The Bible in Spain: Or, the Journeys, Adventures, and Imprisonments of an Englishman, in an Attempt to Circulate the Scriptures in the PeninsulaBorrow, George
Religion
The Bible in Spain: Or, the Journeys, Adventures, and Imprisonments of an Englishman, in an Attempt to Circulate the Scriptures in the Peninsula
Borrow, George
Borrow, George, 1803-1881 -- Travel -- Spain; Spain -- Description and travel; Spain -- History -- 19th century
_Rector_.—My dear Sir, I am rejoiced to hear you; I see that you are well
acquainted with the great body of those of our faith in England. They
are as you have well described them, a most respectable and loyal body;
from loyalty, indeed, they never swerved, and though they have been
accused of plots and conspiracies, it is now well known that such had no
real existence, but were merely calumnies invented by their religious
enemies. During the civil wars the English --- cheerfully shed their
blood and squandered their fortunes in the cause of the unfortunate
martyr, notwithstanding that he never favoured them, and invariably
looked upon them with suspicion. At present the English --- are the most
devoted subjects to our gracious sovereign. I should be happy if I could
say as much for our Irish brethren; but their conduct has been—oh!
detestable. Yet what can you expect? The true—blush for them. A
certain person is a disgrace to the church of which he pretends to be a
servant. Where does he find in our canons sanction for his proceedings,
his undutiful expressions towards one who is his sovereign by divine
right, and who can do no wrong? And above all, where does he find
authority for inflaming the passions of a vile mob against a nation
intended by nature and by position to command them?
_Myself_.—I believe there is an Irish college in this city?
_Rector_.—I believe there is; but it does not flourish, there are few or
no pupils. Oh!
I looked through a window, at a great height, and saw about twenty or
thirty fine lads sporting in a court below. “This is as it should be,”
said I; “those boys will not make worse priests from a little early
devotion to trap-ball and cudgel playing. I dislike a staid, serious,
puritanic education, as I firmly believe that it encourages vice and
hypocrisy.”
We then went into the Rector’s room, where, above a crucifix, was hanging
a small portrait.
_Myself_.—That was a great and portentous man, honest withal. I believe
the body of which he was the founder, and which has been so much decried,
has effected infinitely more good than it has caused harm.
_Rector_.—What do I hear? You an Englishman, and a Protestant, and yet
an admirer of Ignatius Loyola?
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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