letters-第72章
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t here remind the Committee that until ＇I＇ myself solved the problem of the possibility； no idea had been entertained of introducing the Bible in the rural districts of countries exclusively Papist。 This remark； which I make with the utmost humility； merely springs from an idea that a similar attempt； if made with boldness and decision； might prove equally successful in Italy； Mexico； and many other countries； even pagan； which have not yet been penetrated； particularly China and Grand Tartary； on the shores of which the Bible labours under great disadvantage and odium from being put into the hands of the natives by people seemingly in connection with those for whom it is impossible they can entertain much respect； as they are well known to contribute largely towards the corruption of the public morals。 But I now return to my subject； and proceed at once to the experiment which I made at different periods and in different provinces。
I twice sallied forth alone and on horseback； and bent my course to a distant village。 On my arrival； which took place just after the SIESTA or afternoon's nap had concluded； I proceeded in both instances to the market…place； where I spread a horse…cloth on the ground； upon which I deposited my books。 I then commenced crying with a loud voice： 'Peasants； peasants； I bring you the Word of God at a cheap price。 I know you have but little money； but I bring it you at whatever you can command； at four or three REALS； according to your means。' I thus went on till a crowd gathered round me； who examined the books with attention； many of them reading aloud； but I had not long to wait。 In both instances my cargo was disposed of almost instantaneously； and I mounted my horse without a question being asked me； and returned to my temporary abode lighter than I came。 These instances occurred in Castile and Galicia； near the towns of Santiago and Valladolid。
It is the firm conviction of the writer from subsequent experience that every village in Spain will purchase Testaments； from twenty to sixty； according to its circumstances。 During the last two months of his sojourn in Spain he visited about forty villages； and in only two instances was his sale less than thirty copies in each。 The two villages which he alludes to were Mocejon in the Sagra of Toledo； and Torre Lodones about four leagues from Madrid in the road which leads to the Guadarama hills。 The last village is indeed a mere wretched assemblage of huts； the inhabitants of which labour under the most squalid poverty； owing to the extreme niggardness of the neighbouring soil； which consists almost entirely of rock from which scarcely anything can be gathered； so that the people are proverbially thieves。 Only three copies of the sacred volume were purchased in this unhappy place； and only nine in the comparatively rich village of Mocejon … which； it is true； was visited on the day of a festival； when the inhabitants were too much occupied with dancing and other amusements to entertain any serious thoughts。
There are at the present moment about two thousand copies of the New Testament in Madrid。 It appears to the writer that it would be most expedient to distribute one…half of these books in La Mancha； commencing from the town of Ocana； and concluding with Argamasilla at the other end of the province； the remaining thousand might be devoted to the many villages on the road towards Arragon； especially to those of Alcarria where the people are honest； mild and serious。 The writer would by no means advise for the present an attempt to distribute the entire Bible amongst the peasantry； as he is of opinion that the New Testament is much better adapted to their understandings and circumstances。 If it be objected to the plan which he has presumed to suggest that it is impossible to convey to the rural districts of Spain the book of life without much difficulty and danger； he begs leave to observe that it does not become a real Christian to be daunted by either when it pleases his Maker to select him as an instrument； and that moreover if it be not written that a man is to perish by wild beast or reptiles； he is as safe in the den even of the cockatrice as in the most retired chamber of the king's palace； and that if on the contrary he be doomed to perish by them； his destiny will overtake him notwithstanding all the precautions which he； like a blind worm； may essay for his security。
In conclusion the writer begs leave to remind the Committee that a society of liberal Spanish ecclesiastics is being formed for printing and circulating the Scripture without note or comment。 He does not advise the entering into an intimate alliance and co… operation with this society； but he ventures to hope that if it continue to progress； there will be found Christian hearts in England to wish it success and Christian hands to afford it some occasional assistance。 If the work of the Lord be done； it matters little whether Apollos or Paul be the labourers。
GEORGE BORROW。
LETTER： 12th January； 1839
To the Rev。 A。 Brandram （ENDORSED： recd。 Feb。 4； 1839） SEVILLE； JANY。 12； 1839。
REVD。 AND DEAR SIR； … I reached Cadiz in safety； after crossing the Bay of Biscay in rather boisterous weather。 I have been in Seville about a week； part of which time I have been rather indisposed with an old complaint； this night at ten o'clock I leave； with the letter…courier； for Madrid； whither I hope to arrive in something less than four days。 I should have started before now； had an opportunity presented itself。 I have been much occupied since coming here in writing to my friends in Spain apprising them of my arrival； amongst others to Sir George Villiers。 I have of course visited the Sevillian bookseller； my correspondent here。 He informed me that seventy…six copies of the hundred Testaments entrusted to his care were placed in embargo by the Government last summer。 They are at present in the possession of the Ecclesiastical Governor。 I visited him also the other day； to make enquiries concerning our property。 He lives in a large house in the PAJARIA； or straw…market。 He is a very old man； between seventy and eighty； and like almost all those who wear the sacerdotal habit in this city is a fierce persecuting Papist。 I believe he scarcely believed his ears when his two grand…nephews； beautiful black…haired boys； who were playing in the courtyard； ran to inform him that an Englishman was waiting to speak with him； as it is probable that I was the first heretic who ever ventured into his habitation。 I found him in a vaulted room seated on a lofty chair； with two sinister…looking secretaries； also in sacerdotal habits； employed in writing at a table before him。 He brought powerfully to my recollection the grim old inquisitor who persuaded Philip the Second to slay his own son as an enemy to the Church。 He arose as I entered； and gazed upon me with a countenance dark with suspicion and dissatisfaction。 He at last condescended to point me to a sofa； and I proceeded to state to him my business。 He became much agitated when I mentioned the Testaments to him； but I no sooner spoke of the Bible Society and told him who I was； than he could contain himself no longer； and with a stammering tongue and with eyes flashing fire like hot coals； he proceeded to rail against the Society and myself； saying that the aims of the first were atrocious and that as to myself； he was surprised that being once lodged in the prison of Madrid I had ever been permitted to quit it； adding that it was disgraceful in the Government to allow a person of my character to roam about an innocent and peaceful country； corrupting the minds of the ignorant and unsuspicious。 Far from allowing myself to be disconcerted by his rude behaviour； I replied to him with all possible politeness； and assured him that in this instance he had no reason to alarm himself； as that my sole motive in claiming the books in question was to avail myself of an opportunity； which at present presented itself of sending them out of the country； which indeed I had been commanded to do by an offic
