constitution of the Bible Society and the views in which its proceedings
originate, I will endeavour in a few words to afford some correcting
information respecting both. I beg to state that the Bible Society is
composed of Christians attached to many and various sects and forms of
worship--for example, members of the Roman, Greek, Anglican, Calvinistic,
and Lutheran Churches, and of all ranks and grades in society, who,
though they may differ from each other in points of religious discipline,
form and ceremony, agree in the one grand and principal point: that there
is no salvation from the punishment due to original sin but through vivid
faith in Christ, manifested and proved by good works, such being the
amount of the doctrine found in those inspired writings known as the New
Testament which contain the words of the Saviour whilst resident in flesh
on earth, together with the revelations of the Holy Spirit to His
disciples after He had ascended to the throne of His heavenly glory.
Having said thus much respecting those who constitute the Bible Society
and the religious feeling which unites them, I will now devote a few
words to the explanation of their views, than which nothing can be more
simple or easily defined. They have no other wish or intention in thus
associating together than to assist, as humble instruments under Christ,
in causing His doctrine to be propagated and known in all the regions of
the vast world, the greatest part of which is still involved in
heathenism and ignorance; and looking upon their earthly goods as of
little or no value in comparison with such a glorious end, they expend
them in printing editions of their Master's Word in all languages, and in
transporting them to the remotest corners of the earth, that their
benighted fellow-creatures may see the lamp of salvation, and enjoy the
same spiritual advantages as themselves. Such is their wish, such their
view, totally unallied with commerce or politics, hope of gain and lust
of power. The mightiest of earthly monarchs, the late Alexander of
Russia, was so convinced of the single-mindedness and integrity of the
British and Foreign Bible Society, that he promoted their efforts within
his own dominions to the utmost of his ability, and established at St.
Petersburg a Bible Society of his own, whose publications have been a
source of blessing not only to Russia, but to many other lands.
After the above statement it is unnecessary for me to dilate on the
intentions of the Society with respect to Spain, a country which perhaps
most of any in the world is in need of the assistance of the Christian
philanthropist, as it is overspread with the thickest gloom of heathenish
ignorance, beneath which the fiends and demons of the abyss seem to be
holding their ghastly revels; a country in which all sense of right and
wrong is forgotten, and where every man's hand is turned against his
fellow to destroy or injure him, where the name of Jesus is scarcely ever
mentioned but in blasphemy, and His precepts [are] almost utterly
unknown. In this unhappy country the few who are enlightened are too
much occupied in the pursuit of lucre, ambition, or ungodly revenge to
entertain a desire or thought of bettering the moral state of their
countrymen. But it has pleased the Lord to raise up in foreign lands
individuals differently situated and disposed, whose hearts bleed for
their brethren in Spain. It is their belief that ignorance of God's Word
is the sole cause of these horrors, and to dispel that ignorance they
have printed the Gospel in Spain, which they dispose of at a price within
the power of the poorest to command. Vain men would fain persuade
themselves and others that the Society entertains other motives, by which
uncharitableness they prove that they themselves are neither Christians,
nor acquainted with the spirit of Christianity. But let the most fearful
and dubious reassure themselves with the thought, that should the Bible
Society foster the very worst intentions, it would baffle their power, if
even assisted by Satanic agency, to render Spain worse than it at present
is.
I beseech you, Sir, to co-operate in a good cause, and not seek to retard
its progress; for be assured that sooner or later it will triumph.
I have the honour to remain,
Sir,
Your Excellence's obedient servant,
GEORGE BORROW.
To the Rev. A. Brandram
(_Endorsed_: recd. Apr. 9th, 1838)
_March_ 30, 1838. MADRID,
16 CALLE SANTIAGO.
REVD. AND DEAR SIR,--Without waiting for an answer to my last, which I
despatched some ten days since, I shall take the liberty of again
troubling you with a short letter. My principal motive for so doing is a
visit which I have just been favoured with from our friend Mr. Rule of
Gibraltar, a gentleman who has much interested me, and of whose zeal,
piety, and discretion I have formed the highest opinion. It seems that
the little congregation at Cadiz has been broken up and dispersed by
order of the Government, and in consequence he has travelled to Madrid to
make intercession in its behalf. I am happy to say that Sir George
Villiers has promised to befriend him to the utmost of his ability.
