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diff --git a/38662-0.txt b/38662-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d071846 --- /dev/null +++ b/38662-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,12280 @@ +The Project Gutenberg eBook, The Life of George Borrow, by Clement K. +Shorter + + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + + + + +Title: The Life of George Borrow + + +Author: Clement K. Shorter + + + +Release Date: January 24, 2012 [eBook #38662] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + + +***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE LIFE OF GEORGE BORROW*** + + +Transcribed from the [1920] J. M. Dent & Sons edition by David Price, +email ccx074@pglaf.org + + [Picture: George Borrow] + + THE WAYFARER’S LIBRARY + + * * * * * + + + + + + The + LIFE OF + GEORGE BORROW + + + Clement K. Shorter + + [Picture: Decorative graphic] + + * * * * * + + LONDON & TORONTO: J. M. DENT & SONS, Ltd. + NEW YORK: E. P. DUTTON & CO. + + TO + AUGUSTINE BIRRELL + A FRIEND OF LONG YEARS AND A TRUE + LOVER OF GEORGE BORROW + C. K. S. + + + + +INTRODUCTION + + +THERE is a substantial biography of George Borrow in two large volumes by +the late Dr. Knapp, an American professor who gave many years of devotion +to the subject. But I have had the singular advantage over Dr. Knapp in +that all the private letters and personal papers left by Borrow to his +step-daughter and heir, Henrietta MacOubrey, have come into my hands. +These include Borrow’s letters to his wife and step-daughter, many of +which will be found scattered through this biography. This book was +first published under the title of _George Borrow and his Circle_, but I +am grateful to a publisher for sending it forth once more in a form which +makes it available to a larger public. Certain new letters from Borrow +to his wife which have been found since the first appearance of this book +have been added, together with other hitherto unprinted documents, making +this issue of _The Life of George Borrow_ of much more value than its +predecessor. + + CLEMENT K. SHORTER. + +_Dec._ 9_th_, 1919. + + + + +CONTENTS + +CHAP. PAGE +INTRODUCTION 3 + I. CAPTAIN BORROW OF THE WEST NORFOLK MILITIA 7 + II. BORROW’S MOTHER 14 + III. JOHN THOMAS BORROW 17 + IV. A WANDERING CHILDHOOD 25 + V. THE GURNEYS AND THE TAYLORS OF NORWICH 36 + VI. AT THE NORWICH GRAMMAR SCHOOL 44 + VII. IN A LAWYER’S OFFICE 50 + VIII. AN OLD-TIME PUBLISHER 55 + IX. “FAUSTUS” AND “ROMANTIC BALLADS” 60 + X. “CELEBRATED TRIALS” AND JOHN THURTELL 67 + XI. BORROW AND THE FANCY 74 + XII. EIGHT YEARS OF VAGABONDAGE 78 + XIII. SIR JOHN BOWRING 81 + XIV. BORROW AND THE BIBLE SOCIETY 90 + XV. ST. PETERSBURG AND JOHN P. HASFELD 97 + XVI. THE MANCHU BIBLE—“TARGUM”—“THE TALISMAN” 102 + XVII. THREE VISITS TO SPAIN 110 + XVIII. BORROW’S SPANISH CIRCLE 130 + XIX. MARY BORROW 140 + XX. “THE CHILDREN OF THE OPEN AIR” 147 + XXI. “THE BIBLE IN SPAIN” 153 + XXII. RICHARD FORD 160 + XXIII. IN EASTERN EUROPE 168 + XXIV. “LAVENGRO” 183 + XXV. A VISIT TO CORNISH KINSMEN 191 + XXVI. IN THE ISLE OF MAN 195 + XXVII. OULTON BROAD AND YARMOUTH 199 + XXVIII. IN SCOTLAND AND IRELAND 207 + XXIX. “THE ROMANY RYE” 222 + XXX. EDWARD FITZGERALD 227 + XXXI. “WILD WALES” 235 + XXXII. LIFE IN LONDON 244 + XXXIII. FRIENDS OF LATER YEARS 250 + XXXIV. HENRIETTA CLARKE 255 + XXXV. THE AFTERMATH 268 +INDEX 273 + +CHAPTER I +CAPTAIN BORROW OF THE WEST NORFOLK MILITIA + + +GEORGE HENRY BORROW was born at Dumpling Green near East Dereham, +Norfolk, on the 5th of July, 1803. It pleased him to state on many an +occasion that he was born at East Dereham. + + On an evening of July, in the year 18—, at East D—, a beautiful + little town in a certain district of East Anglia, I first saw the + light, + +he writes in the opening lines of _Lavengro_, using almost the identical +phraseology that we find in the opening lines of Goethe’s _Wahrheit und +Dichtung_. Here is a later memory of Dereham from _Lavengro_: + + What it is at present I know not, for thirty years and more have + elapsed since I last trod its streets. It will scarcely have + improved, for how could it be better than it was? I love to think on + thee, pretty, quiet D—, thou pattern of an English country town, with + thy clean but narrow streets branching out from thy modest + market-place, with their old-fashioned houses, with here and there a + roof of venerable thatch, with thy one half-aristocratic mansion, + where resided the Lady Bountiful—she, the generous and kind, who + loved to visit the sick, leaning on her golden-headed cane, while the + sleek old footman walked at a respectful distance behind. Pretty, + quiet D—, with thy venerable church, in which moulder the mortal + remains of England’s sweetest and most pious bard. + +Then follows an exquisite eulogy of the poet Cowper, which readers of +_Lavengro_ know full well. Three years before Borrow was born William +Cowper died in this very town, leaving behind him so rich a legacy of +poetry and of prose, and moreover so fragrant a memory of a life in which +humour and pathos played an equal part. It was no small thing for a +youth who aspired to any kind of renown to be born in the neighbourhood +of the last resting-place of the author of _The Task_. + +Yet Borrow was not actually born at East Dereham, but a mile and a half +away, at the little hamlet of Dumpling Green, in what was then a glorious +wilderness of common and furze bush, but is now a quiet landscape of +fields and hedges. You will find the home in which the author of +_Lavengro_ first saw the light without much difficulty. It is a +fair-sized farmhouse, with a long low frontage separated from the road by +a considerable strip of garden. It suggests a prosperous yeoman class, +and I have known farm-houses in East Anglia not one whit larger dignified +by the name of “hall.” Nearly opposite is a pond. The trim hedges are a +delight to us to-day, but you must cast your mind back to a century ago +when they were entirely absent. The house belonged to George Borrow’s +maternal grandfather, Samuel Perfrement, who farmed the adjacent land at +this time. Samuel and Mary Perfrement had eight children, the third of +whom, Ann, was born in 1772. + +In February, 1793, Ann Perfrement, aged twenty-one, married Thomas +Borrow, aged thirty-five, in the Parish Church of East Dereham, and of +the two children that were born to them George Henry Borrow was the +younger. Thomas Borrow was the son of one John Borrow of St. Cleer in +Cornwall, who died before this child was born, and is described by his +grandson as the scion “of an ancient but reduced Cornish family, tracing +descent from the de Burghs, and entitled to carry their arms.” + +When Thomas Borrow was born the family were nothing more than small +farmers, and Thomas Borrow and his brothers were working on the land in +the intervals of attending the parish school. At the age of eighteen +Thomas was apprenticed to a maltster at Liskeard, and about this time he +joined the local Militia. Tradition has it that his career as a maltster +was cut short by his knocking his master down in a scrimmage. The victor +fled from the scene of his prowess, and enlisted as a private soldier in +the Coldstream Guards. This was in 1783, and in 1792 he was transferred +to the West Norfolk Militia; hence his appearance at East Dereham, where, +now a serjeant, his occupations for many a year were recruiting and +drilling. It is recorded that at a theatrical performance at East +Dereham he first saw, presumably on the stage of the county-hall, his +future wife—Ann Perfrement. She was, it seems, engaged in a minor part +in a travelling company, not, we may assume, altogether with the sanction +of her father, who, in spite of his inheritance of French blood, +doubtless shared the then very strong English prejudice against the +stage. However, Ann was one of eight children, and had, as we shall find +in after years, no inconsiderable strength of character, and so may well +at twenty years of age have decided upon a career for herself. In any +case we need not press too hard the Cornish and French origin of George +Borrow to explain his wandering tendencies, nor need we wonder at the +suggestion of Nathaniel Hawthorne, that he was “supposed to be of gypsy +descent by the mother’s side.” You have only to think of the father, +whose work carried him from time to time to every corner of England, +Scotland, and Ireland, and of the mother with her reminiscence of life in +a travelling theatrical company, to explain in no small measure the +glorious vagabondage of George Borrow. + +Behold then Thomas Borrow and Ann Perfrement as man and wife, he being +thirty-five years of age, she twenty-one. A roving, restless life was in +front of the pair for many a day, the West Norfolk Militia being +stationed in some eight or nine separate towns within the interval of ten +years between Thomas Borrow’s marriage and his second son’s birth. The +first child, John Thomas Borrow, was born on the 15th April, 1801. The +second son, George Henry Borrow, the subject of this memoir, was born in +his grandfather’s house at Dumpling Green, East Dereham, his mother +having found a natural refuge with her father while her husband was +busily recruiting in Norfolk. The two children passed with their parents +from place to place, and in 1809 we find them once again in East Dereham. +From his son’s two books, _Lavengro_ and _Wild Wales_, we can trace the +father’s later wanderings until his final retirement to Norwich on a +pension. In 1810 the family were at Norman Cross in Huntingdonshire, +when Captain Borrow had to assist in guarding the French prisoners of +war; for it was the stirring epoch of the Napoleonic conflict, and within +the temporary prison “six thousand French and other foreigners, followers +of the Grand Corsican, were now immured.” + + What a strange appearance had those mighty casernes, with their blank + blind walls, without windows, or grating, and their slanting roofs, + out of which, through orifices where the tiles had been removed, + would be protruded dozens of grim heads, feasting their prison-sick + eyes on the wide expanse of country unfolded from that airy height. + Ah! there was much misery in those casernes; and from those roofs, + doubtless, many a wistful look was turned in the direction of lovely + France. Much had the poor inmates to endure, and much to complain + of, to the disgrace of England be it said—of England, in general so + kind and bountiful. Rations of carrion meat, and bread from which I + have seen the very hounds occasionally turn away, were unworthy + entertainment even for the most ruffian enemy, when helpless and a + captive; and such, alas! was the fare in those casernes. + +But here we have only to do with Thomas Borrow, of whom we get many a +quaint glimpse in _Lavengro_, our first and our last being concerned with +him in the one quality that his son seems to have inherited, as the +associate of a prize-fighter—Big Ben Brain. Borrow records in his +opening chapter that Ben Brain and his father met in Hyde Park probably +in 1790, and that after an hour’s conflict “the champions shook hands and +retired, each having experienced quite enough of the other’s prowess.” +Borrow further relates that four months afterwards Brain “died in the +arms of my father, who read to him the Bible in his last moments.” More +than once in his after years the old soldier seems to have had a shy +pride in that early conflict, although the piety which seems to have come +to him with the responsibilities of wife and children led him to count +any recalling of the episode as a “temptation.” When Borrow was about +thirteen years of age, he overheard his father and mother discussing +their two boys, the elder being the father’s favourite and George the +mother’s: + + “I will hear nothing against my first-born,” said my father, “even in + the way of insinuation: he is my joy and pride; the very image of + myself in my youthful days, long before I fought Big Ben, though + perhaps not quite so tall or strong built. As for the other, God + bless the child! I love him, I’m sure; but I must be blind not to + see the difference between him and his brother. Why, he has neither + my hair nor my eyes; and then his countenance! why, ’tis absolutely + swarthy, God forgive me! I had almost said like that of a gypsy, but + I have nothing to say against that; the boy is not to be blamed for + the colour of his face, nor for his hair and eyes; but, then, his + ways and manners!—I confess I do not like them, and that they give me + no little uneasiness.” {11a} + +Borrow throughout his narrative refers to his father as “a man of +excellent common sense,” and he quotes the opinion of William Taylor, who +had rather a bad reputation as a “freethinker” with all the church-going +citizens of Norwich, with no little pride. Borrow is of course the +“young man” of the dialogue. He was then eighteen years of age: + + “Not so, not so,” said the young man eagerly; “before I knew you I + knew nothing, and am still very ignorant; but of late my father’s + health has been very much broken, and he requires attention; his + spirits also have become low, which, to tell you the truth, he + attributes to my misconduct. He says that I have imbibed all kinds + of strange notions and doctrines, which will, in all probability, + prove my ruin, both here and hereafter; which—which—” + + “Ah! I understand,” said the elder, with another calm whiff. “I + have always had a kind of respect for your father, for there is + something remarkable in his appearance, something heroic, and I would + fain have cultivated his acquaintance; the feeling, however, has not + been reciprocated. I met him the other day, up the road, with his + cane and dog, and saluted him; he did not return my salutation.” + + “He has certain opinions of his own,” said the youth, “which are + widely different from those which he has heard that you profess.” + + “I respect a man for entertaining an opinion of his own,” said the + elderly individual. “I hold certain opinions; but I should not + respect an individual the more for adopting them. All I wish for is + tolerance, which I myself endeavour to practise. I have always loved + the truth, and sought it; if I have not found it, the greater my + misfortune.” {11b} + +When Borrow is twenty years of age we have another glimpse of father and +son, the father in his last illness, the son eager as usual to draw out +his parent upon the one subject that appeals to his adventurous spirit, +“I should like to know something about Big Ben,” he says: + + “You are a strange lad,” said my father; “and though of late I have + begun to entertain a more favourable opinion than heretofore, there + is still much about you that I do not understand. Why do you bring + up that name? Don’t you know that it is one of my temptations? You + wish to know something about him? Well, I will oblige you this once, + and then farewell to such vanities—something about him. I will tell + you—his—skin when he flung off his clothes—and he had a particular + knack in doing so—his skin, when he bared his mighty chest and back + for combat; and when he fought he stood, so if I remember right—his + skin, I say, was brown and dusky as that of a toad. Oh me! I wish + my elder son was here!” + +Concerning the career of Borrow’s father there seem to be no documents +other than one contained in _Lavengro_, yet no _Life of Borrow_ can +possibly be complete that does not draw boldly upon the son’s priceless +tributes. And so we come now to the last scene in the career of the +elder Borrow—his death-bed—which is also the last page of the first +volume of _Lavengro_. George Borrow’s brother has arrived from abroad. +The little house in Willow Lane, Norwich, contained the mother and her +two sons sorrowfully awaiting the end, which came on 28th February, 1824. + + At the dead hour of night—it might be about two—I was awakened from + sleep by a cry which sounded from the room immediately below that in + which I slept. I knew the cry—it was the cry of my mother; and I + also knew its import, yet I made no effort to rise, for I was for the + moment paralysed. Again the cry sounded, yet still I lay + motionless—the stupidity of horror was upon me. A third time, and it + was then that, by a violent effort, bursting the spell which appeared + to bind me, I sprang from the bed and rushed downstairs. My mother + was running wildly about the room; she had awoke and found my father + senseless in the bed by her side. I essayed to raise him, and after + a few efforts supported him in the bed in a sitting posture. My + brother now rushed in, and, snatching up a light that was burning, he + held it to my father’s face. “The surgeon! the surgeon!” he cried; + then, dropping the light, he ran out of the room, followed by my + mother; I remained alone, supporting the senseless form of my father; + the light had been extinguished by the fall, and an almost total + darkness reigned in the room. The form pressed heavily against my + bosom; at last methought it moved. Yes, I was right; there was a + heaving of the breast, and then a gasping. Were those words which I + heard? Yes, they were words, low and indistinct at first, and then + audible. The mind of the dying man was reverting to former scenes. + I heard him mention names which I had often heard him mention before. + It was an awful moment; I felt stupefied, but I still contrived to + support my dying father. There was a pause; again my father spoke: I + heard him speak of Minden, and of Meredith, the old Minden Serjeant, + and then he uttered another name, which at one period of his life was + much on his lips, the name of —; but this is a solemn moment! There + was a deep gasp: I shook, and thought all was over; but I was + mistaken—my father moved, and revived for a moment; he supported + himself in bed without my assistance. I make no doubt that for a + moment he was perfectly sensible, and it was then that, clasping his + hands, he uttered another name clearly, distinctly—it was the name of + Christ. With that name upon his lips the brave old soldier sank back + upon my bosom, and, with his hands still clasped, yielded up his + soul. + +Did Borrow’s father ever really fight Big Ben Brain or Bryan in Hyde +Park, or is it all a fantasy of the artist’s imagining? We shall never +know. Borrow called his _Lavengro_ “An Autobiography” at one stage of +its inception, although he wished to repudiate the autobiographical +nature of his story at another. Dr. Knapp in his anxiety to prove that +Borrow wrote his own memoirs in _Lavengro_ and _Romany Rye_ tells us that +he had no creative faculty—an absurd proposition. But I think we may +accept the contest between Ben Brain and Thomas Borrow, and what a +revelation of heredity that impressive death-bed scene may be counted. +Borrow on one occasion in later life declared that his favourite books +were the Bible and the Newgate Calendar. We know that he specialised on +the Bible and Prize-Fighting in no ordinary fashion—and here we see his +father on his death-bed struggling between the religious sentiments of +his maturity and the one great worldly escapade of his early manhood. + + + + +CHAPTER II +BORROW’S MOTHER + + +THROUGHOUT his whole life George Borrow adored his mother, who seems to +have developed into a woman of great strength of character far remote +from the pretty play-actor who won the heart of a young soldier at East +Dereham in the last years of the eighteenth century. We would gladly +know something of the early years of Ann Perfrement. Her father was a +farmer, whose farm at Dumpling Green we have already described. He did +not, however, “farm his own little estate” as Borrow declared. The +grandfather—a French Protestant—came, if we are to believe Borrow, from +Caen in Normandy after the Revocation of the Edict of Nantes, but there +is no documentary evidence to support the contention. However, the story +of the Huguenot immigration into England is clearly bound up with Norwich +and the adjacent district. And so we may well take the name of +“Perfrement” as conclusive evidence of a French origin, and reject as +utterly untenable the not unnatural suggestion of Nathaniel Hawthorne, +that Borrow’s mother was “of gypsy descent.” She was one of the eight +children of Samuel and Mary Perfrement, all of whom seem to have devoted +their lives to East Anglia. We owe to Dr. Knapp’s edition of _Lavengro_ +one exquisite glimpse of Ann’s girlhood that is not in any other issue of +the book. Ann’s elder sister, curious to know if she was ever to be +married, falls in with the current superstition that she must wash her +linen and “watch” it drying before the fire between eleven and twelve at +night. Ann Perfrement was ten years old at the time. The two girls +walked over to East Dereham, purchased the necessary garment, washed it +in the pool near the house that may still be seen, and watched and +watched. Suddenly when the clock struck twelve they heard, or thought +they heard, a footstep on the path, the wind howled, and the elder sister +sprang to the door, locked and bolted it, and then fell in convulsions on +the floor. The superstition, which Borrow seems to have told his mother +had a Danish origin, is common enough in Ireland and in Celtic lands. It +could scarcely have been thus rehearsed by two Norfolk children had they +not had the blood of a more imaginative race in their veins. In addition +to this we find more than one effective glimpse of Borrow’s mother in +_Lavengro_. We have already noted the episode in which she takes the +side of her younger boy against her husband, with whom John was the +favourite. We meet her again when after his father’s death George had +shouldered his knapsack and made his way to London to seek his fortune by +literature. His elder brother had remained at home, determined upon +being a painter, but joined George in London, leaving the widowed mother +momentarily alone in Norwich. + + “And how are things going on at home?” said I to my brother, after we + had kissed and embraced. “How is my mother, and how is the dog?” + + “My mother, thank God, is tolerably well,” said my brother, “but very + much given to fits of crying. As for the dog, he is not so well; but + we will talk more of these matters anon,” said my brother, again + glancing at the breakfast things. “I am very hungry, as you may + suppose, after having travelled all night.” + + Thereupon I exerted myself to the best of my ability to perform the + duties of hospitality, and I made my brother welcome—I may say more + than welcome; and when the rage of my brother’s hunger was somewhat + abated, we recommenced talking about the matters of our little + family, and my brother told me much about my mother; he spoke of her + fits of crying, but said that of late the said fits of crying had + much diminished, and she appeared to be taking comfort; and, if I am + not much mistaken, my brother told me that my mother had of late the + prayer-book frequently in her hand, and yet oftener the Bible. {15} + +Ann Borrow lived in Willow Lane, Norwich, for thirty-three years. That +Borrow was a devoted husband these pages will show. He was also a +devoted son. When he had made a prosperous marriage he tried hard to +persuade his mother to live with him at Oulton, but all in vain. She had +the wisdom to see that such an arrangement is rarely conducive to a son’s +domestic happiness. She continued to live in the little cottage made +sacred by many associations until almost the end of her days. Here she +had lived in earlier years with her husband and her two ambitious boys, +and in Norwich, doubtless, she had made her own friendships, although of +these no record remains. The cottage still stands in its modest court, +and now serves the worthy purpose of a museum for Borrow relics. In +Borrow’s day it was the property of Thomas King, a carpenter. You enter +from Willow Lane through a covered passage into what was then known as +King’s Court. Here the little house faces you, and you meet it with a +peculiarly agreeable sensation, recalling more than one incident in +_Lavengro_ that transpired there. Thomas King, the carpenter, was in +direct descent in the maternal line from the family of Parker, which gave +to Norwich one of its most distinguished sons in the famous Archbishop of +Queen Elizabeth’s day. He extended his business as carpenter +sufficiently to die a prosperous builder. Of his two sons one, also +named Thomas, became physician to Prince Talleyrand, and married a sister +of John Stuart Mill. All this by the way, but there is little more to +record of Borrow’s mother apart from the letters addressed to her by her +son, which occur in their due place in these records. Yet one little +memorandum among my papers which bears Mrs. Borrow’s signature may well +find place here: + + In the year 1797 I was at Canterbury. One night at about one o’clock + Sir Robert Laurie and Captain Treve came to our lodgings and tapped + at our bedroom door, and told my husband to get up, and get the men + under arms without beat of drum as soon as possible, for that there + was a mutiny at the Nore. My husband did so, and in less than two + hours they had marched out of town towards Sheerness without making + any noise. They had to break open the store-house in order to get + provender, because the Quartermaster, Serjeant Rowe, was out of the + way. The Dragoon Guards at that time at Canterbury were in a state + of mutiny. ANN BORROW. + + + + +CHAPTER III +JOHN THOMAS BORROW + + +JOHN THOMAS BORROW was born two years before his younger brother, that +is, on the 15th of April, 1801. His father, then Serjeant Borrow, was +wandering from town to town, and it is not known where his elder son +first saw the light. John Borrow’s nature was cast in a somewhat +different mould from that of his brother. He was his father’s pride. +Serjeant Borrow could not understand George with his extraordinary taste +for the society of queer people—the wild Irish and the ragged Romanies. +John had far more of the normal in his being. Borrow gives us in +_Lavengro_ our earliest glimpse of his brother: + + He was a beautiful child; one of those occasionally seen in England, + and in England alone; a rosy, angelic face, blue eyes, and light + chestnut hair; it was not exactly an Anglo-Saxon countenance, in + which, by the by, there is generally a cast of loutishness and + stupidity; it partook, to a certain extent, of the Celtic character, + particularly in the fire and vivacity which illumined it; his face + was the mirror of his mind; perhaps no disposition more amiable was + ever found amongst the children of Adam, united, however, with no + inconsiderable portion of high and dauntless spirit. So great was + his beauty in infancy, that people, especially those of the poorer + classes, would follow the nurse who carried him about in order to + look at and bless his lovely face. At the age of three months an + attempt was made to snatch him from his mother’s arms in the streets + of London, at the moment she was about to enter a coach; indeed, his + appearance seemed to operate so powerfully upon every person who + beheld him, that my parents were under continual apprehension of + losing him; his beauty, however, was perhaps surpassed by the + quickness of his parts. He mastered his letters in a few hours, and + in a day or two could decipher the names of people on the doors of + houses and over the shop-windows. + +John received his early education at the Norwich Grammar School, while +the younger brother was kept under the paternal wing. Father and mother, +with their younger boy George, were always on the move, passing from +county to county and from country to country, as Serjeant Borrow, soon to +be Captain, attended to his duties of drilling and recruiting, now in +England, now in Scotland, now in Ireland. We are given a fascinating +glimpse of John Borrow in _Lavengro_ by way of a conversation between Mr. +and Mrs. Borrow over the education of their children. It was agreed that +while the family were in Edinburgh the boys should be sent to the High +School, and so at the historic school that Sir Walter Scott had attended +a generation before the two boys were placed, John being removed from the +Norwich Grammar School for the purpose. Among his many prejudices of +after years Borrow’s dislike of Scott was perhaps the most regrettable, +otherwise he would have gloried in the fact that their childhood had had +one remarkable point in common. Each boy took part in the feuds between +the Old Town and the New Town. Exactly as Scott records his prowess at +“the manning of the Cowgate Port,” and the combats maintained with great +vigour, “with stones, and sticks, and fisticuffs,” as set forth in the +first volume of Lockhart, so we have not dissimilar feats set down in +_Lavengro_. Side by side also with the story of “Green-Breeks,” which +stands out in Scott’s narrative of his school combats, we have the more +lurid account by Borrow of David Haggart. Literary biography is made +more interesting by such episodes of likeness and of contrast. + +We next find John Borrow in Ireland with his father, mother, and brother. +George is still a child, but he is precocious enough to be learning the +language, and thus laying the foundation of his interest in little-known +tongues. John is now an ensign in his father’s regiment. “Ah! he was a +sweet being, that boy soldier, a plant of early promise, bidding fair to +become in after time all that is great, good, and admirable.” Ensign +John tells his little brother how pleased he is to find himself, although +not yet sixteen years old, “a person in authority with many Englishmen +under me. Oh! these last six weeks have passed like hours in heaven.” +That was in 1816, and we do not meet John again until five years later, +when we hear of him rushing into the water to save a drowning man, while +twenty others were bathing who might have rendered assistance. Borrow +records once again his father’s satisfaction: + + “My boy, my own boy, you are the very image of myself, the day I took + off my coat in the park to fight Big Ben,” said my father, on meeting + his son, wet and dripping, immediately after his bold feat. And who + cannot excuse the honest pride of the old man—the stout old man? + +In the interval the war had ended, and Napoleon had departed for St. +Helena. Peace had led to the pensioning of militia officers, or reducing +to half-pay of the juniors. The elder Borrow had settled in Norwich. +George was set to study at the Grammar School there, while his brother +worked in Old Crome’s studio, for here was a moment when Norwich had its +interesting Renaissance, and John Borrow was bent on being an artist. He +had worked with Crome once before—during the brief interval that Napoleon +was at Elba—but now he set to in real earnest, and we have evidence of a +score of pictures by him that were catalogued in the exhibitions of the +Norwich Society of Artists between the years 1817 and 1824. They include +one portrait of the artist’s father, and two of his brother George. Old +Crome died in 1821, and then John went to London to study under Haydon. +Borrow declares that his brother had real taste for painting, and that +“if circumstances had not eventually diverted his mind from the pursuit, +he would have attained excellence, and left behind him some enduring +monument of his powers.” “He lacked, however,” he tells us, “one thing, +the want of which is but too often fatal to the sons of genius, and +without which genius is little more than a splendid toy in the hands of +the possessor—perseverance, dogged perseverance.” It is when he is thus +commenting on his brother’s characteristics that Borrow gives his own +fine if narrow eulogy of Old Crome. John Borrow seems to have continued +his studies in London under Haydon for a year, and then to have gone to +Paris to copy pictures at the Louvre. He mentions a particular copy that +he made of a celebrated picture by one of the Italian masters, for which +a Hungarian nobleman paid him well. His three years’ absence was brought +to an abrupt termination by news of his father’s illness. He returned to +Norwich in time to stand by that father’s bedside when he died. The +elder Borrow died, as we have seen, in February, 1824. The little home +in King’s Court was kept on for the mother, and as John was making money +by his pictures it was understood that he should stay with her. On the +1st April, however, George started for London, carrying the manuscript of +_Romantic Ballads from the Danish_ to Sir Richard Phillips, the +publisher. On the 29th of the same month he was joined by his brother +John. John had come to London at his own expense, but in the interests +of the Norwich Town Council. The council wanted a portrait of one of its +mayors for St. Andrew’s Hall—that Valhalla of Norwich municipal worthies +which still strikes the stranger as well-nigh unique in the city life of +England. The municipality would fain have encouraged a fellow-citizen, +and John Borrow had been invited to paint the portrait. “Why,” it was +asked, “should the money go into a stranger’s pocket and be spent in +London?” John, however, felt diffident of his ability and declined, and +this in spite of the fact that the £100 offered for the portrait must +have been very tempting. “What a pity it was,” he said, “that Crome was +dead.” “Crome,” said the orator of the deputation that had called on +John Borrow, + + “Crome; yes, he was a clever man, a very clever man, in his way; he + was good at painting landscapes and farm-houses, but he would not do + in the present instance, were he alive. He had no conception of the + heroic, sir. We want some person capable of representing our mayor + standing under the Norman arch of the cathedral.” {20} + +At the mention of the heroic John bethought himself of Haydon, and +suggested his name; hence his visit to London, and his proposed interview +with Haydon. The two brothers went together to call upon the “painter of +the heroic” at his studio in Connaught Terrace, Hyde Park. There was +some difficulty about their admission, and it turned out afterwards that +Haydon thought they might be duns, as he was very hard up at the time. +His eyes glistened at the mention of the £100. “I am not very fond of +painting portraits,” he said, “but a mayor is a mayor, and there is +something grand in that idea of the Norman arch.” And thus Mayor Hawkes +came to be painted by Benjamin Haydon, and his portrait may be found, not +without diligent search, among the many municipal worthies that figure on +the walls of that most picturesque old Hall in Norwich. Here is Borrow’s +description of the painting: + + The original mayor was a mighty, portly man, with a bull’s head, + black hair, body like that of a dray horse, and legs and thighs + corresponding; a man six foot high at the least. To his bull’s head, + black hair, and body the painter had done justice; there was one + point, however, in which the portrait did not correspond with the + original—the legs were disproportionably short, the painter having + substituted his own legs for those of the mayor. + +John Borrow described Robert Hawkes to his brother as a person of many +qualifications: + + —big and portly, with a voice like Boanerges; a religious man, the + possessor of an immense pew; loyal, so much so that I once heard him + say that he would at any time go three miles to hear any one sing + _God save the King_; moreover, a giver of excellent dinners. Such is + our present mayor, who, owing to his loyalty, his religion, and a + little, perhaps, to his dinners, is a mighty favourite. + +Haydon, who makes no mention of the Borrows in his _Correspondence_ or +_Autobiography_, although there is one letter of George Borrow’s to him +in the former work, had been in jail for debt three years prior to the +visit of the Borrows. He was then at work on his greatest success in +“the heroic”—_The Raising of Lazarus_, a canvas nineteen feet long by +fifteen high. The debt was one to house decorators, for the artist had +ever large ideas. The bailiff, he tells us, {21} was so agitated at the +sight of the painting of Lazarus in the studio that he cried out, “Oh, my +God! Sir, I won’t arrest you. Give me your word to meet me at twelve at +the attorney’s, and I’ll take it.” In 1821 Haydon married, and a little +later we find him again “without a single shilling in the world—with a +large picture before me not half done.” In April, 1822, he is arrested +at the instance of his colourman, “with whom I had dealt for fifteen +years,” and in November of the same year he is arrested again at the +instance of “a miserable apothecary.” In April, 1823, we find him in the +King’s Bench Prison, from which he was released in July. _The Raising of +Lazarus_ meanwhile had gone to pay his upholsterer £300, and his +_Christ’s Entry into Jerusalem_ had been sold for £240, although it had +brought him £3000 in receipts at exhibitions. Clearly heroic pictures +did not pay, and Haydon here took up “the torment of portrait-painting” +as he called it. + + “Can you wonder,” he wrote in July, 1825, “that I nauseate portraits, + except portraits of clever people. I feel quite convinced that every + portrait-painter, if there be purgatory, will leap at once to heaven, + without this previous purification.” + +Perhaps it was Mayor Hawkes who helped to inspire this feeling. Yet the +hundred pounds that John Borrow was able to procure must have been a +godsend, for shortly before this we find him writing in his diary of the +desperation that caused him to sell his books. “Books that had cost me +£20 I got only £3 for. But it was better than starvation.” Indeed it +was in April of this year that the very baker was “insolent,” and so in +May, 1824, as we learn from Tom Taylor’s _Life_, he produced “a +full-length portrait of Mr. Hawkes, a late Mayor of Norwich, painted for +St. Andrew’s Hall in that city.” But I must leave Haydon’s troubled +career, which closes so far as the two brothers are concerned with a +letter from George to Haydon written the following year from 26 Bryanston +Street, Portman Square: + + DEAR SIR,—I should feel extremely obliged if you would allow me to + sit to you as soon as possible. I am going to the south of France in + little better than a fortnight, and I would sooner lose a thousand + pounds than not have the honour of appearing in the picture.—Yours + sincerely, + + GEORGE BORROW. {22} + +As Borrow was at the time in a most impoverished condition, it is not +easy to believe that he would have wished to be taken at his word. He +certainly had not a thousand pounds to lose. But he did undoubtedly, as +we shall see, take that journey on foot through the south of France, +after the manner of an earlier vagabond of literature—Oliver Goldsmith. +Haydon was to be far too much taken up with his own troubles during the +coming months to think any more about the Borrows when he had once +completed the portrait of the mayor, which he had done by July of this +year. Borrow’s letter to him is, however, an obvious outcome of a remark +dropped by the painter on the occasion of his one visit to his studio +when the following conversation took place: + + “I’ll stick to the heroic,” said the painter; “I now and then dabble + in the comic, but what I do gives me no pleasure, the comic is so + low; there is nothing like the heroic. I am engaged here on a heroic + picture,” said he, pointing to the canvas; “the subject is ‘Pharaoh + dismissing Moses from Egypt,’ after the last plague—the death of the + first-born,—it is not far advanced—that finished figure is Moses”: + they both looked at the canvas, and I, standing behind, took a modest + peep. The picture, as the painter said, was not far advanced, the + Pharaoh was merely in outline; my eye was, of course, attracted by + the finished figure, or rather what the painter had called the + finished figure; but, as I gazed upon it, it appeared to me that + there was something defective—something unsatisfactory in the figure. + I concluded, however, that the painter, notwithstanding what he had + said, had omitted to give it the finishing touch. “I intend this to + be my best picture,” said the painter; “what I want now is a face for + Pharaoh; I have long been meditating on a face for Pharaoh.” Here, + chancing to cast his eye upon my countenance, of whom he had scarcely + taken any manner of notice, he remained with his mouth open for some + time. “Who is this?” said he at last. “Oh, this is my brother, I + forgot to introduce him—.” + +We wish that the acquaintance had extended further, but this was not to +be. Borrow was soon to commence the wanderings which were to give him +much unsatisfactory fame, and the pair never met again. Let us, however, +return to John Borrow, who accompanied Haydon to Norwich, leaving his +brother for some time longer to the tender mercies of Sir Richard +Phillips. John, we judge, seems to have had plenty of shrewdness, and +was not without a sense of his own limitations. A chance came to him of +commercial success in a distant land, and he seized that chance. A +Norwich friend, Allday Kerrison, had gone out to Mexico, and writing from +Zacatecas in 1825 asked John to join him. John accepted. His salary in +the service of the Real del Monte Company was to be £300 per annum. He +sailed for Mexico in 1826, having obtained from his Colonel, Lord Orford, +leave of absence for a year, it being understood that renewals of that +leave of absence might be granted. He was entitled to half-pay as a +Lieutenant of the West Norfolk Militia, and this he settled upon his +mother during his absence. His career in Mexico was a failure. There +are many of his letters to his mother and brother extant which tell of +the difficulties of his situation. He was in three Mexican companies in +succession, and was about to be sent to Columbia to take charge of a mine +when he was stricken with a fever, and died at Guanajuato on 22nd +November, 1833. He had far exceeded any leave that his Colonel could in +fairness grant, and before his death his name had been taken off the army +rolls. + +I have said that there are letters of John Borrow’s extant. These show a +keen intelligence, great practicality, and common sense. George—in +1829—had asked his brother as to joining him in Mexico. “If the country +is soon settled I shall say ‘yes,’” John answers. With equal wisdom he +says to his brother, “Do not enter the army; it is a bad spec.” In this +same year, 1829, John writes to ask whether his mother and brother are +“still living in that windy house of old King’s; it gives me the +rheumatism to think of it.” In 1830 he writes to his mother that he +wishes his brother were making money. “Neither he nor I have any luck, +he works hard and remains poor.” In February of 1831 John writes to +George suggesting that he should endeavour to procure a commission in the +regiment, and in July of the same year to try the law again: + + I am convinced that your want of success in life is more owing to + your being unlike other people than to any other cause. + +John, as we have seen, died in Mexico of fever. George was at St. +Petersburg working for the Bible Society when his mother writes from +Norwich to tell him the news. John had died on 22nd November, 1833. +“You are now my only hope,” she writes, “. . . do not grieve, my dear +George. I trust we shall all meet in heaven. Put a crape on your hat +for some time.” Had George Borrow’s brother lived it might have meant +very much in his life. There might have been nephews and nieces to +soften the asperity of his later years. Who can say? Meanwhile, +_Lavengro_ contains no happier pages than those concerned with this +dearly loved brother. + + + + +CHAPTER IV +A WANDERING CHILDHOOD + + +WE do not need to inquire too deeply as to Borrow’s possible gypsy origin +in order to account for his vagabond propensities. The lives of his +parents before his birth, and the story of his own boyhood, sufficiently +account for the dominant tendency in Borrow. His father and mother were +married in 1793. Almost every year they changed their domicile. In 1801 +a son was born to them,—they still continued to change their domicile. +Captain Borrow followed his regiment from place to place, and his family +accompanied him on these journeys. Dover, Colchester, Sandgate, +Canterbury, Chelmsford—these are some of the towns where the Borrows +sojourned. It was the merest accident—the Peace of Amiens, to be +explicit—that led them back to East Dereham in 1803, so that the second +son was born in his grandfather’s house. George was only a month old +when he was carried off to Colchester; in 1804 he was in the barracks of +Kent, in 1805 of Sussex, in 1806 at Hastings, in 1807 at Canterbury, and +so on. The whole of the first thirteen years of Borrow’s life is filled +up in this way, until in 1816 he and his parents found a home of some +permanence in Norwich. In 1809–10 they were at East Dereham, in 1810–11 +at Norman Cross, in 1812 wandering from Harwich to Sheffield, and in 1813 +wandering from Sheffield to Edinburgh; in 1814 they were in Norwich, and +in 1815–16 in Ireland. In this last year they returned to Norwich, the +father to retire on full pay, and to live in Willow Lane until his death. +How could a boy, whose first twelve years of life had been made up of +such continual wandering, have been other than a restless, nomad-loving +man, envious of the free life of the gypsies, for whom alone in later +life he seemed to have kindliness? Those twelve years are to most boys +merely the making of a moral foundation for good or ill; to Borrow they +were everything, and at least four personalities captured his imagination +during that short span, as we see if we follow his juvenile wanderings +more in detail to Dereham, Norman Cross, Edinburgh, and Clonmel, and the +personalities are Lady Fenn, Ambrose Smith, David Haggart, and Murtagh. +Let us deal with each in turn: + +In our opening chapter we referred to the lines in _Lavengro_, where +Borrow recalls his early impressions of his native town, or at least the +town in the neighbourhood of the hamlet in which he was born. Borrow, we +may be sure, would have repudiated “Dumpling Green” if he could. The +name had a humorous suggestion. To this day they call boys from Norfolk +“Norfolk Dumplings” in the neighbouring shires. But East Dereham was +something to be proud of. In it had died the writer who, through the +greater part of Borrow’s life, remained the favourite poet of that half +of England which professed the Evangelical creed in which Borrow was +brought up. Cowper was buried here by the side of Mary Unwin, and every +Sunday little George would see his tomb just as Henry Kingsley was wont +to see the tombs in Chelsea Old Church. The fervour of devotion to +Cowper’s memory that obtained in those early days must have been a +stimulus to the boy, who from the first had ambitions far beyond anything +that he was to achieve. Here was his first lesson. The second came from +Lady Fenn—a more vivid impression for the child. Twenty years before +Borrow was born Cowper had sung her merits in his verse. She and her +golden-headed cane are commemorated in _Lavengro_. Dame Eleanor Fenn had +made a reputation in her time. As “Mrs. Teachwell” and “Mrs. Lovechild” +she had published books for the young of a most improving character, _The +Child’s Grammar_, _The Mother’s Grammar_, _A Short History of Insects_, +and _Cobwebs to Catch Flies_ being of the number. The forty-fourth +edition of _The Child’s Grammar_ by Mrs. Lovechild appeared in 1851, and +the twenty-second edition of _The Mother’s Grammar_ in 1849. But it is +her husband that her name most recalls to us. Sir John Fenn gave us the +delightful Paston Letters—of which Horace Walpole said that “they make +all other letters not worth reading.” Walpole described “Mr. Fenn of +East Dereham in Norfolk” as “a smatterer in antiquity, but a very good +sort of man.” Fenn, who held the original documents of the Letters, sent +his first two volumes, when published, to Buckingham Palace, and the King +acknowledged the gifts by knighting the editor, who, however, died in +1794, before George Borrow was born. His widow survived until 1813, and +Borrow was in his seventh or eighth year when he caught these notable +glimpses of his “Lady Bountiful,” who lived in “the half-aristocratic +mansion” of the town. But we know next to nothing of Borrow in East +Dereham, from which indeed he departed in his eighth year. There are, +however, interesting references to his memories of the place in +_Lavengro_, the best of which is when he goes to church with the gypsies +and dreams of an incident in his childhood: + + It appeared as if I had fallen asleep in the pew of the old church of + pretty Dereham. I had occasionally done so when a child, and had + suddenly woke up. Yes, surely, I had been asleep and had woke up; + but no! if I had been asleep I had been waking in my sleep, + struggling, striving, learning and unlearning in my sleep. Years had + rolled away whilst I had been asleep—ripe fruit had fallen, green + fruit had come on whilst I had been asleep—how circumstances had + altered, and above all myself whilst I had been asleep. No, I had + not been asleep in the old church! I was in a pew, it is true, but + not the pew of black leather in which I sometimes fell asleep in days + of yore, but in a strange pew; and then my companions, they were no + longer those of days of yore. I was no longer with my respectable + father and mother, and my dear brother, but with the gypsy cral and + his wife, and the gigantic Tawno, the Antinous of the dusky people. + And what was I myself? No longer an innocent child but a moody man, + bearing in my face, as I knew well, the marks of my strivings and + strugglings; of what I had learnt and unlearnt. + +But Borrow left Dereham in his eighth year, only to revisit it when +famous. + +In _Lavengro_ Borrow recalls childish memories of Canterbury and of +Hythe, at which latter place he saw the church vault filled with ancient +skulls as we may see it there to-day. And after that the book which +impressed itself most vividly upon his memory was _Robinson Crusoe_. How +much he came to revere Defoe the pages of _Lavengro_ most eloquently +reveal to us. “Hail to thee, spirit of Defoe! What does not my own poor +self owe to thee?” In 1810–11 his father was in the barracks at Norman +Cross in Huntingdonshire. Here the Government had bought a large tract +of land, and built upon it a huge wooden prison, and overlooking this a +substantial barrack also of wood, the only brick building on the land +being the house of the Commandant. The great building was destined for +the soldiers taken prisoners in the French wars. The place was +constructed to hold 5000 prisoners, and 500 men were employed by the War +Office in 1808 upon its construction. The first batch of prisoners were +the victims of the battle of Vimeiro in that year. Borrow’s description +of the hardships of the prisoners has been called in question by a later +writer, Arthur Brown, who denies the story of bad food and “straw-plait +hunts,” and charges Borrow with recklessness of statement. “What could +have been the matter with the man to write such stuff as this?” asks +Brown in reference to Borrow’s story of bad meat and bad bread: which was +not treating a great author with quite sufficient reverence. Borrow was +but recalling memories of childhood, a period when one swallow does make +a summer. He had doubtless seen examples of what he described, although +it may not have been the normal condition of things. Brown’s own +description of the Norman Cross prison was interwoven with a love +romance, in which a French officer fell in love with a girl of the +neighbouring village of Yaxley, and after Waterloo returned to England +and married her. When he wrote his story a very old man was still living +at Yaxley, who remembered, as a boy, having often seen the prisoners on +the road, some very well dressed, some in tatters, a few in uniform. The +milestone is still pointed out which marked the limit beyond which the +officer-prisoners might not walk. The buildings were destroyed in 1814, +when all the prisoners were sent home, and the house of the Commandant, +now a private residence, alone remains to recall this episode in our +history. But Borrow’s most vivid memory of Norman Cross was connected +with the viper given to him by an old man, who had rendered it harmless +by removing the fangs. It was the possession of this tame viper that +enabled the child of eight—this was Borrow’s age at the time—to impress +the gypsies that he met soon afterwards, and particularly the boy Ambrose +Smith, whom Borrow introduced to the world in _Lavengro_ as Jasper +Petulengro. Borrow’s frequent meetings with Petulengro are no doubt many +of them mythical. He was an imaginative writer, but Petulengro was a +very real person, who lived the usual roving gypsy life. There is no +reason to assume otherwise than that Borrow did actually meet him at +Norman Cross when he was eight years old, and Ambrose a year younger, and +not thirteen as Borrow states. In the original manuscript of _Lavengro_ +in my possession, “Ambrose” is given instead of “Jasper,” and the name +was altered as an afterthought. It is of course possible that Borrow did +not actually meet Jasper until his arrival in Norwich, for in the first +half of the nineteenth century various gypsy families were in the habit +of assembling their carts and staking their tents on the heights above +Norwich, known as Mousehold Heath, that glorious tract of country that +has been rendered memorable in history by the tragic life of Kett the +tanner, and has been immortalised in painting by Turner and Crome. Here +were assembled the Smiths and Hernes and Boswells, names familiar to +every student of gypsy lore. Jasper Petulengro, as Borrow calls him, or +Ambrose Smith, to give him his real name, was the son of Fāden Smith, and +his name of Ambrose was derived from his uncle, Ambrose Smith, who was +transported for stealing harness. Ambrose was twice married, and it was +his second wife, Sanspirella Herne, who comes into the Borrow story. He +had families by both his wives. Ambrose had an extraordinary varied +career. It will be remembered by readers of the _Zincali_ that when he +visited Borrow at Oulton in 1842 he complained that “There is no living +for the poor people, brother, the chokengres (police) pursue us from +place to place, and the gorgios are become either so poor or miserly that +they grudge our cattle a bite of grass by the wayside, and ourselves a +yard of ground to light a fire upon.” After a time Ambrose left the +eastern counties and crossed to Ireland. In 1868 he went to Scotland, +and there seems to have revived his fortunes. In 1878 he and his family +were encamped at Knockenhair Park, about a mile from Dunbar. Here Queen +Victoria, who was staying at Broxmouth Park near by with the Dowager +Duchess of Roxburghe, became interested in the gypsies, and paid them a +visit. This was in the summer of 1878. Ambrose was then a very old man. +He died in the following October. His wife, Sanspi or Sanspirella, +received a message of sympathy from the Queen. Very shortly after +Ambrose’s death, however, most of the family went off to America, where +doubtless they are now scattered, many of them, it may be, leading +successful lives, utterly oblivious of the associations of one of their +ancestors with Borrow and his great book. Ambrose Smith was buried in +Dunbar cemetery, the Christian service being read over his grave, and his +friends erected a stone to him which bears the following inscription:— + + In Memory of + AMBROSE SMITH, who died 22nd + October 1878, aged 74 years. + + Also + + THOMAS, his son, + who died 28th May 1879, aged 48 years. + +Three years separated the sojourn of the Borrow family at Norman Cross +from their sojourn in Edinburgh—three years of continuous wandering. The +West Norfolk Militia were watching the French prisoners at Norman Cross +for fifteen months. After that we have glimpses of them at Colchester, +at East Dereham again, at Harwich, at Leicester, at Huddersfield, +concerning which place Borrow incidentally in _Wild Wales_ writes of +having been at school, in Sheffield, in Berwick-on-Tweed, and finally the +family are in Edinburgh, where they arrive on 6th April, 1813. We have +already referred to Borrow’s presence at the High School of Edinburgh, +the school sanctified by association with Walter Scott and so many of his +illustrious fellow-countrymen. He and his brother were at the High +School for a single session, that is, for the winter session of 1813–14, +although with the licence of a maker of fiction he claimed, in +_Lavengro_, to have been there for two years. But it is not in this +brief period of schooling of a boy of ten that we find the strongest +influence that Edinburgh gave to Borrow. Rather may we seek it in the +acquaintanceship with the once too notorious David Haggart. Seven years +later than this all the peoples of the three kingdoms were discussing +David Haggart, the Scots Jack Sheppard, the clever young prison-breaker, +who was hanged at Edinburgh in 1821 for killing his gaoler in Dumfries +prison. How much David Haggart filled the imagination of every one who +could read in the early years of last century is demonstrated by a +reference to the Library Catalogue of the British Museum, where we find +pamphlet after pamphlet, broadsheet after broadsheet, treating of the +adventures, trial, and execution of this youthful gaolbird. But by far +the most valuable publication with regard to Haggart is one that Borrow +must have read in his youth. This was a life of Haggart written by +himself, a little book that had a wide circulation. From this little +biography we learn that Haggart was born in Golden Acre, near +Canon-Mills, in the county of Edinburgh in 1801, his father, John +Haggart, being a gamekeeper, and in later years a dog-trainer. The boy +was at school under Mr. Robin Gibson at Canon-Mills for two years. He +left school at ten years of age, and from that time until his execution +seems to have had a continuous career of thieving. He tells us that +before he was eleven years old he had stolen a bantam cock from a woman +belonging to the New Town of Edinburgh. He went with another boy to +Currie, six miles from Edinburgh, and there stole a pony, but this was +afterwards returned. When but twelve years of age he attended Leith +races, and it was here that he enlisted in the Norfolk Militia, then +stationed in Edinburgh Castle. This may very well have brought him into +contact with Borrow in the way described in _Lavengro_. He was only, +however, in the regiment for a year, for when it was sent back to England +the Colonel in command of it obtained young Haggart’s discharge. These +dates coincide with Borrow’s presence in Edinburgh. Haggart’s history +for the next five or six years was in truth merely that of a wandering +pickpocket, sometimes in Scotland, sometimes in England, and finally he +became a notorious burglar. Incidentally he refers to a girl with whom +he was in love. Her name was Mary Hill. She belonged to Ecclefechan, +which Haggart more than once visited. He must therefore have known +Carlyle, who had not then left his native village. In 1820 we find him +in Edinburgh, carrying on the same sort of depredations both there and at +Leith—now he steals a silk plaid, now a greatcoat, and now a silver +teapot. These thefts, of course, landed him in gaol, out of which he +breaks rather dramatically, fleeing with a companion to Kelso. He had, +indeed, more than one experience of gaol. Finally, we find him in the +prison of Dumfries destined to stand his trial for “one act of +house-breaking, eleven cases of theft, and one of prison-breaking.” +While in prison at Dumfries he planned another escape, and in the attempt +to hit a gaoler named Morrin on the head with a stone he unexpectedly +killed him. His escape from Dumfries gaol after this murder, and his +later wanderings, are the most dramatic part of his book. He fled +through Carlisle to Newcastle, and then thought that he would be safer if +he returned to Scotland, where he found the rewards that were offered for +his arrest faced him wherever he went. He turned up again in Edinburgh, +where he seems to have gone about freely, although reading everywhere the +notices that a reward of seventy guineas was offered for his +apprehension. Then he fled to Ireland, where he thought that his safety +was assured. At Dromore he was arrested and brought before the +magistrate, but he spoke with an Irish brogue, and declared that his name +was John M‘Colgan, and that he came from Armagh. He escaped from Dromore +gaol by jumping through a window, and actually went so far as to pay +three pound ten shillings for his passage to America, but he was afraid +of the sea, and changed his mind, and lost his passage money at the last +moment. After this he made a tour right through Ireland, in spite of the +fact that the Dublin _Hue and Cry_ had a description of his person which +he read more than once. His assurance was such that in Tullamore he made +a pig-driver apologise before the magistrate for charging him with theft, +although he had been living on nothing else all the time he was in +Ireland. Finally, he was captured, being recognised by a policeman from +Edinburgh. He was brought from Ireland to Dumfries, landed in Calton +gaol, Edinburgh, and was tried and executed. + +We may pass over the brief sojourn in Norwich that was Borrow’s lot in +1814, when the West Norfolk Militia left Scotland. When Napoleon escaped +from Elba the West Norfolk Regiment was despatched to Ireland, and +Captain Borrow again took his family with him. We find the boy with his +family at Clonmel from May to December of 1815. Here Borrow’s elder +brother, now a boy of fifteen, was promoted from Ensign to Lieutenant. +In January, 1816, the Borrows moved to Templemore, returning to England +in May of that year. Borrow, we see, was less than a year in Ireland, +and he was only thirteen years of age when he left the country. But it +seems to have been the greatest influence that guided his career. Three +of the most fascinating chapters in _Lavengro_ were one outcome of that +brief sojourn, a thirst for the acquirement of languages was another, and +perhaps a taste for romancing a third. Borrow never came to have the +least sympathy with the Irish race, or its national aspirations. As the +son of a half-educated soldier he did not come in contact with any but +the vagabond element of Ireland, exactly as his father had done before +him. Captain Borrow was asked on one occasion what language is being +spoken: + + “Irish,” said my father with a loud voice, “and a bad language it is. + . . . There’s one part of London where all the Irish live—at least + the worst of them—and there they hatch their villainies to speak this + tongue.” + +And Borrow followed his father’s prejudices throughout his life, although +in the one happy year in which he wrote _The Bible in Spain_ he was able +to do justice to the country that had inspired so much of his work: + + Honour to Ireland and her “hundred thousand welcomes”! Her fields + have long been the greenest in the world; her daughters the fairest; + her sons the bravest and most eloquent. May they never cease to be + so. {33a} + +In later years Orangemen were to him the only attractive element in the +life of Ireland, and we may be sure that he was not displeased when his +stepdaughter married one of them. Yet the creator of literature works +more wisely than he knows, and Borrow’s books have won the wise and +benign appreciation of many an Irish and Roman Catholic reader, whose +nationality and religion Borrow would have anathematised. Irishmen may +forgive Borrow much, because he was one of the first of modern English +writers to take their language seriously. {33b} It is true that he had +but the most superficial knowledge of it. He admits—in _Wild Wales_—that +he only knew it “by ear.” The abundant Irish literature that has been so +diligently studied during the last quarter of a century was a closed book +to Borrow, whose few translations from the Irish have but little value. +Yet the very appreciation of Irish as a language to be seriously studied +in days before Dr. George Sigerson and Dr. Douglas Hyde had waxed +enthusiastic and practical kindles our gratitude. Then what a character +is Murtagh. We are sure there was a Murtagh, although, unlike Borrow’s +other boyish and vagabond friend Haggart, we know nothing about him but +what Borrow has to tell. Yet what a picture is this where Murtagh wants +a pack of cards: + + “I say, Murtagh!” + + “Yes, Shorsha dear!” + + “I have a pack of cards.” + + “You don’t say so, Shorsha ma vourneen?