The Bible in Spain, Vol. 2 [of 2]: 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, Vol. 2 [of 2]: 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
Before taking leave of Cadiz I shall relate an anecdote of the British
consul, characteristic of him and the happy manner in which he contrives
to execute the most disagreeable duties of his situation. I was in
conversation with him in a parlour of his house, when we were interrupted
by the entrance of two very unexpected visitors: they were the captain of
a Liverpool merchant-vessel and one of the crew. The latter was a rough
sailor, a Welshman, who could only express himself in very imperfect
English. They looked unutterable dislike and defiance at each other. It
appeared that the latter had refused to work, and insisted on leaving the
ship, and his master had in consequence brought him before the consul, in
order that, if he persisted, the consequences might be detailed to him,
which would be the forfeiture of his wages and clothes. This was done;
but the fellow became more and more dogged, refusing ever to tread the
same deck again with his captain, who, he said, had called him “Greek,
lazy lubberly Greek,” which he would not bear. The word Greek rankled in
the sailor’s mind, and stung him to the very core. Mr. B---, who seemed
to be perfectly acquainted with the character of Welshmen in general—who
are proverbially obstinate when opposition is offered to them—and who saw
at once that the dispute had arisen on foolish and trivial grounds, now
told the man, with a smile, that he would inform him of a way by which he
might gain the weather-gage of every one of them, consul, and captain,
and all, and secure his wages and clothes; which was by merely going on
board a brig-of-war of her Majesty, which was then lying in the bay. The
fellow said he was aware of this, and intended to do so. His grim
features, however, instantly relaxed in some degree, and he looked more
humanely upon his captain. Mr. B--- then, addressing himself to the
latter, made some observations on the impropriety of using the word Greek
to a British sailor: not forgetting at the same time to speak of the
absolute necessity of obedience and discipline on board every ship. His
words produced such an effect, that in a very little time the sailor held
out his hand towards his captain, and expressed his willingness to go on
board with him and perform his duty, adding, that the captain, upon the
whole, was the best man in the world. So they departed mutually pleased;
the consul making both of them promise to attend divine service at his
house on the following day.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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