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:
{137} Friday, or the day of Crucifixion.
{153} Almost all other articles in Madrid are proportionably dear.
{154} Amat's Bible sells for 4 dollars.
{197} The Spanish sheet is but one-fourth the size of the English.
{251} 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.
{256} I have since discovered that they were only despatched the day
before my arrival at Madrid.
{274} I think the sale is becoming brisker; this very day we have sold
eight.
{275a} I wish much that I had the Old Testament apart, precisely in the
same form.
{275b} 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.
{392} [Greek text] as Antonio says.
{422a} I send the original phrase which is remarkable, and in remarkable
Spanish.
{422b} They were supplied six months ago.