—you don’t say that you have + cards fifty-two?” + + “I do, though; and they are quite new—never been once used.” + + “And you’ll be lending them to me, I warrant?” + + “Don’t think it!—But I’ll sell them to you, joy, if you like.” + + “Hanam mon Dioul! am I not after telling you that I have no money at + all?” + + “But you have as good as money, to me, at least; and I’ll take it in + exchange.” + + “What’s that, Shorsha dear?” + + “Irish!” + + “Irish?” + + “Yes, you speak Irish; I heard you talking it the other day to the + cripple. You shall teach me Irish.” + + “And is it a language-master you’d be making of me?” + + “To be sure!—what better can you do?—it would help you to pass your + time at school. You can’t learn Greek, so you must teach Irish!” + + Before Christmas, Murtagh was playing at cards with his brother + Denis, and I could speak a considerable quantity of broken Irish. + {34} + +With what distrust as we learn again and again in _Lavengro_ did Captain +Borrow follow his son’s inclination towards languages, and especially the +Irish language, in his early years, although anxious that he should be +well grounded in Latin. Little did the worthy Captain dream that this, +and this alone, was to carry down his name through the ages: + + Ah, that Irish! How frequently do circumstances, at first sight the + most trivial and unimportant, exercise a mighty and permanent + influence on our habits and pursuits!—how frequently is a stream + turned aside from its natural course by some little rock or knoll, + causing it to make an abrupt turn! On a wild road in Ireland I had + heard Irish spoken for the first time; and I was seized with a desire + to learn Irish, the acquisition of which, in my case, became the + stepping-stone to other languages. I had previously learnt Latin, or + rather Lilly; but neither Latin nor Lilly made me a philologist. + +Borrow was never a philologist, but this first inclination for Irish was +to lead him later to Spanish, to Welsh, and above all to Romany, and to +make of him the most beloved traveller and the strangest vagabond in all +English literature. + + + + +CHAPTER V +THE GURNEYS AND THE TAYLORS OF NORWICH + + +NORWICH may claim to be one of the most fascinating cities in the +kingdom. To-day it is known to the wide world by its canaries and its +mustard, although its most important industry is the boot trade, in which +it employs some eight thousand persons. To the visitor it has many +attractions. The lovely cathedral with its fine Norman arches, the +Erpingham Gate so splendidly Gothic, the noble Castle Keep so imposingly +placed with the cattle-market below—these are all as Borrow saw them +nearly a century ago. So also is the church of St. Peter Mancroft, where +Sir Thomas Browne lies buried. And to the picturesque Mousehold Heath +you may still climb and recall one of the first struggles for liberty and +progress that past ages have seen, the Norfolk rising under Robert Kett +which has only not been glorified in song and in picture, because— + + Treason doth never prosper—what’s the reason? + Why if it prosper none dare call it treason. + +And Kett’s so-called rebellion was destined to failure, and its leader to +cruel martyrdom. Mousehold Heath has been made the subject of paintings +by Turner and Crome, and of fine word pictures by George Borrow. When +Borrow and his parents lighted upon Norwich in 1814 and 1816 the city had +inspiring literary associations. Before the invention of railways it +seemed not uncommon for a fine intellectual life to emanate from this or +that cathedral city. Such an intellectual life was associated with +Lichfield when the Darwins and the Edgeworths gathered at the Bishop’s +Palace around Dr. Seward and his accomplished daughters. Norwich has +more than once been such a centre. The first occasion was in the period +of which we write, when the Taylors and the Gurneys flourished in a +region of ideas; the second was during the years from 1837 to 1849, when +Edward Stanley held the bishopric. This later period does not come into +our story, as by that time Borrow had all but left Norwich. But of the +earlier period, the period of Borrow’s more or less fitful residence in +Norwich—1814 to 1833—we are tempted to write at some length. There were +three separate literary and social forces in Norwich in the first decades +of the nineteenth century—the Gurneys of Earlham, the Taylor-Austin +group, and William Taylor, who was in no way related to Mrs. John Taylor +and her daughter, Sarah Austin. The Gurneys were truly a remarkable +family, destined to leave their impress upon Norwich and upon a wider +world. At the time of his marriage in 1773 to Catherine Bell, John +Gurney, wool-stapler of Norwich, took his young wife, whose face has been +preserved in a canvas by Gainsborough, to live in the old Court House in +Magdalen Street, which had been the home of two generations of the Gurney +family. In 1786 John Gurney went with his continually growing family to +live at Earlham Hall, some two or three miles out of Norwich on the +Earlham Road. Here that family of eleven children—one boy had died in +infancy—grew up. Not one but has an interesting history, which is +recorded by Mr. Augustus Hare and other writers. Elizabeth, the fourth +daughter, married Joseph Fry, and as Elizabeth Fry attained to a +world-wide fame as a prison reformer. Hannah married Sir Thomas Fowell +Buxton of Slave Trade Abolition; Richenda, the Rev. Francis Cunningham, +who sent George Borrow upon his career; while Louisa married Samuel Hoare +of Hampstead. Of her Joseph John Gurney said at her death in 1836 that +she was “superior in point of talent to any other of my father’s eleven +children.” It is with the eleventh child, however, that we have mainly +to do, for this son, Joseph John Gurney, alone appears in Borrow’s pages. +The picture of these eleven Quaker children growing up to their various +destinies under the roof of Earlham Hall is an attractive one. Men and +women of all creeds accepted the catholic Quaker’s hospitality. Mrs. +Opie and a long list of worthies of the past come before us, and when Mr. +Gurney, in 1802, took his six unmarried daughters to the Lakes Old Crome +accompanied them as drawing-master. + +In 1803—the year of Borrow’s birth—John Gurney became a partner in the +great London Bank of Overend and Gurney, and his son, Joseph John, in +that same year went up to Oxford. In 1809 Joseph returned to take his +place in the bank, and to preside over the family of unmarried sisters at +Earlham, father and mother being dead, and many members of the family +distributed. Incidentally, we are told by Mr. Hare that the Gurneys of +Earlham at this time drove out with four black horses, and that when +Bishop Bathurst, Stanley’s predecessor, required horses for State +occasions to drive him to the cathedral, he borrowed these, and the more +modest episcopal horses took the Quaker family to their meeting-house. +It does not come within the scope of this book to trace the fortunes of +these eleven remarkable Gurney children, or even of Borrow’s momentary +acquaintance, Joseph John Gurney. His residence at Earlham, and his life +of philanthropy, are a romance in a way, although one wonders whether if +the name of Gurney had not been associated with so much of virtue and +goodness the crash that came long after Joseph John Gurney’s death would +have been quite so full of affliction for a vast multitude. Joseph John +Gurney died in 1847, in his fifty-ninth year; his sister, Mrs. Fry, had +died two years earlier. The younger brother and twelfth child—Joseph +John being the eleventh—Daniel Gurney, the last of the twelve children, +lived till 1880, aged eighty-nine. He had outlived by many years the +catastrophe to the great banking firm with which the name of Gurney is +associated. This great firm of Overend and Gurney, of which yet another +brother, Samuel, was the moving spirit, was organised nine years after +his death—in 1865—into a joint-stock company, which failed to the amount +of eleven millions in 1866. At the time of the failure, which affected +all England, much as did the Liberator smash a generation later, the only +Gurney in the directorate was Daniel Gurney, to whom his sister, Lady +Buxton, allowed a pension of £2000 a year. This is a long story to tell +by way of introduction to one episode in _Lavengro_. This episode had +place in the year 1817, when Borrow was but fourteen years of age and +Gurney was twenty-nine. It is doubtful if Borrow met Joseph John Gurney +more than on the one occasion. At the commencement of his engagement +with the Bible Society he writes to its secretary, Mr. Jowett (18th +March, 1833), to say that he must procure from Mr. Cunningham “a letter +of introduction from him to John Gurney,” and this second and last +interview must have taken place at Earlham before his departure for +Russia. + +But if Borrow was to come very little under the influence of Joseph John +Gurney, his destiny was to be considerably moulded by the action of +Gurney’s brother-in-law, Cunningham, who first put him in touch with the +Bible Society. Joseph John Gurney and his sisters were the very life of +the Bible Society in those years. + +With the famous “Taylors of Norwich” Borrow seems to have had no +acquaintance, although he went to school with a connection of that +family, James Martineau. These socially important Taylors were in no way +related to William Taylor of that city, who knew German literature, and +scandalised the more virtuous citizens by that, and perhaps more by his +fondness for wine and also for good English beer—a drink over which his +friend Borrow was to become lyrical. When people speak of the Norwich +Taylors they refer to the family of Dr. John Taylor, who in 1733 was +elected to the charge of the Presbyterian congregation in Norwich. His +eldest son, Richard, married Margaret, the daughter of a mayor of Norwich +of the name of Meadows; and Sarah, another daughter of that same +worshipful mayor, married David Martineau, grandson of Gaston Martineau, +who fled from France at the time of the Revocation of the Edict of +Nantes. {39} Harriet and James Martineau were grandchildren of this +David. The second son of Richard and Margaret Taylor was John, who +married Susannah Cook. Susannah is the clever Mrs. John Taylor of this +story, and her daughter of even greater ability was Sarah Austin, the +wife of the famous jurist. Here we are only concerned with Mrs. John +Taylor, called by her friends the “Madame Roland of Norwich.” Lucy Aikin +describes how she “darned her boy’s grey worsted stockings while holding +her own with Southey, Brougham, or Mackintosh.” One of her daughters +married Henry Reeve, and, as I have said, another married John Austin. +Borrow was twenty years of age and living in Norwich when Mrs. Taylor +died. It is to be regretted that in the early impressionable years his +position as a lawyer’s clerk did not allow of his coming into a circle in +which he might have gained certain qualities of _savoir faire_ and _joie +de vivre_, which he was all his days to lack. Of the Taylor family the +Duke of Sussex said that they reversed the ordinary saying that it takes +nine tailors to make a man. The witticism has been attributed to Sydney +Smith, but Mrs. Ross gives evidence that it was the Duke’s—the youngest +son of George III. In his _Life of Sir James Mackintosh_ Basil Montagu, +referring to Mrs. John Taylor, says: + + Norwich was always a haven of rest to us, from the literary society + with which that city abounded. Dr. Sayers we used to visit, and the + high-minded and intelligent William Taylor; but our chief delight was + in the society of Mrs. John Taylor, a most intelligent and excellent + woman, mild and unassuming, quiet and meek, sitting amidst her large + family, occupied with her needle and domestic occupations, but always + assisting, by her great knowledge, the advancement of kind and + dignified sentiment and conduct. + +We note here the reference to “the high-minded and intelligent William +Taylor,” because William Taylor, whose influence upon Borrow’s destiny +was so pronounced, has been revealed to many by the slanders of Harriet +Martineau, that extraordinary compound of meanness and generosity, of +poverty-stricken intelligence and rich endowment. In her +_Autobiography_, published in 1877, thirty-four years after Robberds’s +_Memoir of William Taylor_, she dwells upon the drinking propensities of +William Taylor, who was a schoolfellow of her father’s. She admits, +indeed, that Taylor was an ideal son, whose “exemplary filial duty was a +fine spectacle to the whole city.” + +William Taylor’s life is pleasantly interlinked with Scott and Southey. +Lucy Aikin records that she heard Sir Walter Scott declare to Mrs. +Barbauld that Taylor had laid the foundations of his literary career—had +started him upon the path of glory through romantic verse to romantic +prose, from _The Lay of the Last Minstrel_ to _Waverley_. It was the +reading of Taylor’s translation of Bürger’s _Lenore_ that did all this. +“This, madam,” said Scott, “was what made me a poet. I had several times +attempted the more regular kinds of poetry without success, but here was +something that I thought I could do.” Southey assuredly loved Taylor, +and each threw at the feet of the other the abundant literary learning +that both possessed. This we find in a correspondence which, reading +more than a century after it was written, still has its charm. The son +of a wealthy manufacturer of Norwich, Taylor was born in that city in +1765. He was in early years a pupil of Mrs. Barbauld. At fourteen he +was placed in his father’s counting-house, and soon afterwards was sent +abroad, in the company of one of the partners, to acquire languages. He +learnt German thoroughly at a time when few Englishmen had acquaintance +with its literature. To Goethe’s genius he never did justice, having +been offended by that great man’s failure to acknowledge a book that +Taylor sent to him, exactly as Carlyle and Borrow alike were afterwards +offended by similar delinquencies on the part of Walter Scott. When he +settled again in Norwich he commenced to write for the magazines, among +others for Sir Richard Phillips’s _Monthly Magazine_, and to correspond +with Southey. At the time Southey was a poor man, thinking of abandoning +literature for the law, and hopeful of practising in Calcutta. The +Norwich Liberals, however, aspired to a newspaper to be called _The +Iris_. Taylor asked Southey to come to Norwich and to become its editor. +Southey declined and Taylor took up the task, The _Norwich Iris_ lasted +for two years. Southey never threw over his friendship for Taylor, +although their views ultimately came to be far apart. Writing to Taylor +in 1803 he says: + + Your theology does nothing but mischief; it serves only to thin the + miserable ranks of Unitarianism. The regular troops of infidelity do + little harm; and their trumpeters, such as Voltaire and Paine, not + much more. But it is such pioneers as Middleton, and you and your + German friends, that work underground and sap the very citadel. That + _Monthly Magazine_ is read by all the Dissenters—I call it the + Dissenters’ Obituary—and here are you eternally mining, mining, under + the shallow faith of their half-learned, half-witted, half-paid, + half-starved pastors. + +But the correspondence went on apace, indeed it occupies the larger part +of Robberds’s two substantial volumes. It is in the very last letter +from Taylor to Southey that we find an oft-quoted reference to Borrow. +The letter is dated 12th March, 1821: + + A Norwich young man is construing with me Schiller’s _Wilhelm Tell_ + with the view of translating it for the Press. His name is George + Henry Borrow, and he has learnt German with extraordinary rapidity; + indeed, he has the gift of tongues, and, though not yet eighteen, + understands twelve languages—English, Welsh, Erse, Latin, Greek, + Hebrew, German, Danish, French, Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese; he + would like to get into the Office for Foreign Affairs, but does not + know how. + +Although this was the last letter to Southey that is published in the +memoir, Taylor visited Southey at Keswick in 1826. Taylor’s three +volumes of the _Historic Survey of German Poetry_ appeared in 1828, 1829, +and 1830. Sir Walter Scott, in the last year of his life, wrote from +Abbotsford on 23rd April, 1832, to Taylor to protest against an allusion +to “William Scott of Edinburgh” being the author of a translation of +_Goetz von Berlichingen_. Scott explained that he (Walter Scott) was +that author, and also made allusion to the fact that he had borrowed with +acknowledgment two lines from Taylor’s _Lenore_ for his own— + + Tramp, tramp along the land, + Splash, splash across the sea, + +adding that his recollection of the obligation was infinitely stronger +than of the mistake. It would seem, however, that the name “William” was +actually on the title-page of the London edition of 1799 of _Goetz von +Berlichingen_. When Southey heard of the death of Taylor in 1836 he +wrote: + + I was not aware of my old friend’s illness, or I should certainly + have written to him, to express that unabated regard which I have + felt for him eight-and-thirty years, and that hope which I shall ever + feel, that we may meet in the higher state of existence. I have + known very few who equalled him in talents—none who had a kinder + heart; and there never lived a more dutiful son, or a sincerer + friend. + +Taylor’s many books are now all forgotten. His translation of Bürger’s +_Lenore_ one now only recalls by its effect upon Scott; his translation +of Lessing’s _Nathan the Wise_ has been superseded. His voluminous +_Historic Survey of German Poetry_ only lives through Carlyle’s severe +review in the _Edinburgh Review_ {42} against the many strictures in +which Taylor’s biographer attempts to defend him. Taylor had none of +Carlyle’s inspiration. Not a line of his work survives in print in our +day, but it was no small thing to have been the friend and correspondent +of Southey, whose figure in literary history looms larger now than it did +when Emerson asked contemptuously, “Who’s Southey?”; and to have been the +wise mentor of George Borrow is in itself to be no small thing in the +record of letters. There is a considerable correspondence between Taylor +and Sir Richard Phillips in Robberds’s _Memoir_, and Phillips seemed +always anxious to secure articles from Taylor for the _Monthly_, and even +books for his publishing-house. Hence the introduction from Taylor that +Borrow carried to London might have been most effective if Phillips had +had any use for poor and impracticable would-be authors. + + + + +CHAPTER VI +AT THE NORWICH GRAMMAR SCHOOL + + +WHEN George Borrow first entered Norwich after the long journey from +Edinburgh, Joseph John Gurney, born 1788, was twenty-six years of age, +and William Taylor, born 1765, was forty-nine. Borrow was eleven years +of age. Captain Borrow took temporary lodgings at the Crown and Angel +Inn in St. Stephen’s Street, George was sent to the Grammar School, and +his elder brother started to learn drawing and painting with John Crome +(“Old Crome”) of many a fine landscape. But the wanderings of the family +were not yet over. Napoleon escaped from Elba, and the West Norfolk +Militia were again put on the march. This time it was Ireland to which +they were destined, and we have already shadowed forth, with the help of +_Lavengro_, that momentous episode. The victory of Waterloo gave Europe +peace, and in 1816 the Borrow family returned to Norwich, there to pass +many quiet years. In 1819 Captain Borrow was pensioned—eight shillings a +day. From 1816 till his father’s death in 1824 Borrow lived in Norwich +with his family. Their home was in King’s Court, Willow Lane, a modest +one-storey house in a _cul-de-sac_, which we have already described. In +King’s Court, Willow Lane, Borrow lived at intervals until his marriage +in 1840, and his mother continued to live in the house until, in 1849, +she agreed to join her son and daughter-in-law at Oulton. Yet the house +comes little into the story of Borrow’s life, as do the early houses of +many great men of letters, nor do subsequent houses come into his story; +the house at Oulton and the house at Hereford Square are equally barren +of association; the broad highway and the windy heath were Borrow’s +natural home. He was never a “civilised” being; he never shone in +drawing-rooms. Let us, however, return to Borrow’s school-days, of which +the records are all too scanty, and not in the least invigorating. The +Norwich Grammar School has an interesting tradition. We pass to the +cathedral through the beautiful Erpingham Gate built about 1420 by Sir +Thomas Erpingham, and we find the school on the left. It was originally +a chapel, and the porch is at least five hundred years old. The +schoolroom is sufficiently old-world-looking for us to imagine the +schoolboys of past generations sitting at the various desks. The school +was founded in 1547, but the registers have been lost, and so we know +little of its famous pupils of earlier days. Lord Nelson and Rajah +Brooke are the two names of men of action that stand out most honourably +in modern times among the scholars. In literature Borrow had but one +schoolfellow, who afterwards came to distinction—James Martineau. +Borrow’s headmaster was the Reverend Edward Valpy, who held the office +from 1810 to 1829, and to whom is credited the destruction of the school +archives. Borrow’s two years of the Grammar School were not happy ones. +Borrow, as we have shown, was not of the stuff of which happy schoolboys +are made. He had been a wanderer—Scotland, Ireland, and many parts of +England had assisted in a fragmentary education; he was now thirteen +years of age, and already a vagabond at heart. But let us hear Dr. +Augustus Jessopp, who was headmaster of the same Grammar School from 1859 +to 1879. Writing of a meeting of old Norvicensians to greet the Rajah, +Sir James Brooke, in 1858, when there was a great “whip” of the “old +boys,” Dr. Jessopp tells us that Borrow, then living at Yarmouth, did not +put in an appearance among his schoolfellows: + + My belief is that he never was popular among them, that he never + attained a high place in the school, and he was a “free boy.” In + those days there were a certain number of day boys at Norwich school, + who were nominated by members of the Corporation, and who paid no + tuition fees; they had to submit to a certain amount of snubbing at + the hands of the boarders, who for the most part were the sons of the + county gentry. Of course, such a proud boy as George Borrow would + resent this, and it seems to have rankled with him all through his + life. . . . To talk of Borrow as a “scholar” is absurd. “A + picker-up of learning’s crumbs” he was, but he was absolutely without + any of the training or the instincts of a scholar. He had had little + education till he came to Norwich, and was at the Grammar School + little more than two years. It is pretty certain that he knew no + Greek when he entered there, and he never seems to have acquired more + than the elements of that language. + +Yet the only real influence that Borrow carried away from the Grammar +School was concerned with foreign languages. He did take to the French +master and exiled priest, Thomas d’Eterville, a native of Caen, who had +emigrated to Norwich in 1793. D’Eterville taught French, Italian, and +apparently, to Borrow, a little Spanish; and Borrow, with his wonderful +memory, must have been his favourite pupil. In the fourteenth and +fifteenth chapters of _Lavengro_ he is pleasantly described by his pupil, +who adds, with characteristic “bluff,” that d’Eterville said “on our +arrival at the conclusion of Dante’s _Hell_, ‘vous serez un jour un grand +philologue, mon cher.’” + +Borrow’s biographers have dwelt at length upon one episode of his +schooldays—the flogging he received from Valpy for playing truant with +three other boys. One, by name John Dalrymple, faltered on the way, the +two faithful followers of George in his escapade being two brothers named +Theodosius and Francis Purland, whose father kept a chemist’s shop in +Norwich. The three boys wandered away as far as Acle, eleven miles from +Norwich, whence they were ignominiously brought back and birched. John +Dalrymple’s brother Arthur, son of a distinguished Norwich surgeon, who +became Clerk of the Peace at Norwich in 1854, and died in 1868, has left +a memorandum concerning Borrow, from which I take the following extract: + + I was at school with Borrow at the Free School, Norwich, under the + Rev. E. Valpy. He was an odd, wild boy, and always wanting to turn + Robinson Crusoe or Buccaneer. My brother John was about Borrow’s + age, and on one occasion Borrow, John, and another, whose name I + forget, determined to run away and turn pirates. John carried an old + horse pistol and some potatoes as his contribution to the general + stock, but his zeal was soon exhausted, he turned back at Thorpe + Lunatic Asylum; but Borrow went off to Yarmouth, and lived on the + Caister Denes for a few days. I don’t remember hearing of any + exploits. He had a wonderful facility for learning languages, which, + however, he never appears to have turned to account. + +James Martineau, afterwards a popular preacher and a distinguished +theologian of the Unitarian creed, here comes into the story. He was a +contemporary with Borrow at the Norwich Grammar School as already stated, +but the two boys had little in common. There was nothing of the vagabond +about James Martineau, and concerning Borrow—if on no other subject—he +would probably have agreed with his sister Harriet, whose views we shall +quote in a later chapter. In Martineau’s _Memoirs_, voluminous and dull, +there is only one reference to Borrow; {47} but a correspondent once +ventured to approach the eminent divine concerning the rumour as to +Martineau’s part in the birching of the author of _The Bible in Spain_, +and received the following letter: + + 35 GORDON SQUARE, LONDON, W.C., _December_ 6, 1895. + + DEAR SIR,—Two or three years ago Mr. Egmont Hake (author, I think, of + a life of Gordon) sought an interview with me, as reputed to be + Borrow’s sole surviving schoolfellow, in order to gather information + or test traditions about his schooldays. This was with a view to a + memoir which he was compiling, he said, out of the literary remains + which had been committed to him by his executors. I communicated to + him such recollections as I could clearly depend upon and leave at + his disposal for publication or for suppression as he might think + fit. Under these circumstances I feel that they are rightfully his, + and that I am restrained from placing them at disposal elsewhere + unless and until he renounces his claim upon them. But though I + cannot repeat them at length for public use, I am not precluded from + correcting inaccuracies in stories already in circulation, and may + therefore say that Mr. Arthur Dalrymple’s version of the Yarmouth + escapade is wrong in making his brother John a partner in the + transaction. John had quite too much sense for that; the only + victims of Borrow’s romance were two or three silly boys—mere lackeys + of Borrow’s commanding will—who helped him to make up a kit for the + common knapsack by pilferings out of their fathers’ shops. + + The Norwich gentleman who fell in with the boys lying in the hedgerow + near the half-way inn knew one of them, and wormed out of him the + drift of their enterprise, and engaging a postchaise packed them all + into it, and in his gig saw them safe home. + + It is true that I had to _hoist_ (not “horse”) Borrow for his + flogging, but not that there was anything exceptional or capable of + leaving permanent scars in the infliction. Mr. Valpy was not given + to excess of that kind. + + I have never read _Lavengro_, and cannot give any opinion about the + correct spelling of the “Exul sacerdos” name. + + Borrow’s romance and William Taylor’s love of paradox would doubtless + often run together, like a pair of well-matched steeds, and carry + them away in the same direction. But there was a strong—almost + wild—_religious_ sentiment in Borrow, of which only faint traces + appear in W. T. In Borrow it had always a tendency to pass from a + sympathetic to an antipathetic form. He used to gather about him + three or four favourite schoolfellows, after they had learned their + class lesson and before the class was called up, and with a sheet of + paper and book on his knee, invent and tell a story, making rapid + little pictures of each _dramatis persona_ that came upon the stage. + The plot was woven and spread out with much ingenuity, and the + characters were various and well discriminated. But two of them were + sure to turn up in every tale, the Devil and the Pope, and the + working of the drama invariably had the same issue—the utter ruin and + disgrace of these two potentates. I had often thought that there was + a presage here of the mission which produced _The Bible in Spain._—I + am, dear sir, very truly yours, + + JAMES MARTINEAU. + +Yet it is amusing to trace the story through various phases. Dr. +Martineau’s letter was the outcome of his attention being called to a +statement made in a letter written by a lady in Hampstead to a friend in +Norwich, which runs as follows: + + 11_th_ Nov. 1893. + + Dr. Martineau, to amuse some boys at a school treat, told us about + George Borrow, his schoolfellow: he was always reading adventures of + smugglers and pirates, etc., and at last, to carry out his ideas, got + a set of his schoolfellows to promise to join him in an expedition to + Yarmouth, where he had heard of a ship that he thought would take + them. The boys saved all the food they could from their meals, and + what money they had, and one morning started very early to walk to + Yarmouth. They got halfway—to Blofield, I think—when they were so + tired they had to rest by the roadside, and eat their lunch. While + they were resting a gentleman, whose son was at the Free School, + passed in his gig. He thought it was very odd so many boys, some of + whom he had seen, should be waiting about, so he drove back and asked + them if they would come to dine with him at the inn. Of course they + were only too glad, poor boys: but as soon as he had got them all in + he sent his servant with a letter to Mr. Valpy, who sent a coach and + brought them all back. You know what a cruel man that Dr. V. was. + He made Dr. Martineau take poor Borrow on his back, “horse him,” I + think he called it, and flogged him so that Dr. M. said he would + carry the marks for the rest of his life, and he had to keep his bed + for a fortnight. The other boys got off with lighter punishment, but + Borrow was the ringleader. Those were the “good old times”! I have + heard Dr. M. say that not for another life would he go through the + misery he suffered as “town boy” at that school. + +Miss Frances Power Cobbe, who lived next door to Borrow in Hereford +Square, Brompton, in the ’sixties, as we shall see later, has a word to +say on the point: + + Dr. Martineau once told me that he and Borrow had been schoolfellows + at Norwich some sixty years before. Borrow had persuaded several of + his other companions to rob their fathers’ tills, and then the party + set forth to join some smugglers on the coast. By degrees the + truants all fell out of line and were picked up, tired and hungry, + along the road, and brought back to Norwich School, where condign + chastisement awaited them. George Borrow, it seems, received his + large share _horsed_ on James Martineau’s back! The early connection + between the two old men, as I knew them, was irresistibly comic to my + mind. Somehow when I asked Mr. Borrow once to come and meet some + friends at our house he accepted our invitation as usual, but, on + finding that Dr. Martineau was to be of the party, hastily withdrew + his acceptance on a transparent excuse; nor did he ever after attend + our little assemblies without first ascertaining that Dr. Martineau + was not to be present. {49} + +Mr. Valpy of the Norwich Grammar School is scarcely to be blamed that he +was not able to make separate rules for a quite abnormal boy. Yet, if he +could have known, Borrow was better employed playing truant and living up +to his life-work as a glorified vagabond than in studying in the ordinary +school routine. George Borrow belonged to a type of boy—there are many +such—who learn much more out of school than in its bounds; and the boy +Borrow, picking up brother vagabonds in Tombland Fair, and already +beginning, in his own peculiar way, his language craze, was laying the +foundations that made _Lavengro_ possible. + + + + +CHAPTER VII +IN A LAWYER’S OFFICE + + +DOUBTS were very frequently expressed in Borrow’s lifetime as to his +having really been articled to a solicitor, but that point has been set +at rest by reference to the Record Office. Borrow was articled to +Simpson and Rackham of Tuck’s Court, St. Giles’s, Norwich, “for the term +of five years”—from March, 1819, to March, 1824,—and these five years +were spent in and about Norwich, and were full of adventure of a kind +with which the law had nothing to do. If Borrow had had the makings of a +lawyer he could not have entered the profession under happier auspices. +The firm was an old established one even in his day. It had been +established in Tuck’s Court as Simpson and Rackham, then it became +Rackham and Morse, Rackham, Cooke and Rackham, and Rackham and Cooke; +finally, Tom Rackham, a famous Norwich man in his day, moved to another +office, and the firm of lawyers who at present occupy the original +offices is called Leathes Prior and Sons. Borrow has told us frankly +what a poor lawyer’s clerk he made—he was always thinking of things +remote from that profession, of gypsies, of prize-fighters, and of +word-makers. Yet he loved the head of the firm, William Simpson, who +must have been a kind and tolerant guide to the curious youth. Simpson +was for a time Town Clerk of Norwich, and his portrait hangs in the +Blackfriars Hall. Borrow went to live with Mr. Simpson in the Upper +Close near the Grammar School. Archdeacon Groome recalled having seen +Borrow “reserved and solitary” haunting the precincts of the playground; +another schoolboy, William Drake, remembered him as “tall, spare, +dark-complexioned.” {50} + +Borrow tells us how at this time he studied the Welsh language and later +the Danish; his master said that his inattention would assuredly make him +a bankrupt, and his father sighed over his eccentric and impracticable +son. The passion for languages had indeed caught hold of Borrow. Among +my Borrow papers I find a memorandum in the handwriting of his +stepdaughter, in which she says: + + I have often heard his mother say, that when a mere child of eight or + nine years, all his pocket-money was spent in purchasing foreign + Dictionaries and Grammars; he formed an acquaintance with an old + woman who kept a bookstall in the market-place of Norwich, whose son + went voyages to Holland with cattle, and brought home Dutch books, + which were eagerly bought by little George. One day the old woman + was crying, and told him that her son was in prison. “For doing + what?” asked the child. “For taking a silk handkerchief out of a + gentleman’s pocket.” “Then,” said the boy, “your son stole the + pocket handkerchief?” “No dear, no, my son did not steal,—he only + glyfaked.” + +We have no difficulty in recognising here the heroine of the Moll +Flanders episode in _Lavengro_. But it was not from casual meetings with +Welsh grooms and Danes and Dutchmen that Borrow acquired even such +command of various languages as was undoubtedly his. We have it on the +authority of an old fellow-pupil at the Grammar School, Burcham, +afterwards a London police-magistrate, that William Taylor gave him +lessons in German, {51} but he acquired most of his varied knowledge in +these impressionable years in the Corporation Library of Norwich. Dr. +Knapp found, in his very laudable examination of some of the books, +Borrow’s neat pencil notes, the making of which was not laudable on the +part of his hero. One book here marked was on ancient Danish literature, +the author of which, Olaus Wormius, gave him the hint for calling himself +Olaus Borrow for a time—a signature that we find in some of Borrow’s +published translations. Borrow at this time had aspirations of a +literary kind, and Thomas Campbell accepted a translation of Schiller’s +_Diver_, which was sighed “O. B.” There were also translations from the +German, Dutch, Swedish, and Danish, in the _Monthly Magazine_. Clearly +Borrow was becoming a formidable linguist, if not a very exact master of +words. Still he remained a vagabond, and loved to wander over Mousehold +Heath, to the gypsy encampment, and to make friends with the Romany folk; +he loved also to haunt the horse fairs for which Norwich was so +celebrated; and he was not averse from the companionship of wilder +spirits who loved pugilism, if we may trust _Lavengro_, and if we may +assume, as we justly may, that he many times cast youthful, sympathetic +eyes on John Thurtell in these years, the to-be murderer of Weare, then +actually living with his father in a house on the Ipswich Road, Thurtell, +the father, being in no mean position in the city—an alderman, and a +sheriff in 1815. Yes, there was plenty to do and to see in Norwich, and +Borrow’s memories of it were nearly always kindly. + +At the very centre of Borrow’s Norwich life was William Taylor, +concerning whom we have already written much. It was a Jew named Mousha, +a quack it appears, who pretended to know German and Hebrew, and had but +a smattering of either language, who first introduced Borrow to Taylor, +and there is a fine dialogue between the two in _Lavengro_, of which this +is the closing fragment: + + “Are you happy?” said the young man. + + “Why, no! And, between ourselves, it is that which induces me to + doubt sometimes the truth of my opinions. My life, upon the whole, I + consider a failure; on which account, I would not counsel you, or + anyone, to follow my example too closely. It is getting late, and + you had better be going, especially as your father, you say, is + anxious about you. But, as we may never meet again, I think there + are three things which I may safely venture to press upon you. The + first is, that the decencies and gentlenesses should never be lost + sight of, as the practice of the decencies and gentlenesses is at all + times compatible with independence of thought and action. The second + thing which I would wish to impress upon you is, that there is always + some eye upon us; and that it is impossible to keep anything we do + from the world, as it will assuredly be divulged by somebody as soon + as it is his interest to do so. The third thing which I would wish + to press upon you—” + + “Yes,” said the youth, eagerly bending forward. + + “Is”—and here the elderly individual laid down his pipe upon the + table—“that it will be as well to go on improving yourself in + German!” + +Taylor it was who, when Borrow determined to try his fortunes in London +with those bundles of unsaleable manuscripts, gave him introductions to +Sir Richard Phillips and to Thomas Campbell. It was in the agnostic +spirit that he had learned from Taylor that he wrote during this period +to his one friend in London, Roger Kerrison. Kerrison was grandson of +Sir Roger Kerrison, Mayor of Norwich in 1778, as his son Thomas was after +him in 1806. Roger was articled, as was Borrow, to the firm of Simpson +and Rackham, while his brother Allday was in a drapery store in Norwich, +but with mind bent on commercial life in Mexico. George was teaching him +Spanish in these years as a preparation for his great adventure. Roger +had gone to London to continue his professional experience. He finally +became a Norwich solicitor and died in 1882. Allday went to Zacatecas, +Mexico, and acquired riches. John Borrow followed him there and met with +an early death, as we have seen. Borrow and Roger Kerrison were great +friends at this time; but when _Lavengro_ was written they had ceased to +be this, and Roger is described merely as an “acquaintance” who had found +lodgings for him on his first visit to London. As a matter of fact that +trip to London was made easy for Borrow by the opportunity given to him +of sharing lodgings with Roger Kerrison at Milman Street, Bedford Row, +where Borrow put in an appearance on 1st April, 1824, some two months +after the following letter was written: + + TO MR. ROGER KERRISON, 18 MILMAN STREET, BEDFORD ROW. + + NORWICH, _Jany._ 20, 1824. + + DEAREST ROGER,—I did not imagine when we separated in the street, on + the day of your departure from Norwich, that we should not have met + again: I had intended to have come and seen you off, but happening to + dine at W. Barron’s I got into discourse, and the hour slipt past me + unawares. + + I have been again for the last fortnight laid up with that detestable + complaint which destroys my strength, impairs my understanding, and + will in all probability send me to the grave, for I am now much worse + than when you saw me last. But _nil desperandum est_, if ever my + health mends, and possibly it may by the time my clerkship is + expired, I intend to live in London, write plays, poetry, etc., abuse + religion and get myself prosecuted, for I would not for an ocean of + gold remain any longer than I am forced in this dull and gloomy town. + + I have no news to regale you with, for there is none abroad, but I + live in the expectation of shortly hearing from you, and being + informed of your plans and projects; fear not to be prolix, for the + slightest particular cannot fail of being interesting to one who + loves you far better than parent or relation, or even than the God + whom bigots would teach him to adore, and who subscribes himself, + Yours unalterably, + + GEORGE BORROW. + +Borrow might improve his German—not sufficiently, as we shall see in our +next chapter—but he would certainly never make a lawyer. Long years +afterwards, when, as an old man, he was frequently in Norwich, he not +seldom called at that office in Tuck’s Court, where five strange years of +his life had been spent. A clerk in Rackham’s office in these later +years recalls him waiting for the principal as he in his youth had +watched others waiting. {54} + + + + +CHAPTER VIII +AN OLD-TIME PUBLISHER + + + “_That’s a strange man_!” _said I to myself_, _after I had left the + house_, “_he is evidently very clever_; _but I cannot say that I like + him much with his Oxford Reviews and Dairyman’s + Daughters_.”—LAVENGRO. + +BORROW lost his father on the 28th February, 1824. He reached London on +the 2nd April of the same year, and this was the beginning of his many +wanderings. He was armed with introductions from William Taylor, and +with some translations in manuscript from Danish and Welsh poetry. The +principal introduction was to Sir Richard Phillips, a person of some +importance in his day, who has so far received but inadequate treatment +in our own. Phillips was active in the cause of reform at a certain +period in his life, and would seem to have had many sterling qualities +before he was spoiled by success. He was born in the neighbourhood of +Leicester, and his father was “in the farming line,” and wanted him to +work on the farm, but he determined to seek his fortune in London. After +a short absence, during which he clearly proved to himself that he was +not at present qualified to capture London, young Phillips returned to +the farm. Borrow refers to his patron’s vegetarianism, and on this point +we have an amusing story from his own pen! He had been, when previously +on the farm, in the habit of attending to a favourite heifer: + + During his sojournment in London this animal had been killed; and on + the very day of his return to his father’s house, he partook of part + of his favourite at dinner, without his being made acquainted with + the circumstance of its having been slaughtered during his absence. + On learning this, however, he experienced a sudden indisposition; and + declared that so great an effect had the idea of his having eaten + part of his slaughtered favourite upon him, that he would never again + taste animal food; a vow to which he has hitherto firmly adhered. + +Farming not being congenial, Phillips hired a small room in Leicester, +and opened a school for instruction in the three R’s, a large blue flag +on a pole being his “sign” or signal to the inhabitants of Leicester, who +seem to have sent their children in considerable numbers to the young +schoolmaster. But little money was to be made out of schooling, and a +year later Phillips was, by the kindness of friends, started in a small +hosiery shop in Leicester. Throwing himself into politics on the side of +reform, Phillips now founded the _Leicester Herald_, to which Dr. +Priestley became a contributor. The first number was issued gratis in +May, 1792. His _Memoir_ informs us that it was an article in this +newspaper that secured for its proprietor and editor eighteen months’ +imprisonment in Leicester gaol, but he was really charged with selling +Paine’s _Rights of Man_. The worthy knight had probably grown ashamed of +_The Rights of Man_ in the intervening years, and hence the reticence of +the memoir. Phillips’s gaoler was the once famous Daniel Lambert, the +notorious “fat man” of his day. In gaol Phillips was visited by Lord +Moira and the Duke of Norfolk. It was this Lord Moira who said in the +House of Lords in 1797 that “he had seen in Ireland the most absurd, as +well as the most disgusting tyranny that any nation ever groaned under.” +Moira became Governor-General of Bengal and Commander-in-Chief of the +Army in India. The Duke of Norfolk, a stanch Whig, distinguished himself +in 1798 by a famous toast at the Crown and Anchor Tavern, Arundel Street, +Strand:—“Our sovereign’s health—the majesty of the people!” which greatly +offended George III., who removed Norfolk from his lord-lieutenancy. +Phillips seems to have had a very lax imprisonment, as he conducted the +_Herald_ from gaol, contributing in particular a weekly letter. Soon +after his release he disposed of the _Herald_, or permitted it to die. +It was revived a few years later as an organ of Toryism. He had started +in gaol another journal, _The Museum_, and he combined this with his +hosiery business for some time longer, when an opportune fire relieved +him of an apparently uncongenial burden, and with the insurance money in +his pocket he set out for London once more. Here he started as a hosier +in St. Paul’s Churchyard, lodging meantime in the house of a milliner, +where he fell in love with one of the apprentices, Miss Griffiths, “a +native of Wales.” His affections were won, we are naïvely informed in +the _Memoir_, by the young woman’s talent in the preparation of a +vegetable pie. This is our first glimpse of Lady Phillips—“a quiet, +respectable woman,” whom Borrow was to meet at dinner long years +afterwards. Inspired, it would seem, by the kindly exhortation of Dr. +Priestley, he now transformed his hosiery business in St. Paul’s +Churchyard into a “literary repository,” and started a singularly +successful career as a publisher. There he produced his long-lived +periodical, _The Monthly Magazine_, which attained to so considerable a +fame. + +This, then, was the man to whom George Borrow presented himself in 1824. +Phillips was fifty-seven years of age. He had made a moderate fortune +and lost it, and was now enjoying another perhaps less satisfying; it +included the profits of _The Monthly Magazine_, repurchased after his +bankruptcy, and some rights in many school-books. But the great +publishing establishment in Bridge Street had long been broken up. +Borrow would have found Taylor’s introduction to Phillips quite useless +had the worthy knight not at the moment been keen on a new magazine and +seen the importance of a fresh “hack” to help to run it. Moreover, had +he not written a great book which only the Germans could appreciate, +_Twelve Essays on the Phenomena of Nature_? Here, he thought, was the +very man to produce this book in a German dress. Taylor was a thorough +German scholar, and he had vouched for the excellent German of his pupil +and friend. Hence a certain cordiality which did not win Borrow’s +regard, but was probably greater than many a young man would receive +to-day from a publisher-prince upon whom he might call laden only with a +bundle of translations from the Danish and the Welsh. Here—in +_Lavengro_—is the interview between publisher and poet, with the editor’s +factotum Bartlett, whom Borrow calls Taggart, as witness: + + “Well, sir, what is your pleasure?” said the big man, in a rough + tone, as I stood there, looking at him wistfully—as well I might—for + upon that man, at the time of which I am speaking, my principal, I + may say my only hopes, rested. + + “Sir,” said I, “my name is So-and-so, and I am the bearer of a letter + to you from Mr. So-and-so, an old friend and correspondent of yours.” + + The countenance of the big man instantly lost the suspicious and + lowering expression which it had hitherto exhibited; he strode + forward and, seizing me by the hand, gave me a violent squeeze. + + “My dear sir,” said he, “I am rejoiced to see you in London. I have + been long anxious for the pleasure—we are old friends, though we have + never before met. Taggart,” said he to the man who sat at the desk, + “this is our excellent correspondent, the friend and pupil of our + excellent correspondent.” + +Phillips explains that he has given up publishing, except “under the +rose,” had only _The Monthly Magazine_, here {58} called _The Magazine_, +but contemplated yet another monthly, _The Universal Review_, here called +_The Oxford_. He gave Borrow much the same sound advice that a publisher +would have given him to-day—that poetry is not a marketable commodity, +and that if you want to succeed in prose you must, as a rule, write +trash—the most acceptable trash of that day being _The Dairyman’s +Daughter_, which has sold in hundreds of thousands, and is still much +prized by the Evangelical folk who buy the publications of the Religious +Tract Society. Phillips, moreover, asked him to dine to meet his wife, +his son, and his son’s wife, and we know what an amusing account of that +dinner Borrow gives in _Lavengro_. Moreover, he set Borrow upon his +first piece of hack-work, the _Celebrated Trials_, and gave him something +to do upon _The Universal Review_ and also upon _The Monthly_. _The +Universal_ lasted only for six numbers, dying in January, 1825. In that +year appeared the six volumes of the _Celebrated Trials_, of which we +have something to say in our next chapter. Borrow found Phillips most +exacting, always suggesting the names of new criminals, and leaving it to +the much sweated author to find the books from which to extract the +necessary material. Then came the final catastrophe. Borrow could not +translate Phillips’s great masterpiece, _Twelve Essays on the Proximate +Causes_, into German with any real effectiveness although the testimonial +of the enthusiastic Taylor had led Phillips to assume that he could. +Borrow, as we shall see, knew many languages, and knew them well +colloquially, but he was not a grammarian, and he could not write +accurately in any one of the numerous tongues. His wonderful memory gave +him the words, but not always any thoroughness of construction. He could +make a good translation of a poem by Schiller, because he brought his own +poetic fancy to the venture, but he had no interest in Phillips’s +philosophy, and so he doubtless made a very bad translation, as German +friends were soon able to assure Phillips, who had at last to go to a +German for a translation, and the book appeared at Stuttgart in 1826. +Meanwhile, Phillips’s new magazine, _The Universal Review_, went on its +course. It lasted only for a few numbers, as we have said—from March, +1824, to January, 1825—and it was entirely devoted to reviews, many of +them written by Borrow, but without any distinction calling for comment +to-day. Dr. Knapp thought that Gifford was the editor, with Phillips’s +son and George Borrow assisting. Gifford translated _Juvenal_, and it +was for a long time assumed that Borrow wished merely to disguise +Gifford’s identity when he referred to his editor as the translator of +_Quintilian_. But Sir Leslie Stephen has pointed out in _Literature_ +that John Carey (1756–1826), who actually edited _Quintilian_ in 1822, +was Phillips’s editor. “All the poetry which I reviewed,” Borrow tells +us, “appeared to be published at the expense of the authors. All the +publications which fell under my notice I treated in a gentlemanly . . . +manner—no personalities, no vituperation, no shabby insinuations; +decorum, decorum was the order of the day.” And one feels that Borrow +was not very much at home. But he went on with his _Newgate Lives and +Trials_, which, however, were to be published with another imprint, +although at the instance of Phillips. By that time he and that worthy +publisher had parted company. Probably Phillips had set out for +Brighton, which was to be his home for the remainder of his life. + + + + +CHAPTER IX +“FAUSTUS” AND “ROMANTIC BALLADS” + + +IN the early pages of _Lavengro_ Borrow tells us nearly all we are ever +likely to know of his sojourn in London in the years 1824 and 1825, +during which time he had those interviews with Sir Richard Phillips which +are recorded in our last chapter. Dr. Knapp, indeed, prints a little +note from him to his friend Kerrison, in which he begs his friend to come +to him as he believes he is dying. Roger Kerrison, it would seem, had +been so frightened by Borrow’s depression and threats of suicide that he +had left the lodgings at 16 Milman Street, Bedford Row, and removed +himself elsewhere, and so Borrow was left friendless to fight what he +called his “horrors” alone. The depression was not unnatural. From his +own vivid narrative we learn of Borrow’s bitter failure as an author. No +one wanted his translations from the Welsh and the Danish, and Phillips +clearly had no further use for him after he had compiled his _Newgate +Lives and Trials_ (Borrow’s name in _Lavengro_ for _Celebrated Trials_), +and was doubtless inclined to look upon him as an impostor for +professing, with William Taylor’s sanction, a mastery of the German +language which had been demonstrated to be false with regard to his own +book. No “spirited publisher” had come forward to give reality to his +dream thus set down: + + I had still an idea that, provided I could persuade any spirited + publisher to give these translations to the world, I should acquire + both considerable fame and profit; not, perhaps, a world-embracing + fame such as Byron’s; but a fame not to be sneered at, which would + last me a considerable time, and would keep my heart from + breaking;—profit, not equal to that which Scott had made by his + wondrous novels, but which would prevent me from starving, and enable + me to achieve some other literary enterprise. I read and re-read my + ballads, and the more I read them the more I was convinced that the + public, in the event of their being published, would freely purchase, + and hail them with the merited applause. + +He has a tale to tell us in _Lavengro_ of a certain _Life and Adventures +of Joseph Sell_, _the Great Traveller_, the purchase of which from him by +a publisher at the last moment saved him from starvation and enabled him +to take to the road, there to meet the many adventures that have become +immortal in the pages of _Lavengro_. Dr. Knapp has encouraged the idea +that _Joseph Sell_ was a real book, ignoring the fact that the very title +suggests doubts, and was probably meant to suggest them. In Norfolk, as +elsewhere, a “sell” is a word in current slang used for an imposture or a +cheat, and doubtless Borrow meant to make merry with the credulous. +There was, we may be perfectly sure, no _Joseph Sell_, and it is more +reasonable to suppose that it was the sale of his translation of +Klinger’s _Faustus_ that gave him the much needed money at this