T. E. Lawrence to Bruce Rogers

Mount Batten

25/3/30

Dear B. R.

When I've said I'm sorry, that is all the English language appears to provide in the way of sympathy with other people's deep water. It is good news that Mrs. Rogers is over her first operation: but it will be a vile time of waiting for you, and the waiting is so much harder than the suffering. I do hope you both come out of it on the right side.

Here are the sheets of Book XII. I had to hack them about a good deal. They were jerky and not very good.

The title page I like. Its simplicity is of the most rich. The date is not too hopeful: it gives me 12 months (incidentally I am still labouring at Book XIII, which will not go straight, anyhow) which may be enough. I like the roundel just there, and the little singing man. It looks about right. Yes, I think it is all good. Here it is, to encourage you again.

Your talk about accelerating the printing is rather formidable. it is thanks to the slowness of Walker's man that I'm not the brake on your roiling chariot.

Good news that the gold difficulty is over. That means so much off your shoulders.

It is going to be a surprisingly good book, I fancy.

Yours

T.E.S.

The horizontal rod of the chariot may be just a stay for the yoke. Some harness man might say. I don't like the idea of a tripping-line for the yoke. At speed the chariot would turn over and over if it were pulled. I'm surprised at Ricketts - usually a careful draughtsman: but perhaps no horseman!