T. E. Lawrence Correspondence – Page 642

To Ernest Mackey, DSO at Brambledene, Whiteleas, Bucks. Reply to written being of McKenzie dear in archives From "...?" (Written on the roughest of From Karachi-Camp: paper.) Inigh Road 4.XI.27 Dear Mackey, Of course I remember you well. Its very good of you to ask me down to your present digs. I hope they are doing well. There might be interesting old stuff in that part of the world: in Innis, that is. But I'm afraid I can't come. My present exile is because I published a little book about bracki in Arabia, which did not stir to be forgotten. That's a good idea: but lots of people don't agree. So for greater safety I made a private rule not to ask down tourists you see, a can tell the branch people, who occasionally write to me, that I'm very sorry I can't come to them, since they are out of camp. Karachi isn't attractive, by hearsay. To digs sicoros would be: but the only point of a rule is to go on keeping it. So I'll restrain myself from your place also. Anyway my archaeology is pre-war, and very far forgotten. Please give my regards to Mrs. Mackey. I hope you'll find something worth coming to her for. India may hint for Arabic. English is about my present mark, as the redeeming feature of this world's dust-heap is its english population of 700 - but I do feel that India is a dams grand beat. Not for today or tomorrow, I haven't, a very vivid view of it, though. Yours T. E. Shaw.