T. E. Lawrence Correspondence – Page 588

Extracts from Letters to E. Kenningston (Post Card) 15.X.22. "I've just heard that a Commodore (or a Rear-Admiral) called Boyle (Captain Boyle is also in my .... maiden) will be in a time for a sitting. I've asked him to write to you and suggest him. A good face (not as mustard ..., red-haired, socialist, Officer: very decent; but a sort of laughter or a ... revival sharp sort: restless, impatient): a real bad sitter: but a first-rate face. Sinew and fire and tight skin. I hope he'll agree". 27.X.22 ..... "The comic drawings are what I hoped for: but in ... light of the imaginative ones they go rather pale. It still, peaks: it would be a better book if it had more soft and smooth places in it, where people could had more soft and before a new march: and the comic drawings will provide what I didn't".... (P.S.) "I'm sorry for bothering you so frequently and at such length with my doubts over publication. I hate the notion of it more than I can say: and there is no doubt that I will have to do it, some time: and the motive will be money, from which I have always hitherto steered clear." .... "It has just struck me that in the second half of it are two or three parental remarks against the selfishness of parents who bring children into the world without asking their previous opinion on whether they want to be born or not. There are personal - but perhaps they might worry C. in the present circumstances. Also the second half is what they call a "human document", meaning a thing which a decent person would not have written, and a determined person would have torn up after writing. So please assist cover my weakness by keeping the manner of it discreetly private." 30.3.23 Tank-town. ... "You're a hero - a ....... gro they'd say in this place; which is Hardy's Egdon Heath. The Heath is good ... and I saw Hardy yesterday: paid for seeing him too, for it meant cutting a parade! However it was worth it, and I'm going again, if ever he asks me. His weakness at Wheeler-drawing is a reflection of himself. A very sensitive little man: faded now: with hope yet that mankind will give up warfare. He felt incredibly old to me."