you with what I have done since my arrival, and what I, with the Lord's
assistance, purpose doing.

My first care was to wait on my excellent friend, Mr. Villiers, who
received me with his usual kindness. I asked him if it were his opinion
that I might venture to commence printing the Scriptures without an
application to the present Government, as the law is doubtful on the
point. His reply was satisfactory: 'You obtained the permission of the
Government of Isturitz,' said he, 'which was a much less liberal one than
the present; I am a witness to the promise made to you by the former
Ministers, which I consider sufficient; you had best commence and
complete the work as soon as possible, without any fresh application, and
should any one attempt to interrupt you, you have only to come to me,
whom you may command at any time.'--I went away with a light heart.

I next visited Mr. O'Shea, who was very glad to see me again, and assured
me that he took the greatest interest in my undertaking, and should be
happy to further it to the utmost of his power. I knew that he had been
connected with the paper-manufactories of the south, and a thought struck
me. You will remember that I brought over specimens of paper from thirty
to eighty _reals_ per ream, and that I was authorised to purchase 600
{197} reams of paper at 60 _reals_ per ream. I asked Mr. O'Shea if he
did not think that, through his connections, he could procure me such
paper as I wanted at a much cheaper rate than it was possible for me to
obtain it; he said he would make enquiries. I returned in a few days: he
had performed more than I expected, and he showed me paper at 45 _reals_,
better than what I could have purchased at 70, likewise some very good at
37. I hesitated for some time between these two specimens; I at length,
however, determined to purchase that at 45 _reals_. I am therefore able
to communicate that in paper alone 9000 _reals_ will have been saved to
the funds of the Society, and at the same time a superior article have
been procured.

I found that during my absence from Madrid Mr. Wood had quitted Mr.
Borrego, and had accepted a situation in another printing establishment;
but as Mr. Borrego is in possession of the only English press at Madrid,
is moreover an intimate friend of Mr. O'Shea, and above all enjoys the
good opinion of Mr. Villiers who interests himself in his welfare, I am
determined to entrust the printing to him. Mr. Borrego h