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
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:--
Mr. Graydon must leave Spain, or the Bible Society must publicly disavow
that his proceedings receive their encouragement, unless they wish to see
the Sacred Book, which it is their object to distribute, brought into
universal odium and contempt. He has lately been to Malaga, and has
there played precisely the same part which he acted last year at
Valencia, with the addition that in printed writings he has insulted the
Spanish Government in the most inexcusable manner. A formal complaint of
his conduct has been sent up from Malaga, and a copy of one of his
writings. Sir George blushed when he saw it, and informed Count Ofalia
that any steps which might be taken towards punishing the author would
receive no impediment from him.
I shall not make any observation on this matter further than stating that
I have never had any other opinion of Mr. Graydon than that he is
insane--insane as the person who for the sake of warming his own hands
would set a street on fire. Sir George said to-day that he, Graydon, was
the cause of my harmless shop being closed at Madrid and also of my
imprisonment. The Society will of course communicate with Sir George on
the subject: I wash my hands of it.
I remain, dear Sir, most truly yours,
GEORGE BORROW.
To the Rev. A. Brandram
(_Endorsed_: recd. May 28, 1838)
MADRID, May 17, 1838.
Excuse the haste in which my last letter was written; it doubtless seemed
somewhat incoherent, I will now endeavour to be more explicit. Moreover,
since sending it, I have had an interview of nearly two hours with Count
Ofalia, and have much that is new to communicate. But previously to
stating what is likely to afford pleasure and satisfaction, I must
proceed to disburden myself of what I heard with the greatest pain, and
which I communicate with sorrow and reluctance.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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