T. E. Lawrence Correspondence – Page 253

To T.G.Griffin, Montreal Plymouth 7.17.31 Dear Griffin May 7 is your date. You see I write very seldom and reluctantly. However there are some things that must be answered sooner or later, so here goes: Lowell Thomas was about ten days or a fortnight in Arabia, but got a lot of reports & things, & added "pep" from messes & hotels. He was not too particular about sort- ing the truth from the attractive fiction. I also dislike Doughty: there is something coarse about his fibre. Doughty is a noble old man. Palgrave wrote a good book of travel in Arabia - a bit wild in parts, for he cared more for the yarn than for truth: but it is good. I have no mind to write anything more, for I have nothing I want to say. The worst of being contented is that it shuts you up like an oyster - or is that the best of it? Anyway my only concern is to prolong the present. I know of the"Interviews"you mention. They were not interviews, but were written by a quite decent little Journalist (half French, half American) called Russell: he came down here & talked to me, taking no notes, and then went off & wrote them. He asked me to see his stuff, but I said "No": he could write what he liked....and he did. I haven't seen his articles, but don't think he would say anything harmful. I didn't tell him anything: that mattered. It's a mistake to publish anything in the Press. I won't write or give interviews: but it would be absurd to try to prevent others shooting off what they know: and to deny anything is worse than to authorise anything. All this fuss dies away ... quickly. I'm neither a virgin subject, nor sensitive. Nothing but main force will make me leave England, which suits me so completely, except that its water is always cold, & its air generally damp. However indoors one is purely comfortable, and I have no wish to travel. Nor have I any money. So I would have to work if I travelled: and why do two bad things at once? Yours, T E Shaw