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Correspondence from Charles Harper [Waterhouse & Co., Solicitors for Constable & Co.] to Michael Sadleir [Constable & Co., Publishers of Laughing Torso]
[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.]
Waterhouse & Co. Solicitors 10 & 12 Bishopsgate, London, E.C.2.
30th March 1933
CROWLEY
Dear Sadleir,
Thanks for your letter of yesterday.
As I did not hear from you I assumed that you approved the particulars and delivered them.
I do not know where to get accurate news of Crowley's intentions. Nina Hamnett was not to be drawn by Betty May. I dislike the idea of costs being incurred in a case where the plaintiff has no real grievance and where we shall never be able to get the costs out of him. But I dislike still more the idea of coming to any settlement with such a person and the use he would make of it.
Before the action can be entered for trial Crowley must pay a fee of £2, before his solicitors deliver their brief to counsel they are pretty certain to require a substantial payment from Crowley in respect of counsel's fees, and before the trial can commence thirteen guineas in cash must be found by Crowley for the special jury, seeing that it was asked for at his expense. Where is all the money to come from?
Meanwhile no serious costs are being incurred on our side.
Yours sincerely,
Charles S.J. Harper
Michael Sadleir, Esq., 10 & 12, Orange Street, Leicester Square, W.C.2.
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