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 AND EXCELLENT FRIEND,--I arrived at Cadiz this morning
by a small coasting-vessel, after undergoing a quarantine of four days at
Tarifa. On calling at Mr. Brackenbury's I received your kind
communication of the 29th July, acquainting me with the resolution of the
Committee.
Had I been aware of that resolution before my departure for Tangiers, I
certainly should not have gone. My expedition, however, was the result
of much reflection. I wished to carry the Gospel to the Christians of
the Barbary shore who were much in want of it; and I had one hundred and
thirty Testaments at San Lucar which I could only make available by
exportation. The success which it has pleased the Lord to yield me in my
humble efforts at distribution in Barbary will, I believe, prove the best
criterion as to the fitness of the enterprise.
I stated in my last communication to Mr. Brandram the plan which I
conceived to be the best for circulating that portion of the edition of
the New Testament which remains unsold at Madrid, and I scarcely needed a
stimulant in the execution of my duty. At present however I know not
what to do; I am sorrowful, disappointed, and unstrung.
I wish to return to England as soon as possible; but I have books and
papers at Madrid which are of much importance to me and which I cannot
abandon. This perhaps alone prevents me embarking in the next packet. I
have moreover brought with me from Tangiers the Jewish youth who so
powerfully assisted me in that place in the work of distribution. I had
hoped to have made him of service in Spain; he is virtuous and clever.
My servant Antonio I was compelled to send back to Madrid ere my
departure from Seville on account of his many irregularities.
I am almost tempted to ask whether some strange, some unaccountable
delusion does not exist. What should induce me to stay in Spain, as you
appear to suppose I intend? I may, however, have misunderstood you. I
wish to receive a fresh communication as soon as possible either from
yourself or Mr. Brandram; in the meantime I shall go to Seville, to which
place and to the usual number pray direct.
I enclose the last letter which I received from the firm of O'Shea, from
which it will appear that I received [word missing] thirty of the fifty
pounds drawn for: the residue covers the expenses at Madrid, of which I
defray one-half, the books being deposited at my lodgings. I shall
shortly send in my account for the last four months. Pray present my
kind remembrances to Mrs. B. and believe me to remain, Revd. and dear
Sir,
Ever truly yours,
G. B.
_P.S._--Best regards also to Messrs. Brandram and Jowett.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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