crisis. +Dr. Knapp pictures Borrow as carrying the manuscript of his translation +of _Faustus_ with him to London. There is not the slightest evidence of +this. It may be reasonably assumed that Borrow made the translation from +Klinger’s novel during his sojourn in London. It is true the preface is +dated “Norwich, April 1825,” but Borrow did not leave London until the +end of May, 1825, that is to say, until after he had negotiated with “W. +Simpkin and R. Marshall,” now the well-known firm of Simpkin and +Marshall, for the publication of the little volume. That firm, +unfortunately, has no record of the transaction. My impression is that +Borrow in his wandering after old volumes on crime for his great +compilation, _Celebrated Trials_, came across the French translation of +Klinger’s novel published at Amsterdam. From that translation he +acknowledges that he borrowed the plate which serves as frontispiece—a +plate entitled “The Corporation Feast.” It represents the corporation of +Frankfort at a banquet turned by the devil into various animals. It has +been erroneously assumed that Borrow had had something to do with the +designing of this plate, and that he had introduced the corporation of +Norwich in vivid portraiture into the picture. Borrow does, indeed, +interpolate a reference to Norwich into his translation of a not too +complimentary character, for at that time he had no very amiable feelings +towards his native city. Of the inhabitants of Frankfort he says: + + They found the people of the place modelled after so unsightly a + pattern, with such ugly figures and flat features, that the devil + owned he had never seen them equalled, except by the inhabitants of + an English town called Norwich, when dressed in their Sunday’s best. + {62} + +In the original German version of 1791 we have the town of Nuremberg thus +satirised. But Borrow was not the first translator to seize the +opportunity of adapting the reference for personal ends. In the French +translation of 1798, published at Amsterdam, and entitled _Les Aventures +du Docteur Faust_, the translator has substituted Auxerre for Nuremberg. +What makes me think that Borrow used only the French version in his +translation is the fact that in his preface he refers to the engravings +of that version, one of which he reproduced; whereas the engravings are +in the German version as well. + +Friedrich Maximilian von Klinger (1752–1831), who was responsible for +Borrow’s “first book,” was responsible for much else of an epoch-making +character. It was he who by one of his many plays, _Sturm und Drang_, +gave a name to an important period of German literature. In 1780 von +Klinger entered the service of Russia, and in 1790 married a natural +daughter of the Empress Catherine. Thus his novel, _Faust’s Leben_, +_Thaten und Höllenfahrt_, was actually first published at St. Petersburg +in 1791. This was seventeen years before Goethe published his first part +of _Faust_, a book which by its exquisite poetry was to extinguish for +all self-respecting Germans Klinger’s turgid prose. Borrow, like the +translator of Rousseau’s _Confessions_ and of many another classic, takes +refuge more than once in the asterisk. Klinger’s _Faustus_, with much +that was bad and even bestial, has merits. The devil throughout shows +his victim a succession of examples of “man’s inhumanity to man.” Borrow +nowhere mentions Klinger’s name in his book, of which the title-page +runs: + + Faustus: His Life, Death, and Descent into Hell. Translated from the + German. London: W. Simpkin and R. Marshall, 1825. + +I doubt very much if he really knew who was the author, as the book in +both the German editions I have seen as well as in the French version +bears no author’s name on its title-page. A letter of Borrow’s in the +possession of an American collector indicates that he was back in Norwich +in September, 1825, after, we may assume, three months’ wandering among +gypsies and tinkers. It is written from Willow Lane, and is apparently +to the publishers of _Faustus_: + + As your bill will become payable in a few days, I am willing to take + thirty copies of _Faustus_ instead of the money. The book has been + _burnt_ in both the libraries here, and, as it has been talked about, + I may perhaps be able to dispose of some in the course of a year or + so. + +This letter clearly demonstrates that the guileless Simpkin and the +equally guileless Marshall had paid Borrow for the right to publish +_Faustus_, and even though part of the payment was met by a bill, I think +we may safely find in the transaction whatever verity there may be in the +_Joseph Sell_ episode. “Let me know how you sold your manuscript,” +writes Borrow’s brother to him so late as the year 1829. And this was +doubtless _Faustus_. The action of the Norwich libraries in burning the +book would clearly have had the sympathy of one of its few reviewers had +he been informed of the circumstance. It is thus that the _Literary +Gazette_ for 16th July, 1825, refers to Borrow’s little book: + + This is another work to which no respectable publisher ought to have + allowed his name to be put. The political allusions and metaphysics, + which may have made it popular among a low class in Germany, do not + sufficiently season its lewd scenes and coarse descriptions for + British palates. We have occasionally publications for the + fireside—these are only fit for the fire. + +Borrow returned then to Norwich in the autumn of 1825 a disappointed man +so far as concerned the giving of his poetical translations to the world, +from which he had hoped so much. No “spirited publisher” had been +forthcoming, although Dr. Knapp’s researches have unearthed a “note” in +_The Monthly Magazine_, which, after the fashion of the anticipatory +literary gossip of our day, announced that Olaus Borrow was about to +issue _Legends and Popular Superstitions of the North_, “in two elegant +volumes.” But this never appeared. Quite a number of Borrow’s +translations from divers languages had appeared from time to time, +beginning with a version of Schiller’s “Diver” in _The New Monthly +Magazine_ for 1823, continuing with Stolberg’s “Ode to a Mountain +Torrent” in _The Monthly Magazine_, and including the “Deceived Merman.” +These he collected into book form and, not to be deterred by the coldness +of heartless London publishers, issued them by subscription. Three +copies of the slim octavo book lie before me, with separate title-pages: + +(1) Romantic Ballads, Translated from the Danish; and Miscellaneous +Pieces by George Borrow. Norwich: Printed and Published by S. Wilkin, +Upper Haymarket, 1826. + +(2) Romantic Ballads, Translated from the Danish; and Miscellaneous +Pieces by George Borrow. London: Published by John Taylor, Waterloo +Place, Pall Mall, 1826. + +(3) Romantic Ballads, Translated from the Danish; and Miscellaneous +Pieces, by George Borrow. London: Published by Wightman and Cramp, 24 +Paternoster Row, 1826. + +The book contains an introduction in verse by Allan Cunningham, whose +acquaintance Borrow seems to have made in London. It commences: + + Sing, sing, my friend, breathe life again + Through Norway’s song and Denmark’s strain: + On flowing Thames and Forth, in flood, + Pour Haco’s war-song, fierce and rude. + +Cunningham had not himself climbed very far up the literary ladder in +1825, although he was forty-one years of age. At one time a stonemason +in a Scots village, he had entered Chantrey’s studio, and was +“superintendent of the works” to that eminent sculptor at the time when +Borrow called upon him in London, and made an acquaintance which never +seems to have extended beyond this courtesy to the younger man’s _Danish +Ballads_. The point of sympathy of course was that in the year 1825 +Cunningham had published _The Songs of Scotland_, _Ancient and Modern_. + +Five hundred copies of the _Romantic Ballads_ were printed in Norwich by +S. Wilkin, about two hundred being subscribed for, mainly in that city, +the other three hundred being dispatched to London—to Taylor, whose name +appears on the London title-page, although he seems to have passed on the +book very quickly to Wightman and Cramp, for what reason we are not +informed. Borrow tells us that the two hundred subscriptions of half a +guinea “amply paid expenses,” but he must have been cruelly disappointed, +as he was doomed to be more than once in his career, by the lack of +public appreciation outside of Norwich. Yet there were many reasons for +this. If Scott had made the ballad popular, he had also destroyed it for +a century—perhaps for ever—by substituting the novel as the favourite +medium for the storyteller. Great ballads we were to have in every +decade from that day to this, but never another “best seller” like +_Marmion_ or _The Lady of the Lake_. Our _popular_ poets had to express +themselves in other ways. Then Borrow, although his verse has been +underrated by those who have not seen it at its best, or who are +incompetent to appraise poetry, was not very effective here, +notwithstanding that the stories in verse in _Romantic Ballads_ are all +entirely interesting. This fact is most in evidence in a case where a +real poet, not of the greatest, has told the same story. We owe a +rendering of “The Deceived Merman” to both George Borrow and Matthew +Arnold, but how widely different the treatment! The story is of a merman +who rose out of the water and enticed a mortal—fair Agnes or +Margaret—under the waves; she becomes his wife, bears him children, and +then asks to return to earth. Arriving there she refuses to go back when +the merman comes disconsolately to the church-door for her. Here are a +few lines from the two versions, which demonstrate that here at least +Borrow was no poet and that Arnold was a very fine one: + + GEORGE BORROW MATTHEW ARNOLD + “Now, Agnes, Agnes list to me, We climbed on the graves, on + Thy babes are longing so after the stones worn with rains, + thee.” And we gazed up the aisles + “I cannot come yet, here must through the small leaded + I stay panes. + Until the priest shall have She sate by the pillar; we saw + said his say.” her clear: + And when the priest had said “Margaret, hist! come quick, + his say, we are here! + She thought with her mother at Dear heart,” I said, “we are + home she’d stay. long alone; + “O Agnes, Agnes, list to me, The sea grows stormy, the + Thy babes are sorrowing after little ones moan.” + thee.” But, ah, she gave me never a + “Let them sorrow and sorrow look, + their fill, For her eyes were sealed on + But back to them never return the holy book! + I will.” Loud prays the priest; shut + stands the door. + Come away, children, call no + more! + Come away, come down, call no + more! + +It says much for the literary proclivities of Norwich at this period that +Borrow should have had so kindly a reception for his book as the +subscription list implies. At the end of each of Wilkin’s two hundred +copies a “list of subscribers” is given. It opens with the name of the +Bishop of Norwich, Dr. Bathurst; it includes the equally familiar names +of the Gurdons, Gurneys, Harveys, Rackhams, Hares (then as now of Stow +Hall), Woodhouses—all good Norfolk or Norwich names that have come down +to our time. Mayor Hawkes, who is made famous in _Lavengro_ by Haydon’s +portrait, is there also. Among London names we find John Bowring, +Borrow’s new friend, and later to be counted an enemy, Thomas Campbell, +Benjamin Haydon and John Timbs. But the name that most strikes the eye +is that of “Thurtell.” Three of the family are among the subscribers +including Mr. George Thurtell of Eaton, near Norwich, brother of the +murderer; there also is the name of John Thurtell, executed for murder +exactly a year before. This would seem to imply that Borrow had been a +long time collecting these names and subscriptions, and doubtless before +the all-too-famous crime of the previous year he had made Thurtell +promise to become a subscriber, and, let us hope, had secured his +half-guinea. That may account, with so sensitive and impressionable a +man as our author, for the kindly place that Weare’s unhappy murderer +always had in his memory. Borrow, in any case, was now, for a few years, +to become more than ever a vagabond. Not a single further appeal did he +make to an unsympathetic literary public for a period of five years at +least. + + + + +CHAPTER X +“CELEBRATED TRIALS” AND JOHN THURTELL + + +BORROW’S first book was _Faustus_, and his second was _Romantic Ballads_, +the one being published, as we have seen, in 1825, the other in 1826. +This chronology has the appearance of ignoring the _Celebrated Trials_, +but then it is scarcely possible to count _Celebrated Trials_ {67a} as +one of Borrow’s books at all. It is largely a compilation, exactly as +the _Newgate Calendar_ and Howell’s _State Trials_ are compilations. In +his preface to the work Borrow tells us that he has differentiated the +book from the _Newgate Calendar_ {67b} and the _State Trials_ {67c} by +the fact that he had made considerable compression. This was so, and in +fact in many cases he has used the blue pencil rather than the pen—at +least in the earlier volumes. But Borrow attempted something much more +comprehensive than the _Newgate Calendar_ and the _State Trials_ in his +book. In the former work the trials range from 1700 to 1802; in the +latter from the trial of Becket in 1163 to the trial of Thistlewood in +1820. Both works are concerned solely with this country. Borrow went +all over Europe, and the trials of Joan of Arc, Count Struensee, Major +André, Count Cagliostro, Queen Marie Antoinette, the Duc d’Enghien, and +Marshal Ney, are included in his volumes. Moreover, while what may be +called state trials are numerous, including many of the cases in +_Howell_, the greater number are of a domestic nature, including nearly +all that are given in the _Newgate Calendar_. In the first two volumes +he has naturally mainly state trials to record; the later volumes record +sordid everyday crimes, and here Borrow is more at home. His style when +he rewrites the trials is more vigorous, and his narrative more +interesting. It is to be hoped that the exigent publisher, who he +assures us made him buy the books for his compilation out of the £50 that +he paid for it, was able to present him with a set of the _State Trials_, +if only in one of the earlier and cheaper issues of the work than the one +that now has a place in every lawyer’s library. + +The third volume of _Celebrated Trials_, although it opens with the trial +of Algernon Sidney, is made up largely of crime of the more ordinary +type, and this sordid note continues through the three final volumes. I +have said that _Faustus_ is an allegory of “man’s inhumanity to man.” +That is emphatically, in more realistic form, the distinguishing feature +of _Celebrated Trials_. Amid these records of savagery, it is a positive +relief to come across such a trial as that of poor Joseph Baretti. +Baretti, it will be remembered, was brought to trial because, when some +roughs set upon him in the street, he drew a dagger, which he usually +carried “to carve fruit and sweetmeats,” and killed his assailant. In +that age, when our law courts were a veritable shambles, how cheerful it +is to find that the jury returned a verdict of “self-defence.” But then +Sir Joshua Reynolds, Edmund Burke, Dr. Johnson, and David Garrick gave +evidence to character, representing Baretti as “a man of benevolence, +sobriety, modesty, and learning.” This trial is an oasis of mercy in a +desert of drastic punishment. Borrow carries on his “trials” to the very +year before the date of publication, and the last trial in the book is +that of “Henry Fauntleroy, Esquire,” for forgery. Fauntleroy was a quite +respectable banker of unimpeachable character, to whom had fallen at a +very early age the charge of a banking business that was fundamentally +unsound. It is clear that he had honestly endeavoured to put things on a +better footing, that he lived simply, and had no gambling or other vices. +At a crisis, however, he forged a document, in other words signed a +transfer of stock which he had no right to do, the “subscribing witness” +to his power of attorney being Robert Browning, a clerk in the Bank of +England, and father of the distinguished poet. Well, Fauntleroy was +sentenced to be hanged—and he was duly hanged at Newgate on 30th October, +1824, only thirteen years before Queen Victoria came to the throne! + +Borrow has affirmed that from a study of the _Newgate Calendar_ and the +compilation of his _Celebrated Trials_ he first learned to write genuine +English, and it is a fact that there are some remarkably dramatic effects +in these volumes, although one here withholds from Borrow the title of +“author” because so much is “scissors and paste,” and the purple passages +are only occasional. All the same I am astonished that no one has +thought it worth while to make a volume of these dramatic episodes, which +are clearly the work of Borrow, and owe nothing to the innumerable +pamphlets and chap-books that he brought into use. Take such an episode +as that of Schening and Harlin, two young German women, one of whom +pretended to have murdered her infant in the presence of the other +because she madly supposed that this would secure them bread—and they +were starving. The trial, the scene at the execution, the confession on +the scaffold of the misguided but innocent girl, the respite, and then +the execution—these make up as thrilling a narrative as is contained in +the pages of fiction. Assuredly Borrow did not spare himself in that +race round the bookstalls of London to find the material which the +grasping Sir Richard Phillips required from him. He found, for example, +Sir Herbert Croft’s volume, _Love and Madness_, the supposed +correspondence of Parson Hackman and Martha Reay, whom he murdered. That +correspondence is now known to be an invention of Croft’s. Borrow +accepted it as genuine, and incorporated the whole of it in his story of +the Hackman trial. + +But after all, the trial which we read with greatest interest in these +volumes is that of John Thurtell, because Borrow had known Thurtell in +his youth, and gives us more than one glimpse of him in _Lavengro_ and +_The Romany Rye_. + +Rarely in our criminal jurisprudence has a murder trial excited more +interest than that of John Thurtell for the murder of Weare—the Gill’s +Hill Murder, as it was called. Certainly no murder of modern times has +had so many indirect literary associations. Borrow, Carlyle, Hazlitt, +Walter Scott, and Thackeray are among those who have given it lasting +fame by comment of one kind or another; and the lines ascribed to +Theodore Hook are perhaps as well known as any other memory of the +tragedy: + + They cut his throat from ear to ear, + His brain they battered in, + His name was Mr. William Weare, + He dwelt in Lyon’s Inn. + +Carlyle’s division of human beings of the upper classes into “noblemen, +gentlemen, and gigmen,” which occurs in his essay on Richter, and a later +reference to gigmanhood which occurs in his essay on Goethe’s Works, had +their inspiration in an episode in the trial of Thurtell, when the +question being asked, “What sort of a person was Mr. Weare?” brought the +answer, “He was always a respectable person.” “What do you mean by +respectable?” the witness was asked. “He kept a gig,” was the reply, +which brought the word “gigmanity” into our language. {70} + +I have said that John Thurtell and two members of his family became +subscribers for Borrow’s _Romantic Ballads_, and it is certain that +Borrow must often have met Thurtell, that is to say looked at him from a +distance, in some of the scenes of prize-fighting which both affected, +Borrow merely as a youthful spectator, Thurtell as a reckless backer of +one or other combatant. Thurtell’s father was an alderman of Norwich +living in a good house on the Ipswich Road when the son’s name rang +through England as that of a murderer. The father was born in 1765 and +died in 1846. Four years after his son John was hanged he was elected +Mayor of Norwich, in recognition of his violent ultra-Whig or blue and +white political opinions. He had been nominated as mayor both in 1818 +and 1820, but it was perhaps the extraordinary “advertisement” of his +son’s shameful death that gave the citizens of Norwich the necessary +enthusiasm to elect Alderman Thurtell as mayor in 1828. It was in those +oligarchical days a not unnatural fashion to be against the Government. +The feast at the Guildhall on this occasion was attended by four hundred +and sixty guests. A year before John Thurtell was hanged, in 1823, his +father moved a violent political resolution in Norwich, but was +out-Heroded by Cobbett, who moved a much more extreme one over his head +and carried it by an immense majority. It was a brutal time, and there +cannot be a doubt that Alderman Thurtell, while busy setting the world +straight, failed to bring up his family very well. John, as we shall +see, was hanged; Thomas, another brother, was associated with him in many +disgraceful transactions; while a third brother, George, also a +subscriber, by the way, to Borrow’s _Romantic Ballads_, who was a +landscape gardener at Eaton, died in prison in 1848 under sentence for +theft. Apart from a rather riotous and bad bringing up, which may be +pleaded in extenuation, it is not possible to waste much sympathy over +John Thurtell. He had thoroughly disgraced himself in Norwich before he +removed to London. There he got further and further into difficulties, +and one of the many publications which arose out of his trial and +execution was devoted to pointing the moral of the evils of gambling. It +was bad luck at cards, and the loss of much money to William Weare, who +seems to have been an exceedingly vile person, that led to the murder. +Thurtell had a friend named Probert who lived in a quiet cottage in a +byway of Hertfordshire—Gill’s Hill, near Elstree. He suggested to Weare +in a friendly way that they should go for a day’s shooting at Gill’s +Hill, and that Probert would put them up for the night. Weare went home, +collected a few things in a bag, and took a hackney coach to a given +spot, where Thurtell met him with a gig. The two men drove out of London +together. The date was 24th October, 1823. On the high-road they met +and passed Probert and a companion named Joseph Hunt, who had even been +instructed by Thurtell to bring a sack with him—this was actually used to +carry away the body—and must therefore have been privy to the intended +murder. By the time the second gig containing Probert and Hunt arrived +near Probert’s cottage, Thurtell met it in the roadway, according to +their accounts, and told the two men that he had done the deed; that he +had killed Weare first by ineffectively shooting him, then by dashing out +his brains with his pistol, and finally by cutting his throat. Thurtell +further told his friends, if their evidence was to be trusted, that he +had left the body behind a hedge. In the night the three men placed the +body in a sack and carried it to a pond near Probert’s house and threw it +in. The next night they fished it out and threw it into another pond +some distance away. Thurtell meanwhile had divided the spoil—some £20, +which he said was all that he had obtained from Weare’s body—with his +companions. Hunt, it may be mentioned, afterwards declared his +conviction that Thurtell, when he first committed the murder, had removed +his victim’s principal treasure, notes to the value of three or four +hundred pounds. Suspicion was aroused, and the hue and cry raised +through the finding by a labourer of the pistol in the hedge, and the +discovery of a pool of blood on the roadway. Probert promptly turned +informer; Hunt also tried to save himself by a rambling confession, and +it was he who revealed where the body was concealed, accompanying the +officers to the pond and pointing out the exact spot where the corpse +would be found. When recovered the body was taken to the Artichoke inn +at Elstree, and here the coroner’s inquest was held. Meanwhile Thurtell +had been arrested in London and taken down to Elstree to be present at +the inquest. A verdict of murder against all three miscreants was given +by the coroner’s jury, and Weare’s body was buried in Elstree Churchyard. + +In January, 1824, John Thurtell was brought to trial at Hertford Assizes, +and Hunt also. But first of all there were some interesting proceedings +in the Court of King’s Bench, before the Chief Justice and two other +judges, complaining that Thurtell had not been allowed to see his +counsel. And there were other points at issue. Thurtell’s counsel moved +for a criminal injunction against the proprietor of the Surrey Theatre in +that a performance had been held there, and was being held, which assumed +Thurtell’s guilt, the identical horse and gig being exhibited in which +Weare was supposed to have ridden to the scene of his death. Finally +this was arranged, and a _mandamus_ was granted “commanding the admission +of legal advisers to the prisoner.” At last the trial came on at +Hertford before Mr. Justice Park. It lasted two days, although the judge +wished to go on all night in order to finish in one. But the protest of +Thurtell, supported by the jury, led to an adjournment. Probert had been +set free and appeared as a witness. The jury gave a verdict of guilty, +and Thurtell and Hunt were sentenced to be hanged, but Hunt escaped with +transportation. Thurtell made his own speech for the defence, which had +a great effect upon the jury, until the judge swept most of its +sophistries away. It was, however, a very able performance. Thurtell’s +line of defence was to declare that Hunt and Probert were the murderers, +and that he was a victim of their perjuries. If hanged, he would be +hanged on circumstantial evidence only, and he gave, with great +elaboration, the details of a number of cases where men had been +wrongfully hanged upon circumstantial evidence. His lawyers had +apparently provided him with books containing these examples from the +past, and his month in prison was devoted to this defence, which showed +great ability. The trial took place on 6th January, 1824, and Thurtell +was hanged on the 9th, in front of Hertford Gaol: his body was given to +the Anatomical Museum in London. A contemporary report says that +Thurtell, on the scaffold, + + fixed his eyes on a young gentleman in the crowd, whom he had + frequently seen as a spectator at the commencement of the proceedings + against him. Seeing that the individual was affected by the + circumstances, he removed them to another quarter, and in so doing + recognised an individual well known in the sporting circles, to whom + he made a slight bow. + +The reader of _Lavengro_ might speculate whether that “young gentleman” +was Borrow, but Borrow was in Norwich in January, 1824, his father dying +in the following month. In his _Celebrated Trials_ Borrow tells the +story of the execution with wonderful vividness, and supplies effective +quotations from “an eyewitness.” Borrow no doubt exaggerated his +acquaintance with Thurtell, as in his _Robinson Crusoe_ romance he was +fully entitled to do for effect. He was too young at the time to have +been much noticed by a man so much his senior. The writer who accepts +Borrow’s own statement that he really gave him “some lessons in the noble +art” is too credulous, and the statement that Thurtell’s house “on the +Ipswich Road was a favourite rendezvous for the Fancy” is unsupported by +evidence. Old Alderman Thurtell owned the house in question, and we find +no evidence that he encouraged his son’s predilection for prize-fighting. + + + + +CHAPTER XI +BORROW AND THE FANCY + + +GEORGE BORROW had no sympathy with Thurtell the gambler. I find no +evidence in his career of any taste for games of hazard or indeed for +games of any kind, although we recall that as a mere child he was able to +barter a pack of cards for the Irish language. But he had certainly very +considerable sympathy with the notorious criminal as a friend and patron +of prize-fighting. This now discredited pastime Borrow ever counted a +virtue. Was not his God-fearing father a champion in his way, or, at +least, had he not in open fight beaten the champion of the moment, Big +Ben Brain? Moreover, who was there in those days with blood in his veins +who did not count the cultivation of the Fancy as the noblest and most +manly of pursuits! Why, William Hazlitt, a prince among English +essayists, whose writings are a beloved classic in our day, wrote in _The +New Monthly Magazine_ in these very years his own eloquent impression, +and even introduces John Thurtell more than once as “Tom Turtle,” little +thinking then of the fate that was so soon to overtake him. What could +be more lyrical than this: + + Reader, have you ever seen a fight? If not, you have a pleasure to + come, at least if it is a fight like that between the Gas-man and + Bill Neate. + +And then the best historian of prize-fighting, Henry Downes Miles, the +author of _Pugilistica_, has his own statement of the case. You will +find it in his monograph on John Jackson, the pugilist who taught Lord +Byron to box, and received the immortality of an eulogistic footnote in +_Don Juan_. Here is Miles’s defence: + + No small portion of the public has taken it for granted that pugilism + and blackguardism are synonymous. It is as an antidote to these + slanderers that we pen a candid history of the boxers; and taking the + general habits of men of humble origin (elevated by their courage and + bodily gifts to be the associates of those more fortunate in worldly + position), we fearlessly maintain that the best of our boxers present + as good samples of honesty, generosity of spirit, goodness of heart + and humanity, as an equal number of men of any class of society. + +From Samuel Johnson onwards literary England has had a kindness for the +pugilist, although the magistrate has long, and rightly, ruled him out as +impossible. Borrow carried his enthusiasm further than any, and no +account of him that concentrates attention upon his accomplishment as a +distributor of Bibles and ignores his delight in fisticuffs, has any +grasp of the real George Borrow. Indeed it may be said, and will be +shown in the course of our story, that Borrow entered upon Bible +distribution in the spirit of a pugilist rather than that of an +evangelist. But to return to Borrow’s pugilistic experiences. He +claims, as we have seen, occasionally to have put on the gloves with John +Thurtell. He describes vividly enough his own conflicts with the Flaming +Tinman and with Petulengro. His one heroine, Isopel Berners, had “Fair +Play and Long Melford” as her ideal, “Long Melford” being the good +right-handed blow with which Lavengro conquered the Tinman. Isopel, we +remember, had learned in Long Melford Union to “Fear God and take your +own part!” + +George Borrow, indeed, was at home with the whole army of prize-fighters, +who came down to us like the Roman Caesars or the Kings of England in a +noteworthy procession, their dynasty commencing with James Fig of Thame, +who began to reign in 1719, and closing with Tom King, who beat Heenan in +1863, or with Jem Mace, who flourished in a measure until 1872. With +what zest must Borrow have followed the account of the greatest battle of +all, that between Heenan and Tom Sayers at Farnborough in 1860, when it +was said that Parliament had been emptied to patronise a prize-fight; and +this although Heenan complained that he had been chased out of eight +counties. For by this time, in spite of lordly patronage, pugilism was +doomed, and the more harmless boxing had taken its place. “Pity that +corruption should have crept in amongst them,” sighed Lavengro in a +memorable passage, in which he also has his paean of praise for the +bruisers of England: + + Let no one sneer at the bruisers of England—what were the gladiators + of Rome, or the bull-fighters of Spain, in its palmiest days, + compared to England’s bruisers? + +Yes: Borrow was never hard on the bruisers of England, and followed their +achievements, it may be said, from his cradle to his grave. His beloved +father had brought him up, so to speak, upon memories of one who was +champion before George was born—Big Ben Brain of Bristol. Brain, +although always called “Big Ben,” was only 5 feet 10 in. high. He was +for years a coal porter at a wharf off the Strand. It was in 1791 that +Ben Brain won the championship which placed him upon a pinnacle in the +minds of all robust people. The Duke of Hamilton once backed him against +the then champion, Tom Johnson, for five hundred guineas. “Public +expectation,” says _The Oracle_, a contemporary newspaper, “never was +raised so high by any pugilistic contest; great bets were laid, and it is +estimated £20,000 was wagered on this occasion.” Ben Brain was the +undisputed conqueror, we are told, in eighteen rounds, occupying no more +than twenty-one minutes. Brain died in 1794, and all the biographers +tell of the piety of his end, so that Borrow’s father may have read the +Bible to him in his last moments, as Borrow avers, but I very much doubt +the accuracy of the following: + + Honour to Brain, who four months after the event which I have now + narrated was champion of England, having conquered the heroic + Johnson. Honour to Brain, who, at the end of other four months, worn + out by the dreadful blows which he had received in his manly combats, + expired in the arms of my father, who read the Bible to him in his + latter moments—Big Ben Brain. + +Brain actually lived for four years after his fight with Johnson, but +perhaps the fight in Hyde Park between Borrow’s father and Ben, as +narrated in _Lavengro_, is all romancing. It makes good reading in any +case, as does Borrow’s eulogy of some of his own contemporaries of the +prize-ring. + +It is all very accurate history. We know that there really was this +wonderful gathering of the bruisers of England assembled in the +neighbourhood of Norwich in July, 1820, that is to say, sixteen miles +away at North Walsham. More than 25,000 men, it is estimated, gathered +to see Edward Painter of Norwich fight Tom Oliver of London for a purse +of a hundred guineas. There were three Belchers, heroes of the +prize-ring, but Borrow here refers to Tom, whose younger brother, Jem, +had died in 1811 at the age of thirty. Tom Belcher died in 1854 at the +age of seventy-one. Thomas Cribb was champion of England from 1805 to +1820. One of Cribb’s greatest fights was with Jem Belcher in 1807, when, +in the forty-first and last round, as we are told by the chroniclers, +“Cribb proving the stronger man put in two weak blows, when Belcher, +quite exhausted, fell upon the ropes and gave up the combat.” Cribb had +a prolonged career of glory, but he died in poverty in 1848. Happier was +an earlier champion, John Gully, who held the glorious honour for three +years—from 1805 to 1808. Gully turned tavern-keeper, and making a +fortune out of sundry speculations, entered Parliament as member for +Pontefract, and lived to be eighty years of age. + +It is necessary to dwell upon Borrow as the friend of prize-fighters, +because no one understands Borrow who does not realise that his real +interests were not in literature but in action. He would have liked to +join the army but could not obtain a commission. And so he had to be +content with such fighting as was possible. He cared more for the men +who could use their fists than for those who could but wield the pen. He +would, we may be sure, have rejoiced to know that many more have visited +the tomb of Tom Sayers in Highgate Cemetery than have visited the tomb of +George Eliot in the same burial-ground. A curious moral obliquity this, +you may say. But to recognise it is to understand one side of Borrow, +and an interesting side withal. + + + + +CHAPTER XII +EIGHT YEARS OF VAGABONDAGE + + +THERE has been much nonsense written concerning what has been called the +“veiled period” of George Borrow’s life. This has arisen from a letter +which Richard Ford of the _Handbook for Travellers in Spain_ wrote to +Borrow after a visit to him at Oulton in 1844. Borrow was full of his +projected _Lavengro_, the idea of which he outlined to his friends. He +was a genial man in those days, on the wave of a popular success. Was +not _The Bible in Spain_ passing merrily from edition to edition! +Borrow, it is clear, told Ford that he was writing his “Autobiography”—he +had no misgiving then as to what he should call it—and he evidently +proposed to end it in 1825 and not in 1833, when the Bible Society gave +him his real chance in life. His friend Ford indeed begged him not to +“drop a curtain” over the eight years succeeding 1825. “No doubt,” says +Ford, “it will excite a mysterious interest,” but then he adds in effect +it will lead to a wrong construction being put upon the omission. Well, +there can be but one interpretation, and that not an unnatural one. +Borrow had a very rough time during these years. His vanity was hurt, +and no wonder. It seems a strange matter to us now that Charles Dickens +should have been ashamed of the blacking-bottle episode of his boyhood. +Genius has a right to a poverty-stricken—even to a sordid, boyhood. But +genius has no right to a sordid manhood, and here was George “Olaus” +Borrow, who was able to claim the friendship of William Taylor, the +German scholar; who was able to boast of his association with sound +scholastic foundations, with the High School at Edinburgh and the Grammar +School at Norwich; who was a great linguist and had made rare +translations from the poetry of many nations, starving in the byways of +England and of France. What a fate for such a man that he should have +been so unhappy for eight years; should have led the most penurious of +roving lives, and almost certainly have been in prison as a common tramp. +{79} It was all very well to romance about a poverty-stricken youth. +But when youth had fled there ceased to be romance, and only sordidness +was forthcoming. From his twenty-third to his thirty-first year George +Borrow was engaged in a hopeless quest for the means of making a living. +There is, however, very little mystery. Many incidents of each of these +years are revealed at one or other point. His home, to which he returned +from time to time, was with his mother at the cottage in Willow Lane, +Norwich. Whether he made sufficient profit out of a horse, as in _The +Romany Rye_, to enable him to travel upon the proceeds, as Dr. Knapp +thinks, we cannot say. Dr. Knapp is doubtless right in assuming that +during this period he led “a life of roving adventure,” his own +authorised version of his career at the time, as we may learn from the +biography in his handwriting from _Men of the Time_. But how far this +roving was confined to England, how far it extended to other lands, we do +not know. We are, however, satisfied that he starved through it all, +that he rarely had a penny in his pocket. At a later date he gave it to +be understood at times that he had visited the East, and that India had +revealed her glories to him. We do not believe it. Defoe was Borrow’s +master in literature, and he shared Defoe’s right to lie magnificently on +occasion. Borrow certainly did some travel in these years, but it was +sordid, lacking in all dignity—never afterwards to be recalled. For the +most part, however, he was in England. We know that Borrow was in +Norwich in 1826, for we have seen him superintending the publication of +the _Romantic Ballads_ by subscription in that year. In that year also +he wrote the letter to Haydon, the painter, to say that he was ready to +sit for him, but that he was “going to the south of France in a little +better than a fortnight.” We know also that he was in Norwich in 1827, +because it was then, and not in 1818 as described in _Lavengro_, that he +“doffed his hat” to the famous trotting stallion Marshland Shales, when +that famous old horse was exhibited at Tombland Fair on the Castle Hill. +We meet him next as the friend of Dr. Bowring. The letters to Bowring we +must leave to another chapter, but they commence in 1829 and continue +through 1830 and 1831. Through them all Borrow shows himself alive to +the necessity of obtaining an appointment of some kind, and meanwhile he +is hard at work upon his translations from various languages, which, in +conjunction with Dr. Bowring, he is to issue as _Songs of Scandinavia_. +It has been said that in 1829 he made the translation of the _Memoirs of +Vidocq_, which appeared in that year with a short preface by the +translator. {80a} But these little volumes bear no internal evidence of +Borrow’s style, and there is no external evidence to support the +assumption that he had a hand in their publication. His occasional +references to Vidocq are probably due to the fact that he had read this +little book. + +I have before me one very lengthy manuscript of Borrow’s of this period. +It is dated December, 1829, and is addressed, “To the Committee of the +Honourable and Praiseworthy Association, known by the name of the +Highland Society.” {80b} It is a proposal that they should publish in +two thick octavo volumes a series of translations of the best and most +approved poetry of the ancient and modern Scots-Gaelic bards. Borrow was +willing to give two years to the project, for which he pleads “with no +sordid motive.” It is a dignified letter, which will be found in one of +Dr. Knapp’s appendices—so presumably Borrow made two copies of it. The +offer was in any case declined, and so Borrow passed from disappointment +to disappointment during these eight years, which no wonder he desired, +in the coming years of fame and prosperity, to veil as much as possible. +The lean years in the lives of any of us are not those upon which we +delight to dwell, or upon which we most cheerfully look back. {80c} + + + + +CHAPTER XIII +SIR JOHN BOWRING + + +“POOR George. . . . I wish he were making money. He works hard and +remains poor”—thus wrote John Borrow to his mother in 1830 from Mexico, +and it disposes in a measure of any suggestion of mystery with regard to +five of those years that he wished to veil. They were not spent, it is +clear, in rambling in the East, as he tried to persuade Colonel Napier +many years later. They were spent for the most part in diligent attempt +at the capture of words, in reading the poetry and the prose of many +lands, and in making translations of unequal merit from these diverse +tongues. This is indisputably brought home to me by the manuscripts in +my possession. These manuscripts represent years of work. Borrow has +been counted a considerable linguist, and he had assuredly a reading and +speaking acquaintance with a great many languages. But this knowledge +was acquired, as all knowledge is, with infinite trouble and patience. I +have before me hundreds of small sheets of paper upon which are written +English words and their equivalents in some twenty or thirty languages. +These serve to show that Borrow learnt a language as a small boy in an +old-fashioned system of education learns his Latin or French—by writing +down simple words—“father,” “mother,” “horse,” “dog,” and so on with the +same word in Latin or French in front of them. Of course Borrow had a +superb memory and abundant enthusiasm, and so was enabled to add one +language to another and to make his translations from such books as he +could obtain with varied success. I believe that nearly all the books +that he handled came from the Norwich library, and when Mrs. Borrow wrote +to her elder son to say that George was working hard, as we may fairly +assume, from the reply quoted, that she did, she was recalling this +laborious work at translation that must have gone on for years. We have +seen the first fruit in the translation from the German—or possibly from +the French—of Klinger’s _Faustus_; we have seen it in _Romantic Ballads_ +from the Danish, the Irish, and the Swedish. Now there really seemed a +chance of a more prosperous utilisation of his gift, for Borrow had found +a zealous friend who was prepared to go forward with him in his work of +giving to the English public translations from the literatures of the +northern nations. This friend was Dr. John Bowring, who made a very +substantial reputation in his day. + +Bowring has told his own story in a volume of _Autobiographical +Recollections_, a singularly dull book for a man whose career was at once +so varied and so full of interest. He was born at Exeter in 1792 of an +old Devonshire family, and entered a merchant’s office in his native city +on leaving school. He early acquired a taste for the study of languages, +and learnt French from a refugee priest precisely in the way in which +Borrow had done. He also acquired Italian, Spanish, German and Dutch, +continuing with a great variety of other languages. Indeed, only the +very year after Borrow had published _Faustus_, he published his _Ancient +Poetry and Romances of Spain_, and the year after Borrow’s _Romantic +Ballads_ came Bowring’s _Servian Popular Poetry_. With such interest in +common it was natural that the two men should be brought together, but +Bowring had the qualities which enabled him to make a career for himself, +and Borrow had not. In 1811, as a clerk in a London mercantile house, he +was sent to Spain, and after this his travels were varied. He was in +Russia in 1820, and in 1822 was arrested at Calais and thrown into +prison, being suspected by the Bourbon Government of abetting the French +Liberals. Canning as Foreign Minister took up his cause, and he was +speedily released. He assisted Jeremy Bentham in founding _The +Westminster Review_ in 1824. Meanwhile he was seeking official +employment, and in conjunction with Mr. Villiers, afterwards Earl of +Clarendon, and that ambassador to Spain who befriended Borrow when he was +in the Peninsula, became a commissioner to investigate the commercial +relations between England and France. After the Reform Bill of 1832 +Bowring was frequently a candidate for Parliament, and was finally +elected for Bolton in 1841. In the meantime he assisted Cobden in the +formation of the Anti-Corn Law League in 1838. Having suffered great +monetary losses in the interval he applied for the appointment of Consul +at Canton, of which place he afterwards became Governor, being knighted +in 1854. At one period of his career at Hong Kong his conduct was made +the subject of a vote of censure in Parliament, Lord Palmerston, however, +warmly defending him. Finally returning to England in 1862, he continued +his literary work with unfailing zest. He died at Exeter, in a house +very near that in which he was born, in 1872. His extraordinary energies +cannot be too much praised, and there is no doubt but that in addition to +being the possessor of great learning he was a man of high character. +His literary efforts were surprisingly varied. There are at least +thirty-six volumes with his name on the title-page, most of them +unreadable to-day; even such works, for example, as his _Visit to the +Philippine Isles_ and _Siam and the Siamese_, which involved travel into +then little-known lands. Perhaps the only book by him that to-day +commands attention is his translation of Chamisso’s _Peter Schlemihl_. +The most readable of many books by him into which I have dipped is his +_Servian Popular Poetry_ of 1827, in which we find interesting stories in +verse that remind us of similar stories from the Danish in Borrow’s +_Romantic Ballads_ published only the year before. The extraordinary +thing, indeed, is the many points of likeness between Borrow and Bowring. +Both were remarkable linguists; both had spent some time in Spain and +Russia; both had found themselves in foreign prisons. They were alike +associated in some measure with Norwich—Bowring through friendship with +Taylor—and I might go on to many other points of likeness or of contrast. +It is natural, therefore, that the penniless Borrow should have welcomed +acquaintance with the more prosperous scholar. Thus it is that, some +thirty years later, Borrow described the introduction by Taylor: + + The writer had just entered into his eighteenth year, when he met at + the table of a certain Anglo-Germanist an individual, apparently + somewhat under thirty, of middle stature, a thin and weaselly figure, + a sallow complexion, a certain obliquity of vision, and a large pair + of spectacles. This person, who had lately come from abroad, and had + published a volume of translations, had attracted some slight notice + in the literary world, and was looked upon as a kind of lion in a + small provincial capital. After dinner he argued a great deal, spoke + vehemently against the Church, and uttered the most desperate + Radicalism that was perhaps ever heard, saying, he hoped that in a + short time there would not be a king or queen in Europe, and + inveighing bitterly against the English aristocracy, and against the + Duke of Wellington in particular, whom he said, if he himself was + ever president of an English republic—an event which he seemed to + think by no means improbable—he would hang for certain infamous acts + of profligacy and bloodshed which he had perpetrated in Spain. Being + informed that the writer was something of a philologist, to which + character the individual in question laid great pretensions, he came + and sat down by him, and talked about languages and literature. The + writer, who was only a boy, was a little frightened at first. + +The quarrels of authors are frequently amusing but rarely edifying, and +this hatred of Bowring that possessed the soul of poor Borrow in his +later years is of the same texture as the rest. We shall never know the +facts, but the position is comprehensible enough. Let us turn to the +extant correspondence which, as far as we know, opened when Borrow paid +what was probably his third visit to London in 1829: + + TO DR. JOHN BOWRING + + 17 GREAT RUSSELL STREET, BLOOMSBURY. [_Dec._ 6, 1829.] + + MY DEAR SIR,—Lest I should intrude upon you when you are busy, I + write to inquire when you will be unoccupied. I wish to shew you my + translation of _The Death of Balder_, Ewald’s most celebrated + production, which, if you approve of, you will perhaps render me some + assistance in bringing forth, for I don’t know many publishers. I + think this will be a proper time to introduce it to the British + public, as your account of Danish literature will doubtless cause a + sensation. My friend Mr. R. Taylor has my _Kæmpe Viser_, which he + has read and approves of; but he is so very deeply occupied, that I + am apprehensive he neglects them: but I am unwilling to take them out + of his hands, lest I offend him. Your letting me know when I may + call will greatly oblige,—Dear Sir, your most obedient servant, + + GEORGE BORROW. + + * * * * * + + TO DR. JOHN BOWRING + + 17 GREAT RUSSELL STREET, BLOOMSBURY. [_Dec._ 28, 1829.] + + MY DEAR SIR,—I trouble you with these lines for the purpose of + submitting a little project of mine for your approbation. When I had + last the pleasure of being at yours, you mentioned that we might at + some future period unite our strength in composing a kind of Danish + Anthology. You know, as well as I, that by far the most remarkable + portion of Danish poetry is comprised in those ancient popular + productions termed _Kæmpe __Viser_, which I have translated. Suppose + we bring forward at once the first volume of the Danish Anthology, + which should contain the heroic and supernatural songs of the _K. + V._, which are certainly the most interesting; they are quite ready + for the press with the necessary notes, and with an introduction + which I am not ashamed of. The second volume might consist of the + Historic songs and the ballads and Romances, this and the third + volume, which should consist of the modern Danish poetry, and should + commence with the celebrated “Ode to the Birds” by Morten Borup, + might appear in company at the beginning of next season. To + Ölenslager should be allotted the principal part of the fourth + volume; and it is my opinion that amongst his minor pieces should be + given a good translation of his Aladdin, by which alone he has + rendered his claim to the title of a great poet indubitable. A + proper Danish Anthology cannot be contained in less than 4 volumes, + the literature being so copious. The first volume, as I said before, + might appear instanter, with no further trouble to yourself than + writing, if you should think fit, a page or two of introductory + matter.—Yours most truly, my dear Sir, + + GEORGE BORROW. + + * * * * * + + TO DR. JOHN BOWRING + + 17 GREAT RUSSELL STREET, _Decr._ 31, 1829. + + MY DEAR SIR,—I received your note, and as it appears that you will + not be disengaged till next Friday evening (this day week) I will + call then. You think that no more than two volumes can be ventured + on. Well! be it so! The first volume can contain 70 choice _Kæmpe + Viser_; viz. all the heroic, all the supernatural ballads (which two + classes are by far the most interesting), and a few of the historic + and romantic songs. The sooner the work is advertised the better, + _for I am terribly afraid of being forestalled in the Kæmpe Viser by + some of those Scotch blackguards_ who affect to translate from all + languages, of which they are fully as ignorant as Lockhart is of + Spanish. I am quite ready with the first volume, which might appear + by the middle of February (the best time in the whole season), and if + we unite our strength in the second, I think we can produce something + worthy of fame, for we shall have plenty of matter to employ talent + upon.—Most truly yours, + + GEORGE BORROW. + + * * * * * + + TO DR. JOHN BOWRING + + 17 GREAT RUSSELL STREET, BLOOMSBURY, _Jany._ 7, 1830. + + MY DEAR SIR,—I send the prospectus for your inspection and for the + correction of your master hand. I have endeavoured to assume a + Danish style, I know not whether I have been successful. Alter, I + pray you, whatever false logic has crept into it, find a remedy for + its incoherencies, and render it fit for its intended purpose. I + have had for the two last days a rising headache which has almost + prevented me doing anything. I sat down this morning and translated + a hundred lines of the _May-day_; it is a fine piece.—Yours most + truly, my dear Sir, + + GEORGE BORROW. + + * * * * * + + TO DR. JOHN BOWRING + + 17 GREAT RUSSELL STREET, BLOOMSBURY, _Jany._ 14, 1830. + + MY DEAR SIR,—I approve of the prospectus in every respect; it is + business-like, and there is nothing flashy in it. I do not wish to + suggest one alteration. I am not idle: I translated yesterday from + your volume longish _Kæmpe Visers_, among which is the “Death of King + Hacon at Kirkwall in Orkney,” after his unsuccessful invasion of + Scotland. To-day I translated “The Duke’s Daughter of Skage,” a + noble ballad of 400 lines. When I call again I will, with your + permission, retake Tullin and attack _The Surveyor_. Allow me, my + dear Sir, to direct your attention to Ölenschlæger’s _St. Hems + Aftenspil_, which is the last in his Digte of 1803. It contains his + best lyrics, one or two of which I have translated. It might, I + think, be contained within 70 pages, and I could translate it in 3 + weeks. Were we to give the whole of it we should gratify + Ölenschlæger’s wish expressed to you, that one of his larger pieces + should appear. But it is for you to decide entirely on what _is_ or + what is _not_ to be done. When you see the _foreign_ editor I should + feel much obliged if you would speak to him about my reviewing + Tegner, and enquire whether a _good_ article on Welsh poetry would be + received. I have the advantage of not being a Welsh-man. I would + speak the truth, and would give translations of some of the best + Welsh poetry; and I really believe that my translations would not be + the worst that have been made from the Welsh tongue.—Most truly + yours, + + G. BORROW. + + * * * * * + + TO DR. JOHN BOWRING + + 7 MUSEUM STREET, _Jany._, 1830. + + MY DEAR SIR,—I write this to inform you that I am at No. 7 Museum + St., Bloomsbury. I have been obliged to decamp from Russell St. for + the cogent reason of an execution having been sent into the house, + and I thought myself happy in escaping with my things. I have got + half of the Manuscript from Mr. Richard Taylor, but many of the pages + must be rewritten owing to their being torn, etc. He is printing the + prospectus, but a proof has not yet been struck off. Send me some as + soon as you get them. I will send one with a letter to _H. G._—Yours + eternally, + + G. BORROW. + + * * * * * + + TO DR. JOHN BOWRING + + 7 MUSEUM STREET, _Jany._ 25, 1830. + + MY DEAR SIR,—I find that you called at mine, I am sorry that I was + not at home. I have been to Richard Taylor, and you will have the + prospectuses this afternoon. I have translated Ferroe’s “Worthiness + of Virtue” for you, and the two other pieces I shall translate this + evening, and you shall have them all when I come on Wednesday + evening. If I can at all assist you in anything, pray let me know, + and I shall be proud to do it.—Yours most truly, + + G. BORROW. + + * * * * * + + TO DR. JOHN BOWRING + + 7 MUSEUM STREET, _Feby._ 20, 1830. + + MY DEAR SIR,—To my great pleasure I perceive that the books have all + arrived safe. But I find that, instead of an Icelandic Grammar, you + have lent me an _Essay on the origin of the Icelandic Language_, + which I here return. Thorlakson’s Grave-ode is superlatively fine, + and I translated it this morning, as I breakfasted. I have just + finished a translation of Baggesen’s beautiful poem, and I send it + for your inspection.—Most sincerely yours, + + GEORGE BORROW. + + _P.S._—When I come we will make the modifications of this piece, if + you think any are requisite, for I have various readings in my mind + for every stanza. I wish you a very pleasant journey to Cambridge, + and hope you will procure some names amongst the literati. + + * * * * * + + TO DR. JOHN BOWRING + + 7 MUSEUM STREET, _March_ 9, 1830. + + MY DEAR SIR,—I have thought over the Museum matter which we were + talking about last night, and it appears to me that it would be the + very thing for me, provided that it could be accomplished. I should + feel obliged if you would deliberate upon the best mode of + proceeding, so that when I see you again I may have the benefit of + your advice.—Yours most sincerely, + + GEORGE BORROW. + +To this letter Bowring replied the same day. He promised to help in the +Museum project “by every sort of counsel and creation.” “I should +rejoice to see you _nicked_ in the British Museum,” he concludes. + + TO DR. JOHN BOWRING + + 7 MUSEUM STREET, _Friday Evening_, _May_ 21, 1830. + + MY DEAR SIR,—I shall be happy to accept your invitation to meet Mr. + Grundtvig to-morrow morning. As at present no doubt seems to be + entertained of Prince Leopold’s accepting the sovereignty of Greece, + would you have any objection to write to him concerning me? I should + be very happy to go to Greece in his service. I do not wish to go in + a civil or domestic capacity, and I have, moreover, no doubt that all + such situations have been long since filled up; I wish to go in a + military one, for which I am qualified by birth and early habits. + You might inform the Prince that I have been for years on the + Commander-in-Chief’s List for a commission, but that I have not had + sufficient interest to procure an appointment. One of my reasons for + wishing to reside in Greece is, that the mines of Eastern Literature + would be acceptable to me. I should soon become an adept in Turkish, + and would weave and transmit to you such an anthology as would + gladden your very heart. As for _The Songs of Scandinavia_, all the + ballads would be ready before departure, and as I should take books, + I would in a few months send you translations of the modern lyric + poetry. I hope this letter will not displease you. I do not write + it from _flightiness_, but from thoughtfulness. I am uneasy to find + myself at four and twenty drifting on the sea of the world, and + likely to continue so.—Yours most sincerely, + + G. BORROW. + + * * * * * + + TO DR. JOHN BOWRING. + + 7 MUSEUM ST., _June_ 1, 1830. + + MY DEAR SIR,—I send you _Hafbur and Signe_ to deposit in the + Scandinavian Treasury, and I should feel obliged by your doing the + following things. + + 1. Hunting up and lending me your Anglo-Saxon Dictionary as soon as + possible, for Grundtvig wishes me to assist him in the translation of + some Anglo-Saxon Proverbs. + + 2. When you write to Finn Magnussen to thank him for his attention, + pray request him to send the _Feeroiska Quida_, or popular songs of + Ferroe, and also _Broder Run’s Historie_, _or the History of Friar + Rush_, the book which Thiele mentions in his _Folkesagn_.