letters-第64章
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e last words which I shall ever be permitted to pen； that I cannot approve； and I am sure no Christian can； of the system which has lately been pursued in the large sea…port cities of Spain； and which the Bible Society has been supposed to sanction； notwithstanding the most unreflecting person could easily foresee that such a line of conduct could produce nothing in the end but obloquy and misfortune。
It was unkind and unjust to taunt me with having been unsuccessful in distributing the Scriptures。 Allow me to state that no other person under the same circumstances would have distributed the tenth part。 Yet had I been utterly unsuccessful； it would have been wrong to check me with being so； after all I have undergone … and with how little of that are you acquainted。 You are perfectly correct in concluding that certain persons are laughing in their sleeve。 But at what？ At the success of their own machinations？ Not at all！ They are laughing at the inconceivable fatuity which induces those whom THEY ONCE DREADED to destroy themselves and their own labours。 The stone with immense toil is rolled up to the brow of the mountain； when they see it recoil； not at the touch of Jupiter but at the impulse of the insane Sisyphus； who pulls it down on his own body。 With common sense and prudence very much might have been accomplished in Spain； and still may。 I am sorry to say that hitherto very little of ＇that＇ has been used。
You are surprised that I should presume to hint that I have been linked to G。 ＇Graydon＇； but at the same time admit that my identification with him by my enemies has been unavoidable。 Now in the name of all that is reasonable； to what does such an admission amount but that I have been linked to this man； and it matters very little whether or not I have been brought into personal contact with him。 But now farewell to him： and in taking leave of this subject； I will add that the unfortunate M。 ＇Marin＇ is dying of a galloping consumption； brought on by distress of mind。 All the medicine in the world would not accomplish his cure。
With God's permission I will write again in a few days and till then；
I remain； Revd。 and dear Sir； most truly yours；
GEORGE BORROW。
LETTER： 17th July； 1838
To the Rev。 A。 Brandram （ENDORSED： recd。 July 30； 1838） VILLA SECA； NEW CASTILLE； 17 JULY 1838。
REVD。 AND DEAR SIR； … I addressed a letter to you on the 14th instant； which I hope you will receive in course of time； together with the present； in that letter I informed you where I was； stating my proceedings and intentions。 It has pleased the Lord to permit me to be hitherto very successful in these regions； so much so that during less than a week I have disposed of the entire stock of Testaments which I brought with me； namely two hundred； only three or four remain； which are already bespoken。 Last night I sent off a messenger to Madrid for a fresh supply； which I expect will arrive in a day or two。
I must here observe that up to the present moment I have endeavoured as much as possible to avoid noise； and notoriety。 Advertisements and handbills I have utterly eschewed。 I brought none with me； and in these rural places； the name of a printing press is unknown； nor have I much endeavoured to work upon the mind of the simple peasantry around me by words。 I merely tell them that I bring them the words and life of the Saviour and His saints at a price adapted to their humble means。 Nevertheless the news of the arrival of the book of life is spreading like wild…fire through the villages of the Sagra of Toledo； and wherever my people and myself direct our course we find the inhabitants disposed to receive our merchandise； it is even called for where not exhibited。 Last night as I was bathing myself and ＇my＇ horse in the Tagus； a knot of people gathered on the bank crying： 'Come out of the water； Englishman； and give us books； we have got our money in our hands。' The poor creatures then held out their hands filled with CUARTOS； a copper coin of the value of a farthing； but I had unfortunately no Testament to afford them。 My servant； however； who was at a short distance； having exhibited one； it was instantly torn from his hands by the people； and a scuffle ensued to obtain possession of it。 It has very frequently occurred that the poor labourers in the neighbourhood； being eager to obtain Testaments and having no money to offer us in exchange； have brought various other articles to our cottage as equivalents … for example； rabbits； fruit and barley； and I have made a point never to disappoint them； as such articles are of utility either for our own consumption or that of the horses。
In Villa Seca there is a school in which fifty…seven children are taught the first rudiments of education。 Yesterday morning the schoolmaster； a tall slim figure of about sixty； bearing on his head one of the peaked hats of Andalusia and wrapped notwithstanding the excessive heat of the weather in a long cloak； made his appearance； and having seated himself requested to be shown one of our books。 Having delivered it to him； he remained examining it for nearly half an hour without uttering a word。 At last he laid it down with a sigh and said that he should be very happy to purchase some of these books for his school； but from their appearance； especially from the quality of the paper and binding； he was apprehensive that to pay for them would exceed the means of the parents of his pupils； as they were almost destitute of money； being poor labourers。 He then commenced blaming the Government； which； he said； established schools without affording the necessary books； adding that in his school there were but two books for the use of all his pupils； and these he confessed contained but little good。 I asked him what he considered the Testaments were worth。 He said； 'SENOR CAVALIER； to speak frankly I have in other times paid twelve REALS for books inferior to yours in every respect； but I assure you that my poor pupils would be utterly unable to pay the half of that price。' I replied； 'I will sell you as many as you please for three REALS each； I am acquainted with the poverty of the land； and my friends and myself in affording the people the means of spiritual instruction have no wish to curtail their scanty bread。' He replied： 'BENEDITO SEO DIOS' （'blessed be God'）； and could scarcely believe his ears。 He instantly purchased a dozen； expending therein； as he said； all the money he possessed with the exception of a few CUARTOS。 The introduction of the reading of the Word of God into the country schools of Spain is therefore now begun； and I humbly hope that it will prove one of those events which the Bible Society after the lapse of years will have most reason to remember with joy and gratitude to the Almighty。
An old peasant is at present reading in the portico。 Eighty…four years have passed over his head； and he is almost entirely deaf； nevertheless he is reading aloud the second ＇chapter＇ of Matthew。 Three days since he bespoke a Testament； but not being able to raise the money he has not redeemed it until the present moment； he has just brought thirty farthings。 As I survey the silvery hair which overshadows his sun…burnt countenance； the words of the song occur to me： 'Lord； now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace； according to Thy word： for mine eyes have seen Thy salvation。'
I will now conclude these anecdotes with one not divested of singularity。 Over a branch of the Tagus by the bridge Azeca there is a large water…mill。 I have formed an acquaintance with the tenant of this mill； who is known in the neighbourhood by the name of Don Antero。 Two days ago； taking me into a retired place； he asked me to my great astonishment if I would sell him a thousand Testaments at the price at which I was disposing of them to the peasantry； saying that if I would consent he would pay me immediately； in fact he put his hand into his pocket； and pulled it out filled with gold ounces。 I asked him what was the reason for his wish to make so considerable a purchase。 Whereupon he informed m
