place, I was permitted to circulate many copies of God's Word both
amongst the Jews and the Christians, by the latter of whom it was
particularly wanted, their ignorance of the most vital points of religion
being truly horrible. In the second place, I acquired a vast stock of
information concerning Africa and the state of its interior. One of my
principal associates was a black slave, whose country was only three
days' journey from Timbuctoo, which place he had frequently visited. The
Soosi men also told me many of the secrets of the land of wonders from
which they come, and the rabbis from Fez and Morocco were no less
communicative. Moreover I consider it a great advantage to have obtained
the friendship of Mr. Hay, who is a true British gentleman. I found him
at first reserved and distant, and I thought averse to countenance the
object of my mission. In a few days, however, his manner changed
surprisingly, and at my departure he begged me to communicate to the
Bible Society that at all times and seasons he should be happy to receive
its commands, and to render all the assistance in Fez and Morocco which
his official situation would permit him, should the views of the Society
at any future time be directed to those regions.
Permit me, my dear Sir, to correct in your letter something which savours
of inaccuracy. You hint at the issues of the Scriptures in Spain having
been small. Now during the last year I have issued three thousand
Testaments and five hundred Bibles, which is certainly no small
circulation of the Word of God in such a country. But pray inform me why
the circulation has not been ten times greater? Surely you are aware
that among the many peculiarities of my situation was this distressing
one, namely, that I was scarcely ever able to supply the people with the
books that they were in want of. They clamoured for Bibles, and I had
nothing but Testaments to offer them. Had I been possessed of twenty
thousand Bibles in the spring of the present year, I could have disposed
of them all without leaving Madrid; and they would have found their way
through all Spain. I beseech you always to bear this fact in mind in
your reports to the public, otherwise that public will remain strangely
in the dark respecting the spirit of enquiry which is abroad in Spain.
You are quite right in supposing that I entertain a favourable opinion of
Mr. Wood. I know him to be a good husband and father, and a man who
fears the Lord: he is likewise possessed of considerable ability; but I
am entirely unacquainted with any plan which he may have formed
respecting printing the Scriptures in Spain, or any memorial which he may
have sent in to the Bible Society on the subject, so that of course I
cannot be expected to express an opinion. It is my intention in a few
days to depart from hence on my expedition, so that should you be
desirous of writing to me, you had perhaps best address to Madrid.
When the Bible Society has no further occasion for my poor labours, I
hope it will do me justice to the world. I have been its faithful and
zealous servant. I shall on a future occasion take the liberty of
addressing you as a friend respecting my prospects. I have the materials
of a curious book of travels in Spain; I have enough metrical
translations from all languages, especially the Celtic and Sclavonic, to
fill a dozen volumes; and I have formed a vocabulary of the Spanish Gypsy
tongue, and also a collection of the songs and poetry of the Gitanos with
introductory essays. Perhaps some of these literary labours might be
turned to account. I wish to obtain honourably and respectably the means
of visiting China, or particular parts of Africa. I call this letter
private, but communicate such parts of it as you think proper.
(UNSIGNED.)
To the Rev. A. Brandram
(_Endorsed_: recd. Dec. 19, 1839)
PRISON OF SEVILLE, Novr. 25, 1839.
REVD. AND DEAR SIR,--I write these lines as you see from the common
prison of Seville, to which I was led yesterday, or rather dragged,
neither for murder nor robbery nor debt but simply for having endeavoured
to obtain a passport for Cordova, to which place I was going with my
Jewish servant, Hayim Ben Attar.
It is necessary for me here to give you some information respecting my
proceedings since I last wrote. I wished to distribute some more
Testaments in Seville before I left the country, and accordingly procured
a considerable number from Madrid. Everything was accomplished with the
utmost secrecy, and the blessed books obtained considerable circulation.
I likewise sent agents into the country, and went myself in my accustomed
manner. All went well, the entire stock which had reached me was
circulated, and I rested from my labours for a little time; for indeed I
had need of quiet, being indisposed.
Some English people now came to Seville and distributed tracts in a very
unguarded manner, knowing nothing of the country or the inhabitants.
