aware of the results of the visit of our friend
to Malaga, all their Bibles and Testaments having been seized throughout
Spain, with the exception of my stock in Madrid (upwards of 3000)--Count
Ofalia having in a communication to Sir George declared that he had full
confidence in my honour and good faith, being well persuaded that I
harboured no designs but those I professed.

I send you on the other side some extracts from one of the tracts which
purports to be 'A true history of the Virgin of Sorrows, to whom Don
Carlos, the Rebel and Fanatic, has dedicated his cause, and the ignorance
which he trumpets.' The one, however, which has given most offence is 'A
Catechism on the Principal Controversies between Protestants and
Catholics,' translated from the English.

I now await your orders. I wish to know whether I am at liberty to
pursue the course which may seem to me best under existing circumstances,
and which at present appears to be to mount my horses which are neighing
in the stable, and once more to betake myself to the plains and mountains
of dusty Spain, and to dispose of my Testaments to the muleteers and
peasants. By doing so I shall employ myself usefully, and at the same
time avoid giving offence. Better days will soon arrive, which will
enable me to return to Madrid and reopen my shop; till then, however, I
should wish to pursue my labours in comparative obscurity.

I remain, Revd. and dear Sir, most truly yours,

GEORGE BORROW.

_P.S._--I am engaged in translating the Acts of the Apostles into Basque.

_On the fly-leaf of this letter appear the following extracts_.

Historia Verdadera de la Virjen Dolorosa
a Quien el rebelde y fanatico D. Carlos
Ha Dedicado su causa y la ignorancia que Pregona.

EXTRACTOS

P. 17. 'Echase de ver en todos estos epitetos grandiosos prodigados a
Maria la obra del enemigo de Dios, el cual, ensencialmente idolatra, ha
sabido introducir la idolatria bajo las apariencias del Cristianismo, y
se esfuerza en desviar sobre una criatura, y hasta en la imagen de esta,
la adoracion que se debe a Dios tan solo. Sin duda que con igual objeto
se colocan por todas partes las estatuas de Maria, adornadas con una
corona, y llevando en brazos un tierno infante, como para acostumbrar al
pueblo al concepto entranable de [la superi] oridad de Maria sobre
Jesus.'

P. 30.