Dr Robin Douglas

@robincdouglas.bsky.social

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Historian of religions, paganism and esotericism. Website: https://www.robindouglas.org Posting in a personal capacity.

The other day I was travelling in the Underground Railway, and found myself sitting opposite to a young lady whose apparel caught my attention. This particular young woman was not very pretty in the face, but her other attractions were, I am bound to say, almost irresistible. She had on a very fine silk and affectionately clinging drapery, which was of the slit-up-one-side variety. Her nether limbs were most exquisitely moulded, and were encased in the finest black silk stockings, through which the delicate pink skin showed up with much effect.... [A]s she crossed her legs... I saw a dainty watch on a dainty garter.... There were two or three other men in the compartment, and they gave me quizzical glances. I knew what was passing in their heads, and they knew what was passing in mine. It was something like this: "Well, I never did see better shaped limbs; but I'm glad she's not my daughter".
A certain man was walking along a street when he met a gentleman attired in black with a white clerical collar and tie. He said to the clerical one, "Oh, can you tell me something about religion?" "Oh yes, my friend, I can; verily you can only rightly believe in the truth of Hokey Pokey Whisky Bung. If you really believe this you will be saved." The inquirer after truth thanked his informant and said, "I don't feel quite sure about it; it's good of you to tell me. I will think it over." He then walked on, and further down the street met another gentleman attired in similar garments, and put the question to him, also mentioning the fact that he had heard that "Hokey Pokey Whisky Bung" was certain to lead to the better land. The cleric number two held up his hands in horror and amazement, and said, "Oh, my poor friend, you are being led in the path which leadeth to destruction if you follow H.P.W.B.; it is altogether wrong, and probably, instigated by the Evil One: there is but one really safe path which you may tread to heaven, and that is Hikey Pikey Sikey Krikey. In this there is certain salvation. I will tell you all about it if you will give me a good living, a comfortable income, and a bit of land on which to build a church. But, my dear Christian friend, if you don't believe in H.P.S.K., you will infallibly be burnt for ever in hell fire." The anxious one walked a little further on and met yet another man attired like the others in decent black with tie and collar, and asked him about the correct thing in beliefs; but this one gave him such a pitiful account of sitting on clouds with harps and unpleasant companions that he said, in desperation, "Well, religious experts differ so much that, as a layman, I am utterly bewildered and know not what to believe.
Witnesses who were interviewed by investigators from Operation Conifer offered different opinions about Sir Edward Heath’s sexuality. However two witnesses, who have not disclosed abuse, provided evidence that he was sexually active with consenting adults during parts of his life.
We spent the night in these small villages where we were amazed to see how important the local priest was. He was everything: judge, mayor, he knew everyone; he was welcomed joyfully by all the families. Nothing was done without the priest and he did everything with zeal and devotion, living in great poverty. Coming from France where the spirit of secularization had seeped so far into society that the priest was considered almost like a stranger in the village...all that made a great difference for me.
In May 1S87, while looking for authorities on an obscure point in a case I was then preparing for trial, it was written in substance : " I know where the authority is that you need." Q. : "Where?" A.: "In 'Wendell's Reports,' vol. — , page — ." Q. : " Who are you ? " A. : " I am A. B." The volume and page, as well as the name, were given in full; the name was that of an old lawyer that I had known well. The case cited was just what I needed. I had never seen or heard of the case before to my best knowledge. There are twenty-six volumes of "Wendell's Reports," of about 700 pages each.
My own conclusion is that when the writing is presumptuous or nonsensical, or evades test questions, it should be stopped ; since in that case it is presumably the mere externalisation of a kind of dream-state of the automatist's ; but that when the writing is coherent and straightforward, and especially when some facts unknown to the writer are given as tests of good faith, the practice of automatic writing is harmless, and may lead at any moment to important truth. The persons, in short, who should avoid this experiment are the self-centred and conceited. It is dangerous only to those who are secretly ready — and many are secretly ready — to regard themselves as superior to the rest of mankind.
Well, now to facts. Three years ago if a woman, and especially a young woman, went into a gin-shop she was marked with a scarlet mark and she lost caste. Let "B. Sc." read the Head Constable's report, and say that I exaggerate in my picture of female drunkenness. Does not this deepen the residuum with a vengeance here in Leicester? Take the Times' article on crime and drunkenness in Liverpool. Out of a population of half a million there are over 45,000 bad subjects, and the "residuum" deepens there still. Again, one of our monthly magazines points out the alarming increase of the female "rowdyism" in and about London, and cites the well-known fact that there police supervision is simply useless. They have formed Vigilance Committees to escort their wives and daughters to and from chapels and churches on Sunday nights, and property is less secure now than it has ever been