JONES v. THE LOOKING GLASS PUBLISHING

COMPANY, LIMITED, AND OTHERS.

(Before Mr. Justice Scrutton and a Common Jury)

This was an action for damages for an alleged libel appearing in The Looking Glass of 26 November 1910. The action was brought by Mr. George Cecil Jones, a consulting chemist, against the publishers, editor, and printers of the paper known as The Looking Glass, in respect of certain statements connecting him with one Aleister Crowley, who was alleged to be a person of disgraceful and criminal character, and the founder of a sect styled The Equinox.

On Saturday 29th October 1910 an article appeared in The Looking Glass titled ‘An Amazing Sect’ which attacked Crowley and the A∴A∴

On Saturday 26 November 1910 the third part to the article appeared, naming Jones and Allan Bennett and hinting at unnatural associations with Crowley. Jones took The Looking Glass to court for libel and the case opened on Wednesday, 26 April 1911, at the King’s Bench Division, London Law Courts. Jones did not call Crowley as a witness and neither did Crowley put himself forward and offer his assistance as Jones’s friend. The case ended the following day and the Jury sided in favor of The Looking Glass. Jones felt betrayed by Crowley and their friendship ended, as does Crowley’s friendship with J.F.C. Fuller who felt Crowley should have defended Jones in court.