r the pictures
which the word-master would have given us of this people, but the sigh is
almost one of relief when we think of the escape of the exquisite tongue
which Borrow would have tortured and defaced, and I, for one, cannot
pretend to regret that the discovery of Welsh Romani should have fallen
instead to the lot of that perfect scholar-gypsy and gypsy-scholar,
FRANCIS HINDES GROOME.

* * * * *

NOTE.--The page references to 'Lavengro' in the foot-notes are to F. H.
Groome's edition published in this series; references to 'Romano
Lavo-Lil' and 'Wild Wales' are to the original editions. Borrow's own
foot-notes are marked (G. B.), and facts quoted on Professor Knapp's
authority (Kn.).

ADVERTISEMENT

It having been frequently stated in print that the book called 'Lavengro'
was got up expressly against the Popish agitation in the years 1850-51,
the author takes this opportunity of saying that the principal part of
that book was written in the year '43, that the whole of it was completed
before the termination of the year '46, and that it was in the hands of
the publisher in the year '48. {0z6} And here he cannot forbear
observing, that it was the duty of that publisher to have rebutted a
statement which he knew to be a calumny; and also to have set the public
right on another point dealt with in the Appendix to the present work,
more especially as he was the proprietor of a review enjoying, however
undeservedly, a certain sale and reputation.

'But take your own part, boy!
For if you don't, no one will take it for you.'

With respect to 'Lavengro,' the author feels that he has no reason to be
ashamed of it. In writing that book he did his duty, by pointing out to
his country-people the nonsense which, to the greater part of them, is as
the breath of their nostrils, and which, if indulged in, as it probably
will be, to the same extent as hitherto, will, within a very few years,
bring the land which he most loves beneath a foreign yoke; he does not
here allude to the yoke of Rome.

Instead of being ashamed, has he not rather cause to be proud of a book
which has had the honour of being rancorously abused and execrated by the
very people of whom the country has least reason to be proud?

* * * * *

One day Cogia Efendy went to a bridal festival. The masters of the
feast, observing his old and coarse apparel, paid him no