The Washington times., 1932-10-04
A. B. and D. n. |.
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A. B. and D. n. l..
Bennett was professional writer who made himself,
times, artist Lawrence always an artist who
made himself, with difficulty and reluctance, writer.
Bennett successful man, pleased as Punch with
the money he earned; Lawrence never successful
in that sense and of the impressive revelations of
these letters is the story of his poverty Bennett had
hardly an idea which could not be expressed in the
terms of the average best seller LaWrences mind and
spirit were full of mysteries and his literary life
long struggle with censorous busybodies Bennett may
have been great writer; Lawrence impresses us more
and moreIas great man.
AS Aldous Huxley says in his brilliant introduction
in these letters Lawrence has, written his life and
painted his portrait They such letters
of powerful individual Cranks write letters full of
abstract phrases but sensible write curt notes.
word OF praise or dsprase appointing meeting, re-
GREETING postponement, thanking for a. kind word.
Lawrence was neither a sensible crank-he
was genius So in the midst of the most casual note
to literary agent you may find sentence alive with
all his deepest thoughts the society of the
future or the spiritual significance of America.
Lawrence on America
had read novel in manuscript for the editors of
magazine and wrote to Lawrence about it, adding polite
hope that he had not been disappointed in America In
his answer he wrote NO am not disappointed i feel
about U. S., A. vaguely felt long time agos that
there is vast unreal intermediary thing intervening be-
tween the real thing which Europe and the next real
thing which will probably be in America but which isn't
yet at ALL Seems to me vast death happening must
come first. But probably it is here in America q don't
say just U. S: Az, that the quick will keep alive and
come through" ..- r. =" &. -.
Lawrence wrote like this because he interested in
hidden and important things; the letters of most people
show that they interested in prizes, elections to
clubs, meeting famous people and making spectaces of
themselves. The dsnterestedness of Lawrence
ng and it should put end for all to the question
Of his sincerity few days ago reviewer of the letters
suggested that Lady ChatterleyS Lover had been writ
ten only to make money, with dirty words" and a
privately printed edition to emphasize its mpropriety
The suggestion is Lawrence felt that it
tender" and beautiful work. and those who think
it profound and absurd work recognize it's honesty.
Unkind Fate
But he had to live 1t is minor point in the book and
ought not to be emphasized in review: yet mention it
again because the fate of Lawrence is nothing any of
be proud Of He known artist of the first
rank: he acknowledged great man; his Sons and
Lovers" and is unforgettable book, something
supremey fine and in English literature Yet Law
renee subsisted pittance few hundred dollars
every three months No wonder when regular publishers
refused his book he wrote anxiousy to friends enclosing
few subscription blanks asking them to help finance
his publication of Lady Chatterey.'
The letters contain thousands of other points of in
teres: his fine rejection of Murrys g" will betray you,
his refusal to call Katherine Mansfield great to
Murry, his bold attack, his infinite friendness his
traordnary of the whole world 1t is good for
tune for the world that these letters preserved.
REGI0M Cn0HTC sKIPPY