|
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 29th, 1932
Dear Harper,
I have made an inquiry as to the possibility of getting a copy of GILLE DE RAIS [The Banned Lecture], but so far without effect.
A man was in here yesterday who told me that a certain Booth Clibbon [Arthur Booth-Clibborn] now believed to be living in Heath Studios, Vale of Heath, or at any rate working for Intourist, the Russian travel agency, lived for some years with A.C. and is an authority on his habits. He appears to be a grandson of General Booth but not I gather a faithful soldier in the army of salvation.
His name was given to me couples with the suggestion that he was so hard up that my informant was sure he would be glad to give any assistance in his power. This sounds to me a little like a suggestion of bought evidence and may therefore be wiser unpursued. I send you the facts, however, for what they are worth and in case you think they might be casually handed on to [Martin] O'Connor [solicitor for Nina Hamnett] for him to treat as he thinks fit.
Yours sincerely,
C.J.S. Harper Esq., Messrs Waterhouse & Co., 10-12 Bishopsgate, E.C.2.
|