py, and upon my
informing him that it was three _reals_, he replied that the binding was
worth more, and that he was much afraid that I had stolen the books, and
that it was perhaps his duty to send me to prison as a suspicious
character. He added however that the books were good books, however they
might be obtained, and concluded by purchasing and paying for two copies.
The poor people no sooner heard their curate recommend the volumes, than
all were eager to secure one, and hurried here and there for the purpose
of procuring money, so that between twenty and thirty copies were sold
almost in an instant. This adventure not only affords an instance of the
power still possessed by the Spanish clergy over the minds of the people,
but likewise that such influence is not always exerted in a manner
favourable to the maintenance of ignorance and superstition.

In another village on my showing a Testament to a woman, she said that
she had a child at school for whom she should like to purchase one, but
that she must first know whether the book was calculated to be of service
to him. She then went away, and presently returned with the
schoolmaster, followed by all the children under his care. She then,
showing the schoolmaster a book, enquired if it would answer for her son.
The schoolmaster called her a simpleton for asking such a question, and
said that he knew the book well, and there was not its equal in the
world. (_No hay otro en el mundo_.) He instantly purchased five copies
for his pupils, regretting that he had no more money, 'For in that case,'
said he, 'I would buy the whole cargo.' Upon hearing this, the woman
purchased four copies: namely, one for her son, another for her husband
who was dead, a third for herself, and a fourth for her brother, whom,
she said, she was expecting home that night from Madrid.

In this manner we proceeded, not however with uniform success. In some
villages the people were so poor and needy that they had literally no
money; even in these, however, we managed to dispose of a few copies in
exchange for barley or refreshments. (Is this right?)

On entering one very small hamlet, Vitoriano was stopped by the curate,
who on learning what he carried told him that unless he instantly
departed, he would cause him to be imprisoned, and write to Madrid in
order to give information of what was going on. The excursion lasted
about eight days. Immediately after my return, I despatched Vit