Nyt archive

Oxford, MondayA lecture which was to have been given to the University Poetry Society to-night by Mr Aleister Crowley has been officially banned. Mr Crowley, who was to have spoken on the fifteenth-century magician Gilles de Rais, has received notice from Mr H Speaight, the secretary of the Poetry Society, not to come to Oxford as disciplinary action would be taken if his lecture were delivered here. The secretary’s letter was as follows:- I am writing to tell you that we have been unfortunately forced to cancel next Monday’s meeting of the Poetry Society. It has come to our knowledge that if your proposed paper is delivered disciplinary action will be taken involving not only myself but the rest of the members of the society. In these circumstances you will, I trust, understand why we have had to cancel the meeting. Mr Crowley’s StatementRaoul Loveday, who was his secretary. He also said: “Perhaps the refusal to let me lecture has come because Gilles de Rais … [Read more...] about Ban on Aleister Crowley lecture at Oxford University – archive, 1930

The "black magic" libel action again came before Mr. Justice Swift and a special jury in the King's Bench Division yesterday. Mr. Aleister Crowley, the author, claimed damages against Miss Nina Hamnett, authoress of a book entitled "Laughing Torso," and Messrs. Constable and Co., Limited, the publishers, and Messrs. Charles Whittingham and Briggs, the printers. Mr. Crowley complained that the book imputed that he practised "black magic" and he said this was a libel upon him. The defence was a plea of justification. At the material time Mr. Crowley had a villa on the mountain-side at Cefalu, Sicily, which was known as the "Abbey of Thelema." He denied that he practised "black magic" there. He also denied that a baby mysteriously disappeared, as the defence alleged, from the "Abbey." Mr. Martin O'Connor (for Miss Hamnett) resuming his cross-examination yesterday, invited Mr. Crowley to try his magic in court. "You said yesterday," said Mr O'Connor, "that, as the result of early … [Read more...] about From the archive, 13 April 1934: “Black Magic” Libel Action

To get a truer sense of how Moscow has developed since the 1970s, we looked back through the Guardian’s photographic archives – now housed in the GNM Archive – then commissioned photographer Maria Ionova-Gribina from Salt Images to take a series of pictures from the same viewpoints. In some cases, what’s striking is not so much what has changed as what looks exactly the same – aside from the clothes and hairstyles, of course. In other images, look out for the appearance of a new statue, Coca-Cola sign or – no surprise this – large traffic jam. Читать эту статью по-русски Twenty-five years after my first visit, how has Moscow changed? Topics Cities Guardian Moscow week Moscow holidays Russia Photography Russia holidays Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share via Email Share on LinkedIn Share on Pinterest Share on WhatsApp Share on Messenger … [Read more...] about Moscow then and now – interactive with photographs from the Guardian archive

A t a time when Wales is rejoicing over the imminent return to Welsh rugby of a certain George Philip North, and in the week that Wales face South Africa in Cardiff, it only seems right to look back on winger's Test debut. The Springboks were the first side to end up on the receiving end of North’s pace and power all the way back in 2010, before he went on to become a household name. His tally at Test level, now just 25 years old, sits at 32 tries in 72 Tests. Then just 18 years-old, North crossed twice for Wales on his first cap, a Test debut for the ages when you consider how swiftly he found his feet on the international stage. Warren Gatland quipped, with a wry smile on his face in the post-match press conference: “He was OK, wasn’t he?” His arrival on the Test scene, people proclaimed at the time, marked the arrival in the sport of 'giant' wingers, with North being 6 ft 4 1 ⁄ 2 and 109kg. … [Read more...] about Try from the archives: George North shines on debut against South Africa

A dramatic wartime account by a member of a lost party of soldiers who were rescued by a heroic British carrier pigeon has been uncovered. Lieutenant James Leak was one of almost 700 men who became cut off during a major offensive on German positions towards the end of the First World War. In the six days of being encircled by enemy forces deep in a French forest almost 200 men were killed either by constant German shelling or friendly fire from confused Allies unaware of their true position. Runners made repeated attempts to get word back to headquarters of the location of the so-called Lost Battalion but each time they were intercepted by the enemy. The stranded group then tried using carrier pigeons to send messages only to see them shot out of the sky by German snipers. It was the British bird named Cher Ami that saved them by flying 25 miles in as many minutes to deliver the life-saving message despite being badly wounded. The heroic exploits of a British carrier … [Read more...] about Letters by captured officer in ‘Lost Battalion’ emerge for sale: Incredible tale of how US soldiers were cut off by German offensive during WWI before 200 were rescued by carrier pigeon that flew 25 miles to r