They were even so unwise as _to give tracts instead of money on visiting
public buildings_, _etc._ These persons came to me, and requested my
co-operation and advice, and likewise introductions to people spiritually
disposed amongst the Spaniards, to all which requests I returned a
decided negative. But I foresaw all. In a day or two I was summoned
before the _Gefe Politico_ or, as he was once called, _Corregidor_ of
Seville, who I must say treated me with the utmost politeness, and indeed
respect; but at the same time he informed me that he had (to use his own
expression) terrible orders from Madrid concerning me, if I should be
discovered in the act of distributing the Scriptures or any writings of a
religious tendency. He then taxed me with having circulated both lately,
especially tracts: whereupon I told him that I had never distributed a
tract since I had been in Spain, nor had any intention of doing so. We
had much conversation and parted in kindness. I went away for a few
days, though without intending to do anything, and wrote to the firm of
O'Shea for money, of which I stood in need and which I received. I now
determined to make for La Mancha and to put my plan into execution, which
I should have done sooner had the roads been a little more secure.
Yesterday I sent my passport to be signed by the _Alcalde del Barrio_.
This fellow is the greatest ruffian in Seville, and I have on various
occasions been insulted by him; he pretends to be a liberal, but is of no
principle at all, and as I reside within his district he has been
employed by the Canons of the cathedral to vex and harass me on every
possible occasion. (By the way, the hatred which these last people
nourish against me amounts almost to frenzy, and scarcely a day passes by
in which they do not send in false accusations against me to the _Gefe
Politico_; they have even gone so far as to induce people to perjure
themselves by swearing that I have sold or given them books, people whom
I have never seen nor heard of; and the same system was carried on whilst
I was in Africa, for they are so foolishly suspicious that they could not
be persuaded that I was out of Seville.) The above-mentioned _Alcalde_
refused to sign the passport, though he was bound to do so, it being
quite in form, and insulted the messenger: whereupon I sent the latter
back with money to pay any fees lawful or unlawful which might be
demanded, as I wished to avoid noise and the necessity of applying to the
consul, Mr. Williams. But the fellow became only more outrageous. I
then went myself to demand an explanation and was called all the vilest
names contained in the Spanish _Germania_ (Billingsgate), whereupon I
told him that if he proceeded in this manner I would make a complaint to
the authorities through the consul. He then said that if I did not
instantly depart he would drag me off to prison, and cause me to be
knocked down if I made the slightest resistance. I dared him repeatedly
to do both, and said that he was a disgrace to the Government which
employed him and to human nature. He called me a heretic. We were now
in the street and a mob was collected, whereupon I cried '_Viva
Inglaterra_, _y viva La Constitucion_.' The populace seemed disposed to
side with me, notwithstanding the exhortations of the monster to them
that they would knock down _the foreigner_, for he himself quailed before
me as I looked him in the eyes defying him. He at last ran to a
neighbouring guard-house, and requested the assistance of the Nationals
in conducting me to prison. I followed him and delivered myself up at
the first summons, and walked to the prison without uttering a word: not
so the ruffian, who continued his abuse until we arrived at the gate. I
was asked my name by the authorities of the prison, which I refused to
give unless in the presence of the consul, and indeed to answer any
questions. I was then ordered to the _patio_ or courtyard, where are
kept the lowest thieves and assassins of Seville, who having no money
cannot pay for better accommodation, and by whom I should have been
stripped naked in a moment as a matter of course, as they are all in a
state of raging hunger and utter destitution. I asked for a private
cell, which I was told I might have if I could pay for it. I stated my
willingness to pay anything which might be demanded, and was conducted to
an upper ward, consisting of several cells and a corridor. Here I found
six or seven prisoners who received me very civilly, and instantly
procured me paper and ink for the purpose of writing to the consul. In
less than an hour Mr. Williams arrived and I told him my story, at which
he wondered, as he well might, and presently departed in order to demand
redress of the authorities. The next morning I was informed that the
ruffian the _Alcalde_ had upon his own authority entered my house and
searched for prohibited books, hoping, if he found any, to justify to a
certain degree his conduct to me. He found none, and is now quite in my
power, without a shadow of excuse--he having entered by force the house
of a foreigner, without authority, and not in the presence of the consul
of the nation. I have now been here four-and-twenty hours, and am
assured that my liberation will have been effectuated before another day
shall have passed over. My fellow-prisoners have treated me with
unbounded kindness and hospitality, and I have never found myself amongst
more quiet and well-behaved men. Yet--what is their history? The
handsome black-haired man who is now looking over my shoulder is the
celebrated thief Palacio, the most expert housebreaker and dexterous
swindler in Spain--in a word, the modern Guzman Dalfarache. The brawny
man who sits by the _brasero_ of charcoal is Salvador, the highwayman of
Ronda, who has committed a hundred murders. A fashionably dressed man,
short and slight in person, is walking about the room: he wears immense
whiskers and mustachios; he is one of that most singular race the Jews of
Spain; he is imprisoned for counterfeiting money. He is an atheist, but
like a true Jew the name which he most hates is that of Christ. Yet he
is so quiet and civil, and they are all so quiet and civil, and it is
that which most horrifies me, for quietness and civility in them seem so
unnatural.
