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Correspondence from Michael Sadleir [Constable & Co., Publishers of Laughing Torso] to Charles Harper [Waterhouse & Co., Solicitors for Constable & Co.]
[Correspondence concerning Constable & Co.'s preparation for the libel suit brought by Aleister Crowley against Nina Hamnett and the publication of her book Laughing Torso.]
October 15th, 1932
Dear Harper,
As there was not much opportunity yesterday of private discussion of the TORSO affair, I am afraid it went out of my head to leave you the enclosed second letter which Mr. Kyllmann has had from Miss Violet Hunt. As you will see she amounts to nothing at all, and apart from the information regarding Crowley's new address we are just about where we were when we started. It is a curious collapse, and I do not know whether she's got frightened or whether all the chat about being able to help us was merely a try on to get a copy of the book. Kyllmann has nor acknowledged this letter and so it had better join the others in your possession.
I also want to draw your attention to the underlined passage in the NEWS OF THE WORLD'S report of the injunction hearing. You will see that they make the judge say in so many words "this is not only a libel, but an obscene libel". Of course he said nothing of the kind and I imagine that we have serious grounds for complaint of a mis-representation. Whether there is any point in making further trouble and going to further expense we are all doubtful, but I think I ought to call your attention to this mis-representation.
Yours sincerely,
C.J.S. Harper Esq., Messrs Waterhouse & Co., 10-12 Bishopsgate, E.C.2.
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