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Correspondence from Aleister Crowley to Gerald Yorke
Hotel Foyet Paris
23-3-28 e.v. [23 March 1928]
C∴F∴
93.
Yours of 20th—many thanks.
Surprised at Amexco. They assured me that 3000 francs would cover everything. However, I expect there will be no duty to pay, so you should get your cheque back in time.
We'll have to discuss the problems of Bk 4 Pt III [Magick in Theory and Practice] when the time comes.
I don't think you quite understand about :The Magician:.[1] (From one or two things you say, I wonder if a letter of mine has not gone astray. It's a hell of a handicap not being able to make copies.) The lawsuit is a pretext for a business deal.
Vindication. I'm quite ready to stand or fall by what I have really done. This matter is not a question of morals, but of facts. And I am not a cocaine pedlar, cannibal, white-slaver, traitor, etc—sorry if I'm destroying your illusions about me!
The money problem is indeed most serious. Various sums due have not arrived so far. The F[ontaine]bleau question involves packing up all the MSS etc. I had got them all out and started to sort them, expecting Mrs W[alker] to, come over and help with the work.
At the moment it will require a young miracle to get food even for the day!
It is particularly annoying as I have now got my right magical partner [Kasimira Bass], and big Work has been begun. But the case is the same there—money due from U.S.A. three weeks ago and nothing arrived.
The hotel is looking irritable too!
Really, there is no way out that I can see except to borrow in the regular business way on the tangible security of the stock. (People in Paris won't lend on stock in London. If it were here I could raise £500 easily enough).
With your business experience, energy, and good credit, you ought to be able to put this through. Something of the sort must really be done. Living from hand to mouth with no reserves means complete paralysis of all work.
And if one is thrown into the street with all one's luggage held it destroys one's credit in the quarter. Very expensive; not having some £25, the damage runs into hundreds!
I really wish you could send me, preferably by International Telegraphic M.O. this £25 which would save the situation for a month, and give time for the cash due to us to come along.
I have recovered from Collins the full rights of "The Diary of a Drug Fiend"—got their letter last night—and expect to be able to sell the book here to Titus [Edward W. Titus], who is really interested, especially on account of "The Magician" publicity.
But the negotiations will take some time, I fear. And of course it limits my power of bargaining to be driverless.
This is all so infuriating because Mrs W. had my full confidence. She had always been as good as, or better than, her word; and her sudden causeless breakdown is exhausting. The waste of it all!.
I hope to write more cheerfully in a day or two
93 93/93.
Fraternally,
666.
P.S. We can reconstitute the raided fund from the Pickford settlement, or whatever big deal is first over here.
1—[Refers to Somerset-Maugham's book The Magician and the subsequent movie based on it.]
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