken it off.
By the way I got a letter last week from Sierra Leone, posted 16th May 1916. It had been directed to Glensea Roads Edinburgh. Another letter a week or two before informed me that the Lodge had been duly established under S[outh] A[frica]. Fortunately there was not the usual request for books or properties.
I understand that the typing of V. of S. [Voice of the Silence] is now completed and only lacking the finishing.
[The remainder of this letter is missing.]
|