Novr. 26th. Since writing the above, I have been set at liberty. I am
going to Madrid in a few hours to demand redress, and to make
preparations for leaving Spain as soon as possible. There is nothing
more to be done here for the present in the cause of the Gospel. I
received your letter, which I read with great pleasure. You are quite
right in most of your observations, and especially in one. That circular
_was_ uncalled for.
Ever yours,
GEORGE BORROW.
To the Rev. A. Brandram
(_Endorsed_: recd. Jan. 3, 1840.)
_Decr._ 24, 1839,
MADRID, No. 16 CALLE SANTIAGO.
REV. AND DEAR SIR,--The last letter which I wrote to you was from
Seville, and in that I gave you an account of what I had been doing for
some time previous and likewise of my imprisonment. I have now been in
Madrid nearly three weeks, and immediately after my arrival I demanded
redress of the Spanish Government for the various outrages which I have
recently been subjected to at Seville. Mr. Aston, the British Minister,
not having yet arrived at Madrid, I presented my complaint through Mr.
Jerningham the first secretary of Legation, who has superseded Mr.
Southern, the latter gentleman having been appointed to Lisbon. Mr.
Southern introduced me to Mr. Jerningham, who received me with great
kindness and took up my cause very warmly. Whether I shall be able to
obtain justice I know not, for I have against me the Canons of Seville;
and all the arts of villainy which they are so accustomed to practise
will of course be used against me for the purpose of screening the
ruffian who is their instrument. An instance which I am about to give
will speak volumes as to this person's character. When I was in prison,
he forced his way into my house and searched it for Testaments, but found
none. When he was questioned by the vice-consul as to the authority by
which he made this search, he pulled out a paper purporting to be the
deposition of an old woman to the effect that I had sold her a Testament
some ten days before. This document was a forgery. I had never seen the
female in question, and during the whole time that I have been in
Andalusia I have never sold a book of any description to any such person.
I have been, my dear Sir, fighting with wild beasts during the greatest
part of the time which has elapsed since I had last the pleasure of
seeing you. None but myself can have an idea of what I have undergone
and the difficulties which I have had to encounter; but I wish not to
dilate on that subject. Thanks be to the Most High that my labours are
now brought to a conclusion. The Madrid edition of the New Testament has
been distributed, with the exception of a few hundred copies, which I
have no wish should be sold at present, for reasons stated on a prior
occasion, and which I shall endeavour to leave in safe custody. The fate
of this edition has been a singular one, by far the greatest part having
been dispersed among the peasantry of Spain and the remainder amongst the
very poor of the towns, the artisans of Madrid and Seville, the
water-carriers and porters. You will rarely find a copy of this work in
the houses of the wealthy and respectable, but you will frequently light
upon it in the huts of the labourers, in the garrets or cellars of the
penniless, and even in the hulks and convict-garrisons (_presidios_). I
myself saw it in the prison of Seville. As for the few copies of the
entire Bible which I had at my disposal, they have been distributed
amongst the upper classes, chiefly amongst the mercantile body, the
members of which upon the whole are by far the most intellectual and best
educated of the subjects of the Spanish monarchy.
