Beschreibung:

LAWRENCE OF ARABIA (1888-1935) A 2pp. a.l.s. by Lawrence, writing as T.E. Shaw, to H.M. Tomlinson, dated R.A.F. Mount Batten, Plymouth, 3.V.30, discussing his reluctance to write prefaces: ' An introduction by me would only do harm. Twice I have "introduced" books and lived to regret it. It holds the smoky glass of oneself between the writer & his readers ... To harden my heart against the temptation to repeat this sin, I set on a bough above my head a determination (blessed fifty-five times and thrice regretted) not to write & sign - ever - anything again ... Writers are not like the rest of people: they feel, & put on paper, and have a certainty of goodness about them. Alas: they are to be envied. I just drool on & on, wanting to do something intangible, and good at tangible things, like floor-polishing, or painting, or filing bits of metal ... Your book is so hot with anger ... I hope you will make us, some day, a quite clean happy picture book: something quite English and vulgar, with a laughing zest of live in it: about people who do not over-think and over-feel. We indulge our minds & senses too much, I think.'