—Yours most + sincerely, + + G. BORROW. + + * * * * * + + TO DR. JOHN BOWRING + + 7 MUSEUM STREET, _June_ 7, 1830. + + MY DEAR SIR,—I have looked over Mr. Grundtvig’s manuscripts. It is a + very long affair, and the language is Norman-Saxon. £40 would not be + an extravagant price for a transcript, and so they told him at the + museum. However, as I am doing nothing particular at present, and as + I might learn something from transcribing it, I would do it for £20. + He will call on you to-morrow morning, and then if you please you may + recommend me. The character closely resembles the ancient Irish, so + I think you can answer for my competency.—Yours most truly, + + G. BORROW. + + _P.S._—Do not lose the original copies of the Danish translations + which you sent to the _Foreign Quarterly_, for I have no duplicates. + I think _The Roses_ of Ingemann was sent; it is not printed; so if it + be not returned, we shall have to re-translate it. + + * * * * * + + TO DR. JOHN BOWRING + + 7 MUSEUM ST., _Sept._ 14, 1830. + + MY DEAR SIR,—I return you the Bohemian books. I am going to Norwich + for some short time as I am very unwell, and hope that cold bathing + in October and November may prove of service to me. My complaints + are, I believe, the offspring of ennui and unsettled prospects. I + have thoughts of attempting to get into the French service, as I + should like prodigiously to serve under Clausel in the next Bedouin + campaign. I shall leave London next Sunday and will call some + evening to take my leave; I cannot come in the morning, as early + rising kills me.—Most sincerely yours, + + G. BORROW. + +Borrow’s next letter to Bowring that has been preserved is dated 1835 and +was written from Portugal. With that I will deal when we come to +Borrow’s travels in the Peninsula. Here it sufficeth to note that during +the years of Borrow’s most urgent need he seems to have found a kind +friend if not a very zealous helper in the “Old Radical” whom he came to +hate so cordially. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV +BORROW AND THE BIBLE SOCIETY + + +THAT George Borrow should have become an agent for the Bible Society, +then in the third decade of its flourishing career, has naturally excited +doubts as to his moral honesty. The position was truly a contrast to an +earlier ideal contained in the letter to his Norwich friend, Roger +Kerrison, that we have already given, in which, with all the zest of a +Shelley, he declares that he intends to live in London, “write plays, +poetry, etc., abuse religion, and get myself prosecuted.” But that was +in 1824, and Borrow had suffered great tribulation in the intervening +eight years. He had acquired many languages, wandered far and written +much, all too little of which had found a publisher. There was plenty of +time for his religious outlook to have changed in the interval, and in +any case Borrow was no theologian. The negative outlook of “Godless +Billy Taylor,” and the positive outlook of certain Evangelical friends +with whom he was now on visiting terms, were of small account compared +with the imperative need of making a living—and then there was the +passionate longing of his nature for a wider sphere—for travelling +activity which should not be dependent alone upon the vagabond’s crust. +What matter if, as Harriet Martineau—most generous and also most +malicious of women, with much kinship with Borrow in temperament—said, +that his appearance before the public as a devout agent of the Bible +Society excited a “burst of laughter from all who remembered the old +Norwich days”; what matter if another “scribbling woman,” as Carlyle +called such strident female writers as were in vogue in mid-Victorian +days—Frances Power Cobbe—thought him “insincere”; these were unable to +comprehend the abnormal heart of Borrow, so entirely at one with Goethe +in _Wilhelm Meister’s Wanderjahre_: + + Bleibe nicht am Boden heften, + Frisch gewagt und frisch hinaus! + Kopf und Arm, mit heitern Kräften, + Ueberall sind sie zu Haus; + Wo wir uns der Sonne freuen, + Sind wir jede Sorge los; + Dass wir uns in ihr zerstreuen, + Darum ist die Welt so gross. {91a} + +Here was Borrow’s opportunity indeed. Verily I believe that it would +have been the same had it been a society for the propagation of the +writings of Defoe among the Persians. With what zest would Borrow have +undertaken to translate _Moll Flanders_ and _Captain Singleton_ into the +languages of Hafiz and Omar! But the Bible Society was ready to his +hand, and Borrow did nothing by halves. A good hater and a staunch +friend, he was loyal to the Bible Society in no half-hearted way, and not +the most pronounced quarrel with forces obviously quite out of tune with +his nature led to any real slackening of that loyalty. In the end a +portion of his property went to swell the Bible Society’s funds. {91b} + +When Borrow became one of its servants, the Bible Society was only in its +third decade. It was founded in the year 1804, and had the names of +William Wilberforce, Granville Sharp, and Zachary Macaulay on its first +committee. To circulate the authorised version of the Bible without note +or comment was the first ideal that these worthy men set before them; +never to the entire satisfaction of the great printing organisations, +which already had a considerable financial interest in such a +circulation. For long years the words “Sold under cost price” upon the +Bibles of the Society excited mingled feelings among those interested in +the book trade. The Society’s first idea was limited to Bibles in the +English tongue. This was speedily modified. A Bible Society was set up +in Nuremberg to which money was granted by the parent organisation. A +Bible in the Welsh language was circulated broadcast through the +Principality, and so the movement grew. From the first it had one of its +principal centres in Norwich, where Joseph John Gurney’s house was open +to its committee, and at its annual gatherings at Earlham his sister +Elizabeth Fry took a leading part, while Wilberforce, Charles Simeon, the +famous preacher, and Legh Richmond, whose _Dairyman’s Daughter_ Borrow +failed to appreciate, were of the company. “Uncles Buxton and Cunningham +are here,” we find one of Joseph John Gurney’s daughters writing in +describing a Bible Society gathering. This was John Cunningham, rector +of Harrow, and it was his brother who helped Borrow to his position in +connection with the Society, as we shall see. At the moment of these +early meetings Borrow is but a boy, meeting Joseph Gurney on the banks of +the river near Earlham, and listening to his discourse upon angling. The +work of the Bible Society in Russia may be said to have commenced when +one John Paterson of Glasgow, who had been a missionary of the +Congregational body, went to St. Petersburg during those critical months +of 1812 that Napoleon was marching into Russia. Paterson indeed, William +Canton tells us, was “one of the last to behold the old Tartar wall and +high brick towers” and other splendours of the Moscow which in a month or +two were to be consumed by the flames. Paterson was back again in St. +Petersburg before the French were at the gates of Moscow, and it is +noteworthy that while Moscow was burning, and the Czar was on his way to +join his army, this remarkable Scot was submitting to Prince Galitzin a +plan for a Bible Society in St. Petersburg, and a memorial to the Czar +thereon: + + The plan and memorial were examined by the Czar on the 18th (of + December); with a stroke of his pen he gave his sanction—“So be it, + Alexander”; and as he wrote, the last tattered remnants of the Grand + Army struggled across the ice of the Niemen. {92} + +The Society was formed in January 1813, and when the Czar returned to St. +Petersburg in 1815, after the shattering of Napoleon’s power, he +authorised a new translation of the Bible into modern Russian. From +Russia it was not a far cry, where the spirit of evangelisation held +sway, to Manchuria and to China. To these remote lands the Bible Society +desired to send its literature. In 1822 the gospel of St. Matthew was +printed in St. Petersburg in Manchu. Ten years later the type of the +whole New Testament in that language was lying in the Russian capital. +“All that was required was a Manchu scholar to see the work through the +press.” Here came the chance for Borrow. At this period there resided +at Oulton Hall, Suffolk, but a few miles from Norwich, a family of the +name of Skepper, Edmund and Anne his wife, with their two children, +Breame and Mary. Mary married in 1817 one Henry Clarke, a lieutenant in +the Royal Navy. He died afterwards of consumption. A posthumous child +of the marriage, Henrietta Mary, was born two months after her father +died. Mary Clarke, as she now was, threw herself with zest into all the +religious enthusiasms of the locality, and the Rev. Francis Cunningham, +Vicar of St. Margaret’s, Lowestoft, was one of her friends. Borrow had +met Mary Clarke on one of her visits to Lowestoft, and she had doubtless +been impressed with his fine presence, to say nothing of the intelligence +and varied learning of the young man. The following note, the first +communication I can find from Borrow to his future wife, indicates how +matters stood at the time: + + TO MRS. CLARKE + + ST. GILES, NORWICH, 22 _October_, 1832. + + DEAR MADAM,—According to promise I transmit you a piece of Oriental + writing, namely the tale of Blue Beard, translated into Turkish by + myself. I wish it were in my power to send you something more worthy + of your acceptance, but I hope you will not disdain the gift, + insignificant though it be. Desiring to be kindly remembered to Mr. + and Mrs. Skepper and the remainder of the family,—I remain, dear + Madam, your most obedient humble servant, + + GEORGE BORROW. + +That Borrow owed his introduction to Mr. Cunningham to Mrs. Clarke is +clear, although Cunningham, in his letter to the Bible Society urging the +claims of Borrow, refers to the fact that a “young farmer” in the +neighbourhood had introduced him. This was probably her brother, Breame +Skepper. Dr. Knapp was of the opinion that Joseph John Gurney obtained +Borrow his appointment, but the recently published correspondence of +Borrow with the Bible Society makes it clear that Cunningham wrote—on +27th December, 1832—recommending Borrow to the secretary, the Rev. Andrew +Brandram. How little he knew of Borrow is indicated by the fact that he +referred to him as “independent in circumstances.” Brandram told +Caroline Fox many years afterwards that Gurney had effected the +introduction, but this was merely a lapse of memory. In fact we find +Borrow asking to be allowed to meet Gurney before his departure. In any +case he has himself told us, in one of the brief biographies of himself +that he wrote, that he promptly walked to London, covering the whole +distance of 112 miles in twenty-seven hours, and that his expenses +amounted to 5½d. laid out in a pint of ale, a half-pint of milk, a roll +of bread and two apples. He reached London in the early morning, called +at the offices of the Bible Society in Earl Street, and was kindly +received by Andrew Brandram and Joseph Jowett, the two secretaries. He +was asked if he would care to learn Manchu, and go to St. Petersburg. He +was given six months for the task, and doubtless also some money on +account. He returned to Norwich more luxuriously—by mail coach. In +June, 1833, we find a letter from Borrow to Jowett, dated from Willow +Lane, Norwich, and commencing, “I have mastered Manchu, and I should feel +obliged by your informing the committee of the fact, and also my +excellent friend, Mr. Brandram.” A long reply to this by Jowett is among +my Borrow Papers, but the Bible Society clearly kept copies of its +letters, and a portion of this one has been printed. It shows that +Borrow went through much heart-burning before his destiny was finally +settled. At last he was again invited to London, and found himself as +one of two candidates for the privilege of going to Russia. The +examination consisted of a Manchu hymn, of which Borrow’s version seems +to have proved the more acceptable, and he afterwards printed it in his +_Targum_. Finally, on the 5th of July, 1833, Borrow received a letter +from Jowett offering him the appointment with a salary of £200 a year and +expenses. The letter contained his first lesson in the then unaccustomed +discipline of the Evangelical vocabulary. He was not at first at home in +the precise measure of unction required by his new friends. Borrow had +spoken of the prospect of becoming “useful to the Deity, to man, and to +himself.” “Doubtless you meant,” commented Jowett, “the prospect of +glorifying God,” and Jowett frankly tells him that his tone of confidence +in speaking of himself “had alarmed some of the excellent members of our +committee.” Borrow adapted himself at once, and is congratulated by +Jowett in a later communication upon the “truly Christian” spirit of his +next letter. + +By an interesting coincidence there was living in Norwich at the moment +when Borrow was about to leave it, a man who had long identified himself +with good causes in Russia, and had lived in that country for a +considerable period of his life. John Venning was born in Totnes in +1776, and he is buried—in the Rosary Cemetery—at Norwich, where he died +in 1858, after twenty-eight years’ residence in that city. He started +for St. Petersburg four years after John Howard had died, ostensibly on +behalf of the commercial house with which he was associated, but with the +intention of carrying on the work of that great man in prison reform. +Alexander I. was on the throne, and he made Venning his friend, +frequently conversing with him upon religious subjects. He became the +treasurer of a society for the humanising of Russian prisons; but when +Nicholas became Czar in 1825 Venning’s work became more difficult, though +the Emperor was sympathetic. Venning returned to England in 1830, and +thus opportunely, in 1833, was able to give his fellow-townsman letters +of introduction to Prince Galitzin and other Russian notables, so that +Borrow was able to set forth under the happiest auspices—with an entire +change of conditions from those eight years of semi-starvation that he +was now to leave behind him for ever. Borrow left London for St. +Petersburg on 31st July, 1833, not forgetting to pay his mother before he +left the £17 he had had to borrow during his time of stress. Always +devoted to his mother, Borrow sent her sums of money at intervals from +the moment the power of earning came to him. We shall never know, we can +only surmise, something of the self-sacrificing devotion of that mother +during the years in which Borrow had failed to find remunerative work. +Wherever he wandered there had always been a home in the Willow Lane +cottage. It is probable that much the greater part of the period of his +eight years of penury was spent under her roof. Yet we may be sure that +the good mother never once reproached her son. She had just that touch +of idealism in her character that made for faith and hope. In any case +never more was Borrow to suffer penury, or to be a burden on his mother. +Henceforth, to her dying day, she was to be his devoted care. + + + + +CHAPTER XV +ST. PETERSBURG AND JOHN P. HASFELD + + +BORROW travelled by way of Hamburg and Lübeck to Travemünde, whence he +went by sea to St. Petersburg, now called Petrograd, where he arrived on +the twentieth of August, 1833. He was back in London in September, 1835, +and thus it will be seen that he spent two years in Russia. After the +hard life he had led, everything was now rose-coloured. “Petersburg is +the finest city in the world,” he wrote to Mr. Jowett; “neither London +nor Paris nor any other European capital which I have visited has +sufficient pretensions to enter into comparison with it in respect to +beauty and grandeur.” But the striking thing about Borrow in these early +years was his capacity for making friends. He had not been a week in St. +Petersburg before he had gained the regard of one William Glen, who, in +1825, had been engaged by the Bible Society to translate the Old +Testament into Persian. The clever Scot, of whom Borrow was informed by +a competent judge that he was “a Persian scholar of the first water,” was +probably too heretical for the Society, which recalled him, much to his +chagrin. “He is a very learned man, but of very simple and unassuming +manners,” wrote Borrow to Jowett. His version of the _Psalms_ appeared +in 1830, and of _Proverbs_ in 1831. Thus he was going home in despair, +but seems to have had “good talk” on the way with Borrow in St. +Petersburg. In 1845 his complete Old Testament in Persian appeared in +Edinburgh. This William Glen has been confused with another William +Glen, a law student, who taught Carlyle Greek, but they had nothing in +common. Borrow and Carlyle could not possibly have had friends in +common. Borrow was drawn towards this William Glen by his enthusiasm for +the Persian language. But Glen departed out of his life very quickly. +Hasfeld, who entered it about the same time, was to stay longer. Hasfeld +was a Dane, now thirty-three years of age, who, after a period in the +Foreign Office at Copenhagen, had come to St. Petersburg as an +interpreter to the Danish Legation, but made quite a good income as a +professor of European languages in cadet schools and elsewhere. The +English language and literature would seem to have been his favourite +topic. His friendship for Borrow was a great factor in Borrow’s life in +Russia and elsewhere. If Borrow’s letters to Hasfeld should ever come to +light, they will prove the best that he wrote. Hasfeld’s letters to +Borrow were preserved by him. Three of them are in my possession. +Others were secured by Dr. Knapp, who made far too little use of them. +They are all written in Danish on foreign notepaper: flowery, +grandiloquent productions we may admit, but if we may judge a man by his +correspondents, we have a revelation of a more human Borrow than the +correspondence with the friends at Earl Street reveals: + + ST. PETERSBURG, 6/18 _November_, 1836. + + MY DEAR FRIEND,—Much water has run through the Neva since I last + wrote to you, my last letter was dated 5/17th April; the last letter + I received from you was dated Madrid, 23rd May, and I now see with + regret that it is still unanswered; it is, however, a good thing that + I have not written as often to you as I have thought about you, for + otherwise you would have received a couple of letters daily, because + the sun never sets without you, my lean friend, entering into my + imagination. I received the Spanish letter a day or two before I + left for Stockholm, and it made the journey with me, for it was in my + mind to send you an epistle from Svea’s capital, but there were so + many petty hindrances that I was nearly forgetting myself, let alone + correspondence. I lived in Stockholm as if each day were to be my + last, swam in champagne, or rested in girls’ embraces. You doubtless + blush for me; you may do so, but don’t think that that conviction + will murder my almost shameless candour, the only virtue which I + possess, in a superfluous degree. In Sweden I tried to be lovable, + and succeeded, to the astonishment of myself and everybody else. I + reaped the reward on the most beautiful lips, which only too often + had to complain that the fascinating Dane was faithless like the foam + of the sea and the ice of spring. Every wrinkle which seriousness + had impressed on my face vanished in joy and smiles; my frozen heart + melted and pulsed with the rapid beat of gladness; in short, I was + not recognisable. Now I have come back to my old wrinkles, and make + sacrifice again on the altar of friendship, and when the incense, + this letter, reaches you, then prove to me your pleasure, wherever + you may be, and let an echo of friendship’s voice resound from + Granada’s Alhambra or Sahara’s deserts. But I know that you, good + soul, will write and give me great pleasure by informing me that you + are happy and well; when I get a letter from you my heart rejoices, + and I feel as if I were happy, and that is what happiness consists + of. Therefore let your soldierlike letters march promptly to their + place of arms—paper—and move in close columns to St. Petersburg, + where they will find warm winter quarters. I have received a letter + from my correspondent in London, Mr. Edward Thomas Allan, No. 11 + North Audley St.; he informs me that my manuscript has been + promenading about, calling on publishers without having been well + received; some of them would not even look at it, because it smelt of + Russian leather; others kept it for three or six weeks and sent it + back with “Thanks for the loan.” They probably used it to get rid of + the moth out of their old clothes. It first went to Longman and + Co.’s, Paternoster Row; Bull of Hollis St.; Saunders and Otley, + Conduit St.; John Murray of Albemarle St., who kept it for three + weeks; and finally it went to Bentley of New Burlington St., who kept + it for SIX weeks and returned it; now it is to pay a visit to a Mr. + Colburn, and if he won’t have the abandoned child, I will myself care + for it. If this finds you in London, which is quite possible, see + whether you can do anything for me in this matter. Thank God, I + shall not buy bread with the shillings I perhaps may get for a work + which has cost me seventy nights, for I cannot work during the day. + In _The Athenæum_, No. 436, issued on the 3rd March this year, you + will find an article which I wrote, and in which you are referred to; + in the same paper you will also find an extract from my translation. + I hope that article will meet with your approbation. Ivan + Semionewitch sends his kind regards to you. I dare not write any + more, for then I should make the letter a double one, and it may + perhaps go after you to the continent; if it reaches you in England, + write AT ONCE to your sincere friend, + + J. P. HASFELD. + + My address is, Stieglitz and Co., St. Petersburg. + + * * * * * + + ST. PETERSBURG, 9_th_/21_st_ _July_, 1842. + + DEAR FRIEND,—I do not know how I shall begin, for you have been a + long time without any news from me, and the fault is mine, for the + last letter was from you; as a matter of fact, I did produce a long + letter for you last year in September, but you did not get it, + because it was too long to send by post and I had no other + opportunity, so that, as I am almost tired of the letter, you shall, + nevertheless, get it one day, for perhaps you will find something + interesting in it; I cannot do so, for I never like to read over my + own letters. Six days ago I commenced my old hermit life; my sisters + left me on the 3rd/15th July, and are now, with God’s help, in + Denmark. They left with the French steamer _Amsterdam_, and had two + Russian ladies with them, who are to spend a few months with us and + visit the sea watering-places. These ladies are the Misses Koladkin, + and have learnt English from me, and became my sisters’ friends as + soon as they could understand each other. My sisters have also made + such good progress in your language that they would be able to arouse + your astonishment. They read and understand everything in English, + and, thank you, very much for the pleasure you gave them with your + “Targum”; they know how to appreciate “King Christian stood by the + high mast,” and everything which you have translated of languages + with which they are acquainted. They have not had more than sixty + real lessons in English. After they had taken ten lessons, I began, + to their great despair, to speak English, and only gave them a Danish + translation when it was absolutely necessary. The result was that + they became so accustomed to English that it scarcely ever occurs to + them to speak Danish together; when one cannot get away from me one + must learn from me. The brothers and sisters remaining behind are + now also to go to school when they get home, for they have recognised + how pleasant it is to speak a language which servants and those + around one do not understand. During all the winter my dearest + thought was how, this summer, I was going to visit my long, good + friend, who was previously lean and who is now fat, and how I should + let him fatten me a little, so as to be able to withstand better the + long winter in Russia; I would then in the autumn, like the bears, go + into my winter lair fat and sleek, and of all these romantic thoughts + none has materialised, but I have always had the joy of thinking them + and of continuing them; I can feel that I smile when such ideas run + through my mind. I am convinced that if I had nothing else to do + than to employ my mind with pleasant thoughts, I should become fat on + thoughts alone. The principal reason why this real pleasure journey + had to be postponed, was that my eldest sister, Hanna, became ill + about Easter, and it was not until the end of June that she was well + enough to travel. I will not speak about the confusion which a sick + lady can cause in a bachelor’s house, occasionally I almost lost my + patience. For the amount of roubles which that illness cost I could + very well have travelled to America and back again to St. Petersburg; + I have, however, the consolation in my reasonable trouble that the + money which the doctor and chemist have received was well spent. The + lady got about again after she had caused me and Augusta just as much + pain, if not more, than she herself suffered. Perhaps you know how + amiable people are when they suffer from liver trouble; I hope you + may never get it. I am not anxious to have it either, for you may do + what the devil you like for such persons, and even then they are not + satisfied. We have had great festivals here by reason of the + Emperor’s marriage; I did not move a step to see the pageantry; + moreover, it is difficult to find anything fresh in it which would + afford me enjoyment; I have seen illuminations and fireworks, the + only attractive thing there was must have been the King of Prussia; + but as I do not know that good man, I have not very great interest in + him either; nor, so I am told, did he ask for me, and he went away + without troubling himself in the slightest about me; it was a good + thing that I did not bother him. + + J. P. H. + + * * * * * + + ST. PETERSBURG, 26_th_ _April_/8_th_ _May_, 1858. + + DEAR FRIEND,—I thank you for your friendly letter of the 12th April, + and also for the invitation to visit you. I am thinking of leaving + Russia soon, perhaps permanently, for twenty-seven years are enough + of this climate. It is as yet undecided when I leave, for it depends + on business matters which must be settled, but I hope it will be + soon. What I shall do I do not yet know either, but I shall have + enough to live on; perhaps I shall settle down in Denmark. It is + very probable that I shall come to London in the summer, and then I + shall soon be at Yarmouth with you, my old true friend. It was a + good thing that you at last wrote, for it would have been too bad to + extend your disinclination to write letters even to me. The last + period one stays in a country is strange, and I have many persons + whom I have to separate from. If you want anything done in Russia, + let me know promptly; when I am in movement I will write, so that you + may know where I am and what has become of me. I have been ill + nearly all the winter, but now feel daily better, and when I get on + the water I shall soon be well. We have already had hot and thundery + weather, but it has now become cool again. I have already sold the + greater part of my furniture, and am living in furnished apartments + which cost me seventy roubles per month; I shall soon be tired of + that. I am expecting a letter from Denmark which will settle + matters, and then I can get ready and spread my wings to get out into + the world, for this is not the world, but Russia. I see you have + changed houses, for last year you lived at No. 37. With kindest + regards to your dear ones, I am, dear friend, yours sincerely, + + JOHN P. HASFELD. + + + + +CHAPTER XVI +THE MANCHU BIBLE—“TARGUM”—“THE TALISMAN” + + +AS for the absurd object for which Borrow was sent to Russia the less +said the better. Any of my readers who care for the survey of human +folly associated with undiscriminating Bible worship can read of this +particular example in the Society’s own records. {102} The Bible Society +wanted the Bible to be set up in the Manchu language, the official +language of the Chinese Court and Government. A Russian scholar named +Lipóftsof, who had spent twenty years in China, undertook in 1821 to +translate the New Testament into Manchu for £560. Lipóftsof had done his +work in 1826, and had sent two manuscript copies to London. In 1832 the +Rev. William Swan of the London Missionary Society in passing through St. +Petersburg discovered a transcript of a large part of the Old and New +Testament in Manchu, made by one Pierot, a French Jesuit, many years +before. This transcript was unavailable, but a second was soon +afterwards forthcoming for free publication if a qualified Manchu scholar +could be found to see it through the Press. Mr. Swan’s communication of +these facts to the Bible Society in London gave Borrow his opportunity. +It was his task to find the printers, buy the paper, and hire the +qualified compositors for setting the type. It must be admitted Borrow +worked hard for his £200 a year. First he had to ask the diplomatists +for permission from the Russian Government, not now so friendly to +British missionary zeal. The Russian Bible Society had been suppressed +in 1826. He succeeded here. Then he had to continue his studies in the +Manchu language. He had written from Norwich to Mr. Jowett on 9th June, +1833, “I have mastered Manchu,” but on 20th January, 1834, we find him +writing to the same correspondent: “I pay about six shillings, English, +for each lesson, which I grudge not, for the perfect acquirement of +Manchu is one of my most ardent wishes.” {103a} Then he found the +printers—a German firm, Schultz and Beneze—who probably printed the two +little books of Borrow’s own for him as a “make weight.” He purchased +paper for his Manchu translation with an ability that would have done +credit to a modern newspaper manager. Every detail of these transactions +is given in his letters to the Bible Society, and one cannot but be +amused at Borrow’s explanation to the Reverend Secretary of the little +subterfuges by which he proposed to “best” the godless for the benefit of +the godly: + + Knowing but too well that it is the general opinion of the people of + this country that Englishmen are made of gold, and that it is only + necessary to ask the most extravagant price for any article in order + to obtain it, I told no person, to whom I applied, who I was, or of + what country; and I believe I was supposed to be a German. {103b} + +Then came the composing or setting up of the type of the book. When +Borrow was called to account by his London employers, who were not sure +whether he was wasting time, he replied: “I have been working in the +printing-office as a common compositor, between ten and thirteen hours +every day.” In another letter Borrow records further difficulties with +the printers after the composition had been effected. Several of the +working printers, it appears, “went away in disgust.” Then he adds: + + I was resolved “to do or die,” and, instead of distressing and + perplexing the Committee with complaints, to write nothing until I + could write something perfectly satisfactory, as I now can; and to + bring about that result I have spared neither myself nor my own + money. I have toiled in a close printing-office the whole day, + during ninety degrees of heat, for the purpose of setting an example, + and have bribed people to work whom nothing but bribes would induce + so to do. I am obliged to say all this in self-justification. No + member of the Bible Society would ever have heard a syllable + respecting what I have undergone but for the question, “What has Mr. + Borrow been about?” {103c} + +It is not my intention to add materially to the letters of Borrow from +Russia and from Spain that have already been published, although many are +in my possession. They reveal an aspect of the life of Borrow that has +been amply dealt with already, and it is an aspect that interests me but +little. Here, however, is one hitherto unpublished letter that throws +much light upon Borrow’s work at this time, and shows, moreover, how well +he was learning the cant phrases which found acceptance with his friends +in Earl Street: + + TO THE REV. ANDREW BRANDRAM + + ST. PETERSBURG, 18_th_ _Oct._, 1833. + + REVEREND SIR,—Supposing that you will not be displeased to hear how I + am proceeding, I have taken the liberty to send a few lines by a + friend {104} who is leaving Russia for England. Since my arrival in + Petersburg I have been occupied eight hours every day in transcribing + a Manchu manuscript of the Old Testament belonging to Baron + Schilling, and I am happy to be able to say that I have just + completed the last of it, the Rev. Mr. Swan, the Scottish missionary, + having before my arrival copied the previous part. Mr. Swan departs + to his mission in Siberia in about two months, during most part of + which time I shall be engaged in collating our transcripts with the + original. It is a great blessing that the Bible Society has now + prepared the whole of the Sacred Scriptures in Manchu, which will + doubtless, when printed, prove of incalculable benefit to tens of + millions who have hitherto been ignorant of the will of God, putting + their trust in idols of wood and stone instead of in a crucified + Saviour. I am sorry to say that this country in respect to religion + is in a state almost as lamentable as the darkest regions of the + East, and the blame of this rests entirely upon the Greek hierarchy, + who discountenance all attempts to the spiritual improvement of the + people, who, poor things, are exceedingly willing to receive + instruction, and, notwithstanding the scantiness of their means in + general for the most part, eagerly buy the tracts which a few pious + English Christians cause to be printed and hawked in the + neighbourhood. But no one is better aware, Sir, than yourself that + without the Scriptures men can never be brought to a true sense of + their fallen and miserable state, and of the proper means to be + employed to free themselves from the thraldom of Satan. The last few + copies which remained of the New Testament in Russian were purchased + and distributed a few days ago, and it is lamentable to be compelled + to state that at the present there appears no probability of another + edition being permitted in the modern language. It is true that + there are near twenty thousand copies of the Sclavonic bible in the + shop which is entrusted with the sale of the books of the late + Russian Bible Society, but the Sclavonian translation is upwards of a + thousand years old, having been made in the eighth century, and + differs from the dialect spoken at present in Russia as much as the + old Saxon does from the modern English. Therefore it cannot be of + the slightest utility to any but the learned, that is, to about ten + individuals in one thousand. I hope and trust that the Almighty will + see fit to open some door for the illumination of this country, for + it is not to be wondered if vice and crime be very prevalent here + when the people are ignorant of the commandments of God. Is it to be + wondered that the people follow their every day pursuits on the + Sabbath when they know not the unlawfulness of so doing? Is it to be + wondered that they steal when only in dread of the laws of the + country, and are not deterred by the voice of conscience which only + exists in a few? This accounts for their profanation of their + Sabbath, their proneness to theft, etc. It is only surprising that + so much goodness is to be found in their nature as is the case, for + they are mild, polite, and obliging, and in most of their faces is an + expression of great kindness and benignity. I find that the slight + knowledge which I possess of the Russian tongue is of the utmost + service to me here, for the common opinion in England that only + French and German are spoken by persons of any respectability in + Petersburg is a great and injurious error. The nobility, it is true, + for the most part speak French when necessity obliges them, that is, + when in company with foreigners who are ignorant of Russian, but the + affairs of most people who arrive in Petersburg do not lie among the + nobility, therefore a knowledge of the language of the country, + unless you associate solely with your own countrymen, is + indispensable. The servants speak no language but their native + tongue, and also nine out of ten of the middle classes of Russians. + I might as well address Mr. Lipóftsof, who is to be my coadjutor in + the edition of the New Testament (in Manchu), in Hebrew as in either + French or German, for though he can read the first a little he cannot + speak a word of it or understand when spoken. I will now conclude by + wishing you all possible happiness. I have the honour to be, etc., + + GEORGE BORROW. + +When the work was done at so great a cost of money, and of energy and +enthusiasm on the part of George Borrow, it was found that the books were +useless. Most of these New Testaments were afterwards sent out to China, +and copies distributed by the missionaries there as opportunities +offered. It was found then—why not before is not explained—that the +Manchus in China were able to read Chinese, preferring it to their own +language, which indeed had become almost confined to official use. {105} +In fact what was a congenial livelihood for Borrow—this production of a +Bible in the Manchu tongue—would have been death and desolation to the +highly placed caste of the Chinese Empire had these been compelled to +make use of Borrow’s efforts. The experiment was not to be made. The +Bible Society had such comfort for their subscribers as is contained in +the fact that in the year 1859 editions of _St. Matthew_ and _St. Mark_ +were published in Manchu and Chinese side by side, the Manchu text being +a reprint of that edited by Borrow, and that these books are still in use +in Chinese Turkestan. But Borrow had here to suffer one of the many +disappointments of his life. If not actually a gypsy he had all a +gypsy’s love of wandering. No impartial reader of the innumerable +letters of this period can possibly claim that there was in Borrow any of +the proselytising zeal or evangelical fervour which wins for the names of +Henry Martyn and of David Livingstone so much honour and sympathy even +among the least zealous. At the best Borrow’s zeal for religion was of +the order of Dr. Keate, the famous headmaster of Eton—“Blessed are the +pure in heart . . . if you are not pure in heart, by God, I’ll flog you!” +Borrow had got his New Testaments printed, and he wanted to distribute +them because he wished to see still more of the world, and had no lack of +courage to carry out any well-defined scheme of the organisation which +was employing him. Borrow had thrown out constant hints in his letters +home. People had suggested to him, he said, that he was printing +Testaments for which he would never find readers. If you wish for +readers, they had said to him, “you must seek them among the natives of +Pekin and the fierce hordes of desert Tartary.” And it was this last +most courageous thing that Borrow proposed. Let him, he said to Mr. +Jowett, fix his headquarters at Kiachta upon the northern frontier of +China. The Society should have an agent there: + + I am a person of few words, and will therefore state without + circumlocution that I am willing to become that agent. I speak Russ, + Manchu, and the Tartar or broken Turkish of the Russian steppes, and + have also some knowledge of Chinese, which I might easily improve at + Kiachta, half of the inhabitants of which town are Chinamen. I am + therefore not altogether unqualified for such an adventure. {106} + +The Bible Committee considered this and other plans through the +intervening months, and it seems clear that at the end they would have +sanctioned some form of missionary work for Borrow in the Chinese Empire; +but on 1st June, 1835, he wrote to say that the Russian Government, +solicitous of maintaining good relations with China, would not grant him +a passport across Siberia except on the condition that he carried not one +single Manchu Bible thither. {107} And so Borrow’s dreams were left +unfulfilled. He was never to see China or the farther East, although, +because he was a dreamer and like his hero, Defoe, a bit of a liar, he +often said he had. In September, 1835, he was back in England awaiting +in his mother’s home in Norwich further commissions from his friends of +the Bible Society. + + * * * * * + +Work on the Manchu New Testament did not entirely absorb Borrow’s +activities in St. Petersburg. He seems to have made a proposition to +another organisation, as the following letter indicates. The proposal +does not appear to have borne any fruit: + + PRAYER BOOK AND HOMILY SOCIETY, + No. 4 EXETER HALL, LONDON, _January_ 16_th_, 1835. + + SIR,—Your letters dated July and November 17, 1834, and addressed to + the Rev. F. Cunningham, have been laid before the Committee of the + Prayer Book and Homily Society, who have agreed to print the + translation of the first three Homilies into the Russian language at + St. Petersburg, under the direction of Mr. and Mrs. Biller, so soon + as they shall have caused the translation to undergo a thorough + revision, and shall have certified the same to this Society. I write + by this post to Mrs. Biller on the subject. In respect to the second + Homily in Manchu, if we rightly understand your statement, an edition + of five hundred copies may be sent forth, the whole expense of which, + including paper and printing, will amount to about £12. If we are + correct in this the Committee are willing to bear the expense of five + hundred copies, by way of trial, their wish being this, viz.: that + printed copies should be put into the hands of the most competent + persons, who shall be invited to offer such remarks on the + translation as shall seem desirable; especially that Dr. Morrison of + Canton should be requested to submit copies to the inspection of + Manchu scholars as he shall think fit. When the translation has been + thoroughly revised, the Committee will consider the propriety of + printing a larger edition. They think that the plan of submitting + copies in letters of gold to the inspection of the highest personages + in China should probably be deferred till the translation has been + thus revised. We hope that this resolution will be satisfactory to + you; but the Committee, not wishing to prescribe a narrower limit + than such as is strictly necessary, have directed me to say, that + should the expense of an edition of five hundred copies of the Homily + in Manchu exceed £12, they will still be willing to meet it, but not + beyond the sum of £15. + + Should you print this edition be pleased to furnish us with + twenty-five copies, and send twenty-five copies at the least to Rev. + Dr. Morrison, at Canton, if you have the means of doing so; if not, + we should wish to receive fifty copies, that _we_ may send + twenty-five to Canton. In this case you will be at liberty to draw a + bill upon us for the money, within the limits specified above, in + such manner as is most convenient. Possibly Mr. and Mrs. Biller may + be able to assist you in this matter. Believe me, dear Sir, yours + most sincerely, + + C. R. PRITCHETT. + + Mr. G. Borrow. + + I am not aware whether I am addressing a clergyman or a layman, and + therefore shall direct as above. Will you be so kind as to send the + MS. of the Russian Homilies to Mrs. Biller? + +During Borrow’s last month or two in St. Petersburg he printed two thin +octavo volumes of translations—some of them verses which, undeterred by +the disheartening reception of earlier efforts, he had continued to make +from each language in succession that he had the happiness to acquire, +although most of the poems are from his old portfolios. These little +books were named _Targum_ and _The Talisman_. Dr. Knapp calls the latter +an appendix to the former. They are absolutely separate volumes of +verse. The publishers, it will be seen, are the German firm that printed +the Manchu New Testament, Schultz and Beneze. Borrow’s preface to +_Targum_ is dated “St. Petersburg, June 1, 1835.” Here in _Targum_ we +find the trial poem which in competition with a rival candidate had won +him the privilege of going to Russia for the Bible Society—_The Mountain +Chase_. Here also among new verses are some from the Arabic, the +Persian, and the Turkish. If it be true, as his friend Hasfeld said, +that here was a poet who was able to render another without robbing the +garland of a single leaf—that would but prove that the poetry which +Borrow rendered was not of the first order. Nor taking another +standard—the capacity to render the ballad with a force that captures +“the common people”—can we agree with William Bodham Donne, who was +delighted with _Targum_ and said that “the language and rhythm are vastly +superior to Macaulay’s _Lays of Ancient Rome_.” In _The Talisman_ we +have four little poems from the Russian of Pushkin followed by another +poem, _The Mermaid_, by the same author. Three other poems in Russian +and Polish complete the little book. Borrow left behind him in St. +Petersburg with his friend, Hasfeld, a presentation copy for Pushkin, +who, when he received it, expressed regret that he had not met his +translator while Borrow was in St. Petersburg. + + + + +CHAPTER XVII +THREE VISITS TO SPAIN + + +FROM his journey to Russia Borrow had acquired valuable experience, but +nothing in the way of fame, although his mother had been able to record +in a letter to St. Petersburg that she had heard at a Bible Society +gathering in Norwich his name “sounded through the hall” by Mr. Joseph +John Gurney and Mr. Cunningham, to her great delight. “All this is very +pleasing to me,” she said, “God bless you!” Even more pleasing to Borrow +must have been a letter from Mary Clarke, his future wife, who was able +to tell him that she heard Francis Cunningham refer to him as “one of the +most extraordinary and interesting individuals of the present day.” But +these tributes were not all-satisfying to an ambitious man, and this +Borrow undoubtedly was. His Russian journey was followed by five weeks +of idleness in Norwich varied by the one excitement of attending a Bible +meeting at Oulton with the Reverend Francis Cunningham in the chair, when +“Mr. George Borrow from Russia” {110} made one of the usual conventional +missionary speeches, Mary Clarke’s brother, Breame Skepper, being also +among the orators. Borrow begged for more work from the Society. He +urged the desirability of carrying out its own idea of an investigation +in Portugal and perhaps also in Spain, and hinted that he could write a +small volume concerning what he saw and heard which might cover the +expense of the expedition. So much persistency conquered. Borrow sailed +from London on 6th November, 1835, and reached Lisbon on 12th November, +this his first visit to the Peninsula lasting exactly eleven months. The +next four years and six months were to be spent mainly in Spain. Broadly +the time divides itself in the following fashion: + +1st Tour (_via_ 2nd Tour (_via_ 3rd Tour (_via_ +Lisbon), Nov. 1835 to Cadiz), Nov. 1836 to Cadiz), Dec. 1838 to +Oct. 1836. Sept. 1838. Mar. 1840. +Lisbon. Cadiz. Cadiz. +Mafia. Lisbon. Seville. +Evora. Seville. Madrid. +Badajoz. Madrid. Gibraltar. +Madrid. Salamanca. Tangier. + Coruña. + Oviedo. + Toledo. + +What a world of adventure do the mere names of these places call up. +Borrow entered the Peninsula at an exciting period of its history. +Traces of the great war in which Napoleon’s legions faced those of +Wellington still abounded. Here and there a bridge had disappeared, and +some of Borrow’s strange experiences on ferry-boats were indirectly due +to the results of Napoleon’s ambition. Everywhere there was still war in +the land. Portugal indeed had just passed through a revolution. The +partisans of the infant Queen Maria II. had been fighting with her uncle +Dom Miguel for eight years, and it was only a few short months before +Borrow landed at Lisbon that Maria had become undisputed queen. Spain, +to which Borrow speedily betook himself, was even in a worse state. She +was in the throes of a six years’ war. Queen Isabel II., a child of +three, reigned over a chaotic country with her mother Dona Christina as +regent; her uncle Don Carlos was a formidable claimant to the throne and +had the support of the absolutist and clerical parties. Borrow’s +political sympathies were always in the direction of absolutism; but in +religion, although a staunch Church of England man, he was certainly an +anti-clerical one in Roman Catholic Spain. In any case he steered +judiciously enough between contending factions, describing the fanatics +of either side with vigour and sometimes with humour. Mr. Brandram’s +injunction to Borrow “to be on his guard against becoming too much +committed to one particular party” seems to have been unnecessary. + +Borrow’s three expeditions to Spain have more to be said for them than +had his journey to St. Petersburg. The work of the Bible Society was and +is at its highest point of human service when distributing either the Old +or the New Testament in Christian countries, Spain, England, or another. +Few there be to-day in any country who, in the interests of civilisation, +would deny to the Bible a wider distribution. In a remote village of +Spain a Bible Society’s colporteur, carrying a coloured banner, sold me a +copy of Cipriano de Valera’s New Testament for a peseta. But in the +minds of the worthy people who ran the Bible Society eighty years ago it +was not so much that humanity was to be bettered as that Roman +Catholicism was to be worsened. Every New Testament sold in Spain was in +the eyes of the English fanatic who subscribed his silver a blow to the +Church of that land. Otherwise and as to the humanising influence of the +propaganda it may be said that the villages of Spain that Borrow visited +could even at that time compare favourably, morally and educationally, +with villages of his own county of Norfolk at the same period. The +morals of the agricultural labourers of the English fen country eighty +years ago were a scandal, and the peasantry read nothing; more than half +of them could not read. They had not, moreover, the humanising passion +for song and dance that Andalusia knew. But this is not to deny that the +Bible Society under Borrow’s instrumentality did a good work in Spain, +nor that they did it on the whole in a broad and generous way. Borrow +admits that there was a section of the Roman Catholic clergy “favourably +disposed towards the circulation of the Gospel,” and the Society actually +fixed upon a Roman Catholic version of the Spanish Bible, that by Scio de +San Miguel, although this version Borrow considered a bad translation. +Much has been said about the aim of the Bible Society to provide the +Bible without notes or comment—in its way a most meritorious aim, +although then as now opposed to the instinct of a large number of the +priests of the Roman Church. It is true that their attitude does not in +any way possess the sanction of the ecclesiastical authorities. It may +be urged, indeed, that the interpretation of the Bible by a priest, +usually of mature judgment, and frequently of a higher education than the +people with whom he is associated, is at least as trustworthy as its +interpretation at the hands of very partially educated young women and +exceedingly inadequately equipped young men who to-day provide +interpretation and comment in so many of the Sunday Schools of Protestant +countries. + +Behold George Borrow, then, first in Portugal and a little later in +Spain, upon his great mission—avowedly at first a tentative +mission—rather to see what were the prospects for Bible distribution than +to distribute Bibles. But Borrow’s zeal knew no such limitations. +Before very long he had a shop in one of the principal streets of +Madrid—the Calle del Principe—much more in the heart of things than the +very prosperous Bible Society of our day ventures upon. {113} Meanwhile +he is at present in Portugal not very certain of his movements, and he +writes to his old friend Dr. Bowring the following letter with a request +with which Bowring complied, although in the coldest manner: + + TO DR. JOHN BOWRING + + EVORA IN THE ALEMTEJO, 27 _Decr._, 1835. + + DEAR SIR,—Pray excuse me for troubling you with these lines. I write + to you, as usual, for assistance in my projects, convinced that you + will withhold none which it may be in your power to afford, more + especially when by so doing you will perhaps be promoting the + happiness of our fellow creatures. I returned from dear, glorious + Russia about three months since, after having edited there the Manchu + New Testament in eight volumes. I am now in Portugal, for the + Society still do me the honour of employing me. For the last six + weeks I have been wandering amongst the wilds of the Alemtejo and + have introduced myself to its rustics, banditti, etc., and become + very popular amongst them, but as it is much more easy to introduce + oneself to the cottage than the hall (though I am not entirely + unknown in the latter), I want you to give or procure me letters to + the most liberal and influential minds of Portugal. I likewise want + a letter from the Foreign Office to Lord De Walden, in a word, I want + to make what interest I can towards obtaining the admission of the + Gospel of Jesus into the public schools of Portugal which are about + to be established. I beg leave to state that this is _my plan_, and + not other persons’, as I was merely sent over to Portugal to observe + the disposition of the people, therefore I do not wish to be named as + an Agent of the B.S., but as a person who has plans for the mental + improvement of the Portuguese; should I receive _these letters_ + within the space of six weeks it will be time enough, for before + setting up my machine in Portugal I wish to lay the foundation of + something similar in Spain. When you send the Portuguese letters + direct thus: + + Mr. George Borrow, + to the care of Mr. Wilby, + Rua Dos Restauradores, Lisbon. + + I start for Spain to-morrow, and I want letters something similar + (there is impudence for you) for Madrid, _which I should like to have + as soon as possible_. I do not much care at present for an + introduction to the Ambassador at Madrid, as I shall not commence + operations seriously in Spain until I have disposed of Portugal. I + will not apologise for writing to you in this manner, for you know + me, but I will tell you one thing, which is that the letter which you + procured for me, on my going to St. Petersburg, from Lord Palmerston, + assisted me wonderfully. I called twice at your domicile on my + return; the first time you were in Scotland, the second in France, + and I assure you I cried with vexation. Remember me to Mrs. Bowring + and God bless you. + + G. BORROW. + + _P.S._—I am told that Mendizábal is liberal, and has been in England; + perhaps he would assist me. + +During this eleven months’ stay in the Peninsula Borrow made his way to +Madrid, and here he interviewed the British Minister, Sir George +Villiers, afterwards fourth Earl of Clarendon, and had received a quite +remarkable encouragement from him for the publication and distribution of +the Bible. He also interviewed the Spanish Prime Minister, Mendizábal, +“whom it is as difficult to get nigh as it is to approach the North +Pole,” and he has given us a picturesque account of the interview in _The +Bible in Spain_. It was agreed that 5,000 copies of the Spanish +Testament were to be reprinted from Scio’s text at the expense of the +Bible Society, and all these Borrow was to handle as he thought fit. +Then Borrow made his way to Granada, where, under date 30th August, 1836, +his autograph may be read in the visitors’ book of the Alhambra: + + _George Borrow Norvicensis_. + +Here he studied his friends the gypsies, now and probably then, as we may +assume from his _Zincali_, the sordid scum on the hillside of that great +city, but now more assuredly than then unutterably demoralised by the +numerous but curious tourists who visit this rabble under police +protection, the very policeman or gendarme not despising a peseta for his +protective services. But Borrow’s hobbies included the Romanies of every +land, and a year later he produced and published a gypsy version of the +Gospel of St. Luke. In October, 1836, Borrow was back in England. He +found that the Bible Society approved of him. In November of the same +year he left London for Cadiz on his second visit to Spain. The journey +is described in _The Bible in Spain_; but here, from my Borrow Papers, is +a kind letter that Mr. Brandram wrote to Borrow’s mother on the occasion: + + No. 10 EAST STREET, _Jany._ 11, 1837. + + MY DEAR MADAM,—I have the joyful news to send you that your son has + again safely arrived at Madrid. His journey we were aware was + exceedingly perilous, more perilous than we should have allowed him + to take had we sooner known the extent of the danger. He begs me to + write, intending to write to you himself without delay. He has + suffered from the intense cold, but nothing beyond inconvenience. + Accept my congratulations, and my best wishes that your dear son may + be preserved to be your comfort in declining years—and may the God of + all consolation himself deign to comfort your heart by the truths of + that holy volume your son is endeavouring, in connection with our + Society, to spread abroad.