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Correspondence from Aleister Crowley to Norman Mudd
50 rue Vavin Paris VIe
26-3-24 e.v.
C∴F∴
93
Your 'ghoulish' letter was certainly a masterpiece of misleading!
A bombshell burst whole under me from another quarter this morning: so I said: well, I can't get more blown up, so I'll open the fatal letter. Nothing in it but the most splendid encouragement! I wired, after due consideration: Opened letters: apologize: agree: will leave for London directly Alostrael [Leah Hirsig] arrives: send any available cash journey and help Bourcier.
Incidentally, it is most urgent—to avoid a stupid possible snag—that I leave not later than Sunday next.
Bernard H[arrison] called: I think that Austin [Austin Harrison] will help seriously now that I am ready to "stand up to the Sunday Express" as he phrases it.
B.H., has wired and I have written direct, asking him for help as to (a) a solicitor (b) comfort to prepare attack (c) medical assistance.
You may be able to help him to understand what I mean.
Sorry about ARS—especially after that proud bugle-blast that he was coming to set the sick man free. However, all we need do is to replace the dropped E.
You can prepare a plan of campaign on the lines you lay down.
I quite admit your criticism of my strategy to late.
There are one or two points, however, to which you must see. E.g. Bill [William Seabrook]. You begin by accusing him of the blackest treachery. I defend him. You manage at last to work me round to your point of view—and the next thing is that you justify him in all points!
Typical of the self-contradictory nature of Ruach.
I want to find a couple of rooms in some quiet but airy street or square. The first floor flat at 31 Wellington Square would do, and it is good to be with people that know me. One does not want trouble with landladies, as Jane [Jane Wolfe] had. It might be possible to find a studio to let furnished. In any case, I shall have to be looked after rather carefully and here, too, the h [Heroin] question arises. Withdrawal means starting asthma until one is too weak to cough; but I can doubtless pull through that—there being no moral craving—if I have absolute quiet and good nursing. But that is incompatible with fighting, or even preparing, the case; so one must either procure a supply, or find a doctor with brains and pluck enough to keep me going till after the victory.
I see quite clearly now that worldly wisdom is often a disguise for cowardice; also that false pride does the same kind office, and leads moreover to far more humiliating calamities than any amount of "touching pitch."
I have been very excited all day, of course, and must not write any more. There should be ample time after Sunday; so please concentrate on (a) getting me across the channel (b) preparing a place for me. (I shall probably arrive in the last stage of exhaustion, and need to go to bed at once in a place not a hotel.)
Love is the law, love under will.
Fraternally yours
The Beast 666.
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