I have thus cast my books upon the waters. It is for the Lord on high to
determine the quantity of good which they are to operate. I have a
humble hope however that they will be permitted to do some. If the eyes
of only a few of these unhappy people amongst whom I am still sojourning
be through them opened to one of the damning errors of popery, I shall
esteem myself amply remunerated for all the pain, the anxiety, and I may
almost say misery (for the flesh is weak) which I have experienced in the
work, even for that--to me, the most heart-breaking of everything--the
strange, the disadvantageous light in which, I am aware, I must
frequently have appeared to those I most respect and love. My situation
throughout has been a most peculiar one, rocks and quicksands have
surrounded me on every side, and frequently I have been compelled to give
offence to my friends in order not to afford a triumph to the enemies of
God and His cause.
In your last kind communication, I think, you said that neither our
excellent friend Mr. B. [Brackenbury] nor myself appeared properly to
appreciate the worth of two other of our friends who had been labouring
in Spain. Permit me here to observe that we both appreciate their
sterling worth of character and piety; they are both very extraordinary
individuals, one particularly so, and the zeal which both have displayed
in a holy cause is quite above praise. But it is necessary in order to
accomplish much good in a country situated as this is at present, that
the greatest prudence and foresight go hand in hand with zeal and piety.
A corrupt Government, influenced by an atrocious priesthood, has for the
last three years been on the look-out to take advantage of every rash
movement of the helpers in God's cause in Spain. It ought always to be
borne in mind that though nominally a constitutional country, Spain is
governed by despotism the more infamous and dangerous as it decks itself
in the garb of liberty. Whenever a native becomes obnoxious to the
Government, he is instantly seized and imprisoned, though perhaps guilty
of no crime which can be punished by law; foreigners have by law
particular privileges, but these privileges are every day violated, and
redress is seldom or never obtained; which proves that the law is a dead
letter.
I know perfectly well that it is no infraction of the _law_ to print or
sell the Holy Scriptures, either with or without comment, in Spain. What
then? Is there not such a thing as _A Royal Ordinance_ to the effect
that the Scriptures be seized wherever they are found? True it is that
ordinance is an unlawful one: but what matters that, provided it be put
into execution by the authorities civil and military? Too many
Englishmen who visit Spain imagine that they carry their own highly
favoured country at their back, a country in which the law rules supreme;
but let them once be brought into collision with the Government, and they
will soon learn how little it avails them to have right on their side
whilst brute force is always at the call of their adversaries.
I have informed Mr. Jerningham that for some time past I have
relinquished distributing the Scriptures in Spain--which is the truth. I
therefore claim the privileges of a British subject and the protection of
my Government. I shall return to England as soon as I can obtain some
redress for this affair. It is then my intention to attempt to obtain an
interview with some of the members of the House of Lords. I have
important disclosures to make respecting the system of persecution which
still exists in this country with respect to Protestants, who are not
only debarred the exercise of their religion but to whom the common
privilege of burial is denied: so much for the tolerance of Popery. Yet
there are journals of talent and learning in England who, observing that
British Protestants, alarmed at the progress which the Papal doctrine is
making in the British islands, are concerting measures for their own
defence, accuse them of raising once more the _senseless bray against
Popery_; as if every unprejudiced person was not aware that Popery is an
unrelenting fiend which never spares when it has the power to crush--and
that power I am afraid it will soon possess in Britain, unless the poor
down-trodden Protestants stand back to back and combat the monster to the
death. This is no vain alarm, I assure you; therefore I beg that you
will not smile. Few people know more of the secrets of Popery than
myself, or the stand which she intends to take when time and place serve.
Therefore in conclusion let me entreat those of our friends who may hear
these lines read to be on their guard, to drop all petty dissensions, and
to comport themselves like brothers. Protestants must no longer be
disunited.
I will write again in a day or two.
May the Lord be with you, Revd. and dear Sir.
GEORGE BORROW.
To the Rev. A. Brandram
(_Endorsed_: recd. Jan. 7, 1840)
MADRID, No. 16 CALLE, SANTIAGO,
28_th_ _Dec._ 1839.
REVD. AND DEAR SIR,--I lose not a moment in writing to you in consequence
of an article in one of the London papers (the _Courier_, I believe)
which has just been shown me. It relates to my late imprisonment at
Seville, and contains part of a letter which I showed to a friend and
which indeed was a copy of that which I sent to yourself. With respect
to the letter I have little to observe, save that I showed it to various
individuals (who took copies) in order that an incorrect 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.
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.
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.