—Believe me, dear Madam, yours faithfully, + + A. BRANDRAM. + + Mrs. Borrow, Norwich. + +A brilliant letter from Seville followed soon after, and then he went on +to Madrid, not without many adventures. “The cold nearly killed me,” he +said. “I swallowed nearly two bottles of brandy; it affected me no more +than warm water.” This to kindly Mr. Brandram, who clearly had no +teetotaler proclivities, for the letter, as he said, “filled his heart +with joy and gladness.” Meanwhile those five thousand copies of the New +Testament were a-printing, Borrow superintending the work with the +assistance of a new friend, Dr. Usoz. “As soon as the book is printed +and issued,” he tells Mr. Brandram, “I will ride forth from Madrid into +the wildest parts of Spain, . . .” and so, after some correspondence with +the Society which is quite entertaining, he did. The reader of _The +Bible in Spain_ will note some seventy separate towns and villages that +Borrow visited, not without countless remarkable adventures on the way. +“I felt some desire,” he says in _The Romany Rye_, “to meet with one of +those adventures which upon the roads of England are generally as +plentiful as blackberries in autumn.” Assuredly in this tour of Spanish +villages Borrow met with no lack of adventures. The committee of the +Bible Society authorised this tour in March, 1837, and in May Borrow +started off on horseback attended by his faithful servant, Antonio. This +tour was to last five months, and “if I am spared,” he writes to his +friend Hasfeld, “and have not fallen a prey to sickness, Carlists, +banditti, or wild beasts, I shall return to Madrid.” He hopes a little +later, he tells Hasfeld, to be sent to China. We have then a glimpse of +his servant, the excellent Antonio, which supplements that contained in +_The Bible in Spain_. “He is inordinately given to drink, and is of so +quarrelsome a disposition that he is almost constantly involved in some +broil.” Not all his weird experiences were conveyed in his letters to +the Bible Society’s secretary. Some of these letters, however—the more +highly coloured ones—were used in _The Bible in Spain_, word for word, +and wonderful reading they must have made for the secretary, who indeed +asked for more, although, with a view to keeping Borrow humble—an +impossible task—Mr. Brandram takes occasion to say “Mr. Graydon’s +letters, as well as yours, are deeply interesting,” Graydon being a hated +rival, as we shall see. The question of money was also not overlooked by +the assiduous secretary. “I know you are no accountant,” he writes, “but +do not forget there are some who are,” and a financial document was +forwarded to Borrow about this time as a stimulus and a warning. + +But Borrow was happy, for next to the adventures of five glorious months +in the villages between Madrid and Coruña nothing could be more to his +taste than a good, wholesome quarrel. He was imprisoned by order of the +Spanish Government and released on the intervention of the British +Embassy. He tells the story so graphically in _The Bible in Spain_ that +it is superfluous to repeat it; but here he does not tell of the great +quarrel with regard to Lieutenant Graydon that led him to attack that +worthy zealot in a letter to the Bible Society. This attack did indeed +cause the Society to recall Graydon, whose zealous proclamation of +anti-Romanism must, however, have been more to the taste of some of its +subscribers than Borrow’s “trimming” methods. Moreover, Graydon worked +for love of the cause and required no salary, which must always have been +in his favour. Borrow was ten days in a Madrid prison, and there, as +ever, he had extraordinary adventures if we may believe his own +narrative, but they are much too good to be torn from their context. +Suffice to say here that in the actual correspondence we find breezy +controversy between Borrow and the Society. Borrow thought that the +secretary had called in question the accuracy of his statements as to +this or that particular in his conduct. Ever a fighter, he appealed to +the British Embassy for confirmation of his word, and finally Mr. +Brandram suggested he should come back to England for a time and talk +matters over with the members of the committee. An interesting letter to +his future wife belongs to this period: + + TO MRS. CLARKE + + TOLEDO, _Decr._ 5, 1837. + + MY DEAR MADAM,—I received your letter the day previous to my leaving + Madrid for this place, whither I arrived in safety on the 2nd inst. + I have availed myself of the very first opportunity of answering it + which has presented itself. Permit me in the first place to + sympathise sincerely in the loss which you have, it appears, lately + sustained in your excellent brother, more especially as he was my own + good kind friend. I little deemed when I parted from him only one + short year since, at Oulton, that I was doomed never to press his + honest hand again; but why should we grieve? He was a devout and + humble Christian, and we have no reason to doubt that he has been + admitted to the joys of his Lord; he was also zealous in his way, and + although he had but two talents entrusted to him, he turned them to + the best account and doubled them; perhaps he now rules over as many + heavenly cities; therefore why, why should we grieve? Indeed it is + possible that if we knew all, we should deem that we had high and + cogent reason to rejoice that the Lord has snatched him from earth + and earthly ties at this particular season. His principles were very + excellent, but an evil and undue influence, continually exerted over + him, might have gradually corrupted his heart, until it became + alienated from loyalty and true religion, which are indeed + inseparable; for the latter he might have substituted the vulgar + savage bigotry of what is called “Dissent,” for the former + “Radicalism,” that upas tree of the British Isles whose root is in + the infernal pit. + + You have stated to me how unpleasantly you are situated, and certain + heavy trials which you have lately been subjected to. You have, + moreover, done me the honour to ask my advice upon these points. I + give it without hesitation and in a very few words. Maintain + unflinchingly your right, your whole right, without yielding one + particle, without abandoning one position, as the slightest + manifestation of weakness and hesitation will be instantly taken + advantage of by your adversaries, and be fraught with danger to + yourself. Permit me here to state that it was in anticipation of + something allied to the evil spirit which has lately been displayed + towards you, I advised you on my last visit never to be persuaded to + resign the house which you now occupy; it is one of the strongest of + your entrenchments—abandon it and the foot of the enemy is in your + camp, and with the help of law and chicanery you might be reduced to + extremity. A line of the poet Spencer is strongly applicable to your + situation: + + “Be firm, be firm, and everywhere be firm.” + + I would likewise strongly advise that with the least possible delay + you call in the entire amount of whatever claim you possess on the + landed property lately your brother’s, else I foresee that you will + be involved in an endless series of dispute and litigation, which by + one single act of resolution you may avoid. Remember that no + forbearance on your part will be properly appreciated, and that every + kindly feeling and desire of conciliation which you may display, will + be set down to fear, and the consciousness of standing on weak + ground. I am old in the knowledge of the world and those who dwell + upon it, and would rather trust myself to the loving mercies of the + hungry wolves of the Spanish mountains, than to the generosity and + sense of justice of the Radicals of England. However determined you + may show yourself, no reasonable person can cast any blame upon you, + for from the contents of your letter, it appears, that your enemies + have kept no terms with you, and entirely unprovoked, have done all + in their power to outrage and harrow your feelings. Enough on this + point. + + Toledo was formerly the capital of Spain. Its population at present + barely amounts to fifteen thousand souls, though in the time of the + Romans and also during the Middle Ages, its population is said to + have amounted to between two and three hundred thousand souls, which + at present however does not amount to fifteen thousand. It is + situated about twelve leagues (40 miles) to the westward of Madrid, + and is built upon a steep rocky hill, round which flows the Tagus on + all sides but the North. It still possesses a great many remarkable + edifices, notwithstanding that it has long since fallen into decay. + Its Cathedral is the most magnificent of Spain, and is the See of the + Primate. In the tower of this Cathedral is the famous bell of + Toledo, the largest in the world, with the exception of the + monster-bell of Moscow, which I have also seen. It weighs 1543 + arrobes, or 37-032 pounds. It has, however, a disagreeable sound, + owing to a large cleft in its side. Toledo could once boast the + finest pictures in Spain, but many were stolen or destroyed [by the] + French during the Peninsular War, and still more have lately been + removed by order of the Government. Perhaps the most remarkable + still remains. I allude to that which represents the burial of the + Count of Orgaz, the masterpiece of Domenico the Greek, a most + extraordinary genius some of whose productions possess merit of a + very high order; the picture in question is in the little parish + church of San Tomé, at the bottom of the aisle, at the left hand of + the altar. Could it be purchased, I should say it would be cheap at + £5,000. You will easily guess that I did not visit Toledo for the + sake of seeing its curiosities, but rather in the hope of propagating + the Word. I have this day caused three hundred advertisements to be + affixed to the walls, informing the people where it is to be had. I + have humble hope in the Lord that he will bless my labours, + notwithstanding that Toledo abounds with priests, friars, and other + minions of cruel Rome. Should you see my dear Mrs. Ritson, pray + remember me kindly to her and assure her that I often think of her, + and the same you may say to Miss Henrietta. I hope my dear Mother is + well. God bless you at all times and seasons. + + G. B. + + _P.S._—My Gipsy Translation of Luke is ready for the press, and I + shall commence printing it as soon as I return to Madrid. I hope + that in the event of any of these singular people visiting your + neighbourhood you will seek them out, and speak to them of Christ, + and tell them what is being done for their brethren in a far foreign + land. A Gipsy woman and her child have paid me several visits since + my arrival here; her husband is in the prison for mule-stealing, and + next week departs for ten years slavery in the galleys. She is in + great trouble and affliction, and says that I am the only friend she + has ever met with in Spain. She goes about telling fortunes, in + order to support her husband in prison, notwithstanding that he had + previously abandoned her, and departed for Granada with another Gypsy + woman of the name of Aurora, who persuaded him to commit the robbery, + for which he is now suffering. If this is not conjugal affection, + what is? + + Mrs. Clarke, + Oulton Cottage, + Lowestoft, + Suffolk, + England. + +In the beginning of September, 1838, Borrow was again in England, when he +issued a lengthy and eloquent defence of his conduct and a report on +“Past and Future Operations in Spain.” In December of the same year +Borrow was again on his way to Cadiz upon his third and last visit to +Spain. + +Borrow reached Cadiz on this his last visit on 31st December, 1838, and +went straight to Seville, where he arrived on 2nd January, 1839. Here he +took a beautiful little house, “a paradise in its way,” in the Plazuela +de la Pila Seca, and furnished it—clearly at the expense of his friend +Mrs. Clarke of Oulton, who must have sent him a cheque for the purpose. +He had been corresponding regularly with Mrs. Clarke, who had told him of +her difficulties with lawyers and relatives, and Borrow had advised her +to cut the Gordian knot and come to Spain. But Mrs. Clarke and her +daughter, Henrietta, did not arrive from England until June. + +In the intervening months Borrow had been working more in his own +interests than in those of the patient Bible Society, for he started to +gather material for his _Gypsies in Spain_, and this book was for the +most part actually written in Seville. It was at this period that he had +the many interviews with Colonel Elers Napier that we quote at length in +our next chapter. + +A little later he is telling Mr. Brandram of his adventure with the blind +girl of Manzanares who could talk in the Latin tongue, which she had been +taught by a Jesuit priest, an episode which he retold in _The Bible in +Spain_. “When shall we hear,” he asks, “of an English rector instructing +a beggar girl in the language of Cicero?” To which Mr. Brandram, who was +rector of Beckenham, replied “Cui bono?” The letters of this period are +the best that he ever wrote, and are incorporated more exactly than the +earlier ones in _The Bible in Spain_. + +Four letters to his mother within the period of his second and third +visits may well be presented together here from my Borrow Papers: + + TO MRS. ANN BORROW + + MADRID, _July_ 27, 1838. + + MY DEAR MOTHER,—I am in perfect health though just returned from a + long expedition in which I have been terribly burnt by the sun. In + about ten days I sold nearly a thousand Testaments among the + labourers of the plains and mountains of Castille and La Mancha. + Everybody in Madrid is wondering and saying such a thing is a + miracle, as I have not entered a town, and the country people are + very poor and have never seen or heard of the Testament before. But + I confess to you that I dislike my situation and begin to think that + I have been deceived; the B.S. have had another person on the + sea-coast who has nearly ruined their cause in Spain by circulating + seditious handbills and tracts. The consequence has been that many + of my depots have been seized in which I kept my Bibles in various + parts of the country, for the government think that he is employed by + me; I told the B.S. all along what would be the consequence of + employing this man, but they took huff and would scarce believe me, + and now all my words are come true; I do not blame the government in + the slightest degree for what they have done in many points, they + have shown themselves to be my good friends, but they have been + driven to the step by the insane conduct of the person alluded to. I + told them frankly in my last letter that I would leave their service + if they encouraged him; for I will not be put in prison again on his + account, and lose another servant by the gaol fever, and then obtain + neither thanks nor reward. I am going out of town again in a day or + two, but I shall now write very frequently, therefore be not alarmed + for I will run into no danger. Burn this letter and speak to no one + about it, nor any others that I may send. God bless you, my dear + mother. + + G. B. + + * * * * * + + TO MRS. ANN BORROW, WILLOW LANE, ST. GILES, + NORWICH (INGLATERRA) + + MADRID, _August_ 5, 1838. + + MY DEAR MOTHER,—I merely write this to inform you that I am back to + Madrid from my expedition. I have been very successful and have sold + a great many Testaments. Indeed all the villages and towns within + thirty miles have been supplied. In Madrid itself I can do nothing + as I am closely watched by order of the government and not permitted + to sell, so that all I do is by riding out to places where they + cannot follow me. I do not blame them, for they have much to + complain of, though nothing of me, but if the Society will + countenance such men as they have lately done in the South of Spain + they must expect to reap the consequences. It is very probable that + I may come to England in a little time, and then you will see me; but + do not talk any more about yourself being “no more seen,” for it only + serves to dishearten me, and God knows I have enough to make me + melancholy already. I am in a great hurry and cannot write any more + at present.—I remain, dear mother, yours affectionately, + + GEORGE BORROW. + + * * * * * + + TO MRS. ANN BORROW + + (No date.) + + MY DEAR MAMA,—As I am afraid that you may not have received my last + letter in consequence of several couriers having been stopped, I + write to inform you that I am quite well. + + I have been in some difficulties. I was selling so many Testaments + that the priests became alarmed, and prevailed on the government to + put a stop to my selling any more; they were likewise talking of + prosecuting me as a witch, but they have thought better of it. I + hear it is very cold in England, pray take care of yourself, I shall + send you more in a few weeks.—God bless you, my dear mama, + + G. B. + +It was in the middle of his third and last visit to Spain that Borrow +wrote this next letter to his mother which gives the first suggestion of +the romantic and happy termination of his final visit to the Peninsula: + + TO MRS. ANN BORROW + + SEVILLE, SPAIN, _April_ 27, 1839. + + MY DEAR MOTHER,—I should have written to you before I left Madrid, + but I had a long and dangerous journey to make, and I wished to get + it over before saying anything to you. I am now safely arrived, by + the blessing of God, in Seville, which, in my opinion, is the most + delightful town in the world. If it were not a strange place with a + strange language I know you would like to live in it, but it is + rather too late in the day for you to learn Spanish and accommodate + yourself to Spanish ways. Before I left Madrid I accomplished a + great deal, having sold upwards of one thousand Testaments and nearly + five hundred Bibles, so that at present very few remain; indeed, not + a single Bible, and I was obliged to send away hundreds of people who + wanted to purchase, but whom I could not supply. All this has been + done without the slightest noise or disturbance or anything that + could give cause of displeasure to the government, so that I am now + on very good terms with the authorities, though they are perfectly + aware of what I am about. Should the Society think proper to be + guided by the experience which I have acquired, and my knowledge of + the country and the people, they might if they choosed sell at least + twelve thousand Bibles and Testaments yearly in Spain, but let them + adopt or let any other people adopt any other principle than that on + which I act and everything will miscarry. All the difficulties, as I + told my friends the time I was in England, which I have had to + encounter were owing to the faults and imprudencies of other people, + and, I may say, still are owing. Two Methodist schoolmasters have + lately settled at Cadiz, and some little time ago took it into their + heads to speak and preach, as I am informed, against the Virgin Mary; + information was instantly sent to Madrid, and the blame, or part of + it, was as usual laid to me; however, I found means to clear myself, + for I have powerful friends in Madrid, who are well acquainted with + my views, and who interested themselves for me, otherwise I should + have been sent out of the country, as I believe the two others have + been or will be. I have said nothing on this point in my letters + home, as people would perhaps say that I was lukewarm, whereas, on + the contrary, I think of nothing but the means best adapted to + promote the cause; but I am not one of those disposed to run a ship + on a rock when only a little skill is necessary to keep her in the + open sea. + + I hope Mrs. Clarke will write shortly; tell her if she wishes for a + retreat I have found one here for her and Henrietta. I have my eye + on a beautiful one at fifteen pence a day. I call it a small house, + though it is a paradise in its way, having a stable, courtyard, + fountain, and twenty rooms. She has only to write to my address at + Madrid and I shall receive the letter without fail. Henrietta had + better bring with her a Spanish grammar and pocket dictionary, as not + a word of English is spoken here. The house-dog—perhaps a real + English bulldog would be better—likewise had better come, as it may + be useful. God bless you therefore for the present, my dearest + mother. + + GEORGE BORROW. + +Borrow had need of friends more tolerant of his idiosyncrasies than the +“powerful friends” he describes to his mother, for the worthy secretary +of the Bible Society was still in a critical mood: + + You narrate your perilous journey to Seville, and say at the + beginning of the description, “my usual wonderful good fortune + accompanying us.” This is a mood of speaking to which we are not + accustomed—it savours, some of our friends would say, a little of the + profane. + +I find among my papers an interesting letter to Mrs. Clarke of this +period: + + TO MRS. CLARKE + + SEVILLE, 10 _January_, 1839. + + MY DEAR MADAM,—As I left England very suddenly and had many + preparations to make at exceedingly short notice, I was unable to + perform my wish, and I believe my promise, of writing to you before + my departure. I took shipping at Falmouth and arrived at Cadiz + without any circumstance worthy of remark occurring. I am now, and + have been for the last week, in Seville, the principal town of + Andalusia, one of the most beautiful provinces in Spain. I proceed + to Madrid within a few days, but it is my intention to return as soon + as possible to these parts, and commence operations here, where up to + the present moment nothing has been done towards propagating the word + of God. Indeed my sole motive for visiting Madrid, and subjecting + myself to a fatiguing journey through a country which I have already + twice traversed, is to furnish myself with a sufficient stock of + Testaments for distribution in the principal villages of Andalusia, + as it is my intention to address myself chiefly to the peasantry, + whom hitherto I have invariably found far more docile to instruction, + and eager to acquire knowledge, than the brethren of the large towns. + I intend, however, to make Seville my headquarters, and a depot for + the books intended for other places. Nothing can be more delightful + than the situation of this place, which stands on the eastern bank of + the Guadalquivir, the largest river in Spain, with the exception of + the Ebro; smiling meadows, orange-groves and gardens encompass it on + every side; while far away towards the south east are descried the + blue ridges and misty pinnacles of the noble chain of mountains + called the Sierrania de Ronda. The streets are narrow and crooked + like those of all the old Spanish and Moorish towns. Indeed in many + of them, whilst standing in the middle, you can touch both sides with + your hands extended. Yet the narrowness of the streets is by no + means an inconvenience in this climate, especially in the summer when + the sun burns with great heat and fury, but on the contrary is a very + great comfort, as the hot beams are excluded, and the houses by this + means kept seasonably cool. Nothing pleases me more than the manner + in which the houses of Seville are built. They are, for the most + part, of two stories, which surround a quadrangular court, of large + or small dimensions, according to the size of the edifice—the upper + story being furnished with a gallery overhanging the court, and + offering an agreeable place for walking to those not disposed to go + abroad. In most of the courts is a stone fountain, continually + streaming with cool and delicious water, and not unfrequently at the + angles orange trees are planted, which perfume the air with their + fruit and blossoms. There are many magnificent edifices in Seville, + especially the Cathedral and Alcazar or castle. The former is indeed + a glorious pile, constructed at various periods, and so large and + covering so much ground that St. Paul’s, magnificent edifice as it + certainly is, would look contemptible, if placed by its side. Its + tower which is called La Giralda is the work of the Moors, and once + formed part of a mosque, and was the place from which the Imams at + morn and eve summoned the children of Ismael to their devotions with + the awful and true cry “There is but one God”; stultified however by + the sequence “Mahomet is the Prophet of God.” The Alcazar is also + the work of the Moors, and was the palace of their kings as long as + they lorded on the banks of the Guadalquivir; it contains halls of + grandeur indescribable, and which are worthy specimens of the + perfection to which architecture was carried in Spain by the Moors + who certainly deserve to be styled Lords of Masonry, and who perhaps + were upon the whole the most extraordinary nation which has appeared + upon the earth since the time of the creation. + + I must however proceed no further at present in describing the + remarkable objects of Seville as there are other matters which I must + now touch upon, and which relate immediately to yourself. Respecting + your questions as to what quarter I would advise you to direct your + course, as soon as your affairs shall have been arranged to your + satisfaction, I beg leave to answer that I do not think that yourself + and Miss Hen. could do better than come out to Seville, for a time, + where you would be far out of the reach of the malignity of your + ill-wishers, and might soon become useful helpers in the cause of + God. With your income you might live here with the greatest + respectability, tenant one of the charming houses, which I have just + described, and enjoy one of the finest climates in the world. + Therefore you had better give this point your very serious + consideration. I do not think that Colchester or Edinburgh would + please you half so much as Seville, where you would find a few + excellent and worthy English families, long established in Spain, and + following with great success the pursuits of commerce. + + Perhaps it would be well to invest part of your money in the purchase + of some vessel trading to the Mediterranean if such extraordinary + good interest, with perfect security, can be obtained, as you have + stated. However, pray act with the greatest caution and endeavour + thoroughly to know your people before you place confidence in any + person. Should Mr. W. apply to you again, I think you may tell him + that you will reconsider the matter provided he will give you one + thousand pounds for your interest in your charming little estate. I + have no doubt that he would comply. + + The best general advice that I can give you for the present is to + make the most of any species of property which you may deem it + advisable to dispose of, and by no precipitate haste run the risk of + incurring a loss. Let no person persuade you, whether legal adviser + or not, to take any step by which you may deem that your interests + will be in the slightest degree compromised, and be reserved in your + communications to all respecting your ultimate intentions. I shall + write to you speedily from Madrid and then I hope to have the + satisfaction of hearing from you. + + Pray let Hen. continue to collect as much money as possible towards + affording spiritual instruction to the Spanish Gypsies. Pay a visit + to dear Mrs. Ritson and communicate to her my best remembrances and + kindest regards and inform her at the same time that if she please + she may subscribe in this good cause. I am shortly about to publish, + on my own account, a work which I hope will prove of no slight + spiritual benefit to these unhappy people.—I remain, dearest Madam, + ever yours, + + G. B. + + Mrs. Clarke, + Oulton Cottage, + Oulton, + near Lowestoft, + Suffolk, + England. + +On 29th July, 1839, Borrow was instructed by his Committee to return to +England, but he was already on the way to Tangier, whence in September he +wrote a long and interesting letter to Mr. Brandram, which was afterwards +incorporated in _The Bible in Spain_. He had left Mrs. Clarke and her +daughter in Seville, and they joined him at Gibraltar later. We find him +_en route_ for Tangier, staying two days with Mr. John M. Brackenbury, +the British Consul in Cadiz, who found him a most fascinating man. + +His Tangier life is fully described in _The Bible in Spain_. Here he +picked up a Jewish youth, Hayim Ben Attar, who returned to Spain as his +servant, and afterwards to England. + +Borrow, at the end of September, was back again in Seville, in his house +near the cathedral, in the Plazuela de la Pila Seca, which, when I +visited Seville in the spring of the year 1913, I found had long been +destroyed to make way for new buildings. Here he received the following +letter from Mr. George Browne of the Bible Society:— + + TO MR. BORROW + + BIBLE HOUSE, _Oct._ 7, 1839. + + MY DEAR FRIEND,—Mr. Brandram and myself being both on the eve of a + long journey, I have only time to inform you that yours of the 2d + ult. from Tangier, and 21st from Cadiz came to hand this morning. + Before this time you have doubtless received Mr. Brandram’s letter, + accompanying the resolution of the Comee., of which I apprised you, + but which was delayed a few days, for the purpose of reconsideration. + We are not able to suggest precisely the course you should take in + regard to the books left at Madrid and elsewhere, and how far it may + be absolutely necessary or not for you to visit that city again + before you return. The books you speak of, as at Seville, may be + sent to Gibraltar rather than to England, as well as any books you + may deem it expedient or find it necessary to bring out of the + country. As soon as your arrangements are completed we shall look + for the pleasure of seeing you in this country. The haste in which I + am compelled to write allows me to say no more than that my best + wishes attend you, and that I am, with sincere regard, yours truly, + + G. BROWNE. + + I thank you for your kind remembrance of Mrs. Browne. Did I thank + you for your letter to her? She feels, I assure you, very much + obliged. Your description of Tangier will be another interesting + “morceau” for her. + +“Where is Borrow?” asked the Bible Society meanwhile of the Consuls at +Seville and Cadiz, but Borrow had ceased to care. He hoped to become a +successful author with his _Gypsies_; he would at any rate secure +independence by marriage, which must have been already mooted. In +November he and Mrs. Clarke were formally betrothed, and would have been +married in Spain, but a Protestant marriage was impossible there. When +preparing to leave Seville he had one of those fiery quarrels with which +his life was to be studded. This time it was with an official of the +city over a passport, and the official promptly locked him up for thirty +hours. Hence the following letter in response to his complaint. The +writer is Mr., afterwards Sir George, Jerningham, then Secretary of +Legation at Madrid, who, it may be mentioned, came from Costessey, four +miles from Norwich. It is written from the British Legation, and is +dated 23rd December, 1839: + + I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your two letters, the + one without date, the second dated the 19_th_ _November_ (which + however ought to have been _December_), respecting the outrageous + conduct pursued towards you at Seville by the Alcalde of the district + in which you resided. I lost no time in addressing a strong + representation thereon to the Spanish Minister, and I have to inform + you that he has acquainted me with his having written to Seville for + exact information upon the whole subject, and that he has promised a + further answer to my representation as soon as his inquiries shall + have been answered. In the meantime I shall not fail to follow up + your case with proper activity. + +Borrow was still in Seville, hard at work upon the _Gypsies_, all through +the first three months of the year 1840. In April the three friends left +Cadiz for London. A letter of this period from Mr. Brackenbury, the +British Consul at Cadiz, is made clear by these facts: + + TO GEORGE BORROW, ESQ. + + BRITISH CONSULATE, CADIZ, _January_ 27_th_, 1840. + + MY DEAR SIR,—I received on the 19th your very acceptable letter + without date, and am heartily rejoiced to find that you have received + satisfaction for the insult, and that the Alcalde is likely to be + punished for his unjustifiable conduct. If you come to Cadiz your + baggage may be landed and deposited at the gates to be shipped with + yourselves wherever the steamer may go, in which case the authorities + would not examine it, if you bring it into Cadiz it would be examined + at the gates—or, if you were to get it examined at the Custom House + at Seville and there sealed with the seal of the Customs—it might + then be transhipped into the steamer or into any other vessel without + being subjected to any examination. If you take your horse, the + agents of the steamer ought to be apprized of your intention, that + they may be prepared, which I do not think they generally are, with a + suitable box. + + Consuls are not authorised to unite Protestant subjects in the bonds + of Holy Matrimony in popish countries—which seems a peculiar + hardship, because popish priests could not, if they would—hence in + Spain no Protestants can be legally married. Marriages solemnised + abroad according to the law of that land wheresoever the parties may + at the time be inhabitants are valid—but the law of Spain excludes + their priests from performing these ceremonies where both parties are + Protestants—and where one is a Papist, except a dispensation be + obtained from the Pope. So you must either go to Gibraltar—or wait + till you arrive in England. I have represented the hardship of such + a case more than once or twice to Government. In my report upon the + Consular Act, 6 GEO. IV. cap. 87—eleven years ago—I suggested that + provision should be made to legalise marriages solemnised by the + Consul within the Consulate, and that such marriages should be + registered in the Consular Office—and that duly certified copies + thereof should be equivalent to certificates of marriages registered + in any church in England. These suggestions not having been acted + upon, I brought the matter under the consideration of Lord John + Russell (I being then in England at the time of his altering the + Marriage Act), and proposed that Consuls abroad should have the power + of magistrates and civil authorities at home for receiving the + declarations of British subjects who might wish to enter into the + marriage state—but they feared lest the introduction of such a + clause, simple and efficacious as it would have been, might have + endangered the fate of the Bill; and so we are as Protestants + deprived of all power of being legally married in Spain. + + What sort of a horse is your hack?—What colour? What age? Would he + carry me?—What his action? What his price? Because if in all these + points he would suit me, perhaps you would give me the refusal of + him. You will of course enquire whether your Arab may be legally + exported. + + All my family beg to be kindly remembered to you.—I am, my dear sir, + most faithfully yours, + + J. M. BRACKENBURY. + + There is a young gentleman here, who is in Spain partly on account of + his health—partly for literary purposes. I will give him, with your + leave, a line of introduction to you whenever he may go to Seville. + He is the Honourable R. Dundas Murray, brother of Lord Elibank, a + Scottish nobleman. + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII +BORROW’S SPANISH CIRCLE + + +THERE are many interesting personalities that pass before us in Borrow’s +three separate narratives, as they may be considered, of his Spanish +experiences. We would fain know more concerning the two excellent +secretaries of the Bible Society—Samuel Brandram and Joseph Jowett. We +merely know that the former was rector of Beckenham and was one of the +Society’s secretaries until his death in 1850; that the latter was rector +of Silk Willoughby in Lincolnshire, and belonged to the same family as +Jowett of Balliol. But there are many quaint characters in Borrow’s own +narrative to whom we are introduced. There is Maria Diaz, for example, +his landlady in the house in the Calle de Santiago in Madrid, and her +husband, Juan Lopez, also assisted Borrow in his Bible distribution. +Very eloquent are Borrow’s tributes to the pair in the pages of _The +Bible in Spain_. “Honour to Maria Diaz, the quiet, dauntless, clever, +Castilian female! I were an ingrate not to speak well of her.” We get a +glimpse of Maria and her husband long years afterwards—a pensioner in a +Spanish almshouse revealing himself as the son of Borrow’s friends. +Eduardo Lopez was only eight years of age when Borrow was in Madrid, and +he really adds nothing to our knowledge. Then there were those two +incorrigible vagabonds—Antonio Buchini, his Greek servant with an Italian +name, and Benedict Mol, the Swiss of Lucerne, who turns up in all sorts +of improbable circumstances as the seeker of treasure in the Church of +St. James of Compostella—only a masterly imagination could have made him +so interesting. Concerning these there is nothing to supplement Borrow’s +own story. But we have attractive glimpses of Borrow in the frequently +quoted narrative of Colonel Napier, and this is so illuminating that I +venture to reproduce it at greater length than previous biographers have +done. Edward Elers Napier, who was born in 1808, was the son of one +Edward Elers of the Royal Navy. His widow married the famous Admiral Sir +Charles Napier, who adopted her four children by her first husband. +Edward Elers, the younger, or Edward Napier, as he came to be called, was +educated at Sandhurst and entered the army, serving for some years in +India. Later his regiment was ordered to Gibraltar, and it was thence +that he made several sporting excursions into Spain and Morocco. Later +he served in Egypt, and when, through ill-health, he retired in 1843 on +half-pay, he lived for some years in Portugal. In 1854 he returned to +the army and did good work in the Crimea, becoming a lieutenant-general +in 1864. He died in 1870. He wrote, in addition to these _Excursions_, +several other books, including _Scenes and Sports in Foreign Lands_. It +was during his military career at Gibraltar that he met George Borrow at +Seville, as the following extracts from his book testify. Borrow’s +pretension to have visited the East is characteristic—and amusing:— + + 1839. _Saturday_ 4_th_.—Out early, sketching at the Alcazar. After + breakfast it set in a day of rain, and I was reduced to wander about + the galleries overlooking the “patio.” Nothing so dreary and out of + character as a rainy day in Spain. Whilst occupied in moralising + over the dripping water-spouts, I observed a tall, + gentlemanly-looking man, dressed in a zamarra, leaning over the + balustrades, and apparently engaged in a similar manner with myself. + Community of thoughts and occupation generally tends to bring people + together. From the stranger’s complexion, which was fair, but with + brilliant black eyes, I concluded he was not a Spaniard; in short, + there was something so remarkable in his appearance that it was + difficult to say to what nation he might belong. He was tall, with a + commanding appearance; yet, though apparently in the flower of + manhood, his hair was so deeply tinged with the winter of either age + or sorrow as to be nearly snow-white. Under these circumstances, I + was rather puzzled as to what language I should address him in. At + last, putting a bold face on the matter, I approached him with a + “Bonjour, monsieur, quel triste temps!” + + “Yes, sir,” replied he in the purest Parisian accent; “and it is very + unusual weather here at this time of the year.” + + “Does ‘monsieur’ intend to be any time at Seville?” asked I. He + replied in the affirmative. We were soon on a friendly footing, and + from his varied information I was both amused and instructed. Still + I became more than ever in the dark as to his nationality; I found he + could speak English as fluently as French. I tried him on the + Italian track; again he was perfectly at home. He had a Greek + servant, to whom he gave his orders in Romaïc. He conversed in good + Castilian with “mine host”; exchanged a German salutation with an + Austrian Baron, at the time an inmate of the fonda; and on mentioning + to him my morning visit to Triano, which led to some remarks on the + gypsies, and the probable place from whence they derived their + origin, he expressed his belief that it was from Moultan, and said + that, even to this day, they retained many Moultanee and Hindoostanee + expressions, such as “pánee” (water), “buree pánee” (the sea), etc. + He was rather startled when I replied “in Hindee,” but was delighted + on finding I was an Indian, and entered freely, and with depth and + acuteness, on the affairs of the East, most of which part of the + world he had visited. + + In such varied discourse did the hours pass so swiftly away that we + were not a little surprised when Pépé, the “mozo” (and I verily + believe all Spanish waiters are called Pépé), announced the hour of + dinner; after which we took a long walk together on the banks of the + river. But, on our return, I was as much as ever in ignorance as to + who might be my new and pleasant acquaintance. + + I took the first opportunity of questioning Antonio Baillie (Buchini) + on the subject, and his answer only tended to increase my curiosity. + He said that nobody knew what nation the “mysterious Unknown” + belonged to, nor what were his motives for travelling. In his + passport he went by the name of —, and as a British subject, but in + consequence of a suspicion being entertained that he was a Russian + spy, the police kept a sharp look-out over him. Spy or no spy, I + found him a very agreeable companion; and it was agreed that on the + following day we should visit together the ruins of Italica. + + _May_ 5.—After breakfast, the “Unknown” and myself, mounting our + horses, proceeded on our expedition to the ruins of Italica. + Crossing the river, and proceeding through the populous suburb of + Triano, already mentioned, we went over the same extensive plain that + I had traversed in going to San Lucar, but keeping a little more to + the right a short ride brought us in sight of the Convent of San + Isidrio, surrounded by tall cypress and waving date-trees. This once + richly-endowed religious establishment is, together with the small + neighbouring village of Santi Ponci, I believe, the property of the + Duke of Medina Coeli, at whose expense the excavations are now + carried on at the latter place, which is the ancient site of the + Roman Italica. + + We sat down on a fragment of the walls, and sadly recalling the + splendour of those times of yore, contrasted with the desolation + around us, the “Unknown” began to feel the vein of poetry creeping + through his inward soul, and gave vent to it by reciting, with great + emphasis and effect, and to the astonishment of the wondering + peasant, who must have thought him “loco,” the following well-known + and beautiful lines:— + + “Cypress and ivy, weed and wallflower, grown, + Matted and massed together, hillocks heap’d + On what were chambers, arch crush’d, column strown + In fragments, choked up vaults, and frescoes steep’d + In subterranean damps, where the owl peep’d, + Deeming it midnight; Temples, baths, or halls— + Pronounce who can: for all that Learning reap’d + From her research hath been, that these are walls.” + + I had been too much taken up with the scene, the verses, and the + strange being who was repeating them with so much feeling, to notice + the approach of one who now formed the fourth person of our party. + This was a slight female figure, beautiful in the extreme, but whose + tattered garments, raven hair (which fell in matted elf-locks over + her naked shoulders), swarthy complexion, and flashing eyes, + proclaimed to be of the wandering tribe of “gitanos.” From an + intuitive sense of natural politeness she stood with crossed arms, + and a slight smile on her dark and handsome countenance, until my + companion had ceased, and then addressed us in the usual whining tone + of supplication, with “Caballeritos, una limosita! Dios se lo pagara + a ustedes!” (“Gentlemen, a little charity! God will repay it to + you!”) The gypsy girl was so pretty, and her voice so sweet, that I + involuntarily put my hand in my pocket. + + “Stop!” said the “Unknown.” “Do you remember what I told you about + the Eastern origin of these people? You shall see I am correct. + Come here, my pretty child,” said he in Moultanee, “and tell me where + are the rest of your tribe?” + + The girl looked astounded, replied in the same tongue, but in broken + language; when, taking him by the arm, she said, in Spanish: “Come, + caballero; come to one who will be able to answer you;” and she led + the way down amongst the ruins towards one of the dens formerly + occupied by the wild beasts, and disclosed to us a set of beings + scarcely less savage. The sombre walls of this gloomy abode were + illumined by a fire, the smoke from which escaped through a deep + fissure in the massy roof; whilst the flickering flames threw a + blood-red glare on the bronzed features of a group of children, of + two men, and a decrepit old hag; who appeared busily engaged in some + culinary preparations. + + On our entrance, the scowling glance of the males of the party, and a + quick motion of the hand towards the folds of the “faja,” caused in + _me_, at least, anything but a comfortable sensation; but their + hostile intentions, if ever entertained, were immediately removed by + a wave of the hand from our conductress, who, leading my companion + towards the sibyl, whispered something in her ear. The old crone + appeared incredulous. The “Unknown” uttered one word; but that word + had the effect of magic; she prostrated herself at his feet, and in + an instant, from an object of suspicion he became one of worship to + the whole family, to whom, on taking leave, he made a handsome + present, and departed with their united blessings, to the + astonishment of myself, and what looked very like terror in our + Spanish guide. + + I was, as the phrase goes, dying with curiosity, and, as soon as we + mounted our horses, exclaimed, “Where, in the name of goodness, did + you pick up your acquaintance and the language of these extraordinary + people?” “Some years ago, in Moultan,” he replied. “And by what + means do you possess such apparent influence over them?” But the + “Unknown” had already said more than he perhaps wished on the + subject. He drily replied that he had more than once owed his life + to gipsies, and had reason to know them well; but this was said in a + tone which precluded all further queries on my part. The subject was + never again broached, and we returned in silence to the fonda. . . . + + _May_ 7_th_.—Pouring with rain all day, during which I was mostly in + the society of the “Unknown.” This is a most extraordinary + character, and the more I see of him the more I am puzzled. He + appears acquainted with everybody and everything, but apparently + unknown to every one himself. Though his figure bespeaks youth—and + by his own account his age does not exceed thirty—yet the snows of + eighty winters could not have whitened his locks more completely than + they are. But in his dark and searching eye there is an almost + supernatural penetration and lustre, which, were I inclined to + superstition, might induce me to set down its possessor as a second + Melmoth; and in that character he often appears to me during the + troubled rest I sometimes obtain through the medium of the great + soother, “laudanum.” + +The next most interesting figure in the Borrow gallery of this period is +Don Luis de Usóz y Rio, who was a good friend to Borrow during the whole +of his sojourn in Spain. It was he who translated Borrow’s appeal to the +Spanish Prime Minister to be permitted to distribute Scio’s New +Testament. He watched over Borrow with brotherly solicitude, and wrote +him more than one excellent letter, of which the two following from my +Borrow Papers, the last written at the close of the Spanish period, are +the most interesting: + + TO MR. GEORGE BORROW + (_Translated from the Spanish_) + + PIAZZA DI SPAGNA 47, ROME, 7 _April_, 1838. + + DEAR FRIEND,—I received your letter, and thank you for the same. I + know the works under the name of “Boz,” about which you write, and + also the _Memoirs of the Pickwick Club_, and although they seemed to + me good, I have failed to appreciate properly their qualities, + because much of the dramatic style and dialogue in the same are very + difficult for those who know English merely from books. I made here + a better acquaintance than that of Mezzofanti (who knows nothing), + namely, that of Prof. Michel-Angelo Lanci, already well known on + account of his work, _La sacra scrittura illustrata con monumenti + fenico-assiri ed egiziani_, etc., etc. (The Scriptures, illustrated + with Phœnician-Assyrian and Egyptian monuments), which I am reading + at present, and find very profound and interesting, and more + particularly very original. He has written and presented me a book, + _Esposizione dei versetti del Giobbe intorno al cavallo_ (Explanation + of verses of Job about a horse), and in these and other works he + proves himself to be a great philologist and Oriental scholar. I + meet him almost daily, and I assure you that he seems to me to know + everything he treats thoroughly, and not like Gayangos or Calderon, + etc., etc. His philosophic works have created a great stir here, and + they do not please much the friars here; but as here they are not + like the police barbarians there, they do not forbid it, as they + cannot. Lanci is well known in Russia and in Germany, and when I + bring his works there, and you are there and have not read them, you + will read them and judge for yourself. + + Wishing you well, and always at your service, I remain, always yours, + + LUIS DE USOZ Y RIO. + + * * * * * + + TO MR. GEORGE BORROW + (_Translated from the Spanish_) + + NAPLES, 28 _August_, 1839. + + DEAR FRIEND,—I received your letter of the 28 July written from + Sevilla, and I am waiting for that which you promise me from Tangier. + + I am glad that you liked Sevilla, and I am still more glad of the + successful shipment of the beloved book. In distributing it, you are + rendering the greatest service that generous foreigners (I mean + Englishmen) can render to the real freedom and enlightenment in + Spain, and any Spaniard who is at heart a gentleman must be grateful + for this service to the Society and to its agent. In my opinion, if + Spain had maintained the customs, character, and opinions that it had + three centuries ago, it ought to have maintained also unity in + religious opinions: but that at present the circumstances have + changed, and the moral character and the advancement of my + unfortunate country would not lose anything in its purification and + progress by (the grant of) religious liberty. + + You are saying that I acted very light-mindedly in judging Mezzofanti + without speaking to him. You know that the other time when I was in + Italy I had dealings and spoke with him, and that I said to you that + he had a great facility for speaking languages, but that otherwise he + was no good. Because I have seen him several times in the Papal + chapels with a certain air of an ass and certain grimaces of a + blockhead that cannot happen to a man of talent. I am told, + moreover, that he is a spy, and that for that reason he was given the + hat. I know, moreover, that he has not written anything at all. For + that reason I do not wish to take the trouble of seeing him. + + As regards Lanci, I am not saying anything except that I am waiting + until you have read his work without passion, and that if my books + have arrived at Madrid, you can ask my brother in Santiago. + + You are judging of him and of Pahlin in the way you reproach me with + judging Mezzofanti; I thank you, and I wish for the dedication + Gabricote; and I also wish for your return to Madrid, so that in + going to Toledo you would get a copy of Aristophanes with the order + that will be given to you by my brother, who has got it. + + If for the Gabricote or other work you require my clumsy pen, write + to Florence and send me a rough copy of what is to be done, in + English or in Spanish, and I will supply the finished work. From + Florence I intend to go to London, and I should be obliged if you + would give me letters and instructions that would be of use to me in + literary matters, but you must know that my want of knowledge of + _speaking_ English makes it necessary that the Englishmen who speak + to me should know Spanish, French, or Italian. + + As regards robberies, of which you accuse Southern people, from the + literatures of the North, do you think that the robberies committed + by the Northerners from the Southern literature would be left behind? + Erunt vitia donec homines.—Always yours, + + ELEUTHEROS. + +Yet another acquaintance of these Spanish days was Baron Taylor—Isidore +Justin Séverin Taylor, to give him his full name—who had a career of +wandering achievement, with Government pay, that must have appealed to +Borrow. Although his father was an Englishman he became a naturalised +Frenchman, and he was for a time in the service of the French Government +as Director of the Théâtre Français, when he had no little share in the +production of the dramas of Victor Hugo and Dumas. Later he was +instrumental in bringing the Luxor obelisk from Egypt to Paris. He wrote +books upon his travels in Spain, Portugal and Morocco. He wandered all +over Europe in search of art treasures for the French Government, and may +very well have met Borrow again and again. Borrow tells us that he had +met Taylor in France, in Russia, and in Ireland, before he met him in +Andalusia, collecting pictures for the French Government. Borrow’s +description of their meetings is inimitable:— + + Whenever he descries me, whether in the street or the desert, the + brilliant hall or amongst Bedouin _haimas_, at Novogorod or Stambul, + he flings up his arms and exclaims, “_O ciel_! I have again the + felicity of seeing my cherished and most respectable Borrow.” + +The last and most distinguished of Borrow’s colleagues while in Spain was +George Villiers, fourth Earl of Clarendon, whom we judge to have been in +private life one of the most lovable men of his epoch. George Villiers +was born in London in 1800, and was the grandson of the first Earl, +Thomas Villiers, who received his title when holding office in Lord +North’s administration, but is best known from his association in +diplomacy with Frederick the Great. His grandson was born, as it were, +into diplomacy, and at twenty years of age was an _attaché_ to the +British Embassy in St. Petersburg. Later he was associated with Sir John +Bowring in negotiating a commercial treaty with France. In August, 1833, +he was sent as British Minister—“envoy extraordinary” he was called—to +Madrid, and he had been two years in that seething-pot of Spanish +affairs, with Christinos and Carlists at one another’s throats, when +Borrow arrived in the Peninsula. His influence was the greater with a +succession of Spanish Prime Ministers in that in 1838 he had been largely +instrumental in negotiating the quadruple alliance between England, +France, Spain, and Portugal. In March, 1839—exactly a year before Borrow +took his departure—he resigned his position at Madrid, having then for +some months exchanged the title of Sir George Villiers for that of Earl +of Clarendon through the death of his uncle; Borrow thereafter having to +launch his various complaints and grievances at his successor, +Mr.—afterwards Sir George—Jerningham, who, it has been noted, had his +home in Norfolk, at Costessey, four miles from Norwich. Villiers +returned to England with a great reputation, although his Spanish policy +was attacked in the House of Lords. In that same year, 1839, he joined +Lord Melbourne’s administration as Lord Privy Seal, O’Connell at the time +declaring that he ought to be made Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland, so +sympathetic was he towards concession and conciliation in that then +feverishly excited country. This office actually came to him in 1847, +and he was Lord-Lieutenant through that dark period of Ireland’s history, +including the Famine, the Young Ireland rebellion, and the Smith O’Brien +rising. He pleased no one in Ireland. No English statesman could ever +have done so under such ideals of government as England would have +tolerated then, and for long years afterwards. The Whigs defended him, +the Tories abused him, in their respective organs. He left Ireland in +1852 and was more than once mentioned as possible Prime Minister in the +ensuing years. He was Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs in Lord +Aberdeen’s administration during the Crimean War, and he held the same +office under Lord Palmerston, again under Lord John Russell in 1865, and +under Mr. Gladstone in 1868. He might easily have become Prime Minister. +Greville in his _Diary_ writes of Prince Albert’s desire that he should +succeed Lord John Russell, but Clarendon said that no power on earth +would make him take that position. He said he could not speak, and had +not had parliamentary experience enough. He died in 1870, leaving a +reputation as a skilful diplomatist and a disinterested politician, if +not that of a great statesman. He had twice refused the +Governor-Generalship of India, and three times a marquisate. + +Sir George Villiers seems to have been very courteous to Borrow during +the whole of the time they were together in Spain. It would have been +easy for him to have been quite otherwise. Borrow’s Bible mission +synchronised with a very delicate diplomatic mission of his own, and in a +measure clashed with it. The government of Spain was at the time +fighting the ultra-clericals. Physical and moral strife were rife in the +land. Neither Royalists nor Carlists could be expected to sympathise +with Borrow’s schemes, which were fundamentally to attack their Church. +But Villiers was at all times friendly, and, as far as he could be, +helpful. Borrow seems to have had ready access to him, and he answered +his many letters. He gave Borrow an opportunity of an interview with the +formidable Prime Minister Mendizábal, and he interviewed another minister +and persuaded him to permit Borrow to print and circulate his Bibles. He +intervened successfully to release Borrow from his Madrid prison. But +Villiers could not have had any sympathy with Borrow other than as a +British subject to be protected on the Roman citizen principle. We do +not suppose that when _The Bible in Spain_ appeared he was one of those +who were captivated by its extraordinary qualities. When Borrow crossed +his path in later life he received no special consideration, such as +would be given very promptly in our day by a Cabinet minister to a man of +letters of like distinction. We find him on one occasion writing to the +ex-minister, now Lord Clarendon, asking his help for a consulship. +Clarendon replied kindly enough, but sheltered himself behind the +statement that the Prime Minister was overwhelmed with applications for +patronage. Yet Clarendon, who held many high offices in the following +years, might have helped if he had cared to do so. Some years later—in +1847—there was further correspondence when Borrow desired to become a +Magistrate of Suffolk. Here again Clarendon wrote three courteous +letters, and appears to have done his best in an unenthusiastic way. But +nothing came of it all. + + + + +CHAPTER XIX +MARY BORROW + + +AMONG the many Borrow manuscripts in my possession I find a page of +unusual pathos. It is the inscription that Borrow wrote for his wife’s +tomb, and it is in the tremulous handwriting of a man weighed down by the +one incomparable tragedy of life’s pilgrimage: + + _Sacred to the Memory of Mary Borrow_, + _the Beloved and Affectionate Wife of_ + _George Borrow_, _Esquire_, _who departed_ + _this Life on the_ 30_th_ _Jan._ 1869. + + GEORGE BORROW. + +The death of his wife saddened Borrow, and assisted to transform him into +the unamiable creature of Norfolk tradition. But it is well to bear in +mind, when we are considering Borrow on his domestic and personal side, +that he was unquestionably a good and devoted husband throughout his +married life of twenty-nine years. It was in the year 1832 that Borrow +and his wife first met. He was twenty-nine; she was a widow of +thirty-eight. She was undeniably very intelligent, and was keenly +sympathetic to the young vagabond of wonderful adventures on the highways +of England, now so ambitious for future adventure in distant lands. Her +maiden name was Mary Skepper. She was one of the two children of Edmund +Skepper and his wife Anne, who lived at Oulton Hall in Suffolk, whither +they had removed from Beccles in 1805. Mary’s brother inherited the +Oulton Hall estate of three hundred acres, and she had a mortgage, the +interest of which yielded £450 per annum. In July, 1817, Mary married, +at Oulton Church, Henry Clarke, a lieutenant in the Navy, who died eight +months later of consumption. Two months after his death their child +Henrietta Mary, the “Hen.” who was Borrow’s life companion, was born. +There is a letter among my Borrow Papers addressed to the widow by her +husband’s father at this time. It is dated 17th June, 1818, and runs as +follows: + + I read your very kind, affectionate, and respectful Letter of the + 15th Inst, with Feelings of Satisfaction and thankfulness—thankful + that God has mercifully given you so pleasing a Pledge of the Love of + my late dear, but lamented son, and I most sincerely hope and trust + that dear little Henrietta will live to be the Joy and Consolation of + your Life: and satisfyed I am that you are what I always esteemed you + to be, _one_ of the best of Women; God grant! that you may be, as I + am sure you deserve to be _one_ of the happiest—His Ways of + Providence are past finding out; to you—they seem indeed to have been + truly afflictive: but we cannot possibly say that they are really so; + we cannot doubt His Wisdom nor ought we to distrust His Goodness, let + us avow, then, where we have not the Power of fathoming—viz. the + dispensations of God; in His good time He will show us, perhaps, that + every painful Event which has happened was abundantly for the best—I + am truly glad to hear that you and the sweet Babe, my little grand + Daughter, are doing so well, and I hope I shall have the pleasure + shortly of seeing you either at Oulton or Sisland. I am sorry to add + that neither Poor L. nor myself are well.