T. E. Lawrence to Clare Sydney Smith

Plymouth:

17.XI.32.

I can't say yet about London. You must realize that Batten is not what it was. Week-ends are back to normal, from noon Saturday till midnight Sunday. That only gives me from 6.30 p.m. on Sat. till 2 p.m. on Sunday in London. Not enough for my useful purpose.

I saw Elgar last Summer. He greatly praised his newly recorded violin concerto by Menuhin, which is being played again in the Albert Hall this Sunday. He played us some of the records and they were magnificent. He is also well on with his 3rd Symphony! Ours is his second. Don't publish this fact.

The Odyssey has gone towards you. Don't be severe on the feeble thing.

Yesterday I went down and put her battery into the Biscuit and pressed the button. The engine turned over well. No petrol, of course, but a fortnight might see her going again. W/Cmdr. Burling has just bought an 8-metre sailing yacht, now at Falmouth, and [is] coming up [in] her soon. That gives him 4 boats here and two in Scillies.

About Christmas... how do you stand? I spend it in Batten, and hope to get to London just after it: for my bike has to be registered and insured, etc., before Dec. 31st. Don't know yet what we will get for leave then: perhaps five days. Of course you will probably be in Burton.

Am I dreaming, or is your du Cros sister going to be married? 'Pat' it was. Somebody told me.

I'm so glad it is Singapore. An interesting station, and a quick one. Only he will be A/Commodore before his term ends. Will that bring him home? Geoffrey Salmond's forthcoming elevation delights me. I want so many changes made right away in the R.A.F. (Geneva permitting!)

What about Biffy? Napier's sounded good: I hope he is happier.

T.E.S.