T. E. Lawrence Correspondence – Page 194

To: Dr. C.M. Doughty, All Souls College, Oxford. Nov. 7, 1920. Dear Mr. Doughty, Here is the proof back again, inked as you suggested, except on p.xxxv, where I have not put in "Ottoman". I've taken out the past participle, which broaden... the sense. In some other places I have not used your actual word, mainly for the printer's sake, to lessen the disturbance of type. It is very good of you to have changed so little. I quite understand your saying about your neglect of Arabia Deserta; and I'm entirely of your opinion that it is as fine Dawn in Britain, Mansoul, and Adam; but it is easier than these others, and so it's the best wedge to drive into the public. They will all read Arabia Deserta, and those who are selfish it will go on to the poems afterwards. I advise those who ask me, to read Adam second, Mansoul third, and then "Dawn" -- because Dawn has to be read whole, and it takes courage to start so long a book. Those who have taken my advice have all become partisans of yours; and the clan is getting a large one. Still, it may be years yet before you sweep the board, and meanwhile the best weapon is cheapness. It's good to have it out again, and as fifty copies have been sold already, it looks as though it might sell fairly quickly. I hope so very much, because then we'll have a third, and cheap edition. Yours sincerely, T.E. Lawrence.