—Louisa and my Family join + me in kind love to you, and in best regards to your worthy Father, + Mother, and Brother. + +Mary Skepper was certainly a bright, intelligent girl, as I gather from a +manuscript poem before me written to a friend on the eve of leaving +school. As a widow, living at first with her parents at Oulton Hall, and +later with her little daughter in the neighbouring cottage, she would +seem to have busied herself with all kinds of philanthropies, and she was +clearly in sympathy with the religious enthusiasms of certain +neighbouring families of Evangelical persuasion, particularly the Gurneys +and the Cunninghams. The Rev. Francis Cunningham was rector of +Pakefield, near Lowestoft from 1814 to 1830. He married Richenda, sister +of the distinguished Joseph John Gurney and of Elizabeth Fry, in 1816. +In 1830 he became vicar of St. Margaret’s, Lowestoft. His brother, John +William Cunningham, was vicar of Harrow, and married a Verney of the +famous Buckinghamshire family. This John William Cunningham was a great +light of the Evangelical Churches of his time, and was for many years +editor of _The Christian Observer_. His daughter Mary Richenda married +Sir James Fitzjames Stephen, the well-known judge, and the brother of Sir +Leslie Stephen. But to return to Francis Cunningham, whose acquaintance +with Borrow was brought about through Mrs. Clarke. Cunningham was a +great supporter of the British and Foreign Bible Society, and was the +founder of the Paris branch. It was speedily revealed to him that +Borrow’s linguistic abilities could be utilised by the Society, and he +secured the co-operation of his brother-in-law, Joseph John Gurney, in an +effort to find Borrow work in connection with the Society. + +We do not meet Mary Clarke again until 1834, when we find a letter from +her to Borrow addressed to St. Petersburg, in which she notifies to him +that he has been “mentioned at many of the Bible Meetings this year,” +adding that “dear Mr. Cunningham” had spoken so nicely of him at an +Oulton gathering. “As I am not afraid of making you proud,” she +continues, “I will tell you one of his remarks. He mentioned you as one +of the most extraordinary and interesting individuals of the present +day.” Henceforth clearly Mary Clarke corresponded regularly with Borrow, +and one or two extracts from her letters are given by Dr. Knapp. Joseph +Jowett of the Bible Society forwarded Borrow’s letters from Russia to +Cunningham, who handed them to Mrs. Clarke and her parents. Borrow had +proposed to continue his mission by leaving Russia for China, but this +Mary Clarke opposed: + + I must tell you that your letter chilled me when I read your + intention of going as a Missionary or Agent, with the Manchu + Scriptures in your hand, to the Tartars, that land of incalculable + dangers. + +In 1835 Borrow was back in England at Norwich with his mother, and on a +visit to Mary Clarke and the Skeppers at Oulton. Mrs. Skepper died just +before his arrival in England—that is, in September, 1835—while her +husband died in February, 1836. Her only brother died in the following +year. + +Thus we see Mary Clarke, aged forty-three, left to fight the world with +her daughter, aged nineteen, and not only to fight the world but her own +family, particularly her brother’s widow, owing to certain ambiguities in +her father’s will. It was these legal quarrels that led Mary Clarke and +her daughter to set sail for Spain, where Mary had had the indefatigable +and sympathetic correspondent during the previous year of trouble. +Borrow and Mary Clarke met, as we have seen, at Seville and there, at a +later period, they became “engaged.” Mrs. Clarke and her daughter +Henrietta sailed for Spain in the _Royal Tar_, leaving London for Cadiz +in June, 1839. Much keen correspondence between Borrow and Mrs. Clarke +had passed before the final decision to visit Spain. His mother was one +of the few people who knew of Mrs. Clarke’s journey to Seville, and must +have understood, as mothers do, what was pending, although her son did +not. When the engagement is announced to her—in November, 1839—she +writes to Mary Clarke a kindly, affectionate letter: + + I shall now resign him to your care, and may you love and cherish him + as much as I have done. I hope and trust that each will try to make + the other happy. + +There is no reason whatever to accept the suggestion that has been made +that Borrow married for money. And this because he had said in one of +his letters, “It is better to suffer the halter than the yoke,” the kind +of thing that a man might easily say on the eve of making a proposal +which he was not sure would be accepted. Nor can a casual remark of +Borrow’s—“marriage is by far the best way of getting possession of an +estate”—be counted as conclusive. That Borrow was all his life devoted +to his wife I think is proved by his many letters to her that are given +in this volume. Borrow’s further tribute to his wife and stepdaughter in +_Wild Wales_ is well known: + + Of my wife I will merely say that she is a perfect paragon of wives, + can make puddings and sweets and treacle posset, and is the best + woman of business in Eastern Anglia. Of my stepdaughter—for such she + is, though I generally call her daughter, and with good reason, + seeing that she has always shown herself a daughter to me—that she + has all kinds of good qualities, and several accomplishments, knowing + something of conchology, more of botany, drawing capitally in the + Dutch style, and playing remarkably well on the guitar—not the + trumpery German thing so called, but the real Spanish guitar. + +Borrow belonged to the type of men who would never marry did not some +woman mercifully take them in hand. Mrs. Clarke, when she set out for +Spain, had doubtless determined to marry Borrow. It is clear that he had +no idea of marrying her. Yet he was certainly “engaged,” as we learn +from a letter to Mr. Brackenbury, when he wrote a letter from Seville to +Mr. Brandram, dated 18th March, in which he said: “I wish very much to +spend the remaining years of my life in the northern parts of China, as I +think I have a call to those regions. . . . I hope yet to die in the +cause of my Redeemer.” Surely never did man take so curious a view of +the responsibilities of marriage. Possibly here also Borrow was adapting +himself to the language of the Bible Society. He must have known that +his proposal would be declined—as it was. + +Very soon after the engagement Borrow experienced his third term of +imprisonment in Spain, this time, however, only for thirty hours, and all +because he had asked the Alcalde, or mayor of the district in which he +lived, for his passport, and had quarrelled with his worship over the +matter. Borrow gave up the months of this winter of 1839 rather to +writing his first important book, _The Gypsies of Spain_, than to the +concerns of the Bible Society, which fidgeted exceedingly, no doubt +imaging heavy bills for expenses, with no corresponding reports of the +usual character to be read out at meetings. Finally Borrow, with Mrs. +Clarke and her daughter, sailed from Cadiz on the 3rd April, 1840, as we +have already related. He had with him his Jewish servant, Hayim Ben +Attar, and his Arabian horse, Sidi Habismilk, both of which were to +astonish the natives of the Suffolk broads. The party reached London on +16th April and stayed at the Spread Eagle Inn, Gracechurch Street. The +marriage took place at St. Peter’s Church, Cornhill, on 23rd April, 1840. + +There are only two letters from Mrs. Borrow to her husband extant. They +were written in the Hereford Square days between the years 1860 and +1869—the last year of Mrs. Borrow’s life. The pair had been married some +twenty-five years at least, and it is made clear by those letters alone +that at the end of this period they were still a most happily assorted +couple. Mrs. Borrow must have gone to Brighton for her health on two +separate occasions, each time accompanied by her daughter. Borrow, who +had enjoyed many a pleasant ramble on his own account, as we shall +see—rambles which extended as far away as Constantinople—is “keeping +house” in Hereford Square, Brompton, the while. It will be noted that +Mrs. Borrow signed herself “Carreta,” the pet name that her husband +always gave her. It has been suggested that as “carreta” means a Spanish +dray-cart, “carita,” “my dear,” was probably meant. But, careless as was +the famous word-master over the spelling of words in the tongues that he +never really mastered scientifically, he could scarcely have made so +obvious a blunder as this, and there must have been some particular +experience in the lives of husband and wife that led to the playful +designation. {145a} Here are the two letters: + + TO GEORGE BORROW, ESQ. + + GRENVILLE PLACE, BRIGHTON, SUSSEX. + + MY DARLING HUSBAND,—I am thankful to say that I arrived here quite + safe on Saturday, and on Wednesday I hope to see you at home. We may + not be home before the evening about six o’clock, sooner or later, so + do not be anxious, as we shall be careful. We took tea with the + Edwards at six o’clock the day I came; they are a very kind, nice + family. You must take a walk when we come home, but remember now we + have a young servant, and do not leave the house for very long + together. The air here is very fresh, and much cooler than in + London, and I hope after the five days’ change I shall be benefited, + but I wish to come home on Wednesday. See to all the doors and + windows of a night, and let Jane keep up the chain, and lock the back + door by the hop plant before it gets dark. Our love to Lady + Soame.—And with our best love to you, believe me, your own + + CARRETA. + + _Sunday morning_, 10 _o’clock_. + + If I do not hear from you I shall conclude all is well, and you may + do the same with regard to us. Have the tea ready a little before + six on Wednesday. Henrietta is wonderfully improved by the change, + and sends dear and best love to you. + + * * * * * + + TO GEORGE BORROW, ESQ. + + 33 GRENVILLE PLACE, BRIGHTON, SUSSEX. + _Thursday morning_. + + MY DEAR HUSBAND,—As it is raining again this morning I write a few + lines to you. I cannot think that we have quite so much rain as you + have at Brompton, for I was out _twice_ yesterday an hour in the + morning in a Bath chair, and a little walk in the evening on the + Marine Parade, and I have been out little or much every day, and hope + I feel a little better. Our dear Henrietta likewise says that she + feels the better for the air and change. As we are here I think we + had better remain till Tuesday next, when the fortnight will be up, + but I fear you feel very lonely. I hope you get out when you can, + and that you take care of your health. I hope Ellen continues to + attend to yr. comfort, and that when she gives orders to Mrs. Harvey + or the Butcher that she shews you what they send. I shall want the + stair carpets down, and the drawing-room _nice_—blinds and shutters + closed to prevent the sun, also bed-rooms prepared, with well _aired + sheets_ and counterpane _by next Tuesday_. I suppose we shall get to + Hereford Square perhaps about five o’clock, but I shall write again. + You had better dine at yr. usual time, and as we shall get a dinner + here we shall want only tea. + + Henrietta’s kindest dear love and mine, remaining yr. true and + affectionate wife. + + CARRETA. + +No reader can peruse the following pages without recognising the true +affection for his wife that is transparent in Borrow’s letters to her. +Arthur Dalrymple’s remark that he had frequently seen Borrow and his wife +travelling— + + He stalking along with a huge cloak wrapped round him in all + weathers, and she trudging behind him like an Indian squaw, with a + carpet bag, or bundle, or small portmanteau in her arms, and + endeavouring under difficulty to keep up with his enormous strides— + +is clearly a travesty. “Mrs. Borrow was devoted to her husband, and +looked after business matters; and he always treated her with exceeding +kindness,” is the verdict of Miss Elizabeth Jay, who was frequently +privileged to visit the husband and wife at Oulton. + + + + +CHAPTER XX +“THE CHILDREN OF THE OPEN AIR” + + +BEHOLD George Borrow, then, in a comfortable home on the banks of Oulton +Broad—a family man. His mother—sensible woman—declines her son’s +invitation to live with the newly-married pair. She remains in the +cottage at Norwich where her husband died. The Borrows were married in +April, 1840, by May they had settled at Oulton. It was a pleasantly +secluded estate, and Borrow’s wife had £450 a year. He had, a month +before his marriage, written to Mr. Brandram to say that he had a work +nearly ready for publication, and “two others in a state of forwardness.” +The title of the first of these books he enclosed in his letter. It was +_The Zincali_: _Or an Account of the Gypsies of Spain_. Mr. Samuel +Smiles, in his history of the House of Murray—_A Publisher and his +Friends_—thus relates the circumstances of its publication:— + + In November 1840 a tall, athletic gentleman in black called upon Mr. + Murray offering a MS. for perusal and publication. . . . Mr. Murray + could not fail to be taken at first sight with this extraordinary + man. He had a splendid physique, standing six feet two in his + stockings, and he had brains as well as muscles, as his works + sufficiently show. The book now submitted was of a very uncommon + character, and neither the author nor the publisher were very + sanguine about its success. Mr. Murray agreed, after perusal, to + print and publish 750 copies of _The Gypsies in Spain_, and divide + the profits with the author. + +It was at the suggestion of Richard Ford, then the greatest living +English authority on Spain, that Mr. Murray published the book. It did +not really commence to sell until _The Bible in Spain_ came a year or so +later to bring the author reputation. From November, 1840, to June, +1841, only three hundred copies had been sold in spite of friendly +reviews in some half-dozen journals, including _The Athenæum_ and _The +Literary Gazette_. The first edition, it may be mentioned, contained on +its title-page a description of the author as “late agent of the British +and Foreign Bible Society in Spain.” There is very marked compression in +the edition now in circulation, and a perusal of the first edition +reveals many interesting features that deserve to be restored for the +benefit of the curious. But nothing can make _The Zincali_ a great piece +of literature. It was summarised by the _Edinburgh Review_ at the time +as “a hotch-potch of the jockey, tramper, philologist, and missionary.” +That description, which was not intended to be as flattering as it sounds +to-day, appears more to apply to _The Bible in Spain_. But _The Zincali_ +is too confused, too ill-arranged a book to rank with Borrow’s four great +works. There are passages in it, indeed, so eloquent, so romantic, that +no lover of Borrow’s writings can afford to neglect them. But this was +not the book that gypsy-loving Borrow, with the temperament of a Romany, +should have written, or could have written had he not been obsessed by +the “science” of his subject. His real work in gypsydom was to appear +later in _Lavengro_ and _The Romany Rye_. For Borrow was not a man of +science—a philologist, a folk-lorist of the first order. + +No one, indeed, who had read only _The Zincali_ among Borrow’s works +could see in it any suspicion of the writer who was for all time to throw +a glamour over the gypsy, to make the “children of the open air” a +veritable cult, to earn for him the title of “the walking lord of gypsy +lore,” and to lay the foundations of an admirable succession of books +both in fact and fiction—but not one as great as his own. It is clear +that the city of Seville, with sarcastic letters from Bible Society +secretaries on one side, and some manner of love romance on the other, +was not so good a place for an author to produce a real book as Oulton +was to become. Richard Ford’s judgment was sound when he said with quite +wonderful prescience: + + How I wish you had given us more about yourself, instead of the + extracts from those blunder-headed old Spaniards, who knew nothing + about gypsies! I shall give you the _rap_, on that, and a hint to + publish your whole adventures for the last twenty years. {148} + +Henceforth Borrow was to write about himself and to become a great author +in consequence. For in writing about himself as in _Lavengro_ and _The +Romany Rye_ he was to write exactly as he felt about the gypsies, and to +throw over them the glamour of his own point of view, the view of a man +who loved the broad highway and those who sojourned upon it. In _The +Gypsies of Spain_ we have a conventional estimate of the gypsies. “There +can be no doubt that they are human beings and have immortal souls,” he +says, even as if he were writing a letter to the Bible Society. All his +anecdotes about the gypsies are unfavourable to them, suggestive only of +them as knaves and cheats. From these pictures it is a far cry to the +creation of Jasper Petulengro and Isopel Berners. The most noteworthy +figure in _The Zincali_ is the gypsy soldier of Valdepenas, an unholy +rascal. “To lie, to steal, to shed human blood”—these are the most +marked characteristics with which Borrow endows the gypsies of Spain. +“Abject and vile as they have ever been, the gitános have nevertheless +found admirers in Spain,” says the author who came to be popularly +recognised as the most enthusiastic admirer of the gypsies in Spain and +elsewhere. Read to-day by the lover of Borrow’s other books _The +Zincali_ will be pronounced a readable collection of anecdotes, +interspersed with much dull matter, with here and there a piece of +admirable writing. But the book would scarcely have lived had it not +been followed by four works of so fine an individuality. Well might Ford +ask Borrow for more about himself and less of the extracts from +“blunder-headed old Spaniards.” When Borrow came to write about himself +he revealed his real kindness for the gypsy folk. He gave us Jasper +Petulengro and the incomparable description of “the wind on the heath.” +He kindled the imagination of men, proclaimed the joys of vagabondage in +a manner that thrilled many hearts. He had some predecessors and many +successors, but “none could then, or can ever again,” says the biographer +of a later Rye, “see or hear of Romanies without thinking of Borrow.” In +her biography of one of these successors in gypsy lore, Charles Godfrey +Leland, Mrs. Pennell discusses the probability that Borrow and Leland met +in the British Museum. That is admitted in a letter from Leland to +Borrow in my possession. To this letter Borrow made no reply. It was +wrong of him. But he was then—in 1873—a prematurely old man, worn out +and saddened by neglect and a sense of literary failure. For this and +for the other vagaries of those latter years Borrow will not be judged +harshly by those who read his story here. Nothing could be more +courteous than Borrow’s one letter to Leland, written in the failing +handwriting—once so excellent—of the last sad decade of his life: + + 22 HEREFORD SQUARE, BROMPTON, _Nov._ 2, 1871. + + SIR,—I have received your letter and am gratified by the desire you + express to make my acquaintance. Whenever you please to come I shall + be happy to see you.—Yours truly, + + GEORGE BORROW. + +The meeting did not, through Leland’s absence from London, then take +place. Two years later it was another story. The failing powers were +more noteworthy. Borrow was by this time dead to the world, as the +documents before me abundantly testify. It is not, therefore, necessary +to assume, as Leland’s friends have done, that Borrow never replied +because he was on the eve of publishing a book of his own about the +gypsies. + + TO GEORGE BORROW, ESQ. + + LANGHAM HOTEL, PORTLAND PLACE, _March_ 31_st_, 1873. + + DEAR SIR,—I sincerely trust that the limited extent of our + acquaintanceship will not cause this note to seem to you too + presuming. _Breviter_, I have thrown the results of my observations + among English gypsies into a very unpretending little volume + consisting almost entirely of facts gathered from the Romany, without + any theory. As I owe all my interest in the subject to your + writings, and as I am sincerely grateful to you for the impulse which + they gave me, I should like very much to dedicate my book to you. Of + course if your kindness permits I shall submit the proofs to you, + that you may judge whether the work deserves the honour. I should + have sent you the MS., but not long after our meeting at the British + Museum I left for Egypt, whence I have very recently returned, to + find my publisher clamorous for the promised copy. + + It is _not_—God knows—a mean and selfish desire to help my book by + giving it the authority of your name, which induces this request. + But I am earnestly desirous for my conscience’ sake to publish + nothing in the Romany which shall not be true and sensible, even as + all that you have written is true and sensible. Therefore, _should_ + you take the pains to glance over my proof, I should be grateful if + you would signify to me any differences of opinion should there be + ground for any. Dr. A. F. Pott in his _Zigeuner_ (vol. ii. p. 224), + intimates very decidedly that you took the word _shastr_ (Exhastra de + Moyses) from Sanskrit and put it into Romany; declaring that it would + be very important if _shaster_ were Romany. I mention in my book + that English gypsies call the New Testament (also any MS.) a + _shaster_, and that a betting-book on a racecourse is called a + _shaster_ “because it is written.” I do not pretend in my book to + such deep Romany as you have achieved—all that I claim is to have + collected certain words, facts, phrases, etc., out of the Romany of + the roads—corrupt as it is—as I have found it to-day. I deal only + with the gypsy of the _Decadence_. With renewed apology for + intrusion should it seem such, I remain, yours very respectfully, + + CHARLES G. LELAND. + +Francis Hindes Groome remarked when reviewing Borrow’s _Word Book_ in +1874, {151} that when _The Gypsies of Spain_ was published in 1841 “there +were not two educated men in England who possessed the slightest +knowledge of Romany.” In the intervening thirty-three years all this was +changed. There was an army of gypsy scholars or scholar gypsies of whom +Leland was one, Hindes Groome another, and Professor E. H. Palmer a +third, to say nothing of many scholars and students of Romany in other +lands. Not one of them seemed when Borrow published his _Word Book of +the Romany_ to see that he was the only man of genius among them. They +only saw that he was an inferior philologist to them all. And so Borrow, +who prided himself on things that he could do indifferently quite as much +as upon things that he could do well, suffered once again, as he was so +often doomed to suffer, for the lack of appreciation which was all in all +to him, and his career went out in a veritable blizzard. He published +nothing after his _Romano Lavo-Lil_ appeared in 1874. He was then indeed +a broken and a bitter man, with no further interest in life. Dedications +of books to him interested him not at all. In any other mood, or a few +years earlier, Leland’s book, _The English Gypsies_, would have gladdened +his heart. In his preface Leland expresses “the highest respect for the +labours of Mr. George Borrow in this field,” he quotes Borrow continually +and with sympathy, and renders him honour as a philologist that has +usually been withheld. “To Mr. Borrow is due the discovery that the word +_jockey_ is of gypsy origin and derived from _chuckiri_, which means a +whip,” and he credits Borrow with the discovery of the origin of “tanner” +for sixpence; he vindicates him as against Dr. A. F. Pott—a prince among +students of gypsydom—of being the first to discover that the English +gypsies call the Bible the _shaster_. But there is a wealth of +scientific detail in Leland’s books that is not to be found in Borrow’s, +as also there is in Francis Hindes Groome’s works. What had Borrow to do +with science? He could not even give the word “Rúmani” its accent, and +called it “Romany.” He “quietly appropriated,” says Groome, “Bright’s +Spanish gypsy words for his own work, mistakes and all, without one word +of recognition. I think one has the ancient impostor there.” “His +knowledge of the strange history of the gypsies was very elementary, of +their manners almost more so, and of their folk-lore practically _nil_,” +says Groome elsewhere. Yet Mr. Hindes Groome readily acknowledges that +Borrow is above all writers on the gypsies. “He communicates a subtle +insight into gypsydom”—that is the very essence of the matter. +Controversy will continue in the future as in the present as to whether +the gypsies are all that Borrow thought them. Perhaps “corruption has +crept in among them” as it did with the prize-fighters. They have +intermarried with the gorgios, thrown over their ancient customs, lost +all their picturesque qualities, it may be. But Borrow has preserved in +literature for all time, as not one of the philologists and folk-lore +students has done, a remarkable type of people. But this is not to be +found in his first original work, _The Zincali_, nor in his last, _The +Romano Lavo-Lil_. This glamour is to be found in _Lavengro_ and _The +Romany Rye_, to which books we shall come in due course. Here we need +only refer to the fact that Borrow had loved the gypsies all his +life—from his boyish meeting with Petulengro until in advancing years the +prototype of that wonderful creation of his imagination—for this the +Petulengro of _Lavengro_ undoubtedly was—came to visit him at Oulton. +Well might Leland call him “the Nestor of Gypsydom.” + + + + +CHAPTER XXI +“THE BIBLE IN SPAIN” + + +IN an admirable appreciation of our author, the one in which he gives the +oft-quoted eulogy concerning him as “the delightful, the bewitching, the +never-sufficiently-to-be-praised George Borrow,” Mr. Birrell records the +solace that may be found by small boys in the ambiguities of a +title-page, or at least might have been found in it in his youth and in +mine. In those days in certain Puritan circles a very strong line was +drawn between what was known as Sunday reading, and reading that might be +permitted on week-days. The Sunday book must have a religious flavour. +There were magazines with that particular flavour, every story in them +having a pious moral withal. Very closely watched and scrutinised was +the reading of young people in those days and in those circles. Mr. +Birrell, doubtless, speaks from autobiographical memories when he tells +us of a small boy with whose friends _The Bible in Spain_ passed muster +on the strength of its title-page. For Mr. Birrell is the son of a +venerated Nonconformist minister; and perhaps he, or at least those who +were of his household, had this religious idiosyncrasy. It may be that +the distinction which pervaded the evangelical circles of Mr. Birrell’s +youth as to what were Sunday books, as distinct from books to be read on +week-days, has disappeared. In any case think of the advantage of the +boy of that generation who was able to handle a book with so +unexceptionable a title as _The Bible in Spain_. His elders would +succumb at once, particularly if the boy had the good sense to call their +attention to the sub-title—“The Journeys, Adventures, and Imprisonments +of an Englishman in an Attempt to Circulate the Scriptures in the +Peninsula.” Nothing could be said by the most devout of seniors against +so prepossessing a title-page. But what of the boy who had thus passed +the censorship? What a revelation of adventure was open to him. Perhaps +he would skip the “preachy” parts in which Borrow was doubtless sincere, +although the sincerity has so uncertain a ring to-day. Here are five +passages, for example, which do not seem to belong to the book: + + In whatever part of the world I, a poor wanderer in the Gospel’s + cause, may chance to be + + * * * * * + + very possibly the fate of St. Stephen might overtake me; but does the + man deserve the name of a follower of Christ who would shrink from + danger of any kind in the cause of Him whom he calls his Master? “He + who loses his life for my sake shall find it,” are words which the + Lord Himself uttered. These words were fraught with consolation to + me, as they doubtless are to every one engaged in propagating the + Gospel, in sincerity of heart, in savage and barbarian lands. + + * * * * * + + Unhappy land! not until the pure light of the Gospel has illumined + thee, wilt thou learn that the greatest of all gifts is charity! + + * * * * * + + and I thought that to convey the Gospel to a place so wild and remote + might perhaps be considered an acceptable pilgrimage in the eyes of + my Maker. True it is that but one copy remained of those which I had + brought with me on this last journey; but this reflection, far from + discouraging me in my projected enterprise, produced the contrary + effect, as I called to mind that, ever since the Lord revealed + Himself to man, it has seemed good to Him to accomplish the greatest + ends by apparently the most insufficient means; and I reflected that + this one copy might serve as an instrument for more good than the + four thousand nine hundred and ninety-nine copies of the edition of + Madrid. + + * * * * * + + I shall not detain the course of my narrative with reflections as to + the state of a Church which, though it pretends to be founded on + scripture, would yet keep the light of scripture from all mankind, if + possible. But Rome is fully aware that she is not a Christian + Church, and having no desire to become so, she acts prudently in + keeping from the eyes of her followers the page which would reveal to + them the truths of Christianity. + +All this does not ring quite true, and in any case it is too much on the +lines of “Sunday reading” to please the small boy, who must, however, +have found a thousand things in that volume that were to his taste—some +of the wildest adventures, hairbreadth escapes, extraordinary meetings +again and again with unique people—with Benedict Mol, for example, who +was always seeking for treasure. Gypsies, bull-fighters, quaint and +queer characters of every kind, come before us in rapid succession. +Rarely, surely, have so many adventures been crowded into the same number +of pages. Only when Borrow remembers, as he has to do occasionally, that +he is an agent of the Bible Society does the book lose its vigour and its +charm. We have already pointed out that the foundations of the volume +were contained in certain letters written by Borrow during his five years +in Spain to the secretaries of the Bible Society in London. The recent +publication of these letters has revealed to us Borrow’s methods. When +he had settled down at Oulton he took down his notebooks, one of which is +before me, but finding this was not sufficient, he asked the Bible +Society for the loan of his letters to them. Other letters that he hoped +to use were not forthcoming, as the following note from Miss Gurney to +Mrs. Borrow indicates: + + TO MRS. GEORGE BORROW + + EARLHAM, 12_th_ _June_, 1840. + + DEAR MRS. BORROW,—I am sorry I cannot find any of Mr. Borrow’s + letters from Spain. I don’t think we ever had any, but my brother is + from home and I therefore cannot inquire of him. + + I send you the only two I can find. I am very glad he is going to + publish his travels, which I have no doubt will be very interesting. + It must be a pleasant object to assist him by copying the + manuscripts. If I should visit Lowestoft this summer I shall hope to + see you, but I have no immediate prospect of doing so. With kind + regards to all your party, I am, Dear Mrs. Borrow, Yours sincerely, + + C. GURNEY. {155} + +The Bible Society, applied to in the same manner, lent Borrow all his +letters to that organisation and its secretaries. + +Not all were returned. Many came to Dr. Knapp when he purchased the half +of the Borrow papers that were sold after Borrow’s death; the remainder +are in my possession. + +It is a nice point, seventy years after they were written, as to whom +they belong. In any case the Bible Society must have kept copies of +everything, for when, in 1911, they came to publish the _Letters_ the +collection was sufficiently complete. That publication revealed some +interesting sidelights. It proved on the one hand that Borrow had drawn +more upon his diaries than upon his letters, although he frequently +reproduced fragments of his diaries in his letters. It revealed further +the extraordinary frankness with which Borrow wrote to his employers. It +is true that it further reveals the manner in which he throws a sop of +godliness to the worthy secretaries. But the main point is in the +discovery revealed to us that Borrow was not an artist in his letters. +Borrow was never a good letter writer, although I think that many of the +letters that appear for the first time in these pages will prove that his +letters are very interesting as contributions to biography. If some of +the letters that helped to make up _The Bible in Spain_ are interesting, +it is because in them Borrow incorporated considerable fragments of +anecdote and adventure from his note-books. It is quite a mistake to +assume, as does Dr. Knapp, that the “Rev. and Dear Sir” at the head of a +letter was the only variation. You will look in vain in the Bible +Society correspondence for many a pearl that is contained in _The Bible +in Spain_, and happily you will look in vain in _The Bible in Spain_ for +many an unctuous sentence which concludes some of the original letters. +In one case, indeed, a letter concludes with Heber’s hymn— + + “From Greenland’s Icy Mountains,” + +with which Borrow’s correspondent must already have been sufficiently +familiar. But Borrow could not be other than Borrow, and the secretaries +of the Bible Society had plentiful matter with which to astonish them. +The finished production, however, is a fascinating book. You read it +again and it becomes still more entertaining. No wonder that it took the +world by storm and made its author the lion of a season. “A queer book +will be this same _Bible in Spain_,” wrote Borrow to John Murray in +August, 1841, “containing all my queer adventures in that queer country +. . . it will make two nice foolscap octavo volumes.” It actually made +three volumes, and Borrow was as irritated at Mr. Murray’s delay in +publishing as that publisher afterwards became at Borrow’s own delay over +_Lavengro_. The whole book was laboriously copied out by Mrs. Borrow. +When this copy was sent to Mr. Murray, it was submitted to his “reader,” +who reported “numerous faults in spelling and some in grammar,” to which +criticism Borrow retorted that the copy was the work of “a country +amanuensis.” The book was published in December, 1842, but has the date +1843 on its title-page. In its three-volumed form 4750 copies of the +book were issued by July, 1843, after which countless copies were sold in +cheaper one-volumed form. Success had at last come to Borrow. He was +one of the most talked-of writers of the day. His elation may be +demonstrated by his discussion with Dawson Turner as to whether he should +leave the manuscript of _The Bible in Spain_ to the Dean and Chapter’s +Library at Norwich or to the British Museum, by his gratification at the +fact that Sir Robert Peel referred to his book in the House of Commons, +and by his pleasure in the many appreciative reviews which, indeed, were +for the most part all that an ambitious author could desire. “Never,” +said _The Examiner_, “was book more legibly impressed with the +unmistakable mark of genius.” “There is no taking leave of a book like +this,” said the _Athenæum_. “Better Christmas fare we have never had it +in our power to offer our readers.” + +The publication of _The Bible in Spain_ made Borrow famous for a time. +Hitherto he had been known only to a small religious community, the +coterie that ran the Bible Society. Even the large mass of people who +subscribed to that Society knew its agent in Spain only by meagre +allusions in the Annual Reports. Now the world was to talk about him, +and he enjoyed being talked about. Borrow declared—in 1842—that the five +years he passed in Spain were the most happy years of his existence. But +then he had not had a happy life during the previous years, as we have +seen, and in Russia he had a toilsome task with an added element of +uncertainty as to the permanence of his position. The five years in +Spain had plentiful adventure, and they closed in a pleasant manner. Yet +the year that followed, even though it found him almost a country squire, +was not a happy one. Once again the world did not want him and his +books—not the _Gypsies of Spain_ for example. Seven weeks after +publication it had sold only to the extent of some three hundred copies. +But the happiest year of Borrow’s life was undoubtedly the one that +followed the publication of _The Bible in Spain_. Up to that time he had +been a mere adventurer; now he was that most joyous of beings—a +successful author; and here, from among his Papers, is a carefully +preserved relic of his social triumph: + + TO GEORGE BORROW, ESQ., AT MR. MURRAY’S, + BOOKSELLER, ALBEMARLE STREET + + 4 CARLTON TERRACE, _Tuesday_, 30_th_ _May_. + + The Prussian Minister and Madam Bunsen would be very happy to see Mr. + Borrow to-morrow, Wednesday evening, about half past nine o’clock or + later, when some German national songs will be performed at their + house, which may possibly suit Mr. Borrow’s taste. They hoped to have + met him last night at the Bishop of Norwich’s, but arrived there too + late. They had already commissioned Lady Hall (sister to Madam + Bunsen) to express to Mr. Borrow their wish for his acquaintance. + +In a letter to his wife he writes of this visit to the Prussian Minister, +where he had for company “Princes and Members of Parliament.” “I was the +star of the evening,” he says; “I thought to myself, ‘what a +difference!’” There is an independent version of the function in the +_Annals of the Harford Family_, where a correspondent writes: + + There was present the amusing author of _The Bible in Spain_, a man + who is remarkable for his extraordinary powers as a linguist, and for + the originality of his character, not to speak of the wonderful + adventures he narrates, and the ease and facility with which he tells + them. He kept us laughing a good part of breakfast time by the oddity + of his remarks, as well as the positiveness of his assertions, often + rather startling, and, like his books, partaking of the marvellous. + +Borrow’s next letter to his wife is more chastened: + + TO MRS. GEORGE BORROW, OULTON, SUFFOLK + + _Wednesday_, 58 JERMYN STREET. + + DEAR CARRETA,—I was glad to receive your letter; I half expected one + on Tuesday. I am, on the whole, very comfortable, and people are + kind. I passed last Sunday at Clapham with Mrs. Browne; I was glad + to go there for it was a gloomy day. They are now glad enough to ask + me: I suppose I must stay in London through next week. I have an + invitation to two grand parties, and it is as well to have something + for one’s money. I called at the Bible Society—all remarkably civil, + Joseph especially so. I think I shall be able to manage with my own + Dictionary. There is now a great demand for Morrison. Yesterday I + again dined at the Murrays. There was a family party; very pleasant. + To-morrow I dine with an old school-fellow. Murray is talking of + printing a new edition to sell for five shillings: those rascals, the + Americans, have, it seems, reprinted it, and are selling it for + _eighteen_ pence. Murray says he shall print ten thousand copies; it + is chiefly wanted for the Colonies. He says the rich people and the + libraries have already got it, and he is quite right, for nearly + three thousand copies have been sold at 27s. {159} There is no + longer the high profit to be made on books there formerly was, as the + rascals abroad pirate the good ones, and in the present state of + copyright there is no help; we can, however, keep the American + edition out of the Colonies, which is something. I have nothing more + to say save to commend you not to go on the water without me; perhaps + you would be overset; and do not go on the bridge again till I come. + Take care of Habismilk and Craffs; kiss the little mare and old Hen. + + GEORGE BORROW. + +The earliest literary efforts of Borrow in Spain were his two +translations of St. Luke’s Gospel—the one into Romany, the other into +Basque. This last book he did not actually translate himself, but +procured “from a Basque physician of the name of Oteiza.” + + + + +CHAPTER XXII +RICHARD FORD + + +THE most distinguished of Borrow’s friends in the years that succeeded +his return from Spain was Richard Ford, whose interests were so largely +wrapped up in the story of that country. Ford was possessed of a very +interesting personality, which was not revealed to the public until Mr. +Rowland E. Prothero issued his excellent biography in 1905, although Ford +died in 1858. This delay is the more astonishing as Ford’s _Handbook for +Travellers in Spain_ was one of the most famous books of its day. Ford’s +father, Sir Richard Ford, was a friend of William Pitt, and twice sat in +Parliament, being at one time Under-Secretary of State for the Home +Department. He ended his official career as a police magistrate at Bow +Street, but deserves to be better known to fame as the creator of the +mounted police force of London. Ford was born with a silver spoon in his +mouth, inheriting a fortune from his father, and from his mother an +extraordinary taste for art. Although called to the Bar he never +practised, but spent his time in travelling on the Continent, building up +a valuable collection of books and paintings. He was three times +married, and all these unions seem to have been happy, in spite of an +almost unpleasant celerity in the second alliance, which took place nine +months after the death of his first wife. A very large portion of his +life he devoted to Spain, which he knew so intimately that in 1845 he +produced that remarkable _Handbook_ in two closely printed volumes, a +most repellent-looking book in appearance to those who are used to +contemporary typography, usually so attractive. Ford, in fact, was so +full of his subject that instead of a handbook he wrote a work which +ought to have appeared in half a dozen volumes. In later editions the +book was condensed into one of Mr. Murray’s usual guide-books, but the +curious may still enjoy the work in its earliest form, so rich in +discussions of the Spanish people, their art and architecture, their +history and their habits. The greater part of the letters in Mr. +Prothero’s collection are addressed to Addington, who was our ambassador +to Madrid for some years, until he was superseded by George Villiers, +Lord Clarendon, with whom Borrow came so much in contact. Those letters +reveal a remarkably cultivated mind and an interesting outlook on life, +an outlook that was always intensely anti-democratic. It is impossible +to sympathise with him in his brutal reference to the execution by the +Spaniards of Robert Boyd, a young Irishman who was captured with Torrijos +by the Spanish Government in 1831. Richard Ford apparently left Spain +very shortly before George Borrow entered that country. Ford passed +through Madrid on his way to England in September, 1833. He then settled +near Exeter, purchasing an Elizabethan cottage called Heavitree House, +with twelve acres of land, and devoted himself to turning it into a +beautiful mansion. Presumably he first met Borrow in Mr. John Murray’s +famous drawing-room soon after the publication of _The Gypsies in Spain_. +He tells Addington, indeed, in a letter of 14th January, 1841: + + I have made acquaintance with an extraordinary fellow, George Borrow, + who went out to Spain to convert the gypsies. He is about to publish + his failure, and a curious book it will be. It was submitted to my + perusal by the hesitating Murray. + +Ford’s article upon Borrow’s book appeared in _The British and Foreign +Review_, and Ford was delighted that the book had created a sensation, +and that he had given sound advice as to publishing the manuscript. When +_The Bible in Spain_ was ready, Ford was one of the first to read it. +Then he wrote to John Murray: + + I read Borrow with great delight all the way down per rail. You may + depend upon it that the book will sell, which after all is the rub. + +And in that letter Ford describes the book as putting him in mind of _Gil +Blas_ with “a touch of Bunyan.” Lockhart himself reviewed the book in +_The Quarterly_, so Ford had to go to the rival organ—_The Edinburgh +Review_—receiving £44 for the article, which sum, he tells us, he +invested in Château Margaux. + +Ford’s first letter to Borrow in my collection is written in Spanish, but +I content myself with giving only a translation: + + TO GEORGE BORROW, ESQ., OULTON HALL, LOWESTOFT + (_Translated from the Spanish_) + + HEAVITREE HOUSE, EXETER, _Jan._ 19, 1842. + + DEAR FRIEND,—I was glad to hear from you of the successful + termination of your literary work. Fancy those rogues of Zincali! + They have managed to make good money—I always thought Messrs. M. very + decent people, it usually happens that those who have much to do with + good class of people become themselves somewhat large-minded and + liberal. You must admit that I am a model critic, and that I cry, + “Luck to the Books.” Full well do I know how you thank the most + noble and illustrious public! Go ahead, therefore, and leave nothing + forgotten in the ink-pot; but by all that is holy, shun the Spanish + historians, who are liars and fools! I regret very much that you + should have left London; I leave here on Saturday with the intention + of paying a visit of about three weeks to the maternal home, as is my + custom in the month of the Christmas boxes. Very much would I have + liked to see you and discuss with you about things of Spain and other + gypsy lore and fancy topics, but of which at present nothing do I + understand. I shall not fail to take with me the papers and + documents which you kindly sent me to Cheltenham. I will make them + into a parcel and leave them with Messrs. Murray, so that you can + send for them whenever you like. I shall do my best to penetrate + those mysteries and that strange people. Mr. Murray, junior, writes + in a pleased tone respecting _The Bible in Spain_. I should like to + write an article on a subject so full of interest. Possibly my + article on the gypsies will appear in the next number, and in such + case it will prove more useful to you than if it appeared now. The + life and memory of reviews are very short. They appear like + butterflies, and die in a day. The dead and the departed have no + friends. The living to the feast, the dead to the grave. No sooner + does a new number appear than the last one is already forgotten and + joins the things of the past. What do you think? At a party + recently in which a drawing was held, I drew the _Krallis de los + Zincali_. I beg to enclose the table (or index) for your Majesty’s + guidance; really, I must have in my veins a few drops of the genuine + wanderer. Mr. Gagargos has been just appointed Spanish Consul in + Tunis, where he will not lack means for progressing in the Arabic + language and literature.—Yours, in all friendliness, + + RICHARD FORD. + +Here is a second letter of the following month: + + _February_ 26_th_, HEAVITREE HOUSE, EXETER. + + BATUSCHCA BORROW,—I am glad that the paper pleased you, and I think + it calculated to promote the sale, which a too copious extracting + article does not always do, as people think that they have had the + cream. Napier sent me £44 for the thirty-two pages; this, with + Kemble’s £50, 8s. for the _Zincali_, nearly reaches £100: I lay it + out in claret, being not amiss to do in the world, and richer by many + hundreds a year than last year, but with a son at Eton and daughters + coming out, and an overgrown set of servants, money is never to be + despised, and I find that expenditure by some infernal principle has + a greater tendency to increase than income, and that when the latter + increases it never does so in the ratio of the former—enough of that. + How to write an article without being condensed—epigrammatical and + _epitomical cream-skimming that is_—I know not, one has so much to + say and so little space to say it in. + + I rejoice to hear of your meditated biography; really I am your wet + nurse, and you ought to dedicate it to me; take time, but not too + much; avoid, all attempts to write fine; just dash down the first + genuine uppouring idea and thoughts in the plainest language and that + which comes first, and then fine it and compress it. Let us have a + glossary; for people cry out for a Dragoman, and half your local + gusto evaporates. + + I am amazed at the want of profits—’tis sad to think what meagre + profits spring from pen and ink; but Cervantes died a beggar and is + immortal. It is the devil who comes into the market with ready + money: _No_ solvendum in futuro: I well know that it is cash down + which makes the mare to go; dollars will add spurs even to the Prince + of Mustard’s paces. + + It is a bore not receiving even the crumbs which drop from such + tables as those spread by Mr. Eyre: Murray, however, is a deep cove, + _y muy pratico en cosas de libreteria_: and he knew that the _first + out_ about Afghan would sell prodigiously. I doubt now if Lady Sale + would now be such a general Sale. Murray builds solid castles in + Eyre. Los de España rezalo bene de ser siempre muy Cosas de España: + Cachaza! Cachaza! firme, firme! Arriba! no dejei nada en el + tintero; basta que sea nuevo y muy piquunte cor sal y ajo: a los + Ingleses le gustan mucho las Longanizas de Abarbenel y los buenos + Choriyos de Montanches: + + El handbook sa her concluido jeriayer: abora principia el trabajo: + Tengo benho un monton de papel acombroso. El menester reducirlo a la + mitad y eso so hara castratandolo de lo bueno duro y particolar a + romperse el alma: + + I had nothing to do whatever with the _manner_ in which the handbook + puff was affixed to your book. I wrote the said paper, but concluded + that Murray would put it, as usual, in the flyleaf of the book, as he + does in his others, and the _Q. Rev._ + + Sabe mucho el hijo—ha imaginado altacar mi obresilla al flejo de + vuestra immortalidad y lo que le toca de corazon, facilitarsele la + venta. + + Yo no tengo nada en eso y quedé tanalustado amo Vm a la primera vista + de aquella hoja volante. Conque Mantengare Vm bueno y alegre y mande + Vm siempre, a S: S: S: y buen Critico, L: I: M: B., + + R. F. + +During these years—1843 and onwards—Borrow was regularly corresponding +with Ford, as we learn from Ford’s own words:— + + Borrow writes me word that his Life is nearly ready, and it will run + the Bible hull down. If he tells truth it will be a queer thing. I + shall review it for _The Edinburgh_. + + TO GEORGE BORROW, ESQ., OULTON HALL, LOWESTOFT + + 123 PARK MANSIONS, _Thursday_, _April_ 13, 1843. + + BATUSCHCA B.,—Knowing that you seldom see a newspaper I send you one + in which Peel speaks very handsomely of your labour. Such a public + testimonial is a good puff, and I hope will attract + purchasers.—Sincerely yours, + + R. F. + +This refers to a speech of Peel’s in the House of Commons, in which in +reply to a very trivial question by Dr. Bowring, then M.P. for Bolton, +upon the subject of the correspondence of the British Government with +Turkey, the great statesman urged: + + It might have been said to Mr. Borrow, with respect to Spain, that it + would be impossible to distribute the Bible in that country in + consequence of the danger of offending the prejudices which prevail + there; yet he, a private individual, by showing some zeal in what he + believed to be right, succeeded in triumphing over many obstacles. + {164} + +Borrow was elated with the compliment, and asked Mr. Murray two months +later if he could not advertise the eulogium with one of his books. + +In June, 1844, while the _Handbook for Travellers in Spain_ was going to +press, Ford went on a visit to Borrow at Oulton Hall, and describes the +pair as “two rum coves in a queer country”; and further gives one of the +best descriptions of the place: + + His house hangs over a lonely lake covered with wild fowl, and is + girt with dark firs through which the wind sighs sadly. + +When the _Handbook for Travellers in Spain_ was published in 1845 it was +agreed that Borrow should write the review for _The Quarterly_. Instead +of writing a review Borrow, possessed by that tactlessness which so +frequently overcame him, wrote an article on “Spain and the Spaniards,” +very largely of abuse, an absolutely useless production from the point of +view of Ford the author, and of Lockhart, his editor friend. Borrow +never forgave Lockhart for returning this manuscript, but that it had no +effect on Ford’s friendship is shown by the letter on p. 167, dated 1846, +written long after the unfortunate episode, and another in Dr. Knapp’s +_Life_, dated 1851. + + TO MRS. BORROW, OULTON HALL, LOWESTOFT + + _Oct._ 6, 1844, CHELTENHAM. + + MY DEAR MADAM,—I trouble you with a line to say that I have received + a letter from Don Jorge, from Constantinople. He evidently is now + anxious to be quietly back again on the banks of your peaceful lake; + he speaks favourably of his health, which has been braced up by + change of air, scenery, and occupations, so I hope he will get + through next winter without any bronchitis, and go on with his own + biography. + + He asks me when _Handbook_ will be done? Please to tell him that it + is done and printing, but that it runs double the length which was + contemplated: however, it will be a _queer_ book, and tell him that + we reserve it until his return to _review_ it. I am now on the point + of quitting this pretty place and making for my home at Hevitre, + where we trust to arrive next Thursday. + + Present my best compliments to your mother, and believe me, your + faithful and obedient servant, + + RCH. FORD. + + When you write to Don Jorge thank him for his letter. + + * * * * * + + TO GEORGE BORROW, ESQ., OULTON HALL, LOWESTOFT + + 123 PARLIAMENT STREET, + GROSVENOR SQUARE, _Feb._ 17, 1845. + + DEAR BORROW,—_El hombre propose pero Dios es que dispose_. I had + hoped to have run down and seen you and yours in your quiet Patmos; + but the Sangrados will it otherwise. I have never been quite free + from a tickling pain since the bronchitis of last year, and it has + recently assumed the form of extreme relaxation and irritation in the + uvula, which is that pendulous appendage which hangs over the orifice + of the throat. Mine has become so seriously elongated that, after + submitting for four days last week to its being burnt with caustic + every morning in the hopes that it might thus crimp and contract + itself, I have been obliged to have it amputated. This has left a + great soreness, which militates against talking and deglutition, and + would render our charming chats after the Madeira over la cheminea + del _cueldo_ inadvisable. I therefore defer the visit: my Sangrado + recommends me, when the summer advances, to fly away into change of + air, change of scene; in short, must seek an _hejira_ as you made. + How strange the coincidence! but those who have wandered much about + require periodical migration, as the encaged quail twice a year beats + its breast against the wires. + + I am not quite determined where to go, whether to Scotland and the + sweet heath-aired hills, or to the wild rocks and clear trout streams + of the Tyrol; it is a question between the gun and the rod. If I go + north assuredly si Dios quiere I will take your friendly and peaceful + abode in my way. + + As to my immediate plans I can say nothing before Thursday, when the + Sangrado is to report on some diagnosis which he expects. + + Meanwhile _Handbook_ is all but out, and Lockhart and Murray are + eager to have you in the _Q. R._ I enclose you a note from the + editor. How feel you inclined? I would send you down 30 sheets, and + you might run your eye through them. _There are plums in the + pudding_. + + RICHARD FORD. + +A proof in slip form of the rejected review, with Borrow’s corrections +written upon it, is in my possession. Our author pictures Gibraltar as a +human entity thus addressing Spain: + + Accursed land! I hate thee, and far from being a defence, will + invariably prove a thorn in thy side. + +And so on through many sentences of excited rhetoric. Borrow forgot +while he wrote that he had a book to review—a book, moreover, issued by +the publishing house which issued the periodical in which his review was +to appear. And this book was a book in ten thousand—a veritable mine of +information and out of the way learning. Surely this slight reference +amid many dissertations of his own upon Spain was to damn his friend’s +book with faint praise: + + A Handbook is a Handbook after all, a very useful thing, but + still—the fact is that we live in an age of humbug, in which + everything, to obtain note and reputation, must depend less upon its + own intrinsic merit than on the name it bears. The present book is + about one of the best books ever written upon Spain; but we are + afraid that it will never be estimated at its proper value; for after + all a Handbook is a Handbook. + +Yet successful as was Ford’s _Handbook_, it is doubtful but that Borrow +was right in saying that it had better have been called _Wanderings in +Spain_ or _Wonders of the Peninsula_. How much more gracious was the +statement of another great authority on Spain—Sir William +Stirling-Maxwell—who said that “so great a literary achievement had never +before been performed under so humble a title.” The article, however, +furnishes a trace of autobiography in the statement by Borrow that he had +long been in the habit of reading _Don Quixote_ once every nine years. +Yet he tells us that he prefers Le Sage’s _Gil Blas_ to _Don Quixote_, +“the characters introduced being certainly more true to nature.” But +altogether we do not wonder that Lockhart declined to publish the +article. Here is the last letter in my possession; after this there is +one in the Knapp collection dated 1851, acknowledging a copy of +_Lavengro_, in which Fords adds: “Mind when you come to see the +Exhibition you look in here, for I long to have a chat,” and so the +friendship appears to have collapsed as so many friendships do. Ford +died at Heavitree in 1858: + + TO GEORGE BORROW, ESQ., OULTON HALL, LOWESTOFT + + HEAVITREE, _Jany._ 28, 1846. + + QUERIDO DON JORGE,—How are you getting on in health and spirits? and + how has this absence of winter suited you? Are you inclined for a + run up to town next week? I propose to do so, and Murray, who has + got Washington Irving, etc., to dine with him on Wednesday the 4th, + writes to me to know if I thought you could be induced to join us. + Let me whisper in your ear, yea: it will do you good and give change + of air, scene and thought: we will go and beat up the renowned Billy + Harper, and see how many more ribs are stoved in. + + I have been doing a paper for the _Q. R._ on Spanish Architecture; + how gets on the _Lavengro_? I see the “gypsies” are coming out in + the _Colonial_, which will have a vast sale. + + John Murray seems to be flourishing in spite of corn and railomania. + + Remember me kindly and respectfully to your Ladies, and beg them to + tell you what good it will do you to have a frisk up to town, and a + little quiet chat with your pal and amigo, + + RICHARD FORD. