Letters of George Borrow to the British and Foreign Bible SocietyBorrow, George
Religion
Letters of George Borrow to the British and Foreign Bible Society
Borrow, George
Authors, English -- 19th century -- Correspondence; British and Foreign Bible Society; English letters
REVD. AND DEAR SIR,--I have received your letter of the 27th ult.
containing the resolution of the Committee, and also yours of the [17th]
ult. with my account. I was exceedingly grieved at learning that poor
Mr. Tarn has been removed, for he was a most worthy person, and the Bible
Society will experience a severe loss in his death; but I hope and trust
that eventually some one will be found worthy to succeed him. He is
doubtless at present in the other world receiving the reward of his faith
in this; let us pray that we may be counted worthy to join him there!
By the time these lines reach you the four Gospels will have passed
through the press; for the work is going on well and prosperously, and I
have little doubt that within five weeks it will be completed. I have
already entered into arrangements respecting the binding with Mr.
Borrego, who is about to unite bookbinding with printing; the terms are
very reasonable, considering the current prices of the country, as I am
to pay but three _reals_ per volume for a calf binding similar to that of
the copy which was entrusted to me. I have reckoned that the expense of
each book, printing, paper, and binding included, will but barely amount
to 15 _reals_; and cheaper than this it is utterly impossible to bring
out a work of the size of the New Testament, handsomely and creditably in
Spain.
Within a few days I shall despatch letters circular to all the principal
booksellers in Spain, specifying the nature, size and quality of the
work, and inviting them to subscribe at 15 _reals_ per copy, the prime
cost; for if anything will tempt them to a speculation of the kind, it
will be the hope and prospect of making a very handsome profit. Yet they
are so short-sighted and, like all their countrymen, so utterly
unacquainted with the rudiments of business, that it is by no means
improbable that they, one and all, take no notice of this proposal, which
is however the only plan which at present appears available for promoting
the _general_ circulation of the Scriptures.
Dr. Usoz, the gentleman who is at present assisting me in the editing of
the work in question, is very anxious to become a member and a
correspondent of the Bible Society. His letter on that subject I
translated and transmitted previous to my last visit to England, but he
has never received an answer. I beg leave to say that I am extremely
desirous that his request be granted, and that he be written to without
delay; and I must moreover beg to be furnished with a written or printed
authority to establish a branch Bible Society in Madrid, and to nominate
Dr. Usoz as secretary.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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