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Correspondence from N. J. N. Foreman to Aleister Crowley
142 Fletching Road, E. 5.
3/1/30 [3 January 1930]
Dear Beast,
This is indeed a bloody business.
Upon receipt of your instructions, I, as a precaution, sought the advice of a man who knows M. better than I. This friend, a retired Secret Service Agent, and a man of honour, told me that M. was a "bullshitter," but quite sound and could safely be approached. Alas! Neither this good man nor myself really thought that there was such a bloody tool in the world—outside Colney Hatch and similar places of rest. Anyway, I duly waited on M. and explained the situation—only to meet opprobrium of abuse. Inter Alia he pointed out that (a) there was no need for daft patriotism in peace time (b) there were people out of work to do it (c) that it was my duty to work to make dividends and that I should not—and he would make sure of it—have any time for this sort of thing (d) my requirements—merely a floating lunch hour—should not be complied with (e) that only a damned fool would do such a thing for nothing (f) it was only a political stunt and so on—take the other headings to (z) as read.
I went back to my friend who was mildly surprised but opined that it would be the easiest thing in the world to show M. when he alighted.
"All you have to do" said he "is to write a letter to your friend simply to the effect that—for business reasons, you must resign immediately. Then, your friend can all upon M. produce this letter of resignation and ask him, politely but firmly, whether it was written with his knowledge or sanction. He will then climb down like an [illegible] monkey."
If you can authorise me to write such a letter of resignation and if you or anyone else can act on it (which I doubt) well and good. If not, I must pack up at once.
It must always be kept in mind that M. is really dependent on H.M. Government for his dividends.
I am sorry, but neither my friend (who is greater than I) nor myself seriously thought that the man was such a bloody fool.
I enclose letter from S.R.S.M.[?].
Please let me hear from you by return.
N. J. N. Foreman
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