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII +IN EASTERN EUROPE + + +IN 1844 Borrow set out for the most distant holiday that he was ever to +undertake. Passing through London in March, 1844, he came under the +critical eye of Elizabeth Rigby, afterwards Lady Eastlake, that +formidable critic who four years later—in 1848—wrote the cruel review of +_Jane Eyre_ in _The Quarterly_ that gave so much pain to Charlotte +Brontë. She was not a nice woman. These sharp, “clever” women-critics +rarely are; and Borrow never made a pleasant impression when such women +came across his path—instance Harriet Martineau, Frances Cobbe, and Agnes +Strickland. We should sympathise with him, and not count it for a +limitation, as some of his biographers have done. The future Lady +Eastlake thus disposes of Borrow in her one reference to him: + + _March_ 20.—Borrow came in the evening; now a fine man, but a most + disagreeable one; a kind of character that would be most dangerous in + rebellious times—one that would suffer or persecute to the utmost. + His face is expressive of strong-headed determination. + +Quoting this description of Borrow, Dr. Knapp describes it as +“shallow”—for “he was one of the kindest of men, as my documents show.” +The description is shallow enough, because the writer had no kind of +comprehension of Borrow; but then, perhaps, his champion had not. Borrow +was neither one of the “kindest of men” nor the reverse. He was a good +hater and a whole-hearted lover, and to be thus is to fill a certain +uncomfortable but not discreditable place in the scheme of things. About +a month later Borrow was on the way to the East, travelling by Paris and +Vienna. + +In May he is in Vienna, whence he writes to his wife:— + + TO MRS. GEORGE BORROW + + VIENNA, _May_ 16, 1844. + + MY DEAREST CARRETA,—I arrived here the day before yesterday, and so + early as yesterday I had begun a letter for you, but I now commence + another, as I have rather altered my intentions since that time. I + thought at first I should not like this place, for the difficulty of + finding accommodation in the inns is very great. I went to four, but + found them all full, and though I at last got into one, it was in + every respect inconvenient and uncomfortable; to-day, however, I have + taken a lodging for a month, two handsome chambers at about 25 + shillings per week. I do not like dark, gloomy places, as they + affect my poor spirits terribly. You will find the address farther + on, and I wish you to write to me, for I long so much to hear from my + dearest. Since I last wrote I have traversed nearly the whole + breadth of Germany. On leaving Strasbourg I passed through what is + called the Black Forest, a range of mountains covered with pine + forests; the scenery was grand and beautiful to a degree. I then + came to wide plains, which crossing I reached Ulm and Augsburg, which + last place, as you will see by the map, is in the heart of Germany. + It is celebrated for what is called the Confession of Augsburg: that + is, the declaration of faith which was published there by Luther and + the other reformers. I then went to Munich, a beautiful city, the + capital of the Kingdom of Bavaria, where there is a most noble + gallery of pictures; the porter is a giant about seven feet high. I + entered into discourse with him, and found him very good-natured and + communicative. From Munich I went to Ratisbon, a fine old place, and + there I embarked in a steamer which goes down the Danube, the noblest + river in Europe—you cannot conceive anything equal to the grandeur of + its banks. Almost all the way from Ratisbon to Vienna it runs + amongst huge mountains covered with forests from the top to the + bottom; the stream is wonderfully rapid, running like a mill flush; + the waters are whitish, being continually fed by the snows of the + Alps. Here and there upon the banks you see the ruins of old + castles, which add considerably to the effect of the scene; before + reaching Vienna, however, it leaves the mountains and spreads itself + over a wide plain, in the midst of which Vienna stands. Since I last + wrote to you I have had some strange adventures, but the strangest of + all is the following. + + We were two days in coming down the Danube, and the first night we + stopped at Lenz, a frontier town of Austria, in the heart of the + mountains. I was very tired and low-spirited, and, after looking + about the town a little while, I went to the inn where I had put up + and went to bed. The evening was dull, sultry and oppressive; the + room, however, where I lay, overlooked the Danube, and a refreshing + coolness came from the water through the window, which I had left + open. I had composed myself and was just falling to sleep, when I + was roused by a knock at the door. “Come in,” I cried, and a man in + a pair of high Hessian boots, and dressed in black, walked into the + room. I had seen him on board the steamer, and had held some + conversation with him in French about Spain, concerning which he + seemed very inquisitive. He held something in his hand which I could + not distinguish, as it was dark, so much so that I should have hardly + recognized the man himself but for his Hessian boots. He came + straight to the bed and seized my hand. “So it is you,” said he; “I + almost thought I recognized you on board the vessel by your manner of + discourse, but now I am certain: I have just seen your name below + inscribed by your own hand in the travellers’ book. How astonishing, + that I should thus have met the very person whom I have long had the + greatest desire to see!” “Who are you?” said I; “I have not the + pleasure of knowing you.” “I am the Dean of Ratisbon,” said he; “and + I come to beg, as the greatest of favours, that you would condescend + to write your name in this book, which I always carry about with me + when I travel.” He then put into my hand Murray’s cheap edition of + “The Bible in Spain,” and, ringing the bell, called for a light. “I + am a Roman Catholic,” said he, “but I know how to appreciate genius, + especially such as yours. Whenever you set foot in Ratisbon again, + pray, pray take up your abode in my house . . .” + + Vienna is a very strange place; I do not much like it, but I think I + can settle down here for a month tolerably well, especially now I + have procured a nice lodging, and commence writing a little anew. + God grant that I may be successful; perhaps if I am I may yet see + better days, and get rid of the thoughts which have so long beset me. + Though I have been here only two days, I have already seen a great + deal, amongst other things the Emperor and the Empress; they go to + the royal chapel every morning, which, though in the palace, is open + to everybody. It is a small but beautiful chapel, very simple, with + a Christ on the Cross over the altar, a picture on the right hand + side, and Maria with her crown of rays on the left; four tall + Heyduks, or Hungarian soldiers, stand in front of the altar, with + their backs to the people and their faces to the officiating priests. + The singing was admirable; the _theatre band_, which is perhaps the + best in the world, being all there, it was so powerful that the + voices of the priests could scarcely be heard. The Emperor sat in a + kind of covered gallery, his head and the upper part of his body + visible through a window; when the service was over, however, I had a + full view of him. I stood in one of the ante-rooms, through which he + passed to the interior of the palace; the Empress was at his right + hand. He is a small, diminutive man, not much more than five feet + high; his features, however, are pleasing and good-humoured. The + Empress is a head and shoulders taller, and is about the finest woman + I ever saw; she looked what she is—Empress of one of the most + powerful nations of the world. What a beautiful country is Germany, + in every point of view superior to France, which is anything but + beautiful. Notwithstanding its inhabitants call it “the lovely + country,” I have traversed it from south to north, and from west to + east, and have scarcely seen anything pretty about it, save + Versailles, and that is all art, whereas in this country you see not + a trace of art, nothing but wild and beautiful nature. The people, + moreover, are kind and good, and not continually boasting of + themselves and country like the French. About nine days ago I wrote + to my dear mother from Augsburg; I hope she received the letter, and + that she informed you, my dearest, as I entreated her to do. I am + now a great way from you; Vienna is one of the cities in Europe the + most distant from England, double as far as Madrid, and more remote + even than St. Petersburg; it is about one thousand miles from Paris. + The Austrians are quite a distinct race, differing very much from the + Prussians and the people of the North of Germany. You scarcely see + any foreigners here—few English or French—it is too far for a common + trip, and the means of conveyance much more slow than in other parts. + From here (D.V.) I intend to go to Hungary, which is close by, being + only a day’s journey down the Danube; and from thence, when I have + spoken with the Gypsies, I shall make the best of my way to + Constantinople, and then home by Russia. I want, if I possibly can, + to compose my poor mind, for it is no use running about countries + unless the mind is at rest. I knew that before I left home, but I + had become so unsettled and wretched, as you know, that I could not + rest or do anything; the last winter did me no good, and, indeed, we + have all of us some reason to remember it. I go on taking those + homœopathic globules, but whether they are of any use or effect I can + scarcely say; there is one thing, however, which I am sure is of much + greater use and comfort to me—it is the little book which my dearest + gave me when I left her; I look into it every morning, and sometimes + twice or thrice a day. I have done everything you bid me when I set + out, and I hope to God that when I return I shall find you well. You + are almost my only comfort here on earth, and without you I feel that + I should be lost and wild, and my sensations, alas, never deceive me. + I hope that in a week or two my dear mother will come over and see + you, and that she will be a comfort to you, and you to her; poor, + dear thing, she loves you, as well she has right, for a kind, dear, + and true wife you have been to her son. Take care of those —, _leurs + oreilles sont toujours ouvertes_. Don’t let us be blinded a third + time. I hope all the animals are well. I saw to-day in the street + two enormous parrots or mackaws to sell—one was quite white, and the + other red. I thought of poor, dear Hen.; I am making a collection of + coins for her, gold and silver, and I hope at my return to bring her + some French, Turkish, and Russian money. I shall be glad to get + home, for it is doleful to be alone, especially at night; I have, + however, your little book, which I take in my hand, and which + frequently puts me to sleep. And now, my Carreta, I must conclude, + having said all I have to say for the present. This is my + direction:— + + Mr. Borrow, + Chez Mr. Guglielmi, + Rothenthurmstrasse No 642, 3. étage, + Vienna, + Austria. + + God bless you, my dearest; I should like to hear from you. You will + probably receive this in about ten days, so that I could have an + answer from you before I leave. Kiss Hen. remember me to dear Lucy + and Mr. and Mrs. Utting; and God bless you. + + G. B. + +In June he is in Buda Pesth, whence he wrote to his wife: + + TO MRS. GEORGE BORROW, OULTON, LOWESTOFT + + PESTH, HUNGARY, 14_th_ _June_ 1844. + + MY DEAREST CARRETA,—I was so glad to get your letter which reached me + about nine days ago; on receiving it, I instantly made preparations + for quitting Vienna, but owing to two or three things which delayed + me, I did not get away till the 20th; I hope that you received the + last letter which I sent, as I doubt not that you are all anxious to + hear from me. You cannot think how anxious I am to get back to you, + but since I am already come so far, it will not do to return before + my object is accomplished. Heaven knows that I do not travel for + travelling’s sake, having a widely different object in view. I came + from Vienna here down the Danube, but I daresay I shall not go + farther by the river, but shall travel through the country to + Bucharest in Wallachia, which is the next place I intend to visit; + but Hungary is a widely different country to Austria, not at all + civilised, no coaches, etc., but only carts and wagons; however, it + is all the same thing to me as I am quite used to rough it; Bucharest + is about three hundred miles from here; the country, as I have said + before, is wild, but the people are quite harmless—it is only in + Spain that any danger is to be feared from your fellow creatures. In + Bucharest I shall probably stay a fortnight. I have a letter to a + French gentleman there from Baron Taylor. Pesth is very much like + Edinburgh—there is an old and a new town, and it is only the latter + which is called Pesth, the name of the old is Buda, which stands on + the side of an enormous mountain overlooking the new town, the Danube + running between. The two towns together contain about 120,000 + inhabitants; I delivered the letter which dear Woodfall was kind + enough to send; it was to a person, a Scotchman, who is + superintending in the building of the chain bridge over the Danube; + he is a very nice person, and has shown me every kind of civility; + indeed, every person here is very civil; yesterday I dined at the + house of a rich Greek; the dinner was magnificent, the only drawback + was that they pressed me too much to eat and drink; there was a deal + of champagne, and they would make me drink it till I was almost sick, + for it is a wine that I do not like, being far too sweet. Since I + have been here I have bathed twice in the Danube, and find myself + much the better for it; I both sleep and eat better than I did. I + have also been about another chapter, and get on tolerably well; were + I not so particular I should get on faster, but I wish that + everything that I write in this next be first rate. Tell Mama that + this chapter begins with a dialogue between her and my father; I have + likewise contrived to bring in the poor old dog in a manner which I + think will be interesting. I began this letter some days ago, but + have been so pleasantly occupied that I have made little progress + till now. Clarke, poor fellow, does not know how to make enough of + me. He says he could scarcely believe his eyes when he first + received the letter, as he has just got _The Bible in Spain_ from + England, and was reading it. This is the 17th, and in a few days I + start for a place called Debreczen, from whence I shall proceed + gradually on my journey. The next letter which you receive will + probably be from Transylvania, the one after that from Bucharest, and + the third D.V. from Constantinople. If you like you may write to + Constantinople, directing it to the care of the English Ambassador, + but be sure to pay the postage. + + Before I left Vienna Baron Hammer, the great Orientalist, called upon + me; his wife was just dead, poor thing, which prevented him showing + me all the civility which he would otherwise have done. He took me + to the Imperial Library. Both my books were there, _Gypsies_ and + _Bible_. He likewise procured me a ticket to see the Imperial + treasure. (Tell Henrietta that I saw there the diamond of Charles + the Bold; it is as large as a walnut.) I likewise saw the finest + opal, as I suppose, in the world; it was the size of a middling pear; + there was likewise a hyacinth as big as a swan’s egg; I likewise saw + a pearl so large that they had wrought the figure of a cock out of + it, and the cock was somewhat more than an inch high, but the thing + which struck me most was the sword of Tamerlane, generally called + Timour the Tartar; both the hilt and scabbard were richly adorned + with diamonds and emeralds, but I thought more of the man than I did + of them, for he was the greatest conqueror the world ever saw (I have + spoken of him in _Lavengro_ in the chapter about David Haggart). + Nevertheless, although I have seen all these fine things, I shall be + glad to get back to my Carreta and my darling mother and to dear Hen. + From Debreczen I hope to write to kind dear Woodfall, and to Lord + from Constantinople. I must likewise write to Hasfeld. The mulct of + thirty pounds upon Russian passports is only intended for the + subjects of Russia. I see by the journals that the Emperor has been + in England; I wonder what he is come about; however, the less I say + about that the better, as I shall soon be in his country. Tell Hen + that I have got her a large piece of Austrian gold money, worth about + forty-two shillings; it is quite new and very handsome; considerably + wider than the Spanish ounce, only not near so thick, as might be + expected, being of considerably less value; when I get to + Constantinople I will endeavour to get a Turkish gold coin. I have + also got a new Austrian silver dollar and a half one; these are + rather cumbersome, and I don’t care much about them—as for the large + gold coin, I carry it in my pocket-book, which has been of great use + to me hitherto. I have not yet lost anything, only a pocket + handkerchief or two as usual; but I was obliged to buy two other + shirts at Vienna; the weather is so hot, that it is quite necessary + to change them every other day; they were beautiful linen ones, and I + think you will like them when you see. I shall be so glad to get + home and continue, if possible, my old occupation. I hope my next + book will sell; one comfort is that nothing like it has ever been + published before. I hope you all get on comfortably, and that you + catch some fish. I hope my dear mother is well, and that she will + continue with you till the end of July at least; ah! that is my + month, I was born in it, it is the pleasantest month in the year; + would to God that my fate had worn as pleasant an aspect as the month + in which I was born. God bless you all. Write to me, _to the care + of the British Embassy_, Constantinople. Kind remembrances to + Pilgrim. + +In the intervening journey between Pesth and Constantinople he must have +talked long and wandered far and wide among the gypsies, for Charles L. +Brace in his _Hungary in_ 1851 gives us a glimpse of him at Grosswardein +holding conversation with the gypsies: + + They described his appearance—his tall, lank, muscular form—and + mentioned that he had been much in Spain, and I saw that it must be + that most ubiquitous of travellers, Mr. Borrow. + +The four following letters require no comment: + + TO MRS. GEORGE BORROW, OULTON, LOWESTOFT + + DEBRECZEN, HUNGARY, 8_th_ _July_ 1844. + + MY DARLING CARRETA,—I write to you from Debreczen, a town in the + heart of Hungary, where I have been for the last fortnight with the + exception of three days during which I was making a journey to Tokay, + which is about forty miles distant. My reason for staying here so + long was my liking the place where I have experienced every kind of + hospitality; almost all the people in these parts are Protestants, + and they are so fond of the very name of Englishman that when one + arrives they scarcely know how to make enough of him; it is well the + place is so remote that very few are ever seen here, perhaps not + oftener than once in ten years, for if some of our scamps and swell + mob were once to find their way there the good people of Hungary + would soon cease to have much respect for the English in general; as + it is they think that they are all men of honour and accomplished + gentlemen whom it becomes them to receive well in order that they may + receive from them lessons in civilisation; I wonder what they would + think if they were to meet such fellows as Squarem and others whom I + could mention. I find my knowledge of languages here of great use, + and the people are astonished to hear me speak French, Italian, + German, Russian, and occasionally Gypsy. I have already met with + several Gypsies; those who live abroad in the wildernesses are quite + black; the more civilised wander about as musicians, playing on the + fiddle, at which they are very expert, they speak the same languages + as those in England, with slight variations, and upon the whole they + understand me very well. Amongst other places I have been to Tokay, + where I drank some of the wine. I am endeavouring to bring two or + three bottles to England, for I thought of my mother and yourself and + Hen., and I have got a little wooden case made; it is very sweet and + of a pale straw colour; whether I shall be able to manage it I do not + know; however, I shall make the attempt. At Tokay the wine is only + two shillings the bottle, and I have a great desire that you should + taste some of it. I sincerely hope that we shall soon all meet + together in health and peace. I shall be glad enough to get home, + but since I am come so far it is as well to see as much as possible. + Would you think it, the Bishop of Debreczen came to see me the other + day and escorted me about the town, followed by all the professors of + the college; this was done merely because I was an Englishman and a + Protestant, for here they are almost all of the reformed religion and + full of love and enthusiasm for it. It is probable that you will + hear from Woodfall in a day or two; the day before yesterday I wrote + to him and begged him to write to you to let you know, as I am + fearful of a letter miscarrying and your being uneasy. This is + unfortunately post day and I must send away the letter in a very + little time, so that I cannot say all to you that I could wish; I + shall stay here about a week longer, and from here shall make the + best of my way to Transylvania and Bucharest; I shall stay at + Bucharest about a fortnight, and shall then dash off for + Constantinople—I shan’t stay there long—but when once there it + matters not as it is a civilised country from which start steamers to + any part where you may want to go. I hope to receive a letter from + you there. You cannot imagine what pleasure I felt when I got your + last. Oh, it was such a comfort to me! I shall have much to tell + you when I get back. Yesterday I went to see a poor wretch who is + about to be hanged; he committed a murder here two years ago, and the + day after tomorrow he is to be executed—they expose the people here + who are to suffer three days previous to their execution—I found him + in a small apartment guarded by soldiers, with hundreds of people + staring at him through the door and the windows; I was admitted into + the room as I went with two officers; he had an enormous chain about + his waist and his feet were manacled; he sat smoking a pipe; he was, + however, very penitent, and said that he deserved to die, as well he + might; he had murdered four people, beating out their brains with a + club; he was without work, and requested of an honest man here to + receive him into his house one night until the morning. In the + middle of the night he got up, and with his brother, who was with + him, killed every person in the house and then plundered it; two days + after, he was taken; his brother died in prison; I gave him a little + money, and the gentleman who was with me gave him some good advice; + he looked most like a wild beast, a huge mantle of skin covered his + body; for nine months he had not seen the daylight; but now he is + brought out into a nice clean apartment, and allowed to have + everything he asks for, meat, wine, tobacco—nothing is refused him + during these last three days. I cannot help thinking that it is a + great cruelty to keep people so long in so horrid a situation; it is + two years nearly since he has been condemned. Do not be anxious if + you do not hear from me regularly for some time. There is no escort + post in the countries to which I am going. God bless my mother, + yourself, and Hen. + + G. B. + + * * * * * + + TO MRS. GEORGE BORROW, OULTON, LOWESTOFT + + HERMANSTADT, _July_ 30, 1844. + + MY DEAREST CARRETA,—I write to you a line or two from this place; it + is close upon the frontier of Wallachia. I hope to be in Bucharest + in a few days—I have stopped here for a day owing to some difficulty + in getting horses—I shall hasten onward as quick as possible. In + Bucharest there is an English Consul, so that I shall feel more at + home than I do here. I am only a few miles now from the termination + of the Austrian dominions, their extent is enormous, the whole length + of Hungary and Transylvania; I shall only stay a few days in + Bucharest and shall then dash off straight for Constantinople; I have + no time to lose as there is a high ridge of mountains to cross called + the Balkans, where the winter commences at the beginning of + September. I thought you would be glad to hear from me, on which + account I write. I sent off a letter about a week ago from + Klausenburg, which I hope you will receive. I have written various + times from Hungary, though whether the letters have reached you is + more than I can say. I wrote to Woodfall from Debreczen. I have + often told you how glad I shall be to get home and see you again. If + I have tarried, it has only been because I wished to see and learn as + much as I could, for it was no use coming to such a distance for + nothing. By the time I return I shall have made a most enormous + journey, such as very few have made. The place from which I write is + very romantic, being situated at the foot of a ridge of enormous + mountains which extend to the clouds, they look higher than the + Pyrenees. My health, thank God, is very good. I bathed to-day and + feel all the better for it; I hope you are getting on well, and that + all our dear family is comfortable. I hope my dear mother is well. + Oh, it is so pleasant to hope that I am still not alone in the world, + and that there are those who love and care for me and pray for me. I + shall be very glad to get to Constantinople, as from there there is + no difficulty; and a great part of the way to Russia is by sea, and + when I am in Russia I am almost at home. I shall write to you again + from Bucharest if it please God. It is not much more than eighty + miles from here, but the way lies over mountains, so that the journey + will take three or four days. We travel here in tilted carts drawn + by ponies; the carts are without springs, so that one is terribly + shaken. It is, however, very healthy, especially when one has a + strong constitution. The carts are chiefly made of sticks and + wickerwork; they are, of course, very slight, and indeed if they were + not so they would soon go to pieces owing to the jolting. I read + your little book every morning; it is true that I am sometimes wrong + with respect to the date, but I soon get right again; oh, I shall be + so glad to see you and my mother and old Hen. and Lucy and the whole + dear circle. I hope Crups is well, and the horse. Oh, I shall be so + glad to come back. God bless you, my heart’s darling, and dear Hen.; + kiss her for me, and my mother. + + GEORGE BORROW. + + * * * * * + + TO MRS. GEORGE BORROW, OULTON, LOWESTOFT + + BUCHAREST, _August_ 5, 1844. + + MY DEAREST CARRETA,—I write you a few lines from the house of the + Consul, Mr. Colquhoun, to inform you that I arrived at Bucharest + quite safe: the post leaves to-day, and Mr. C. has kindly permitted + me to send a note along with the official despatches. I am quite + well, thank God, but I thought you would like to hear from me. + Bucharest is in the province of Wallachia and close upon the Turkish + frontier. I shall remain here a week or two as I find the place a + very interesting one; then I shall proceed to Constantinople. I + wrote to you from Hermanstadt last week and the week previous from + Clausenburgh, and before I leave I shall write again, and not so + briefly as now. I have experienced every possible attention from Mr. + C., who is a very delightful person, and indeed everybody is very + kind and attentive. I hope sincerely that you and Hen. are quite + well and happy, and also my dear mother. God bless you, dearest. + + GEORGE BORROW. + + * * * * * + + TO MRS. GEORGE BORROW, OULTON, LOWESTOFT + + BUCHAREST, _August_ 14, 1844. + + MY DARLING CARRETA,—To-morrow or the next day I leave Bucharest for + Constantinople. I wrote to you on my arrival a few days ago, and + promise to write again before my departure. I shall not be sorry to + get to Constantinople, as from thence I can go wherever I think + proper without any difficulty. Since I have been here, Mr. + Colquhoun, the British Consul-General, has shown me every civility, + and upon the whole I have not passed the time disagreeably. I have + been chiefly occupied of late in rubbing up my Turkish a little, + which I had almost forgotten; there was a time when I wrote it better + than any other language. It is coming again rapidly, and I make no + doubt that in a little time I should speak it almost as well as + Spanish, for I understand the groundwork. In Hungary and Germany I + picked up some curious books, which will help to pass the time at + home when I have nothing better to do. It is a long way from here to + Constantinople, and it is probable that I shall be fifteen or sixteen + days on the journey, as I do not intend to travel very fast. It is + possible that I shall stay a day or two at Adrianople, which is half + way. If you should not hear from me for some time don’t be alarmed, + as it is possible that I shall have no opportunities of writing till + I get to Constantinople. Bucharest, where I am now, is close on the + Turkish frontier, being only half a day’s journey. Since I have been + here, I have bought a Tartar dress and a couple of Turkish shirts. I + have done so in order not to be stared at as I pass along. It is + very beautiful and by no means dear. Yesterday I wrote to M. Since + I have been here I have seen some English newspapers, and see that + chap H. has got in with M. Perhaps his recommendation was that he + had once insulted us. However, God only knows. I think I had never + much confidence in M. I can read countenances as you know, and have + always believed him to be selfish and insincere. I, however, care + nothing about him, and will not allow, D.V., any conduct of his to + disturb me. I shall be glad to get home, and if I can but settle + down a little, I feel that I can accomplish something great. I hope + that my dear mother is well, and that you are all well. God bless + you. It is something to think that since I have been away I have to + a certain extent accomplished what I went about. I am stronger and + better and hardier, my cough has left me, there is only occasionally + a little huskiness in the throat. I have also increased my stock of + languages, and my imagination is brightened. Bucharest is a strange + place with much grandeur and much filth. Since I have been here I + have dined almost every day with Mr. C., who wants me to have an + apartment in his house. I thought it, however, better to be at an + inn, though filthy. I have also dined once at the Russian + Consul-General’s, whom I knew in Russia. Now God bless you my + heart’s darling; kiss also Hen., write to my mother, and remember me + to all friends. + + G. BORROW. + +The best letter that I have of this journey, and indeed the best letter +of Borrow’s that I have read, is one from Constantinople to his wife—the +only letter by him from that city: + + TO MRS. GEORGE BORROW, OULTON, LOWESTOFT + + CONSTANTINOPLE, 16_th_ _September_ 1844. + + MY DARLING CARRETA,—I am about to leave Constantinople and to return + home. I have given up the idea of going to Russia; I find that if I + go to Odessa I shall have to remain in quarantine for fourteen days, + which I have no inclination to do; I am, moreover, anxious to get + home, being quite tired of wandering, and desirous of being once more + with my loved ones. This is a most interesting place, but + unfortunately it is extremely dear. The Turks have no inns, and I am + here at an English one, at which, though everything is comfortable, + the prices are very high. To-day is Monday, and next Friday I + purpose starting for Salonica in a steamboat—Salonica is in Albania. + I shall then cross Albania, a journey of about three hundred miles, + and get to Corfu, from which I can either get to England across Italy + and down the Rhine, or by way of Marseilles and across France. I + shall not make any stay in Italy if I go there, as I have nothing to + see there. I shall be so glad to be at home with you once again, and + to see my dear mother and Hen. Tell Hen. that I picked up for her in + one of the bazaars a curious Armenian coin; it is silver, small, but + thick, with a most curious inscription upon it. I gave fifteen + piastres for it. I hope it and the rest will get safe to England. I + have bought a chest, which I intend to send by sea, and I have picked + up a great many books and other things, and I wish to travel light; I + shall, therefore, only take a bag with a few clothes and shirts. It + is possible that I shall be at home soon after your receiving this, + or at most three weeks after. I hope to write to you again from + Corfu, which is a British island with a British garrison in it, like + Gibraltar; the English newspapers came last week. I see those + wretched French cannot let us alone, they want to go to war; well, + let them; they richly deserve a good drubbing. The people here are + very kind in their way, but home is home, especially such a one as + mine, with true hearts to welcome me. Oh, I was so glad to get your + letters; they were rather of a distant date, it is true, but they + quite revived me. I hope you are all well, and my dear mother. + Since I have been here I have written to Mr. Lord. I was glad to + hear that he has written to Hen. I hope Lucy is well; pray remember + me most kindly to her, and tell her that I hope to see her soon. I + count so of getting into my summer-house again, and sitting down to + write; I have arranged my book in my mind, and though it will take me + a great deal of trouble to write it, I feel that when it is written + it will be first-rate. My journey, with God’s help, has done me a + great deal of good. I am stronger than I was, and I can now sleep. + I intend to draw on England for forty or fifty pounds; if I don’t + want the whole of it, it will be all the same. I have still some + money left, but I have no wish to be stopped on my journey for want + of it. I am sorry about what you told me respecting the railway, + sorry that the old coach is driven off the road. I shall patronise + it as little as possible, but stick to the old route and Thurton + George. What a number of poor people will these railroads deprive of + their bread. I am grieved at what you say about poor M.; he can take + her into custody, however, and oblige her to support the children; + such is law, though the property may have been secured to her, she + can be compelled to do that. Tell Hen. that there is a mosque here, + called the mosque of Sultan Bajazet; it is full of sacred pigeons; + there is a corner of the court to which the creatures flock to be + fed, like bees, by hundreds and thousands; they are not at all + afraid, as they are never killed. Every place where they can roost + is covered with them, their impudence is great; they sprang + originally from two pigeons brought from Asia by the Emperor of + Constantinople. They are of a deep blue. God bless you, dearest. + + G. B. + +He returned home by way of Venice and Rome as the following two letters +indicate: + + TO MRS. GEORGE BORROW, OULTON, LOWESTOFT + + VENICE, 22_nd_ _Octr._ 1844. + + MY DEAREST CARRETA,—I arrived this day at Venice, and though I am + exceedingly tired I hasten to write a line to inform you of my + well-being. I am now making for home as fast as possible, and I have + now nothing to detain me. Since I wrote to you last I have been + again in quarantine for two days and a half at Trieste, but I am glad + to say that I shall no longer be detained on that account. I was + obliged to go to Trieste, though it was much out of my way, otherwise + I must have remained I know not how long in Corfu, waiting for a + direct conveyance. After my liberation I only stopped a day at Corfu + in order that I might lose no more time, though I really wished to + tarry there a little longer, the people were so kind. On the day of + my liberation, I had four invitations to dinner from the officers. + I, however, made the most of my time, and escorted by one Captain + Northcott, of the Rifles, went over the fortifications, which are + most magnificent. I saw everything that I well could, and shall + never forget the kindness with which I was treated. The next day I + went to Trieste in a steamer, down the whole length of the Adriatic. + I was horribly unwell, for the Adriatic is a bad sea, and very + dangerous; the weather was also very rough; after stopping at Trieste + a day, besides the quarantine, I left for Venice, and here I am, and + hope to be on my route again the day after to-morrow. I shall now + hurry through Italy by way of Ancona, Rome, and Civita Vecchia to + Marseilles in France and from Marseilles to London, in not more than + six days’ journey. Oh, I shall be so glad to get back to you and my + mother (I hope she is alive and well) and Hen. I am glad to hear + that we are not to have war with those silly people, the French. The + idea made me very uneasy, for I thought how near Oulton lay to the + coast. You cannot imagine what a magnificent old town Venice is; it + is clearly the finest in Italy, although in decay; it stands upon + islands in the sea, and in many places is intersected with canals. + The Grand Canal is four miles long, lined with palaces on either + side. I, however, shall be glad to leave it, for there is no place + to me like Oulton, where live two of my dear ones. I have told you + that I am very tired, so that I cannot write much more, and I am + presently going to bed, but I am sure that you will be glad to hear + from me, however little I may write. I think I told you in my last + letter that I had been to the top of Mount Olympus in Thessaly. Tell + Hen. that I saw a whole herd of wild deer bounding down the cliffs, + the noise they made was like thunder; I also saw an enormous + eagle—one of Jupiter’s birds, his real eagles, for, according to the + Grecian mythology, Olympus was his favourite haunt. I don’t know + what it was then, but at present the most wild savage place I ever + saw; an immense way up I came to a forest of pines; half of them were + broken by thunderbolts, snapped in the middle, and the ruins lying + around in the most hideous confusion; some had been blasted from top + to bottom and stood naked, black, and charred, in indescribable + horridness; Jupiter was the god of thunder, and he still seems to + haunt Olympus. The worst is there is little water, so that a person + might almost perish there of thirst; the snow-water, however, when it + runs into the hollows is the most delicious beverage ever tasted—the + snow, however, is very high up. My next letter, I hope, will be from + Marseilles, and I hope to be there in a very few days. Now, God + bless you, my dearest; write to my mother, and kiss Hen., and + remember me kindly to Lucy and the Atkinses. + + G. B. + + * * * * * + + TO MRS. GEORGE BORROW, OULTON, LOWESTOFT + + ROME, 1 _Nov._ 1844. + + MY DEAREST CARRETA,—My last letter was from Ancona; the present is, + as you see, from Rome. From Ancona I likewise wrote to Woodfall + requesting he would send a letter of credit for twelve or fifteen + pounds, directing to the care of the British Consul at Marseilles. I + hope you received your letter and that he received his, as by the + time I get to Marseilles I shall be in want of money by reason of the + roundabout way I have been obliged to come. I am quite well, thank + God, and hope to leave here in a day or two. It is close by the sea, + and France is close by, but I am afraid I shall be obliged to wait + some days at Marseilles before I shall get the letter, as the post + goes direct from no part of Italy, though it is not more than six + days’ journey, or seven at most, from Ancona to London. It was that + wretched quarantine at Corfu that has been the cause of all this + delay, as it caused me to lose the passage by the steamer [original + torn here] Ancona, which forced me to go round by Trieste and Venice, + five hundred miles out of my way, at a considerable expense. Oh, I + shall be so glad to get home. As I told you before, I am quite well; + indeed, in better health than I have been for years, but it is very + vexatious to be stopped in the manner I have been. God bless you, my + darling. Write to my mother and kiss her, + + G. BORROW. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV +LAVENGRO + + +_The Bible in Spain_ bears on its title-page the date 1843. In the +intervening eight or nine years he had travelled much—suffered much. +During all these years he had been thinking about, talking about, his +next book, making no secret of the fact that it was to be an +Autobiography. Even before _The Bible in Spain_ was issued he had +written to Mr. John Murray foreshadowing a book in which his father, +William Taylor, and others were to put in an appearance. In the +“Advertisement” to _The Romany Rye_ he tells us that “the principal part +of _Lavengro_ 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.” As the idea grew in his mind, +his friend, Richard Ford, gave him much sound advice: + + Never mind nimminy-pimminy people thinking subjects _low_. Things + are low in manner of handling. Draw Nature in rags and poverty, yet + draw her truly, and how picturesque! I hate your silver fork, kid + glove, curly-haired school. + +And so in the following years, now to Ford, now to Murray, he traces his +progress, while in 1844 he tells Dawson Turner that he is “at present +engaged in a kind of Biography in the Robinson Crusoe style.” But in the +same year he went to Buda-Pesth, Venice, and Constantinople. The first +advertisement of the book appeared in _The Quarterly Review_ in July, +1848, when _Lavengro_, _An Autobiography_, was announced. Later in the +same year Mr. Murray advertised the book as _Life_, _A Drama_, and Dr. +Knapp, who had in his collection the original proof-sheets of _Lavengro_, +reproduced the title-page of the book which then stood as _Life_, _A +Drama_, and bore the date 1849. Borrow’s procrastination in delivering +the complete book worried John Murray exceedingly. Not unnaturally, for +in 1848 he had offered the book at his annual sale dinner to the +booksellers who had subscribed to it liberally. Eighteen months later +Murray was still worrying Borrow for the return of the proof-sheets of +the third and last volume. Not until January, 1850, do we hear of it as +_Lavengro_, _An Autobiography_, and under this title it was advertised in +_The Quarterly Review_ for that month as “nearly ready for publication.” +In April, 1850, we find Woodfall, John Murray’s printer, writing letter +after letter urging celerity, to which Mrs. Borrow replies, excusing the +delay on account of her husband’s indifferent health. They have been +together in lodgings at Yarmouth. “He had many plunges into the briny +Ocean, which seemed to do him good.” Murray continued to exhort, but the +final chapter did not reach him. “My sale is fixed for December 12th,” +he writes in November, “and if I cannot show the book then I must throw +it up.” This threat had little effect, for on 13th December we find +Murray still coaxing his dilatory author, telling him with justice that +there were passages in his book “equal to Defoe.” The very printer, Mr. +Woodfall, joined in the chase. “The public is quite prepared to devour +your book,” he wrote, which was unhappily not the case. Nor was Ford a +happier prophet, although a true friend when he wrote—“I am sure it will +be _the_ book of the year when it is brought forth.” The activity of +Mrs. Borrow in this matter of the publication of _Lavengro_ is +interesting. “My husband . . . is, I assure you, doing all he can as +regards the completion of the book,” she writes to Mr. Murray in +December, 1849, and in November of the following year Murray writes to +her to say that he is engraving Phillips’s portrait of Borrow for the +book. “I think a cheering letter from you will do Mr. Borrow good,” she +writes later. Throughout the whole correspondence between publisher and +printer we are impressed by Mrs. Borrow’s keen interest in her husband’s +book, her anxiety that he should be humoured. Sadly did Borrow need to +be humoured, for if he had cherished the illusion that his book would +really be the “Book of the Year” he was to suffer a cruel disillusion. +Scarcely any one wanted it. All the critics abused it. In _The +Athenæum_ it was bluntly pronounced a failure. “The story of _Lavengro_ +will content no one,” said Sir William Stirling-Maxwell in _Fraser’s +Magazine_. The book “will add but little to Mr. Borrow’s reputation,” +said _Blackwood_. The only real insight into the book’s significance was +provided by Thomas Gordon Hake in a letter to _The New Monthly Review_, +in which journal the editor, Harrison Ainsworth, had already pronounced a +not very favourable opinion. “_Lavengro’s_ roots will strike deep into +the soil of English letters,” wrote Dr. Hake, and he then pronounced a +verdict now universally accepted. George Henry Lewes once happily +remarked that he would make an appreciation of Boswell’s _Life of +Johnson_ a test of friendship. Many of us would be almost equally +inclined to make such a test of Borrow’s _Lavengro_. Tennyson declared +that an enthusiasm for Milton’s _Lycidas_ was a touchstone of taste in +poetry. May we not say that an enthusiasm for Borrow’s _Lavengro_ is now +a touchstone of taste in English prose literature? + +But the reception of _Lavengro_ by the critics, and also by the public, +may be said to have destroyed Borrow’s moral fibre. Henceforth, it was a +soured and disappointed man who went forth to meet the world. We hear +much in the gossip of contemporaries of Borrow’s eccentricities, it may +be of his rudeness and gruffness, in the last years of his life. Only +those who can realise the personality of a self-contained man, conscious, +as all genius has ever been, of its achievement, and conscious also of +the failure of the world to recognise, will understand—and will +sympathise. + +Borrow, as we have seen, took many years to write _Lavengro_. “I am +writing the work,” he told Dawson Turner, “in precisely the same manner +as _The Bible in Spain_, viz., on blank sheets of old account-books, +backs of letters, etc.,” and he recalls Mahomet writing the Koran on +mutton bones as an analogy to his own “slovenliness of manuscript.” I +have had plenty of opportunity of testing this slovenliness in the +collection of manuscripts of portions of _Lavengro_ that have come into +my possession. These are written upon pieces of paper of all shapes and +sizes, although at least a third of the book in Borrow’s very neat +handwriting is contained in a leather notebook, of which I give examples +of the title-page and opening leaf in facsimile. The title-page +demonstrates the earliest form of Borrow’s conception. Not only did he +then contemplate an undisguised autobiography, but even described +himself, as he frequently did in his conversation, as “a Norfolk man.” +Before the book was finished, however, he repudiated the autobiographical +note, and by the time he sat down to write _The Romany Rye_ we find him +fiercely denouncing his critics for coming to such a conclusion. “The +writer,” he declares, “never said it was an autobiography; never +authorised any person to say it was one.” Which was doubtless true, in a +measure. Yet I find among my Borrow Papers the following letter from +Whitwell Elwin, who, writing from Booton Rectory on 21st October, 1853, +and addressing him as “My dear Mr. Borrow,” said: + + I hoped to have been able to call upon you at Yarmouth, but a heavy + cold first, and now occupation, have interfered with my intentions. + I daresay you have seen the mention made of your _Lavengro_ in the + article on Haydon in the current number of _The Quarterly Review_, + and I thought you might like to know that every syllable, both + comment and extract, was inserted by the writer (a man little given + to praise) of his own _accord_. Murray sent him your book, and that + was all. No addition or modification was made by myself, and it is + therefore the unbiassed judgment of a _very critical_ reviewer. + Whenever you appear again before the public I shall endeavour to do + ample justice to your past and present merits, and there is one point + in which you could aid those who understand you and your books in + bringing over general readers to your side. I was myself acquainted + with many of the persons you have sketched in your _Lavengro_, and I + can testify to the extraordinary vividness and accuracy of the + portraits. What I have seen, again, of yourself tells me that + romantic adventures are your natural element, and I should _a priori_ + expect that much of your history would be stranger than fiction. But + you must remember that the bulk of readers have no personal + acquaintance with you, or the characters you describe. The + consequence is that they fancy there is an immensity of romance mixed + up with the facts, and they are irritated by the inability to + distinguish between them. I am confident, from all I have heard, + that this was the source of the comparatively cold reception of + _Lavengro_. I should have partaken the feeling myself if I had not + had the means of testing the fidelity of many portions of the book, + from which I inferred the equal fidelity of the rest. I think you + have the remedy in your own hands, viz., by giving the utmost + possible matter-of-fact air to your sequel. I do not mean that you + are to tame down the truth, but some ways of narrating a story make + it seem more credible than others, and if you were so far to defer to + the ignorance of the public they would enter into the full spirit of + your rich and racy narrative. You naturally look at your life from + your own point of view, and this in itself is the best; but when you + publish a book you invite the reader to participate in the events of + your career, and it is necessary then to look a little at things from + _his_ point of view. As he has not your knowledge you must stoop to + him. I throw this out for your consideration. My sole wish is that + the public should have a right estimate of you, and surely you ought + to do what is in your power to help them to it. I know you will + excuse the liberty I take in offering this crude suggestion. Take it + for what it is worth, but anyhow . . . + +To this letter, as we learn from Elwin’s _Life_, “instead of roaring like +a lion,” as Elwin had expected, he returned quite a “lamb-like note.” + +Read by the light in which we all judge the book to-day, this estimate by +Elwin was about as fatuous as most contemporary criticisms of a +masterpiece. Which is only to say that it is rarely given to +contemporary critics to judge accurately of the great work that comes to +them amid a mass that is not great. That Elwin, although not a good +editor of Pope, was a sound critic of the literature of a period anterior +to his own is demonstrated by the admirable essays from his pen that have +been reprinted with an excellent memoir of him by his son. In this +memoir we have a capital glimpse of our hero: + + Among the notables whom he had met was Borrow, whose _Lavengro_ and + _Romany Rye_ he afterwards reviewed in 1857 under the title of + “Roving Life in England.” Their interview was characteristic of + both. Borrow was just then very sore with his snarling critics, and + on some one mentioning that Elwin was a _quartering_ reviewer, he + said, “Sir, I wish you a better employment.” Then hastily changing + the subject he called out, “What party are _you_ in the + Church—Tractarian, Moderate, or Evangelical? I am happy to say I am + the old _High_.” “I am happy to say I am _not_,” was Elwin’s + emphatic reply. Borrow boasted of his proficiency in the Norfolk + dialect, which he endeavoured to speak as broadly as possible. “I + told him,” said Elwin, “that he had not cultivated it with his usual + success.” As the conversation proceeded it became less disputatious, + and the two ended by becoming so cordial that they promised to visit + each other. Borrow fulfilled his promise in the following October, + when he went to Booton, and was “full of anecdote and reminiscence,” + and delighted the rectory children by singing them songs in the gypsy + tongue. Elwin during this visit urged him to try his hand at an + article for the _Review_. “Never,” he said; “I have made a + resolution never to have anything to do with such a blackguard + trade.” + +While writing of Whitwell Elwin and his association with Borrow, which +was sometimes rather strained as we shall see when _The Romany Rye_ comes +to be published, it is interesting to turn to Elwin’s final impression of +Borrow, as conveyed in a letter which the recipient has kindly placed at +my disposal. It was written from Booton Rectory, and is dated 27th +October, 1893: + + I used occasionally to meet Borrow at the house of Mr. Murray, his + publisher, and he once stayed with me here for two or three days + about 1855. He always seemed to me quite at ease “among refined + people,” and I should not have ascribed his dogmatic tone, when he + adopted it, to his resentment at finding himself out of keeping with + his society. A spirit of self-assertion was engrained in him, and it + was supported by a combative temperament. As he was proud of his + bodily prowess, and rather given to parade it, so he took the same + view of an argument as of a battle with fists, and thought that + manliness required him to be determined and unflinching. But this, + in my experience of him, was not his ordinary manner, which was calm + and companionable, without rudeness of any kind, unless some + difference occurred to provoke his pugnacity. I have witnessed + instances of his care to avoid wounding feelings needlessly. He + never kept back his opinions which, on some points, were shallow and + even absurd; and when his antagonist was as persistently positive as + himself, he was apt to be over vehement in contradiction. I have + heard Mr. Murray say that once in a dispute with Dr. Whewell at a + dinner the language on both sides grew so fiery that Mrs. Whewell + fainted. + + He told me that his composition cost him a vast amount of labour, + that his first draughts were diffuse and crude, and that he wrote his + productions several times before he had condensed and polished them + to his mind. There is nothing choicer in the English language than + some of his narratives, descriptions, and sketches of character, but + in his best books he did not always prune sufficiently, and in his + last work, _Wild Wales_, he seemed to me to have lost the faculty + altogether. Mr. Murray long refused to publish it unless it was + curtailed, and Borrow, with his usual self-will and self-confidence, + refused to retrench the trivialities. Either he got his own way in + the end, or he revised his manuscript to little purpose. + + Probably most of what there was to tell of Borrow has been related by + himself. It is a disadvantage in _Lavengro_ and _Romany Rye_ that we + cannot with certainty separate fact from fiction, for he avowed in + talk that, like Goethe, he had assumed the right in the interests of + his autobiographical narrative to embellish it in places; but the + main outline, and larger part of the details, are the genuine record + of what he had seen and done, and I can testify that some of his + minor personages who were known to me in my boyhood are described + with perfect accuracy. + +Two letters by Mr. Elwin to Borrow, from my Borrow Papers, both dated +1853—two years after _Lavengro_ was written—may well have place here: + + TO GEORGE BORROW, ESQ. + + BOOTON, NORWICH, _Oct._ 26, 1853. + + MY DEAR MR. BORROW,—I shall be rejoiced to see you here, and I hope + you will fasten a little luggage to the bow of your saddle, and spend + as much time under my roof as you can spare. I am always at home. + Mrs. Elwin is sure to be in the house or garden, and I, at the worst, + not further off than the extreme boundary of my parish. Pray come + and that quickly. Your shortest road from Norwich is through + Horsford, and from thence to the park wall of Haverland Hall, which + you skirt. This will bring you out by a small wayside public house, + well known in these parts, called “The Rat-catchers.” At this point + you turn sharp to the left, and keep the straight road till you come + to a church with a new red brick house adjoining, which is your + journey’s end. + + The conclusion of your note to me is so true in sentiment, and so + admirable in expression, that I hope you will introduce it into your + next work. I wish it had been said in the article on Haydon. Cannot + you strew such criticisms through the sequel to _Lavengro_? They + would give additional charm and value to the work. Believe me, very + truly yours, + + W. ELWIN. + + You are of course aware that if _I_ had spoken of _Lavengro_ in the + _Q. R._ I should have said much more, but as I hoped for my turn + hereafter, I preferred to let the passage go forth unadulterated. + + * * * * * + + TO GEORGE BORROW, ESQ. + + BOOTON RECTORY, NORWICH, _Nov._ 5, 1853. + + MY DEAR MR. BORROW,—You bore your mishap with a philosophic patience, + and started with an energy which gives the best earnest that you + would arrive safe and sound at Norwich. + + I was happy to find yesterday morning, by the arrival of your kind + present, a sure notification that you were well home. + + Many thanks for the tea, which we drink with great zest and + diligence. My legs are not as long as yours, nor my breath either. + You soon made me feel that I must either turn back or be left behind, + so I chose the former. Mrs. Elwin and my children desire their kind + regards. They one and all enjoyed your visit. Believe me, very + truly yours, + + W. ELWIN. + +I have said that I possess large portions of _Lavengro_ in manuscript. +Borrow’s always helpful wife, however, copied out the whole manuscript +for the publishers, and this “clean copy” came to Dr. Knapp, who found +even here a few pages of very valuable writing deleted, and these he has +very rightly restored in Mr. Murray’s edition of _Lavengro_. Why Borrow +took so much pains to explain that his wife had copied _Lavengro_, as the +following document implies, I cannot think. I find in his handwriting +this scrap of paper signed by Mary Borrow, and witnessed by her daughter: + + _Janry._ 30, 1869, + + This is to certify that I transcribed _The Bible in Spain_, + _Lavengro_, and some other works of my husband George Borrow, from + the original manuscripts. A considerable portion of the transcript + of _Lavengro_ was lost at the printing-office where the work was + printed. + + MARY BORROW. + + Witness: Henrietta M., daughter of Mary Borrow. + +It only remains here to state the melancholy fact once again that +_Lavengro_, great work of literature as it is now universally +acknowledged to be, was not “the book of the year.” The three thousand +copies of the first issue took more than twenty years to sell, and it was +not until 1872 that Mr. Murray resolved to issue a cheaper edition. The +time was not ripe for the cult of the open road, the zest for “the wind +on the heath” that our age shares so keenly. + + + + +CHAPTER XXV +A VISIT TO CORNISH KINSMEN + + +IF Borrow had been a normal man of letters he would have been quite +satisfied to settle down at Oulton, in a comfortable home, with a devoted +wife. The question of money was no longer to worry him. He had moreover +a money-making gift, which made him independent in a measure of his +wife’s fortune. From _The Bible in Spain_ he must have drawn a very +considerable amount, considerable, that is, for a man whose habits were +always somewhat penurious. _The Bible in Spain_ would have been followed +up, were Borrow a quite other kind of man, by a succession of books +almost equally remunerative. Even for one so prone to hate both books +and bookmen there was always the wind on the heath, the gypsy encampment, +the now famous “broad,” not then the haunt of innumerable trippers. But +Borrow ever loved wandering more than writing. Almost immediately after +his marriage—in 1840—he hinted to the Bible Society of a journey to +China; a year later, in June, 1841, he suggested to Lord Clarendon that +Lord Palmerston might give him a consulship: he consulted Hasfeld as to a +possible livelihood in Berlin, and Ford as to travel in Africa. He seems +to have endured residence at Oulton with difficulty during the succeeding +three years, and in 1844 we find him engaged upon the continental travel +that we have already recorded. In 1847 he had hopes of the consulship at +Canton, but Bowring wanted it for himself, and a misunderstanding over +this led to an inevitable break of old friendship. Borrow’s passionate +love of travel was never more to be gratified at the expense of others. +He tried, indeed, to secure a journey to the East from the British Museum +Trustees, and then gave up the struggle. Further wanderings, which were +many, were to be confined to Europe and indeed to England, Scotland, +Ireland, and the Isle of Man. His first journey, however, was not at his +own initiative. Mrs. Borrow’s health was unequal to the severe winters +at Oulton, and so the Borrows made their home at Yarmouth from 1853 to +1860. During these years he gave his vagabond propensities full play. +No year passed without its record of wandering. His first expedition was +the outcome of a burst of notoriety that seems to have done for Borrow +what the success of his _Bible in Spain_ could not do—reveal his identity +to his Cornish relations. The _Bury Post_ of 17th September, 1853, +recorded that Borrow had at the risk of his life saved at least one +member of a boat’s crew wrecked on the coast at Yarmouth: + + The moment was an awful one, when George Borrow, the well-known + author of _Lavengro_ and _The Bible in Spain_, dashed into the surf + and saved one life, and through his instrumentality the others were + saved. We ourselves have known this brave and gifted man for years, + and, daring as was his deed, we have known him more than once to risk + his life for others. We are happy to add that he has sustained no + material injury. + +This paragraph in the Bury St. Edmunds newspaper was copied into the +_Plymouth Mail_, and was there read by the Borrows of Cornwall, who had +heard nothing of their relative, Thomas Borrow the army captain, and his +family for fifty years or more. One of Borrow’s cousins by marriage, +Robert Taylor of Penquite, invited him to his father’s homeland, and +Borrow accepted, glad, we may be sure, of any excuse for a renewal of his +wanderings. And so on the 23rd of December, 1853, Borrow made his way +from Yarmouth to Plymouth by rail, and thence walked twenty miles to +Liskeard, where quite a little party of Borrow’s cousins were present to +greet him. The Borrow family consisted of Henry Borrow of Looe Down, the +father of Mrs. Taylor, William Borrow of Trethinnick, Thomas Nicholas and +Elizabeth Borrow, all first cousins, except Anne Taylor. Anne, talking +to a friend, describes Borrow on this visit better than any one else has +done: + + A fine tall man of about six feet three; well-proportioned and not + stout; able to walk five miles an hour successively; rather florid + face without any hirsute appendages; hair white and soft; eyes and + eyebrows dark; good nose and very nice mouth; well-shaped + hands;—altogether a person you would notice in a crowd. + +Borrow stayed at Penquite with his cousins from 24th December to 9th +January, then he went on a walking tour to Land’s End, through Truro and +Penzance; he was back at Penquite from 26th January to 1st February, and +then took a week’s tramp to Tintagel, King Arthur’s Castle, and Pentire. +Naturally he made inquiries into the language, already extinct, but +spoken within the memory of the older inhabitants. “My relations are +most excellent people,” he wrote to his wife from London on his way back, +“but I could not understand more than half of what they said.” + +I have only one letter to Mrs. Borrow written during this tour: + + TO MRS. GEORGE BORROW + + PENQUITE, 27_th_ _Janry._ 1854. + + MY DEAR CARRETA,—I just write you a line to inform you that I have + got back safe here from the Land’s End. I have received your two + letters, and hope you received mine from the Land’s End. It is + probable that I shall yet visit one or two places before I leave + Cornwall. I am very much pleased with the country. When you receive + this if you please write a line _by return of post_ I think you may; + the Trethinnick people wish me to stay with them for a day or two. + When you see the Cobbs pray remember me to them; I am sorry Horace + has lost his aunt, he will _miss her_. Love to Hen. Ever yours, + dearest, + + G. BORROW. + + (Keep this.) + +It was the failure of _The Romany Rye_ that prevented Borrow from writing +the Cornish book that he had caused to be advertised in the flyleaf of +that work. Borrow would have made a beautiful book upon Cornwall. Even +the title, _Penquite and Pentyre_; _or_, _The Head of the Forest and the +Headland_, has music in it. And he had in these twenty weeks made +himself wonderfully well acquainted not only with the topography of the +principality, but with its folklore and legend. The gulf that ever +separated the Borrow of the notebook and the unprepared letter from the +Borrow of the finished manuscript was extraordinary, and we may deplore +with Mr. Walling the absence of this among Borrow’s many unwritten books. + +Borrow was back in Yarmouth at the end of February, 1854—he had not fled +the country as Dalrymple had suggested—but in July he was off again for +his great tour in Wales, in which he was accompanied by his wife and +daughter. Of that tour we must treat in another and later chapter, for +_Wild Wales_ was not published until 1862. The year following his great +tour in Wales he went on a trip to the Isle of Man. