T. E. Lawrence to Edward Garnett

13 Birmingham Street
Southampton

15.9.33.

Dear E.G.

I was very good of you to take that trouble about Dunn's poems. I have written to him about it.

Also about the Liddell Hart book. I talked freely to Howard about that yesterday, dashing up to London and back for the purpose. I had only just time left to get to Waterloo and catch the 6.30 after it: so the Allenby is still at Smith Square. I want to get him down to my cottage direct, when I can. Pastels are too delicate to suffer much travelling.

The D.H.L. MS. would be a delightful possession - but are you sure you want to break up your collection? It should be an asset for D.G. when he wants to build a new wing on to Hilton Hall!

I have now collected all my surviving books in my cottage: and am rather saddened at the gaps that declare themselves.* They have been in London, with friends, for 12 years, and open to borrowers, who seem to have borrowed one-sidedly: for I have now no Cranes, only one S. Reynolds: no early D.H.L.! Fortunately all the poems remain; only the prose has gone; and I like reading - re-reading - poetry better than prose, I feel, as I get older. I have six volumes of D.H.L. poetry: and bit by bit I shall restore the missing prose books. There are about 1,000 books surviving: so that 200 or 300 alone need be replaced. If I have such a shelf-full, my old age will be provided for.

If you do decide to distribute your D.H.L. manuscripts, a poem by him could be inserted in Look We Have Come Through or his early volume (according to date of MS. poem) and it would be pleasant to possess: only, as I said, do not let the thought of that sway you towards dispersing your estate.

I wish we could meet. When the days get rough, I shall try to reach London occasionally.

T.E.S.

*All Hudson, most Conrad, some Doughty.