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Correspondence from Wilfred Talbot Smith to Aleister Crowley
21 August 36
Care Frater 666
93
I have delayed writing to you for several days until the tempest at hand had cleared up, but a bomb has just fallen on my head. However let me start at the beginning.
Thursday night the 13th I received an anonymous phone call, telling me Jacobi's [Oliver Jacobi] activities in connection with an immoral Order, in the 3° of which the candidate was stripped naked, were being investigated by the Gas Company's officials, as well as his personal conduct in living openly with a woman; and that he would doubtless lose his job.
I naturally phoned him right away, the result being that on Friday the 14th he did not appear at the Lodge. A special delivery letter came later in the evening in which he stated he wanted to sever his relations with us. I had advised him in the conversation over the phone to go straight to the head of the firm.
Sunday morning he phoned and came over to see me. I had a short talk with him, Jane [Jane Wolfe] and Marguerite, his girl friend, being present. I repeated the advice of 'see the head of the firm', and made some general remarks about sticking to one's principles at all costs. He came out with the statement that was the conclusion that he had come to, recollecting his own statement on a special occasion, "In my Self".
Sunday night he performed the Deacon's part [in the Gnostic Mass], and told me he was going to have the interview with the President of the firm Monday morning.
Monday night I phoned Jacobi. He said he has a fine interview, and that an 'ambassador' was coming to se me. Sensing a disinclination to talk, and thinking someone else might be in the room with him, I said no more. Not hearing from him, and not being able to contact him, I have waited as patiently as may be.
Regina [Regina Kahl] saw him last night, he would hardly open the car window to talk with her. In almost a frantic way he told her he was through with us all, and did not want to see any of us again, that he had sent all the books of the order to you, a copy of 0° and I°.
There it all is. I am guessing what was said at the interview to turn him so completely around. Of course I had a job to straighten him out over the last letter from you and the last wire to Max [Max Schneider]. But I thought on Sunday the danger was finally past.
What kind of fear have they put into him? I know at first he was scared of losing his job, but it can't only be that. I am frankly astounded. We have always been the best of friends. My goodness, this is a job to carry on.
I do wish you would write: I have missed your letters. I always do. I have some little understanding what you must have felt about Jones [Charles Stansfeld Jones] and the many other chelas you have had. It certainly is a heart ache, and one wonders who will be next.
Well, I'm trying to speculate with Regina what on earth could have been said to Jacobi and get nowhere. Regina sends her love, and tells you to say we will carry on.
Please send back the records so we don't have to buy a new set; and I have not the figures in my head, of course.
93 93/93
Fraternally
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