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Correspondence from Aleister Crowley to Louis Umfreville Wilkinson
Louis Wilkinson Grove Heart Ripley Surrey
Nov 7-8 42
140 Picadilly
Dear Louis
This afternoon I had to dash out to catch a fat trout who was not rising after 3 P.M. hence my rushed scrawl: in case you don't get the M.S. (as you should) by the first post you will know what to do.
Catherine to tea: her first "observation" sets a high standard. "Oh! That's socialism". Joy unfettered reigned here for the rest of the afternoon. She told me several other things. E.g. R.C.'s wear crosses because they know the "Catholics do". They do not connect it with any story of the crucifixion; and though they know that "Christ was crucified" they don't know what crucifixion means. Again, they gabble Latin prayers, learnt by heart, and don't know the meaning, or want to. "The priest told me to say it 10 times because I let the milkman. . ." To them it is just an inscrutable spell to avert some obscure misfortune.
Hard to believe? Well, yesterday I gave the Tub [Alice Upham] "the fun of the fair". She reported it as "interesting". I hardly know why I questioned her, or what question I asked: "Well, what's it about"? or something like that. After much hesitation she said that she supposed it was Moscow. I called her attention to the fact that N.[ijni] N.[ovgorod] occurs on nearly every page, with the plainest account of booking my seat, starting, the journey, arriving and so on. After long thought she asked: "Hasn't it got something to do with a station?" White resigned: After that it fell flat that she had no idea of "Ichabod" and never heard of Jeremiah.
Your "slogan" idea. Yes: Booth-Clibborn [Arthur Booth-Clibborn], grandson of the old Jew pawnbroker's-assistant that exploited Xtianity so cleverly—said that "Do what thou wilt" was a perfect slogan. Law: "thou hast no right but to do thy will". In our system offence is reduced to a single idea: it is 'wrong' to deprive another of what is his. Thus, murder, is taking his life; legislation, his freedom; theft, his property; libel, his honour, and so on. There is of course one legitimate type of law: any rule compliance which makes for the advantage (in the matter at issue) of all. E.g. the "rule of the road"—or, for that matter, of cricket or chess. I do not think that agreement with this thesis need alter the main principles of existing law to any extent; but thus to simplify the conception, and to be able to manifest intelligible reasons for any proposed convention, seems to me an immense gain.
Then, as to punishment, the Mikado had the right idea. We cured children of picking and stealing at Cefalú very simply. We told the offender that he had got hold of a splendid idea; in future; anyone could take anything he wanted. Then (coached) we all went off with his things—much dearer to him than anything he could possibly steal—and it was never as long as two days before he revised his ideas radically. And he was aware of the reason of the Law of Property. Borstal prison, approved schools, never secure that; they increase envy, provoke hatred of society, encourage cunning and deceit.
Well, this is a very long letter, and it is nearly one o' clock; so here's hoping to see you this next week.
Love is the law, love under will.
Yours ever
Aleister
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