T. E. Lawrence Correspondence – Page 113

To Martha Burrell, Library, Parkhurst, Ottawa. In reply to letter of April 26 in "Ottawa Journal". Lawrence at that time was in the Royal Air Force in India, with the name of T.E. Shaw. I would have been less than human if I had not been pleased, however, ... lately replied; and, for various reasons, I give here the letter which I so soon received from him. "June VI., 27. "Dear Mr. Burrell, "Your letter of April 26, with the cutting of your review of my "Revolt in the Desert" has been sent on to me out in India: against instructions. Cape was told to hold everything up, for, as you'll realise, my Air Force pay isn't enough to let me indulge in unlimited correspondence. "It is kind of you to praise the little thing so highly. It seemed to me, when I read it, not to be particularly significant. The Seven Pillars, in its finished state, was a great disappointment, and I had no patience, therefore, for its bits. However, they say the author's opinion isn't usually worth much. "Rumour, probably, has misled you here and there. Always in my life my health has been excellent. I can still pass fit for military service, after all my wounds and accidents. In 1914 I could have passed easily. "The difference in length between the two versions of my complete book is only about 15%: one is just over three hundred thousand words, one just under. When revising the first printed sheets for my subscribers I pruned away some too-exuberant adjectives and phrases: so that actually the differences aren't enough for it to be called two texts. 'Revolt' contains about 40% of the whole book. Oxford is not to benefit in any way, directly or indirectly, by the sale of 'Revolt in the Desert'. The profits will be small, as it happens; too small to be worth making any particular disposal of. "Yours sincerely, "T. E. SHAW. "It's not worth my giving you my address. The term of our foreign service is usually five years; and even after that I will not be in control of my own movements. Service life is not all pleasure !"