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Correspondence from David Curwen to Aleister Crowley
May. 13th 1947
7a Melcombe Street, Baker Street NW1
Dear Brother Crowley,
For we are Brothers in that we believe that there is a spiritual as well as a material world, and have tried for many years to elucidate some of the Mysteries of that place to which we all travel. Each man knows himself how successful he has been.
I have received your letter, and can only regret that you have seen fit to use such words as "trickster," "calculator," "without honour," etc., etc. applying them to me. I have to smile to think how little they fit me. Were I to have more of these things in my character, maybe, I would succeed a little more in commercial life. As it is, I worked twenty-six years to build up a business only to lose everything in the war when lots of people in my calling made fortunes.
However I still play fair in everything I do, or try to. Having given you £35 for telling me something I had already heard of as a sex perversion, I went home that day from your house, feeling as one who has been "Had"; but I took the whole blame on myself. I did not say in my mind that you had tricked me, I said in my mind "well, serves you jolly well right, after thirty years you should have known better." "Now stay away, and you will not get hurt again." All this at a time when every penny counted, and still counts. The same as it hurt me when having invested five pounds in a box of cigars for you, later as a present, you just took them without a word of thanks when I visited you. I told myself in excuse for you that you were just absent minded.
I write in answer to your letter, although you have seen fit to abuse me, because for some reason I have a soft spot somewhere for you. Although my fortunes are not good and I am not in any position to help you for the moment, I wanted to retain your friendship to the last, and some day, when convenient, see you again.
I never claimed any cleverness on my part, but the bitter lesson in commercial life have taught me, that when one has a claim, he must back it with a document signed and witnessed. I have no such paper from you making me participator in the Sovereign Sanctuary of the O.T.O. I have never seen anything in black and white proving to me that there is such an organization. Even if there was, I really want no part of it.
I have told you again and again, although I have never met a person to say a good word for you to encourage me to be friendly to you, yet I have never deserted you; for notwithstanding everything I have the highest regard for one has written so much and thought so long on occult things. Even "Dion Fortune," who you claimed was your understudy, told me herself she had never met you. In her book on the Qabalah, she says this in print as well. Surely you must realize what a strain this has been to me to be friendly with you still. Here is no trickster; as a reader of character this must have been quite plain to you whenever you have met and conversed with me.
Let us be good friends. In the long run, you will be glad.
I will help you when I can, meanwhile best of good wishes to you.
Yours Fraternally,
David Curwen
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