Since his arrival here he has received intelligence which has filled him
with much uneasiness, and he has entreated me to write home in
conjunction with himself respecting the affair, with which indeed I am in
some degree concerned. I, however, beg leave to state, that it is with
the utmost reluctance I say a word upon the subject, being at all times
unwilling to interfere in the slightest degree in the projects or
movements of another party; but I feel that entire silence in this case
would be wrong and unadvisable.
I come now to the point. A friend of ours, who by your last favour I was
informed was about to leave Spain for the benefit of his health, has, it
appears, changed his mind, and is on his way to visit Andalusia and the
principal towns, namely Cadiz, Malaga, and Seville. Now Mr. Rule is far
better acquainted with him than I can pretend to be, and he has told me
that knowing him perfectly well, he entertains great dread as to the
effect which our friend's visit to those parts will have over the issue
of the affair which has brought him, Mr. R., to Madrid. I must here
observe that I had myself made preparations to visit Andalusia, having
indeed been advised to do so by Sir George Villiers, who will afford me
all the recommendations and assistance which I can possibly desire. I
may add that some time since I despatched thither a considerable number
of Testaments, which are now being sold at Seville, etc. I therefore
humbly conceive that the arrival of another edition is likely to produce
a clash highly detrimental to the interests of the Society, and to
perplex the minds of the people of the west of Spain respecting its
views. But I confess I am chiefly apprehensive of the reacting at
Seville of the Valencian drama, which I have such unfortunate cause to
rue, as I am the victim on whom an aggravated party have wreaked their
vengeance, and for the very cogent reason that I was within their reach.
I think, my dearest sir, you know sufficient of my disposition to be
aware that I am one of the last people disposed to make complaint,
whether with or without cause; but that passage in your affectionate and
kind letter which implied, though in the gentlest terms, that I had been
rash in my proceedings in Madrid, gave me a pang, more especially as I
knew from undoubted sources that nothing which I had done, said, or
written was the _original_ cause of the arbitrary step which had been
adopted in respect to me.
There is another matter which gives me much uneasiness and which I wish
to confide to your bosom and yours alone, though you will, of course,
communicate it to such friends as you may deem proper. I have received
two letters from an ex-priest at Valencia of the name of Marin, to the
first of which I have replied, though very cautiously. This very
unfortunate individual, who it seems for some time past has felt the
workings of the Spirit, was last year induced by certain promises, and
hopes thrown out, to leave Valencia, where he enjoyed a benefice on which
he supported himself and an aged mother, and to repair to Gibraltar for
the purpose of receiving Christian instruction under Mr. Rule. After
remaining some time at that place, where, Mr. R. informs me, his conduct
was in most points exemplary, he returned to Valencia, where his
apostasy, as the Papists termed it, having become known, his salary of
six _pesetas_ daily was sequestrated, and himself and his parent in
consequence deprived of their only means of subsistence. But this is not
all. The aid and assistance which he had been led to expect from England
were withheld in his great pinch and need, and the very persons who had
taken advantage of the commotion within him to induce him to take what I
must term a rash and hazardous expedition, were the first to forsake him,
and Mr. Rule states that there is cogent reason for fearing that this
unfortunate man and his aged parent are at present perishing with hunger
in the barbarous streets of Valencia. I wish it to be known that the man
himself in his letters told me nothing of the promises which had been
held out to him, nor breathed a word of complaint, I being indebted to
Mr. R. for my knowledge on this point, who has a very high opinion of his
sincerity, although he has been termed an impostor, though the fact of
his having lost his salary by the opinions which he has embraced ought to
have precluded such an idea. Now the Lord forbid that this man and his
mother perish, so that his death be laid by the enemy at the threshold of
the humble but unworthy servants of Christ. I therefore this day have
sent him a small sum on my own account to relieve the pinch of utter
need, till more can be known of him.
Pray excuse this letter written with a heart full of trouble and doubt.
Dispose of me as you think proper, my dear sir, who am truly yours,
G. B.
To the Rev. A. Brandram
(_Endorsed_: recd. May 1, 1838)
MADRID, _April_ 19, 1838.
