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
The Levitical party in Madrid have, in the meantime, spared no effort to
vilify me. They have started a publication called 'The friend of the
Christian religion,' in which has appeared a furious attack upon me,
which I have however treated with the contempt it deserves. But not
satisfied with this, they have endeavoured to incite the ignorant
populace against me, by telling them that I am a sorcerer and a companion
of Gypsies and witches, and I have been called so in the streets. That I
am an associate of Gypsies and fortune-tellers I do not deny, and why
should I be ashamed of their company when my Master mingled with
publicans and thieves? Many of the poor Gypsy race come frequently to
visit me, receive instruction, and hear parts of the Gospel read to them
in their own language, and when they are hungry and faint I give them to
eat and drink. This may be deemed sorcery in Spain, but I am not without
hope that it will be otherwise estimated in England; and were I to perish
to-morrow I think there are some who would be disposed to say that I have
lived not altogether in vain (always as an instrument of the 'Most
Highest'), having been permitted to turn one of the most valuable books
of God into the speech of the most oppressed and miserable of His
creatures.
No more at present, but I hope to write again within a few days.
GEORGE BORROW.
To the Rev. A. Brandram
(_Endorsed_: recd. Mar. 27, 1838)
MADRID, CALLE SANTIAGO, No. 16.
17 _March_, 1838.
REVD. AND DEAR SIR,--As I entertain little doubt that yourself and my
other good friends are anxious to obtain information respecting the
course of matters in Madrid, I write the present letter, although I could
have wished to tarry a little longer, in the hope of being able to afford
more satisfactory intelligence. In the first place, allow me to state
that about six weeks since I despatched to England a copy of Saint Luke
in Rommany, by the courier of the Embassy, which I hope you received, and
that it afforded you satisfaction. I may also add that yesterday the
printing of the Basque translation of the same Gospel was brought to a
happy conclusion, to my very great satisfaction, as it has caused me much
trouble and anxiety, the press having been brought to a stop three times
from the necessity of casting fresh type, the usual Spanish founts being
insufficient to print a sheet in this singular language, owing to all its
words being contained within the compass of six or seven letters, the
demand for which is in consequence tremendous. With the Rommany I had no
difficulty whatever. Within a week or two it is my intention to publish
both Gospels simultaneously. With this preamble, I will now proceed to
other matters.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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