T. E. Lawrence Correspondence – Page 206

To: Dr. C. M. Doughty. Colonial Office, 7. 7. 21, Dear Mr. Doughty, Your letter enclosing your draft preface reached me this evening; my last evening for I start early to-morrow for Arabia. Very many thanks for your good wishes. I fear that King Hussein is an unreasonable man. The preface I like very much, and cannot suggest any alteration, except perhaps "Old Testament" for O.T. Army experience has given me a surfeit of abbreviations. Soon after I return in the Autumn I will hope to receive from you the draft preface to the fourth Edition. I enclose a review which will amuse you, if you have not seen it. I owe a letter to Mrs. Doughty, about the portrait, but I will ask her to excuse me, since I have so much to do this evening. I think Kennington did very well: it is a little too soft perhaps, not in the Orpen sense of being weak, but of not going deep enough. A three-quarter would have been better than a full-face, I fancy. Still, it's a great thing to have: and will some day be very precious. I've reserved it for myself, meanwhile, to prevent itsbeing lost sight of. Kennington is unfortunately fashionable, and his work much snapped up. I hope being drawn did not worry you: it's a hard business, and one takes no pleasure in one's own portrait. Other people will, though ! It's very good of you and Mrs. Doughty to have given Kennington facilities, & rich the drawing had pleased you. Egards really it's a fine thing. Yours sincerely, T. E. Lawrence,