REVD. AND DEAR SIR,--I enclose a letter from Mr. Rule, dated Valencia,
12th inst., which I have just received, and upon which I beg to make a
few observations.
In this very extraordinary espistle I am requested to take charge of an
ex-priest of the name of Pascual Marin, on his arrival at Madrid, where
it appears he is hastening, to furnish him with cash, make an estimate of
his probable expenses, and moreover to write home to the Society, without
delay, for the purpose of advising the Committee to join with the
gentlemen of another religious institution in affording the said Marin
the means for supporting himself in the Spanish capital, where it is the
writer's opinion that he may be usefully employed in _distributing_ the
Scriptures, and in preparing the way for a future mission. Well and
good! But my friends at home, discreet as I know them to be, will
doubtless be anxious to be informed by virtue of what correspondence or
communication with me does Mr. Rule now write from Valencia, consigning
to my hands this person, whom I have never seen, and whom I know not,
although, as I have stated on a former occasion, I have received two
letters from him, to one of which I returned a cautious and guarded
answer.
Mr. Rule suddenly arrived at Madrid, upon some business connected with
the Society to which he belongs; he called upon me, and I, upon learning
from him that he was a perfect stranger in Madrid, without friends or
acquaintances, received him with the hospitality which the Scripture
enjoins, and which I continued during his stay in the capital, a period
of about ten days. In the course of our conversations he spoke to me of
the peculiar hardships of the case of Pascual Marin of Valencia, who, as
he informed me, had been induced, partly by conviction, and partly by
persuasion, to secede from his own Church, but who not having received
from England the assistance which he had been led to expect, was in
danger of perishing, with his mother, in the streets of Valencia, he
having lost the benefice which constituted their support. Whereupon
through the medium of Mr. Rule I sent him 500 _reals_ on my own account,
without, however, directly or indirectly pledging myself to do anything
more in his behalf, or to attempt to engage the Bible Society to do so.
Mr. Rule left Madrid for Valencia, and on his departure informed me that
it was his firm intention to carry Marin with him to Gibraltar, to which
resolution I, of course, made no objection, as I conceived that it was a
matter with which I had little or no connection, and in which it would be
advisable not to involve myself, more especially on account of the
peculiar state of the affairs at Madrid with which the Society had done
me the honour to entrust me.
I was aware that in my situation peculiar caution in every step was
necessary and indispensable, and after Mr. Rule's departure I harboured
not the slightest surmise that my attentions to himself, or the slight
conversation which I had held with him respecting Marin, could possibly
tend to compromise me in any point. I was, however, mistaken.
In the name of all that is singular, what does Mr. Rule mean, without the
courtesy of asking my permission, by sending this man to me at Madrid?
Assist in preparing the way for a mission! Very probably; but that
mission will be my own, over the frontiers, under an escort of lancers.
Assist in distributing the Scriptures! Probably again; but it will be to
the wild winds of Madrid, when they are torn to pieces by the common
hangman in the Plaza Mayor, and cast into the air. I must confess that I
am vexed and grieved that as fast as I build up, some intemperate friend
rushes forward, and by his perhaps well-meant zeal casts down and
destroys what has cost me much labour.
Things are beginning to assume a more favourable aspect. I have opened
my shop once more, though not at present for the sale of Testaments. The
priests are frantic, and through the medium of one or other of the
Ministers, are continually giving me trouble; but Sir George Villiers has
vowed to protect me, and has stated so publicly, and he is every day
acquiring more and more influence here. He has gone so far as to state
to Ofalia and Gamboa, that provided I be allowed to pursue my plans
without interruption, he will be my bail (_fiador_) and answerable for
everything I do, as he does me the honour to say that he knows me, and
that he can confide in _my_ discretion. Therefore let me call upon my
beloved and respected friends at home, as they love their Lord and the
credit of His cause, to offer no encouragement to any disposed 'to run
the muck' (it is Sir George's expression) against the religious or
political _institutions_ of Spain, to keep clear of the _exaltado_ or
republican party, and to eschew tracts, with political frontispieces,
concerning any _uncertain_ future dispensation; but to confine themselves
strictly and severely to the great work of propagating the Word which
sooner or later is doomed to christianise the entire world.
