ply what I
possess not. I received an order the other day for 20 Hebrew Bibles. I
replied with tears in my eyes, 'I have nothing but the New Testament in
Spanish.'

You wish to know my reasons for censuring the London edition of the
Spanish Bible. I will state them in a few words: the utmost confusion
reigns throughout, both as to accentuation and punctuation; words are
frequently omitted or misspelt, and occasionally a short sentence is left
out. All this is very annoying, but I was perhaps wrong in sending home
'so unmitigated a censure.' It may possibly occur that a Spanish
edition, unless superintended by very zealous and careful people, may
turn out yet more incorrect. Therefore I should not be sorry to see any
number arrive at Madrid.

In reply to your observation that I am in a mistake in supposing that
Bibles have been given away to any extent in the south of Spain, permit
me to observe, and always with the greatest humility, that I never
ventured to form any supposition respecting the matter. But the Vicar
General of Valencia gave as a reason for publishing the circular in which
he forbids the Bible, an advertisement inserted in the Commercial Diary
of Valencia, to the effect, that a person was commissioned in that city
to sell at cheap prices, and even to give away gratis to those who might
not have money at their disposal, copies of the Spanish Bible printed in
London; and on this passage his commentator observes, 'Fine generosity!
Charity worthy of applause and gratitude!' The friend who brought me the
newspaper stated at the time that the advertisement was calculated to do
harm. It is certainly liable to much misconstruction.

And now, my dear Sir, having detailed my whereabouts, permit me to
subscribe myself,

Yours most truly,

GEORGE BORROW.

To the Rev. A. Brandram

(_Endorsed_: recd. Jan. 26, 1838)
MADRID, _January_ 15, 1838.
No. 16 CALLE SANTIAGO.

REVD. AND DEAR SIR,--The priests have at length 'swooped upon me,' and I
have received a peremptory order from the Political Governor of Madrid to
sell no more New Testaments. I have been apprehensive of something
similar for some little time, on account of the late change of Ministry,
the present head of the Cabinet, Ofalia, being on