desperately thin with a shock of white hair and, though clearly suffering acute alcohol withdrawal symptoms, he was always in command of himself. He had a powerful presence and considerable charm, and the best description I can give of him is "fanatic" or "saint." These may seem strange epithets in London of the nineties, but his commitment to the salvation of others while suffering torment himself makes any other description invalid once the more obvious mental disorders were ruled out. He was rather a fine man.
I enclose the concluding paragraphs of the psychiatric report and a transcript of part of a conversation I had with him, which may interest you. I confess to having missed the William Blake association, but Billy's conversation was certainly of a visionary nature. If I can be of any further assistance please don't hesitate to contact me.
With best wishes,
Henry Irvine
Henry Irvine
P.S. Re: the transcript-It was., of course, the answers Billy declined to give that tell us most about him.
----
Psychiatric Report
Subject: Billy Blake **/5387
Interviewer: Dr. Henry Irvine
In conclusion:
Billy has a fully developed understanding of moral and ethical codes, but refers to them as: "ritual devices for the subjugation of individual to tribal will," from which I infer that his own morality is in conflict with social and legal definitions of right and wrong. He exhibits extraordinary self-control and gives no insight into his background or history. Billy Blake is almost certainly an alias, although questions about specific crimes elicit no reaction from him. He has a high IQ and it's difficult to assess his reasons for refusing to talk about his past. He has a morbid interest in hell and mortification, but poses more of a threat to himself than to the community. I can find no evidence of a dangerous mental disorder. He seems to have a clear rationale for his choice of lifestyle-I would describe it as a penitent's life-and I consider it far more likely that some private trauma, unrelated to any crime, motivates him.
He presents himself as a passive individual although I have noticed signs of agitation whenever he is pressed about where he was and what he was doing before he first came to police attention. I agree that there may be a crime in his past-he is quite singleminded enough to mutilate himself to achieve a purpose-but I think it unlikely. He quickly developed a strong resistance to my questions on the matter, and it is doubtful that further sessions will persuade him to be more forthcoming. It is my considered opinion, however, that he would benefit from therapy as I believe his "exile" from society, involving as it does an almost fanatical desire to suffer through starvation and deprivation, will result in his unnecessary and premature death.
Henry Irvine
----
Transcript of taped interview with Billy Blake-12. 7. 91 (part only)
Irvine:
Are you saying that your personal code of ethics is of a higher order than the religious codes?
Blake: I'm saying it's different.
Irvine: In what way?
Blake: Absolute values have no place in my morality.
Irvine: Can you explain that?
Blake: Different circumstances demand different codes of ethics. For example, it isn't always sinful to steal. Were I a mother with hungry children, I would think it a greater sin to let them starve.
Irvine: That's too easy an example, Billy. Most people would agree with you. What about murder?
Blake: The same. I believe there are times and occasions when murder, premeditated or not, is appropriate. (Pause) But I don't think it's possible to live with the consequences of such a crime. The taboo against killing a member of our own species is very strong, and taboos are difficult to rationalize.
Irvine: Are you speaking from personal experience?
Blake: (Gave no answer)
Irvine: You seem to have inflicted severe punishment on yourself, particularly by burning your hands. As I'm sure you already know, the police suspect a deliberate
I enclose the concluding paragraphs of the psychiatric report and a transcript of part of a conversation I had with him, which may interest you. I confess to having missed the William Blake association, but Billy's conversation was certainly of a visionary nature. If I can be of any further assistance please don't hesitate to contact me.
With best wishes,
Henry Irvine
Henry Irvine
P.S. Re: the transcript-It was., of course, the answers Billy declined to give that tell us most about him.
----
Psychiatric Report
Subject: Billy Blake **/5387
Interviewer: Dr. Henry Irvine
In conclusion:
Billy has a fully developed understanding of moral and ethical codes, but refers to them as: "ritual devices for the subjugation of individual to tribal will," from which I infer that his own morality is in conflict with social and legal definitions of right and wrong. He exhibits extraordinary self-control and gives no insight into his background or history. Billy Blake is almost certainly an alias, although questions about specific crimes elicit no reaction from him. He has a high IQ and it's difficult to assess his reasons for refusing to talk about his past. He has a morbid interest in hell and mortification, but poses more of a threat to himself than to the community. I can find no evidence of a dangerous mental disorder. He seems to have a clear rationale for his choice of lifestyle-I would describe it as a penitent's life-and I consider it far more likely that some private trauma, unrelated to any crime, motivates him.
He presents himself as a passive individual although I have noticed signs of agitation whenever he is pressed about where he was and what he was doing before he first came to police attention. I agree that there may be a crime in his past-he is quite singleminded enough to mutilate himself to achieve a purpose-but I think it unlikely. He quickly developed a strong resistance to my questions on the matter, and it is doubtful that further sessions will persuade him to be more forthcoming. It is my considered opinion, however, that he would benefit from therapy as I believe his "exile" from society, involving as it does an almost fanatical desire to suffer through starvation and deprivation, will result in his unnecessary and premature death.
Henry Irvine
----
Transcript of taped interview with Billy Blake-12. 7. 91 (part only)
Irvine:
Are you saying that your personal code of ethics is of a higher order than the religious codes?
Blake: I'm saying it's different.
Irvine: In what way?
Blake: Absolute values have no place in my morality.
Irvine: Can you explain that?
Blake: Different circumstances demand different codes of ethics. For example, it isn't always sinful to steal. Were I a mother with hungry children, I would think it a greater sin to let them starve.
Irvine: That's too easy an example, Billy. Most people would agree with you. What about murder?
Blake: The same. I believe there are times and occasions when murder, premeditated or not, is appropriate. (Pause) But I don't think it's possible to live with the consequences of such a crime. The taboo against killing a member of our own species is very strong, and taboos are difficult to rationalize.
Irvine: Are you speaking from personal experience?
Blake: (Gave no answer)
Irvine: You seem to have inflicted severe punishment on yourself, particularly by burning your hands. As I'm sure you already know, the police suspect a deliberate
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