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Correspondence from John Jameson to Aleister Crowley
11 Jan 39
My dear Aleister.
Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law.
I fully realised that I was teaching my grandmother to suck eggs, but I did want to make it clear that the matter had a certain amount of consideration. I have never read such tripe as you write about ski-ing and my 'sissy' sports. It looked like some irascible Colonel writing a 'things-are-not-as-they-were' letter to the papers. You obviously write with a complete ignorance of the facts. (You even say I have been in the habit of shooting driven pheasants. I wouldn't mind if I had, but in point of fact, I haven't shot a driven bird of any kind for over a year) I agree with you that to win races should not be the final aim of ski-ing, but racing is an essential part of the training, as are many other things, which can be learnt better and more cheaper in a centre like Davos or Andermatt. If you think that after my fortnight of last year I am equipped to go touring without a guide in the high Alps you are welcome to do so. In point of fact, if the weather hadn't broken—although we may get it yet—three others and myself were going up to a hut for two nights. The leader of the party was a member of one of the Everest expeditions, and in point of fact, has asked me to come out again to do some touring and climbing.
I am sad about the cigars, especially that you only had one. The cough and cold were already with me when I left home. The hotels are over-heated but I have drunk practically no cocktails.
I don't know what all this domestic decoration is about but am sending a cheque.
Love is the law, love under will.
John
(If I don't arrive when I am expected, it's because I'm snowed up in a hut).
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