so that during less
than a week I have disposed of the entire stock of Testaments which I
brought with me, namely two hundred; only three or four remain, which are
already bespoken. Last night I sent off a messenger to Madrid for a
fresh supply, which I expect will arrive in a day or two.

I must here observe that up to the present moment I have endeavoured as
much as possible to avoid noise, and notoriety. Advertisements and
handbills I have utterly eschewed. I brought none with me, and in these
rural places, the name of a printing press is unknown; nor have I much
endeavoured to work upon the mind of the simple peasantry around me by
words. I merely tell them that I bring them the words and life of the
Saviour and His saints at a price adapted to their humble means.
Nevertheless the news of the arrival of the book of life is spreading
like wild-fire through the villages of the Sagra of Toledo, and wherever
my people and myself direct our course we find the inhabitants disposed
to receive our merchandise; it is even called for where not exhibited.
Last night as I was bathing myself and [my] horse in the Tagus, a knot of
people gathered on the bank crying: 'Come out of the water, Englishman,
and give us books; we have got our money in our hands.' The poor
creatures then held out their hands filled with _cuartos_, a copper coin
of the value of a farthing, but I had unfortunately no Testament to
afford them. My servant, however, who was at a short distance, having
exhibited one, it was instantly torn from his hands by the people, and a
scuffle ensued to obtain possession of it. It has very frequently
occurred that the poor labourers in the neighbourhood, being eager to
obtain Testaments and having no money to offer us in exchange, have
brought various other articles to our cottage as equivalents--for
example, rabbits, fruit and barley; and I have made a point never to
disappoint them, as such articles are of utility either for our own
consumption or that of the horses.

In Villa Seca there is a school in which fifty-seven children are taught
the first rudiments of education. Yesterday morning the schoolmaster, a
tall slim figure of about sixty, bearing on his head one of the peaked
hats of Andalusia and wrapped notwithstanding the excessive heat of the
weather in a long cloak, made his appearance, and having seated himself
requested to be shown one of our books. Having delivered it to him, he
remained examining