I hope I shall be excused the freedom of these observations, when it is
reflected that I, being the Agent of the Bible Society, have to answer to
those who protect me here for all that is done in any part of Spain under
the sanction of the Society.
Concerning Marin and what is to be done in his respect, I feel myself
after much reflection and private prayer totally incompetent to offer a
suggestion. He can be of no possible service to me in Madrid, but the
contrary. One thing, however, is evident, that, thanks to particular
individuals, we are to a certain extent compromised.
I remain, Revd. and dear Sir, most truly yours,
G. B.
To the Rev. Andrew Brandram
(_Endorsed_: recd. May 3rd, 1838)
MADRID, _April_ 23, 1838,
CALLE SANTIAGO.
REVD. AND DEAR SIR,--I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of
the 10th inst. and also my friend Mr. Jackson's of the 5th, containing
the resolution of the Committee in my respect, which I shall of course
attend to.
My reason for troubling you with these lines is an apprehension that my
late communication has not been understood by you; for there is something
in the tone of your reply which has made me rather unhappy, though I can
easily conjecture that at the time you wrote it you were labouring under
a considerable pressure of business. Had you paid a little more
attention to my letter, you would have perceived that it was written
unwillingly on my part, but Mr. Rule thought his province had been
invaded. As for myself I wish to say nothing, but it will be as well to
remind you that all the difficulty and danger connected with what has
been accomplished in Spain have fallen to my share, I having been
labouring on the flinty rock and sierra, and not in smiling meadows
refreshed by sea breezes. I hoped in Seville and other towns of
Andalusia to have secured the sale of more Testaments than it is probable
that I shall be able to do in Spain proper, where I was afraid that my
efforts had not been appreciated; but if my good friend Mr. Graydon has
preceded me to those regions let him remain there and let no one
interrupt him. I hope in the Lord that he will be permitted to prosper.
When you write to him, present my cordial regards, and assure him that at
all times I shall be happy to hear from him.
I hope nothing in my last letter, in which I forwarded Mr. R's
communication, will be taken in bad part. I repeat that I was grieved to
have Marin saddled upon me, in a place where I am surrounded by spies and
persecuted by many and vindictive enemies. The idea, however, of his
having gone back to Rome is preposterous, the Bishop of Jaen having
assured Mr. R. that he had turned a deaf ear to all the promises which
had been made to him, with the view of inducing him to recant. He has
not yet made his appearance.
I remain, my dear Sir, yours,
GEORGE BORROW.
_P.S._--You have never had the urbanity to acknowledge the receipt of my
Gypsy Gospel. In the Spanish newspapers it has been called a great
accession to the literature of Spain.
To Mr. William Hitchin
(_Endorsed_: recd. May 8, 1838)
MADRID, _April_ 26, 1838.
I take the liberty of herewith sending you my accompt. It is still an
imperfect one, the printing of the Basque Gospel not being charged for,
which I have not defrayed, together with some other items, for which I am
indebted to my printer, who, having lately fought a duel, is laid up with
his wounds, and cannot for the present transact business. I have charged
here, as you will observe, for the translation of the Basque St. Luke, an
item, which I sent in, in a former accompt, but which appears to have
been overlooked in your favour of Decr. 28, 1837. Independent of the
Despatch, I have charged for the hire of a room as a general depot for
the Scriptures. I am afraid to place my whole stock in the shop, owing
to the continual persecution to which I am subjected, notwithstanding I
enjoy powerful protection. Only last week a band of _alguazils_ rushed
into the premises and seized 25 copies of the Gospel of St. Luke in
Rommany which I had advertised. To the present accompt of the money
which I have disbursed, you will please to add the previous one of Novr.
1837, which I sent in, which will enable you to see how I stand.
I hope the Financial Committee and yourself will excuse any inaccuracies,
supposing I have fallen into any, respecting money drawn, as I am much
busied in negociations, and have lately been so harassed by vexatious
proceedings, that I believe my mind has somewhat suffered. However,
glory to God, the Society's shop is open _at Madrid_, though we are not
allowed to advertise and though it be but a small taper burning amongst
Egyptian darkness. I hope it will serve as a watch-light and beacon to
some.
