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Correspondence from Aleister Crowley to Norman Mudd
50 rue Vavin Paris VIe
[14 March 1924]
C∴F∴
Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law.
Yesterday I sent you the Hammond [Benjamin Charles Hammond] papers. A touch of the whip perhaps; but this is needed. His actions certainly require explanation before I resume the old relations—if he desires to do so.
I think Hardelot [France] is the ideal place for the rest-cure; it is bracing, and I could even potter about the golf course (closed in winter, so free) for exercise. And it is near England—just outside Boulogne—in case of need for me to come to London, or you or others to see me there. Later, should I come to some arrangement with Austin [Austin Harrison], I might take a small cottage at Seaford, so that we could have frequent conferences. I enclose in this, or a near-subsequent letter, a detailed scheme which may serve to solve the main problem on sound economic lines.
A few suggestions (no more!) for the immediate help. (1) B[enjamin] C[harles] H[ammond], properly instructed, might be fir to receive the enclosed letter. He had helped us in the past by loans (Technically, of course, he owes us a lot for fees etc. of O.T.O. but that must pass. His attitude about it is most mysterious—ever since the police raided poor old Mrs. Davies [Mary Davies]—a foolish war-hysteria blackguards) and hospitality (2) Gwendolen Otter was a dear friend of mine of many years standing. I can't even make out whether she turned suddenly against me (summer and autumn of '22) or not! But if you can see her, she might be useful in many ways. She fancies herself a literary patroness—it's really sexual misery. She is passionate and ugly: also (I guess shrewdly) congenitally wrong somehow.
Friday. Not so well to-day, but will get out for 1/2 hour, on principle. My one idea for now will be to help you all I can, with implicit trust.
Enclosed certainly supports your view of Austin. But it does not make him ineligible as a Trustee: the slave can serve (Jones [George Cecil Jones] refused to resign, as my previous nominees were not of 'adequate position', in his view.) My idea of the right policy is to get Jones to write a cheque at once on grounds of urgency, and to consent to a conference at which the whole business could be settled amiably once for all. I enclose, however, a general authorization as to appoint my new trustees, on the chance that you might find it of use. (Wish I had word from you direct on the matter, though.)
I mean to be very patient, and to drag myself slowly up the hill—while you construct the Funicular Ry!
666.
I shall at present write no important letters except through you. 666.
[enclosure]
50 rue Vavin Paris VIe
March 14, '24 e.v.
I am willing to appoint any of the following persons to act as Trustees of my Settlement, provided that they pledge themselves to observe its spirit, which is: to assist the necessity of any of the beneficiaries, [illegible] due inquiry. Norman Mudd M.A. Camb. [illegible]. Austin Harrison, Benj, Chas Hammond.
With regard to Mr. G.C. Jones, I am willing for him to continue to act, on the above understanding, after a personal conference with him.
Edward Alexander Crowley.
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