THE LAWRENCE MYTH cannot understand why Christopher Sykes should refer
to Richard Aldington's work on T. E. Lawrence as a 'repulsive book.'
It must now be apparent that the 'Lawrence of Arabia' legend was largely compounded of untruths, half-truths and truths turned upside-down. This was 'ad enough, but much worse was the extent to Which this tawdy edifice was buttressed by friends and biographers who ought to have known better. It was certain, therefore, that whoever undertook the demolition work would require to be radical and harsh.
I have re-read Aldington's account of Lawrence's assistance to Charles Doughty and cannot see in what way it is repulsive. Generous but unwise is Aldington's verdict and surely this is fair, for, after all, if one is heavily in debt and continues to dis- pense largesse, whose money is it that one is giving away?
In evaluating the truth it is sombre to note the peculiar vilification reserved for those who under- take to carry us 'ex umbris et imaginibus in veritatem.'
A. V. CHAMBERS
215 Brompton Road, SW3
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