I remain, etc.,
GEORGE BORROW.
_P.S._--The reprint of 1.5 sheet was owing to want of care on my part, in
the translation. I therefore wish that the amount be struck out from my
disbursements.
To the Rev. A. Brandram
(_Endorsed_: recd. May 22, 1838)
PRISON OF MADRID, _May_ [11], 1838.
REVD. AND DEAR SIR,--I write, as you see, from the prison of Madrid, in
which I have been confined for the last ten days; for it has pleased God
to confer upon me the highest of mortal honours, the privilege of bearing
chains for His sake. I shall not at present detail the circumstances
which occasioned my arrest, as doubtless the English newspapers will
afford you all the particulars, nor shall I dwell upon the situation in
which I find myself, but be content with observing that the violence, the
preconcerted violence and atrocity, which have been practised towards me,
will prove the means of accomplishing not what my enemies hoped and
wished, the destruction and disgrace of the Bible-cause in Spain, but its
triumph, its pure and sublime triumph.
Satan has, as usual, foiled himself, and his poisoned shafts have
recoiled, and pierced his own bosom. You will have heard how gallantly
Sir George Villiers has taken my part, and how he has made a national
question of the persecution of which I have been the object, and which
lately reached its climax. It will be necessary to tell you here that I
have always communicated to him the steps which I intended to take in
order to promote the circulation of the Bible, and they have uniformly
met with his approbation; therefore you will easily conceive that in what
I have done there has been no rashness nor anything which savoured of the
arts of the charlatan: I have too much respect for the Gospel and my own
character to have recourse to them.
I will now state a fact which speaks volumes as to the state of affairs
at Madrid. My arch-enemy the Archbishop of Toledo, the Primate of Spain,
wishes to give me the kiss of brotherly peace. He has caused a message
to be conveyed to me in my dungeon, assuring me that he has had no share
in causing my imprisonment, which he says was the work of the Civil
Governor, who was incited to that step by the Jesuits. He adds that he
is determined to seek out my persecutors amongst the clergy and to have
them punished, and that when I leave prison he shall be happy to
co-operate with me in the dissemination of the Gospel!!!
I cannot write much now, for I am not well, having been bled and
blistered. I must, however, devote a few lines to another subject, but
not one of rejoicing or Christian exultation. Marin arrived just after
my arrest, and visited me in prison, and there favoured me with a scene
of despair, abject despair, which nearly turned my brain. I despised the
creature, God forgive me, but I pitied him; for he was without money and
expected every moment to be seized like myself and incarcerated, and he
is by no means anxious to be invested with the honours of martyrdom. I
have offered him some relief--what else could I do? He seems partly
insane. I reap, as I expected, the full credit of his conversion. The
Bishop of Cordova got up the other day in council, and said that I was a
dangerous pestilent person, who under the pretence of selling the
Scriptures went about making converts, and moreover employed
subordinates, for the purpose of deluding weak and silly people into
separation from the Mother Church.
Of this man I have said in a letter to Mr. Rule, not yet sent: 'I hope
that Marin's history will prove a warning to many of our friends, and
tend to a certain extent to sober down the desire for doing what is
called at home _smart things_, many of which terminate in a manner very
different from the original expectations of the parties concerned. To do
a great and a good thing requires a heart replete with the love of Christ
and a head cooled by experience and knowledge of the world; both of which
desiderata I consider incompatible with a wish to shine.'
It is probable that I shall leave prison to-morrow. Pray write to my
mother and beg her not to be alarmed.
I remain, Revd. and dear Sir,
Yours faithfully,
GEORGE BORROW.
To the Rev. A. Brandram
(_Endorsed_: recd. May 23, 1838)
MADRID, May 13 [1838].
REVD. AND DEAR SIR,--Post is just about to start, but I am compelled to
write a few words. The Bible cause has triumphed in Spain. Whatever I
do in future connected with the Gospel is to have the sanction of the
Government, who have expressed a desire to co-operate with the Bible
Society towards the civilization of the country.
I left prison yesterday, and this morning was sent for to the British
Embassy, where Sir George entered into an infinity of details which I
cannot state at present. Sir George has commanded me, however, to write
to the following effect:--