letters-第89章
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account of the affair might not get abroad; but I beg leave solemnly to assure you that I disavow and give no countenance to any remarks or observations respecting it which may find their way into print。 I am not ashamed of the METHODISTS OF CADIZ; their conduct in many respects does them honour; nor do I accuse any one of fanaticism amongst our dear and worthy friends; but I cannot answer for the tittle…tattle of Madrid。 Far be it from me to reflect upon any one: I am but too well aware of my own multitudinous imperfections and follies。 I am going instantly to write to Mr。 Rule; and I would also to our other friend did I but know his address。 Should you have an opportunity of communicating with him; pray; pray say something on the subject; and present to him my kind love。 I hope sincerely no further notice will be taken of this affair in the newspapers; but to attempt to correct their errors would merely make bad worse。 Pray excuse my agitation; but I write in haste。
I remain; Revd。 and dear Sir; yours sincerely;
GEORGE BORROW。
LETTER: 2nd January; 1840
To the Rev。 A。 Brandram (ENDORSED: recd。 Jan。 13; 1840) MADRID; No。 16 CALLE SANTIAGO; 2 JANUARY 1840。
REVD。 AND DEAR SIR; … To…morrow I depart in order to return to Seville。 I have laid a full account of the late outrageous assault before the British Embassy; and a strong representation has been made to the Spanish Government。 I have now nothing further to detain me in the Spanish capital; and I hope that within a very short time I shall be able to bid adieu to the shores of Spain; which I shall quit with as little regret as the tired labourer at nightfall quits the filthy ditch in which he has been toiling during the whole of a dreary day。
I should feel much obliged if you would write me a line or two; directed to my usual address; No。 7 Plazuela de la Pila Seca; Sevilla; with any little information respecting matters of serious import; as I am almost entirely unacquainted with what has been going on during the last six months; the public journals containing little which has any interest for me。 Is it possible that the British Government is going to bombard the coast of China because the Emperor of that country is not disposed to countenance opium smuggling? I have frequently difficulty in believing my eyes when I read of the proceedings of Christians and people high in authority; whom it is of course my wish and duty to respect。 Is it wonderful that the Chinese cling to Buddh and refuse to confess the Son of the Eternal; when they see the professors of the Christian religion commit such acts of cruel violence and flagrant injustice?
I have drawn for twenty pounds; which will liquidate the expenses of the journey from Seville and back again。 I shall require no more until my departure for England。 In the meanwhile I am preparing my accounts and various other papers。 Pray present my best remembrances to all my friends。 If there be anything which I can perform for any of them before I leave Spain; let them but inform me and it shall be done。
I remain; Revd。 and dear Sir; ever yours;
GEORGE BORROW。
LETTER: 18th March; 1840
To the Rev。 A。 Brandram (ENDORSED: recd。 March 31st; 1840) SEVILLE; MARCH 18; 1840。
REVD。 AND DEAR SIR; … Last night I received a letter from my worthy friend Mr。 Brackenbury; in which he informed me that he had received a communication from Mr。 Jackson stating that since my departure from Madrid the Society had heard nothing from me and that it was anxious on my account。 This intelligence astonished me; as towards the end of January and beginning of February I wrote two letters; one to yourself and the other to Mr。 Hitchin。 From yourself I had expected an answer; and your silence made me very; very unhappy。 For upwards of five months I have not heard a word from England; though during that period I have written twelve letters; of which seven were to the Bible Society。
I did not return to England immediately after my departure from Madrid; for several reasons。 First; there was my affair with the ALCALDE still pending; second; I wished to get my papers into some order; third; I wished to effect a little more in the cause; though not in the way of distribution as I had no books; moreover the house in which I resided was paid for; and I was unwilling altogether to lose the money; I likewise dreaded an English winter; for I have lately been subjected to attacks; whether of gout or rheumatism I know not; which I believe were brought on by sitting; standing and sleeping in damp places during my wanderings in Spain。 The ALCALDE has lately been turned out of his situation; but I believe more on account of his being a Carlist than for his behaviour to me; that however; is of little consequence; as I have long forgotten the affair。 I have again been in trouble; and the Government and clergy seem determined on persecuting me until I leave Spain。 I embark on the third of next month; and you will probably see me by the sixteenth。 I wish very much to spend the remaining years of my life in the northern parts of China; as I think I have a call to those regions; and shall endeavour by every honourable means to effect my purpose。 I have a work nearly in readiness for publication; and two others in a state of forwardness。 The title of the first I take the liberty of sending you on the other side。 I hope yet to die in the cause of my Redeemer。
I have at present nothing further to say of importance。
I therefore remain; as usual; Revd。 and dear Sir; most sincerely yours;
G。 B。
P。S。 … What an admirable man and Christian is Mr。 Brackenbury!
The title George Borrow wrote on the fly…leaf was。。。
THE ZIN…CALI OR AN ACCOUNT OF THE GYPSIES OF SPAIN WITH AN ORIGINAL COLLECTION OF THEIR SONGS WITH ENGLISH TRANSLATIONS AND A COPIOUS VOCABULARY OF THEIR LANGUAGE EXPLAINED IN SPANISH AND ENGLISH BY G。 B。 IN TWO VOLUMES
Footnotes:
(1) This animal cost the Society about two thousand REALS at Madrid; I; however; sold him for three thousand at Corunna; notwithstanding that he had suffered much from the hard labour which he had been subjected to in our wanderings in Galicia; and likewise from bad provender。
(2) I have since discovered that they were only despatched the day before my arrival at Madrid。
(3) I think the sale is becoming brisker; this very day we have sold eight。
(4) I wish much that I had the Old Testament apart; precisely in the same form。
(5) Mr。 Villiers has hitherto taken but 50 copies; which he has distributed amongst his friends; his situation has been such lately; that more could not be reasonably expected from him。 Even his is not a bed of roses。
(6) 'Greek text which cannot be reproduced' as Antonio says。
(7) I send the original phrase which is remarkable; and in remarkable Spanish。
End