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Correspondence from Aleister Crowley to Norman Mudd
Hotel Au Souffle du Zephyr, Marsa Plage, Tunis.
May 21, 1923 e.v.
Care Frater,
93
Yours of May 14.
(Re [James] Doughty—see separate page which you may wish to send on as is. I have a copy. 31-666-31 [Leah Hirsig])
Frederick Travis— You have misunderstood my remarks on Absinthe, accusing me of undistributed middle or worse. My argument was not that legal restrictions cause abuse of a given beverage or drug, but that their absence does not imply it.
Jane [Jane Wolfe] Bishop James—is he one of the Wedgwood [James Ingall Wedgwood] Gang? Of Brother Ramanada, I remember that I objected to him as making false statements about his origin—or reported as doing so by Starr. Claimed to have been born and brought up in Himalayan monastery; really a [illegible].
Achad [Charles Stansfeld Jones] I quite agree with what Achad says and wait for his scientific proof with pleasure. I see no reason for not trusting him but for his own sake I want him to behave in such a way as will cause him to be respected by ordinary people who don't know the inner side of things. I don't understand about the Seabrook [William Seabrook] article, not having seen any.
I leave it in your hands but my idea would be to get her to make an affidavit through my lawyers stating that her story was false and explaining why she acted like that. Giving full particulars of [illegible] of cause.
She should be assured that we feel nothing but love for her but that of course we can do nothing to prevent her own acts working out their natural and necessary effects. It is for her own sake that we urge her to undo the mischief she has done as far as possible. I feel that Betty's letter is in essence a cry for help. She should have it. Starting with her the other liars might be induced to confess. They are all old bastards with no real grievance against any of us. Between their bitter feelings and [illegible] caused by Betty's collapse they might all come forward in remorse.
I shall write to Dorothy later but rely on you to give details about Scorpio!
Despite my conscience, I find myself automatically forced into feeling better every day. My sleep is coming back slowly and so is my creative energy. With luck another week or two should see me in really fine shape. I am glad I came here instead of going South. That would have been a little too much of a kill or cure scheme and as it turns out it ought to be all right here.
93 93/93
Fraternally,
The Beast 666.
P.S. Also enclosing excerpts from Diary of 666, Game of Chess of which 666 is very proud. Rats! but it's very interesting the way in which my apparently deliberate defence suddenly [illegible] with an overwhelming attack without effort.
P.P.S. Please consider what is best to do about the 10 cases of pictures, books, cushions, easel, statue of Ho' Tai and clothes of A.C. etc. which are in the hands c/o American Express Co. (see files 1923 for correspondence) A.C. paid up the storage charges, also for transportation to Cefalu, when he was there last. The expulsion caused me to write to the A.E.C. to hold them a while longer. Meanwhile storage charges start again—on the other hand, the moment may not be propitious.
Also—The A.E.C. in Palermo promised to look up our Tunis stuff (they hold the papers). The gentleman in charge was so busy flirting with me that he couldn't talk and if he is able to rescue anything to send it to Cefalu or back to Tunis! There's some wine, [illegible] etc.—A note from you will probably get him going again, or if you visit Palermo, do you mind calling?
Did you receive a Post Card from us? It was an experiment.
Another thing. Beast seems upset about Achad—has been on and off for some time. He . . .
[The remainder of the letter is lost.]
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