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVI +IN THE ISLE OF MAN + + +THE holiday which Borrow gave himself the year following his visit to +Wales, that is to say, in September, 1855, is recorded in his unpublished +diaries. He never wrote a book as the outcome of that journey, although +he caused one to be advertised under the title of _Bayr Jairgey and Glion +Doo_: _Wanderings in Search of Manx Literature_. Borrow, it will be +remembered, learnt the Irish language as a mere child, much to his +father’s disgust. Although he never loved the Irish people, the Celtic +Irish, that is to say, whose genial temperament was so opposed to his +own, he did love the Irish language, which he more than once declared had +incited him to become a student of many tongues. He never made the +mistake into which so many have fallen of calling it “Erse.” He was +never an accurate student of the Irish language, but among Englishmen he +led the way in the present-day interest in that tongue—an interest which +is now so pronounced among scholars of many nationalities, and has made +in Ireland so definite a revival of a language that for a time seemed to +be on the way to extinction. Two translations from the Irish are to be +found in his _Targum_ published so far back as 1835, and many other +translations from the Irish poets were among the unpublished manuscripts +that he left behind him. It would therefore be with peculiar interest +that he would visit the Isle of Man which, at the beginning of the +nineteenth century, was an Irish-speaking land, but in 1855 was at a +stage when the language was falling fast into decay. What survived of it +was still Irish with trifling variations in the spelling of words. +“Cranu,” a tree, for example, had become “Cwan,” and so on—although the +pronunciation was apparently much the same. When the tall, white-haired +Englishman talked to the older inhabitants who knew something of the +language they were delighted. “Mercy upon us,” said one old woman, “I +believe, sir, you are of the old Manx!” Borrow was actually wandering in +search of Manx literature, as the title of the book that he announced +implied. He inquired about the old songs of the island, and of +everything that survived of its earlier language. Altogether Borrow must +have had a good time in thus following his favourite pursuit. + +But these stories are less human than a notebook in my hands. This is a +long leather pocket-book, in which, under the title of “Expedition to the +Isle of Man,” we have, written in pencil, a quite vivacious account of +his adventures. It records that Borrow and his wife and daughter set out +through Bury to Peterborough, Rugby, and Liverpool. It tells of the +admiration with which Peterborough’s “noble cathedral” inspired him. +Liverpool he calls a “London in miniature”: + + Strolled about town with my wife and Henrietta; wonderful docks and + quays, where all the ships of the world seemed to be gathered—all the + commerce of the world to be carried on; St. George’s Crescent; noble + shops; strange people walking about, an Herculean mulatto, for + example; the old china shop; cups with Chinese characters upon them; + an horrible old Irishwoman with naked feet; Assize Hall a noble + edifice. + +The party left Liverpool on 20th August, and Borrow, when in sight of the +Isle of Man, noticed a lofty ridge of mountains rising to the clouds: + + Entered into conversation with two of the crew—Manx sailors—about the + Manx language; one, a very tall man, said he knew only a very little + of it as he was born on the coast, but that his companion, who came + from the interior, knew it well; said it was a mere gibberish. This + I denied, and said it was an ancient language, and that it was like + the Irish; his companion, a shorter man, in shirt sleeves, with a + sharp, eager countenance, now opened his mouth and said I was right, + and said that I was the only gentleman whom he had ever heard ask + questions about the Manx language. I spoke several Irish words which + they understood. + +When he had landed he continued his investigations, asking every peasant +he met the Manx for this or that English word: + + “Are you Manx?” said I. “Yes,” he replied, “I am Manx.” “And what + do you call a river in Manx?” “A river,” he replied. “Can you speak + Manx?” I demanded. “Yes,” he replied, “I speak Manx.” “And you call + a river a river?” “Yes,” said he, “I do.” “You don’t call it owen?” + said I. “I do not,” said he. I passed on, and on the other side of + the bridge went for some time along an avenue of trees, passing by a + stone water-mill, till I came to a public-house on the left hand. + Seeing a woman looking out of the window, I asked her to what place + the road led. “To Castletown,” she replied. “And what do you call + the river in Manx?” said I. “We call it an owen,” said she. “So I + thought,” I replied, and after a little further discourse returned, + as the night was now coming fast on. + +One man whom Borrow asked if there were any poets in Man replied that he +did not believe there were, that the last Manx poet had died some time +ago at Kirk Conoshine, and this man had translated Parnell’s _Hermit_ +beautifully, and the translation had been printed. He inquired about the +Runic Stones, which he continually transcribed. Under date Thursday, +30th August, we find the following: + + This day year I ascended Snowdon, and this morning, which is very + fine, I propose to start on an expedition to Castletown and to return + by Peel. + +Very gladly would I follow Borrow more in detail through this interesting +holiday by means of his diary, {197} but it would make my book too long. +As he had his wife and daughter with him there are no letters by him from +the island. + +Three years later we find that Borrow has not forgotten the friends of +that Manx holiday. This letter is from the Vicar of Malew in +acknowledgment of a copy of _The Romany Rye_ published in the interval: + + TO GEORGE BORROW, ESQ. + + MALEW VICARAGE, BALLASALLA, + ISLE OF MAN, 27 _Jany._ 1859. + + MY DEAR SIR,—I return you my most hearty thanks for your most + handsome present of _Romany Rye_, and no less handsome letter + relative to your tour in the Isle of Man and the literature of the + Manx. Both I value very highly, and from both I shall derive useful + hints for my introduction to the new edition of the _Manx Grammar_. + I hope you will have no objection to my quoting a passage or two from + the advertisement of your forthcoming book; and if I receive no + intimation of your dissent, I shall take it for granted that I have + your kind permission. The whole notice is so apposite to my purpose, + and would be so interesting to every Manxman, that I would fain + insert the whole bodily, did the Author and the limits of an + Introduction permit. The _Grammar_ will, I think, go to press in + March next. It is to be published under the auspices of “The Manx + Society,” instituted last year “for the publication of National + documents of the Isle of Man.” As soon as it is printed I hope to + beg the favour of your acceptance of a copy.—I am, my dear Sir, your + deeply obliged humble servant, + + WILLIAM GILL. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVII +OULTON BROAD AND YARMOUTH + + +GEORGE BORROW wandered far and wide, but he always retraced his footsteps +to East Anglia, of which he was so justly proud. From his marriage in +1840 until his death in 1881 he lived twenty-seven years at Oulton or at +Yarmouth. “It is on sand alone that the sea strikes its true music,” +Borrow once remarked, “Norfolk sand”—and it was in the waves and on the +sands of the Norfolk coast that Borrow spent the happiest hours of his +restless life. Oulton Cottage is only about two miles from Lowestoft, +and so, walking or driving, these places were quite near one another. +But both are in Suffolk. Was it because Yarmouth—ten miles distant—is in +Norfolk that it was always selected for seaside residence? I suspect +that the careful Mrs. Borrow found a wider selection of “apartments” at a +moderate price. In any case the sea air of Yarmouth was good for his +wife, and the sea bathing was good for him, and so we find that husband +and wife had seven separate residences at Yarmouth during the years of +Oulton life. {199} But Oulton was ever to be Borrow’s headquarters, even +though between 1860 and 1874 he had a house in London. Borrow was +thirty-seven years of age when he settled down at Oulton. He was, he +tells us in _The Romany Rye_, “in tolerably easy circumstances and +willing to take some rest after a life of labour.” Their home was a +cottage on the Broad, for the Hall, which was also Mrs. Borrow’s +property, was let on lease to a farmer. The cottage, however, was an +extremely pleasant residence with a lawn running down to the river. A +more substantial house has been built on this site since Borrow’s day. +The summer-house is generally assumed to be the same, but has certainly +been re-roofed since the time when Henrietta Clarke drew the picture of +it that is reproduced in this book. Probably the whole summer-house is +new, but at any rate the present structure stands on the site of the old +one. Here Borrow did his work, wrote and wrote and wrote, until he had, +as he said, “mountains of manuscripts.” Here first of all he completed +_The Zincali_ (1841), commenced in Seville; then he wrote or rather +arranged _The Bible in Spain_ (1843), and then at long intervals, +diversified by extensive travel holidays, he wrote _Lavengro_ (1851), +_The Romany Rye_ (1857), and _Wild Wales_ (1860)—these are the five books +and their dates that we most associate with Borrow’s sojourn at Oulton. +When _Wild Wales_ was published he had removed to London. + +By far the best glimpses of Borrow during these years of Suffolk life are +those contained in a letter contributed by his friend, Elizabeth Harvey, +to _The Eastern Daily Press_ of Norwich over the initials “E. H.”: + + When I knew Mr. Borrow he lived in a lovely cottage whose garden + sloped down to the edge of Oulton Broad. He had a wooden room built + on the very margin of the water, where he had many strange old books + in various languages. I remember he once put one before me, telling + me to read it. “Oh, I can’t,” I replied. He said, “You ought, it’s + your own language.” It was an old Saxon book. He used to spend a + great deal of his time in this room writing, translating, and at + times singing strange words in a stentorian voice, while passers-by + on the lake would stop to listen with astonishment and curiosity to + the singular sounds. He was 6 feet 3 inches, a splendid man, with + handsome hands and feet. He wore neither whiskers, beard, nor + moustache. His features were very handsome, but his eyes were + peculiar, being round and rather small, but very piercing, and now + and then fierce. He would sometimes sing one of his Romany songs, + shake his fist at me and look quite wild. Then he would ask, “Aren’t + you afraid of me?” “No, not at all,” I would say. Then he would + look just as gentle and kind, and say, “God bless you, I would not + hurt a hair of your head.” He was an expert swimmer, and used to go + out bathing, and dive under water an immense time. On one occasion + he was bathing with a friend, and after plunging in nothing was seen + of him for some while. His friend began to be alarmed, when he heard + Borrow’s voice a long way off exclaiming, “There, if that had been + written in one of my books they would have said it was a lie, + wouldn’t they?” He was very fond of animals, and the animals were + fond of him. He would go for a walk with two dogs and a cat + following him. The cat would go a quarter of a mile or so and then + turn back home. He delighted to go for long walks and enter into + conversation with any one he might meet on the road, and lead them + into histories of their lives, belongings, and experiences. When + they used some word peculiar to Norfolk (or Suffolk) countrymen he + would say, “Why, that’s a Danish word.” By and by the man would use + another peculiar expression, “Why, that’s Saxon”; a little later on + another, “Why, that’s French.” And he would add, “Why, what a + wonderful man you are to speak so many languages.” One man got very + angry, but Mr. Borrow was quite unconscious that he had given any + offence. He spoke a great number of languages, and at the Exhibition + of 1851, whither he went with his stepdaughter, he spoke to the + different foreigners in their own language, until his daughter saw + some of them whispering together and looking as if they thought he + was “uncanny,” and she became alarmed and drew him away. He, + however, did not like to hear the English language adulterated with + the introduction of foreign words. If his wife or friends used a + foreign word in conversation, he would say, “What’s that, trying to + come over me with strange languages.” + + I have gone for many a walk with him at Oulton. He used to go on, + singing to himself or quite silent, quite forgetting me until he came + to a high hill, when he would turn round, seize my hand, and drag me + up. Then he would sit down and enjoy the prospect. He was a great + lover of nature, and very fond of his trees. He quite fretted if, by + some mischance, he lost one. He did not shoot or hunt. He rode his + Arab at times, but walking was his favourite exercise. He was + subject to fits of nervous depression. At times also he suffered + from sleeplessness, when he would get up and walk to Norwich (25 + miles), and return the next night recovered. His fondness for the + gypsies has been noticed. At Oulton he used to allow them to encamp + in his grounds, and he would visit them, with a friend or alone, talk + to them in Romany, and sing Romany songs. He was very fond of ghost + stories and believed in the supernatural. He was keenly sympathetic + with any one who was in trouble or suffering. He was no man of + business and very guileless, and led a very harmless, quiet life at + Oulton, spending his evenings at home with his wife and + step-daughter, generally reading all the evening. He was very + hospitable in his own home, and detested meanness. He was moderate + in eating and drinking, took very little breakfast, but ate a very + great quantity at dinner, and then had only a draught of cold water + before going to bed. He wrote much in praise of “strong ale,” and + was very fond of good ale, of whose virtue he had a great idea. Once + I was speaking of a lady who was attached to a gentleman, and he + asked, “Well, did he make her an offer?” “No,” I said. “Ah,” he + exclaimed, “if she had given him some good ale he would.” But + although he talked so much about ale I never saw him take much. He + was very temperate, and would eat what was set before him, often not + thinking of what he was doing, and he never refused what was offered + him. He took much pleasure in music, especially of a light and + lively character. My sister would sing to him, and I played. One + piece he seemed never to tire of hearing. It was a polka, “The + Redowa,” I think, and when I had finished he used to say, “Play that + again, E—.” He was very polite and gentlemanly in ladies’ society, + and we all liked him. + +It is refreshing to read this tribute, from which I have omitted nothing +salient, because a very disagreeable Borrow has somehow grown up into a +tradition. I note in reading some of the reviews of Dr. Knapp’s _Life_ +that he is charged, or half-charged, with suppressing facts, “because +they do not reflect credit upon the subject of his biography.” Now, +there were really no facts to suppress. Borrow was at times a very +irritable man, he was a very self-centred one. His egotism might even be +pronounced amazing by those who had never met an author. But those of us +who have, recognise that with very few exceptions they are all egotists, +although some conceal it from the unobservant more deftly than others. +Many authors of power have died young and unrecognised; but recognition +has usually come to those men of genius who have lived into middle age. +It did not come to Borrow. He had therefore a right to be soured. This +sourness found expression in many ways. Borrow, most sound of churchmen, +actually quarrelled with his vicar over the tempers of their respective +dogs. Both the vicar, the Rev. Edwin Proctor Denniss, and his +parishioner wrote one another acrid letters. Here is Borrow’s parting +shot: + + Circumstances over which Mr. Borrow has at present no control will + occasionally bring him and his family under the same roof with Mr. + Denniss; that roof, however, is the roof of the House of God, and the + prayers of the Church of England are wholesome from whatever mouth + they may proceed. + +Surely that is a kind of quarrel we have all had in our day, and we think +ourselves none the less virtuous in consequence. Then there was Borrow’s +very natural ambition to be made a magistrate of Suffolk. He tells Mr. +John Murray in 1842 that he has caught a bad cold by getting up at night +in pursuit of poachers and thieves. “A terrible neighbourhood this,” he +adds, “not a magistrate dare do his duty.” And so in the next year he +wrote again to the same correspondent: + + Present my compliments to Mr. Gladstone, and tell him that the _Bible + in Spain_ will have no objection to becoming one of the “Great + Unpaid.” + +Mr. Gladstone, although he had admired _The Bible in Spain_, and indeed +had even suggested the modification of one of its sentences, did nothing. +Lockhart, Lord Clarendon, and others who were applied to were equally +powerless or indifferent. Borrow never got his magistracy. To-day no +man of equal eminence in literature could possibly have failed of so +slight an ambition. Moreover, Borrow wanted to be a J.P., not from mere +snobbery as many might, but for a definite, practical object. I am +afraid he would not have made a very good magistrate, and perhaps inquiry +had made that clear to the authorities. Lastly, there was Borrow’s +quarrel with the railway which came through his estate. He had thoughts +of removing to Bury, where Dr. Hake lived, or to Troston Hall, once the +home of the interesting Capell Lofft. But he was not to leave Oulton. +In intervals of holidays, journeys, and of sojourn in Yarmouth it was to +remain his home to the end. In 1849 his mother joined him at Oulton. +She had resided for thirty-three years at the Willow Lane Cottage. She +was now seventy-seven years of age. She lived on near her son as a +tenant of his tenant at Oulton Hall until her death nine years later, +dying in 1858 in her eighty-seventh year. She lies buried in Oulton +Churchyard, with a tomb thus inscribed: + + Sacred to the memory of Ann Borrow, widow of Captain Thomas Borrow. + She died on the 16th of August 1858, aged eighty-six years and seven + months. She was a good wife and a good mother. + +During these years at Oulton we have many glimpses of Borrow. Dr. +Jessopp, for example, has recorded in _The Athenæum_ newspaper his own +hero-worship for the author of _Lavengro_, whom he was never to meet. +This enthusiasm for _Lavengro_ was shared by certain of his Norfolk +friends of those days: + + Among those friends were two who, I believe, are still alive, and who + about the year 1846 set out, without telling me of their intention, + on a pilgrimage to Oulton to see George Borrow in the flesh. In + those days the journey was not an inconsiderable one; and though my + friends must have known that I would have given my ears to be of the + party, I suppose they kept their project to themselves for reasons of + their own. Two, they say, are company and three are none; two men + could ride in a gig for sixty miles without much difficulty, and an + odd man often spoils sport. At any rate, they left me out, and one + day they came back full of malignant pride and joy and exultation, + and they flourished their information before me with boastings and + laughter at my ferocious jealousy; for they had seen, and talked + with, and eaten and drunk with, and sat at the feet of the veritable + George Borrow, and had grasped his mighty hand. To me it was too + provoking. But what had they to tell? + + They found him at Oulton, living, as they affirmed, in a house which + belonged to Mrs. Borrow and which her first husband had left her. + The household consisted of himself, his wife, and his wife’s + daughter; and among his other amusements he employed himself in + training some young horses to follow him about like dogs and come at + the call of his whistle. As my two friends were talking with him + Borrow sounded his whistle in a paddock near the house, which, if I + remember rightly, was surrounded by a low wall. Immediately two + beautiful horses came bounding over the fence and trotted up to their + master. One put his nose into Borrow’s outstretched hand and the + other kept snuffing at his pockets in expectation of the usual bribe + for confidence and good behaviour. Borrow could not but be flattered + by the young Cambridge men paying him the frank homage they offered, + and he treated them with the robust and cordial hospitality + characteristic of the man. One or two things they learnt which I do + not feel at liberty to repeat. + +Mr. Arthur W. Upcher of Sheringham Hall, Cromer, also provided in _The +Athenæum_ a quaint reminiscence of Borrow in which he recalled that +Lavengro had called upon Miss Anna Gurney. This lady had, assuredly with +less guile, treated him much as Frances Cobbe would have done. She had +taken down an Arabic grammar, and put it into his hand, asking for +explanation of some difficult point which he tried to decipher; but +meanwhile she talked to him continuously. “I could not,” said Borrow, +“study the Arabic grammar and listen to her at the same time, so I threw +down the book and ran out of the room.” He soon after met Mr. Upcher, to +whom he made an interesting revelation: + + He told us there were three personages in the world whom he had + always a desire to see; two of these had slipped through his fingers, + so he was determined to see the third. “Pray, Mr. Borrow, who were + they?” He held up three fingers of his left hand and pointed them + off with the forefinger of the right: the first Daniel O’Connell, the + second Lamplighter (the sire of Phosphorus, Lord Berners’s winner of + the Derby), the third, Anna Gurney. The first two were dead and he + had not seen them; now he had come to see Anna Gurney, and this was + the end of his visit. + +At one moment of the correspondence we obtain an interesting glimpse of a +great man of science. Mr. Darwin sent the following inquiry through Dr. +Hooker, afterwards Sir Joseph Hooker, and it reached Borrow through his +friend Thomas Brightwell: + + Is there any Dog in Spain closely like our English Pointer, in + _shape_ and size, and _habits_,—namely in pointing, backing, and not + giving tongue. Might I be permitted to quote Mr. Borrow’s answer to + the query? Has the improved English pointer been introduced into + Spain? + + C. DARWIN. + +Borrow took constant holidays during these Oulton days. We have +elsewhere noted his holidays in Eastern Europe, in the Isle of Man, in +Wales, and in Cornwall. Letters from other parts of England would be +welcome, but I can only find two, and these are but scraps. Both are +addressed to his wife, each without date: + + TO MRS. GEORGE BORROW + + OXFORD, _Feb._ 2_nd._ + + DEAR CARRETA,—I reached this place yesterday and hope to be home + to-night (Monday). I walked the whole way by Kingston, Hampton, + Sunbury (Miss Oriel’s place), Windsor, Wallingford, etc., a good part + of the way was by the Thames. There has been much wet weather. + Oxford is a wonderful place. + + Kiss Hen., and God bless you! + + GEORGE BORROW. + + * * * * * + + TO MRS. GEORGE BORROW + + TUNBRIDGE WELLS, _Tuesday evening_. + + DEAR CARRETA,—I have arrived here safe—it is a wonderful place, a + small city of palaces amidst hills, rocks, and woods, and is full of + fine people. Please to carry up stairs and lock in the drawer the + little paper sack of letters in the parlour; lock it up with the bank + book and put this along with it—also be sure to keep the window of my + room fastened and the door locked, and keep the key in your pocket. + God bless you and Hen. + + GEORGE BORROW. + +One of the very last letters of Borrow that I possess is to an unknown +correspondent. It is from a rough “draft” in his handwriting: + + OULTON, LOWESTOFT, _May_ 1875. + + SIR,—Your letter of the eighth of March I only lately received, + otherwise I should have answered it sooner. In it you mention + Chamberlayne’s work, containing versions of the Lord’s Prayer + translated into a hundred languages, and ask whether I can explain + why the one which purports to be a rendering into Waldensian is + evidently made in some dialect of the Gaelic. To such explanation as + I can afford you are welcome, though perhaps you will not deem it + very satisfactory. I have been acquainted with Chamberlayne’s work + for upwards of forty years. I first saw it at St. Petersburg in + 1834, and the translation in question very soon caught my attention. + I at first thought that it was an attempt at imposition, but I soon + relinquished that idea. I remembered that Helvetia was a great place + for Gaelic. I do not mean in the old time when the Gael possessed + the greater part of Europe, but at a long subsequent period: + Switzerland was converted to Christianity by Irish monks, the most + active and efficient of whom was Gall. These people founded schools + in which together with Christianity the Irish or Gaelic language was + taught. In process of time, though the religion flourished, the + Helveto Gaelic died away, but many pieces in that tongue survived, + some of which might still probably be found in the recesses of St. + Gall. The noble abbey is named after the venerable apostle of + Christianity in Helvetia; so I deemed it very possible that the + version in question might be one of the surviving fruits of Irish + missionary labour in Helvetia, not but that I had my doubts, and + still have, principally from observing that the language though + certainly not modern does not exhibit any decided marks of high + antiquity. It is much to be regretted that Chamberlayne should have + given the version to the world under a title so calculated to perplex + and mislead as that which it bears, and without even stating how or + where he obtained it. This, sir, is all I have to say on the very + obscure subject about which you have done me the honour to consult + me.—Yours truly, + + GEORGE BORROW. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVIII +IN SCOTLAND AND IRELAND + + +BORROW has himself given us—in _Lavengro_—a picturesque record of his +early experiences in Scotland. It is passing strange that he published +no account of his two visits to the North in maturer years. Why did he +not write _Wild Scotland_ as a companion volume to _Wild Wales_? He +preserved in little leather pocket-books or leather-covered +exercise-books copious notes of both tours. Two of his notebooks came +into the possession of the late Dr. Knapp, Borrow’s first biographer, and +are thus described in his Bibliography: + + _Note Book of a Tour in Scotland_, _the Orkneys and Shetland in Oct. + and Dec._ 1858. 1 large vol. leather. + + _Note Book of Tours around Belfast and the Scottish Borders from + Stranraer to Berwick-upon-Tweed in July and August_ 1866. 1 vol. + leather. + +Of these Dr. Knapp made use only to give the routes of Borrow’s journeys +so far as he was able to interpret them. It may be that he was doubtful +as to whether his purchase of the manuscript carried with it the +copyright of its contents, as it assuredly did not; it may be that he +quailed before the minute and almost undecipherable handwriting. But +similar notebooks are in my possession, and there are, happily, in these +days typists—you pay them by the hour, and it means an infinity of time +and patience—who will copy the most minute and the most obscure +documents. There are some of the notebooks of the Scottish tour of 1858 +before me, and what is of far more importance—Borrow’s letters to his +wife while on this tour. Borrow lost his mother in August, 1858, and +this event was naturally a great blow to his heart. A week or two later +he suffered a cruel blow to his pride also, nothing less than the return +of the manuscript of his much-prized translation from the Welsh of _The +Sleeping Bard_—and this by his “prince of publishers,” John Murray. +“There is no money in it,” said the publisher, and he was doubtless +right. The two disasters were of different character, but both unhinged +him. He had already written _Wild Wales_, although it was not to be +published for another four years. He had caused to be advertised—in +1857—a book on Cornwall, but it was never written in any definitive form, +and now our author had lost heart, and the Cornish book—_Penquite and +Pentyre_—and the Scots book never saw the light. In these autumn months +of 1858 geniality and humour had parted from Borrow; this his diary makes +clear. He was ill. His wife urged a tour in Scotland, and he prepared +himself for a rough, simple journey, of a kind quite different from the +one in Wales. The north of Scotland in the winter was scarcely to be +thought of for his wife and step-daughter Henrietta. He tells us in one +of these diaries that he walked “several hundred miles in the Highlands.” +His wife and daughter were with him in Wales, as every reader of _Wild +Wales_ will recall, but the Scots tour was meant to be a more formidable +pilgrimage, and they went to Great Yarmouth instead. The first half of +the tour—that of September—is dealt with in letters to his wife, the +latter half is reflected in his diary. The letters show Borrow’s +experiences in the earlier part of his journey, and from his diaries we +learn that he was in Oban on 22nd October, Aberdeen on 5th November, +Inverness on the 9th, and thence he went to Tain, Dornoch, Wick, John o’ +Groat’s, and to the island towns, Stromness, Kirkwall, and Lerwick. He +was in Shetland on the 1st of December—altogether a bleak, cheerless +journey, we may believe, even for so hardy a tramp as Borrow, and the +tone of the following extract from one of his rough notebooks in my +possession may perhaps be explained by the circumstance. Borrow is on +the way to Loch Laggan and visits a desolate churchyard, Coll Harrie, to +see the tomb of John Macdonnel or Ian Lom: + + I was on a Highland hill in an old Popish burying-ground. I entered + the ruined church, disturbed a rabbit crouching under an old + tombstone—it ran into a hole, then came out running about like + wild—quite frightened—made room for it to run out by the doorway, + telling it I would not hurt it—went out again and examined the tombs. + . . . Would have examined much more but the wind and rain blew + horribly, and I was afraid that my hat, if not my head, would be + blown into the road over the hill. Quitted the place of old Highland + Popish devotion—descended the hill again with great difficulty—grass + slippery and the ground here and there quaggy, resumed the + road—village—went to the door of house looking down the valley—to ask + its name—knock—people came out, a whole family, looking sullen and + all savage. The stout, tall young man with the grey savage + eyes—civil questions—half-savage answers—village’s name + Achaluarach—the neighbourhood—all Catholic—chiefly Macdonnels; said + the English, _my countrymen_, had taken the whole country—“but not + without paying for it,” I replied—said I was soaking wet with a kind + of sneer, but never asked me in. I said I cared not for wet. A + savage, brutal Papist and a hater of the English—the whole family + with bad countenances—a tall woman in the background probably the + mother of them all. Bade him good-day, he made no answer and I went + away. Learnt that the river’s name was Spean. + +He passed through Scotland in a disputative vein, which could not have +made him a popular traveller. He tells a Roman Catholic of the Macdonnel +clan to read his Bible and “trust in Christ, not in the Virgin Mary and +graven images.” He went up to another man who accosted him with the +remark that “It is a soft day,” and said, “You should not say a ‘soft’ +day, but a wet day.” Even the Spanish, for whom he had so much contempt +and scorn when he returned from the Peninsula, are “in many things a wise +people”—after his experiences of the Scots. There is abundance of +Borrow’s prejudice, intolerance, and charm in this fragment of a diary; +but the extract I have given is of additional interest as showing how +Borrow wrote all his books. The notebooks that he wrote in Spain and +Wales were made up of similar disjointed jottings. Here is a note of +more human character interspersed with Borrow’s diatribes upon the +surliness of the Scots. He is at Invergarry, on the banks of Loch Oich. +It is the 5th of October: + + Dinner of real haggis; meet a conceited schoolmaster. This night, or + rather in the early morning, I saw in the dream of my sleep my dear + departed mother—she appeared to be coming out of her little + sleeping-room at Oulton Hall—overjoyed I gave a cry and fell down at + her knee, but my agitation was so great that it burst the bonds of + sleep, and I awoke. + +But the letters to Mrs. Borrow are the essential documents here, and not +the copious diaries which I hope to publish elsewhere. The first letter +to “Carreta” is from Edinburgh, where Borrow arrived on Sunday, 19th +September, 1858: + + TO MRS. GEORGE BORROW, 38 CAMPERDOWN PLACE, + YARMOUTH, NORFOLK + + EDINBURGH, _Sunday_ (_Sept._ 19_th_, 1858). + + DEAR CARRETA,—I just write a line to inform you that I arrived here + yesterday quite safe. We did not start from Yarmouth till past three + o’clock on Thursday morning; we reached Newcastle about ten on + Friday. As I was walking in the street at Newcastle a sailor-like + man came running up to me, and begged that I would let him speak to + me. He appeared almost wild with joy. I asked him who he was, and + he told me he was a Yarmouth north beach man, and that he knew me + very well. Before I could answer, another sailor-like, short, thick + fellow came running up, who also seemed wild with joy; he was a + comrade of the other. I never saw two people so out of themselves + with pleasure, they literally danced in the street; in fact, they + were two of my old friends. I asked them how they came down there, + and they told me that they had been down fishing. They begged a + thousand pardons for speaking to me, but told me they could not help + it. I set off for Alnwick on Friday afternoon, stayed there all + night, and saw the castle next morning. It is a fine old place, but + at present is undergoing repairs—a Scottish king was killed before + its walls in the old time. At about twelve I started for Edinburgh. + The place is wonderfully altered since I was here, and I don’t think + for the better. There is a Runic stone on the castle brae which I am + going to copy. It was not there in my time. If you write direct to + me at the Post Office, Inverness. I am thinking of going to Glasgow + to-morrow, from which place I shall start for Inverness by one of the + packets which go thither by the North-West and the Caledonian Canal. + I hope that you and Hen. are well and comfortable. Pray eat plenty + of grapes and partridges. We had upon the whole a pleasant passage + from Yarmouth; we lived plainly but well, and I was not at all + ill—the captain seemed a kind, honest creature. Remember me kindly + to Mrs. Turnour and Mrs. Clarke, and God bless you and Hen. + + GEORGE BORROW. + +In his unpublished diary Borrow records his journey from Glasgow through +beautiful but over-described scenery to Inverness, where he stayed at the +Caledonian Hotel: + + TO MRS. GEORGE BORROW, 38 CAMPERDOWN PLACE, + YARMOUTH + + INVERNESS, _Sunday_ (_Sept._ 26th). + + DEAR CARRETA,—This is the third letter which I have written to you. + Whether you have received the other two, or will receive this, I am + doubtful. I have been several times to the post office, but we found + no letter from you, though I expected to find one awaiting me when I + arrived. I wrote last on Friday. I merely want to know once how you + are, and if all is well I shall move onward. It is of not much use + staying here. After I had written to you on Friday I crossed by the + ferry over the Firth and walked to Beauly, and from thence to + Beaufort or Castle Downie; at Beauly I saw the gate of the pit where + old Fraser used to put the people whom he owed money to—it is in the + old ruined cathedral, and at Beaufort saw the ruins of the house + where he was born. Lord Lovat lives in the house close by. There is + now a claimant to the title, a descendant of Old Fraser’s elder + brother who committed a murder in the year 1690, and on that account + fled to South Wales. The present family are rather uneasy, and so + are their friends, of whom they have a great number, for though they + are flaming Papists they are very free of their money. I have told + several of their cousins that the claimant has not a chance as the + present family have been so long in possession. They almost blessed + me for saying so. There, however, can be very little doubt that the + title and estate, more than a million acres, belong to the claimant + by strict law. Old Fraser’s brother was called Black John of the + Tasser. The man whom he killed was a piper who sang an insulting + song to him at a wedding. I have heard the words and have translated + them; he was dressed very finely, and the piper sang: + + “You’re dressed in Highland robes, O John, + But ropes of straw would become ye better; + You’ve silver buckles your shoes upon + But leather thongs for them were fitter.” + + Whereupon John drew his dagger and ran it into the piper’s belly; the + descendants of the piper are still living at Beauly. I walked that + day thirty-four miles between noon and ten o’clock at night. My + letter of credit is here. This is a dear place, but not so bad as + Edinburgh. _If you have written_, don’t write any more till you hear + from me again. God bless you and Hen. + + GEORGE BORROW. + +“Swindled out of a shilling by rascally ferryman,” is Borrow’s note in +his diary of the episode that he relates to his wife of crossing the +Firth. He does not tell her, but his diary tells us, that he changed his +inn on the day he wrote this letter: the following jottings from the +diary cover the period: + + _Sept._ 29_th_.—Quit the “Caledonian” for “Union Sun”—poor + accommodation—could scarcely get anything to eat—unpleasant day. + Walked by the river—at night saw the comet again from the bridge. + + _Sept._ 30_th_.—Breakfast. The stout gentleman from Caithness, Mr. + John Miller, gave me his card—show him mine—his delight. + + _Oct._ 1_st_.—Left Inverness for Fort Augustus by + steamer—passengers—strange man—tall gentleman—half + doctor—breakfast—dreadful hurricane of wind and rain—reach Fort + Augustus—inn—apartments—Edinburgh ale—stroll over the bridge to a + wretched village—wind and rain—return—fall asleep before + fire—dinner—herrings, first-rate—black ale, Highland mutton—pudding + and cream—stroll round the fort—wet grass—stormy-like—wind and + rain—return—kitchen—kind, intelligent woman from Dornoch—no + Gaelic—shows me a Gaelic book of spiritual songs by one + Robertson—talks to me about Alexander Cumming, a fat blacksmith and + great singer of Gaelic songs. + +But to return to Borrow’s letters to his wife: + + TO MRS. GEORGE BORROW, 38 CAMPERDOWN TERRACE, + GT. YARMOUTH + + INVERNESS, _September_ 29_th_, 1858. + + MY DEAR CARRETA,—I have got your letter, and glad enough I was to get + it. The day after to-morrow I shall depart from here for Fort + Augustus at some distance up the lake. After staying a few days + there, I am thinking of going to the Isle of Mull, but I will write + to you if possible from Fort Augustus. I am rather sorry that I came + to Scotland—I was never in such a place in my life for cheating and + imposition, and the farther north you go the worse things seem to be, + and yet I believe it is possible to live very cheap here, that is if + you have a house of your own and a wife to go out and make bargains, + for things are abundant enough, but if you move about you are at the + mercy of innkeepers and suchlike people. The other day I was + swindled out of a shilling by a villain to whom I had given it for + change. I ought, perhaps, to have had him up before a magistrate + provided I could have found one, but I was in a wild place and he had + a clan about him, and if I had had him up I have no doubt I should + have been out-sworn. I, however, have met one fine, noble old + fellow. The other night I lost my way amongst horrible moors and + wandered for miles and miles without seeing a soul. At last I saw a + light which came from the window of a rude hovel. I tapped at the + window and shouted, and at last an old man came out; he asked me what + I wanted, and I told him I had lost my way. He asked me where I came + from and where I wanted to go, and on my telling him he said I had + indeed lost my way, for I had got out of it at least four miles, and + was going away from the place I wanted to get to. He then said he + would show me the way, and went with me several miles over most + horrible places. At last we came to a road where he said he thought + he might leave me, and wished me good-night. I gave him a shilling. + He was very grateful and said, after considering, that as I had + behaved so handsomely to him he would not leave me yet, as he thought + it possible I might yet lose my way. He then went with me three + miles farther, and I have no doubt that, but for him, I should have + lost my way again, the roads were so tangled. I never saw such an + old fellow, or one whose conversation was so odd and entertaining. + This happened last Monday night, the night of the day in which I had + been swindled of the shilling by the other; I could write a history + about those two shillings. + + * * * * * + + TO MRS. GEORGE BORROW, 39 CAMPERDOWN TERRACE, + GT. YARMOUTH + + INVERNESS, 30_th_ _September_ 1858. + + DEAR CARRETA,—I write another line to tell you that I have got your + second letter—it came just in time, as I leave to-morrow. In your + next, address to George Borrow, Post Office, Tobermory, Isle of Mull, + Scotland. You had, however, better write without delay, as I don’t + know how long I may be there; and be sure only to write once. I am + glad we have got such a desirable tenant for our Maltings, and should + be happy to hear that the cottage was also let so well. However, let + us be grateful for what has been accomplished. I hope you wrote to + Cooke as I desired you, and likewise said something about how I had + waited for Murray. . . . I met to-day a very fat gentleman from + Caithness, at the very north of Scotland; he said he was descended + from the Norse. I talked to him about them, and he was so pleased + with my conversation that he gave me his card, and begged that I + would visit him if I went there. As I could do no less, I showed him + my card—I had but one—and he no sooner saw the name than he was in a + rapture. I am rather glad that you have got the next door, as the + locality is highly respectable. Tell Hen. that I copied the Runic + stone on the Castle Hill, Edinburgh. It was brought from Denmark in + the old time. The inscription is imperfect, but I can read enough of + it to see that it was erected by a man to his father and mother. I + again write the direction for your next: George Borrow, Esq., Post + Office, Tobermory, Isle of Mull, Scotland. God bless you and Hen. + Ever yours, + + GEORGE BORROW. + + * * * * * + + TO MRS. GEORGE BORROW, 39 CAMPERDOWN TERRACE, + GT. YARMOUTH + + FORT AUGUSTUS, _Sunday_, _October_ 7_th_, 1858. + + DEAR CARRETA,—I write a line lest you should be uneasy. Before + leaving the Highlands I thought I would see a little more about me. + So last week I set on a four days’ task, a walk of a hundred miles. + I returned here late last Thursday night. I walked that day + forty-five miles; during the first twenty the rain poured in torrents + and the wind blew in my face. The last seventeen miles were in the + dark. To-morrow I proceed towards Mull. I hope that you got my + letters, and that I shall find something from you awaiting me at the + post office. The first day I passed over Corryarrick, a mountain + 3000 feet high. I was nearly up to my middle in snow. As soon as I + had passed it I was in Badenoch. The road on the farther side was + horrible, and I was obliged to wade several rivulets, one of which + was very boisterous and nearly threw me down. I wandered through a + wonderful country, and picked up a great many strange legends from + the people I met, but they were very few, the country being almost a + desert, chiefly inhabited by deer. When amidst the lower mountains I + frequently heard them blaring in the woods above me. The people at + the inn here are by far the nicest I have met; they are kind and + honourable to a degree. God bless you and Hen. + + GEORGE BORROW. + + * * * * * + + TO MRS. GEORGE BORROW, 39 CAMPERDOWN TERRACE, + YARMOUTH + + (Fragment? undated.) + + On Tuesday I am going through the whole of it to Icolmkill—I should + start to-morrow—but I must get my shoes new soles, for they have been + torn to pieces by the roads, and likewise some of my things mended, + for they are in a sad condition. + + I shall return from Thurso to Inverness, as I shall want some more + money to bring me home. So pray do not let the credit be withdrawn. + What a blessing it is to have money, but how cautious people ought to + be not to waste it. Pray remember me most kindly to our good friend + Mr. Hills. Send the Harveys the pheasant as usual with my kind + regards. I think you should write to Mr. Dalton of Bury telling him + that I have been unwell, and that I send my kind regards and respects + to him. I send dear Hen a paper in company with this, in which I + have enclosed specimens of the heather, the moss and the fern, or + “raineach,” of Mull.—God bless you both. + + GEORGE BORROW. + + Do not delay in sending the order. Write at the same time telling me + how you are. + + * * * * * + + TO MRS. GEORGE BORROW, 39 CAMPERDOWN TERRACE, YARMOUTH, NORFOLK + + INVERNESS, _Nov._ 7_th_, 1858. + + DEAR CARRETA,—After I wrote to you I walked round Mull and through + it, over Benmore. I likewise went to Icolmkill, and passed + twenty-four hours there. I saw the wonderful ruin and crossed the + island. I suffered a great deal from hunger, but what I saw amply + repaid me; on my return to Tobermory I was rather unwell, but got + better. I was disappointed in a passage to Thurso by sea, so I was + obliged to return to this place by train. On Tuesday, D.V., I shall + set out on foot, and hope to find your letter awaiting me at the post + office at Thurso. On coming hither by train I nearly lost my things. + I was told at Huntly that the train stopped ten minutes, and + meanwhile the train drove off _purposely_; I telegraphed to Keith in + order that my things might be secured, describing where they were, + under the seat. The reply was that there was nothing of the kind + there. I instantly said that I would bring an action against the + company, and walked off to the town, where I stated the facts to a + magistrate, and gave him my name and address. He advised me to bring + my action. I went back and found the people frightened. They + telegraphed again—and the reply was that the things were safe. There + is nothing like setting oneself up sometimes. I was terribly afraid + I should never again find my books and things. I, however, got them, + and my old umbrella, too. I was sent on by the mail train, but lost + four hours, besides undergoing a great deal of misery and excitement. + When I have been to Thurso and Kirkwall I shall return as quick as + possible, and shall be glad to get out of the country. As I am here, + however, I wish to see all I can, for I never wish to return. Whilst + in Mull I lived very cheaply—it is not costing me more than seven + shillings a day. The generality of the inns, however, in the + lowlands are incredibly dear—half-a-crown for breakfast, consisting + of a little tea, a couple of small eggs, and bread and butter—_two_ + shillings for attendance. Tell Hen. that I have some moss for her + from Benmore—also some seaweed from the farther shore of Icolmkill. + God bless you. + + GEORGE BORROW. + + * * * * * + + TO MRS. GEORGE BORROW, YARMOUTH, NORFOLK + + THURSO, 21_st_ _Nov._ 1858. + + MY DEAR CARRETA,—I reached this place on Friday night, and was glad + enough to get your kind letter. I shall be so glad to get home to + you. Since my last letter to you I have walked nearly 160 miles. I + was terribly taken in with respect to distances—however, I managed to + make my way. I have been to Johnny Groat’s House, which is about + twenty-two miles from this place. I had tolerably fine weather all + the way, but within two or three miles of that place a terrible storm + arose; the next day the country was covered with ice and snow. There + is at present here a kind of Greenland winter, colder almost than I + ever knew the winter in Russia. The streets are so covered with ice + that it is dangerous to step out; to-morrow D. and I pass over into + Orkney, and we shall take the first steamer to Aberdeen and + Inverness, from whence I shall make the best of my way to England. + It is well that I have no farther to walk, for walking now is almost + impossible—the last twenty miles were terrible, and the weather is + worse now than it was then. I was terribly deceived with respect to + steamboats. I was told that one passed over to Orkney every day, and + I have now been waiting two days, and there is not yet one. I have + had quite enough of Scotland. When I was at Johnny Groat’s I got a + shell for dear Hen, which I hope I shall be able to bring or send to + her. I am glad to hear that you have got out the money on the + mortgage so satisfactorily. One of the greatest blessings in this + world is to be independent. My spirits of late have been rather bad, + owing principally to my dear mother’s death. I always knew that we + should miss her. I dreamt about her at Fort Augustus. Though I have + walked so much I have suffered very little from fatigue, and have got + over the ground with surprising facility, but I have not enjoyed the + country so much as Wales. I wish that you would order a hat for me + against I come home; the one I am wearing is very shabby, having been + so frequently drenched with rain and storm-beaten. I cannot say the + exact day that I shall be home but you may be expecting me. The + worst is that there is no depending on the steamers, for there is + scarcely any traffic in Scotland in winter. My appetite of late has + been very poorly, chiefly, I believe, owing to badness of food and + want of regular meals. Glad enough, I repeat, shall I be to get home + to you and Hen. + + GEORGE BORROW. + + * * * * * + + TO MRS. GEORGE BORROW, YARMOUTH, NORFOLK + + KIRKWALL, ORKNEY, _November_ 27_th_, 1858. _Saturday_. + + DEAR CARRETA,—I am, as you see, in Orkney, and I expect every minute + the steamer which will take me to Shetland and Aberdeen, from which + last place I go by train to Inverness, where my things are, and + thence home. I had a stormy passage to Stromness, from whence I took + a boat to the Isle of Hoy, where I saw the wonderful Dwarf’s House + hollowed out of the stone. From Stromness I walked here. I have + seen the old Norwegian Cathedral; it is of red sandstone, and looks + as if cut out of rock. It is different from almost everything of the + kind I ever saw. It is stern and grand to a degree. I have also + seen the ruins of the old Norwegian Bishop’s palace in which King + Hacon died; also the ruins of the palace of Patrick, Earl of Orkney. + I have been treated here with every kindness and civility. As soon + as the people knew who I was they could scarcely make enough of me. + The Sheriff, Mr. Robertson, a great Gaelic scholar, said he was proud + to see me in his house; and a young gentleman of the name of Petrie, + Clerk of Supply, has done nothing but go about with me to show me the + wonders of the place. Mr. Robertson wished to give me letters to + some gentleman at Edinburgh. I, however, begged leave to be excused, + saying that I wished to get home, as, indeed, I do, for my mind is + wearied by seeing so many strange places. On my way to Kirkwall I + saw the stones of Stennis—immense blocks of stone standing up like + those of Salisbury Plain. All the country is full of Druidical and + Pictish remains. It is, however, very barren, and scarcely a tree is + to be seen, only a few dwarf ones. Orkney consists of a multitude of + small islands, the principal of which is Pomona, in which Kirkwall + is. The currents between them are terrible. I hope to be home a few + days after you receive these lines, either by rail or steamer. This + is a fine day, but there has been dreadful weather here. I hope we + shall have a prosperous passage. I have purchased a little Kirkwall + newspaper, which I send you with this letter. I shall perhaps post + both at Lerwick or Aberdeen. I sent you a Johnny Groat’s newspaper, + which I hope you got. Don’t tear either up, for they are curious. + God bless you and Hen. + + GEORGE BORROW. + + * * * * * + + TO MRS. GEORGE BORROW, YARMOUTH, NORFOLK + + STIRLING,_ Dec._ 14_th_, 1858. + + DEAR CARRETA,—I write a line to tell you that I am well and that I am + on my way to England, but I am stopped here for a day, for there is + no conveyance. Wherever I can walk I get on very well—but if you + depend on coaches or any means of conveyance in this country you are + sure to be disappointed. This place is but thirty-five miles from + Edinburgh, yet I am detained for a day—there is no train. The waste + of that day will prevent me getting to Yarmouth from Hull by the + steamer. Were it not for my baggage I would walk to Edinburgh. I + got to Aberdeen, where I posted a letter for you. I was then obliged + to return to Inverness for my luggage—125 miles. Rather than return + again to Aberdeen, I sent on my things to Dunkeld and walked the 102 + miles through the Highlands. When I got here I walked to Loch Lomond + and Loch Katrine, thirty-eight miles over horrible roads. I then got + back here. I have now seen the whole of Scotland that is worth + seeing, and walked 600 miles. I shall be glad to be out of the + country; a person here must depend entirely upon himself and his own + legs. I have not spent much money—my expenses during my wanderings + averaged a shilling a day. As I was walking through Strathspey, + singularly enough I met two or three of the Phillips. I did not know + them, but a child came running after me to ask me my name. It was + Miss P. and two of the children. I hope to get to you in two or + three days after you get this. God bless you and dear Hen. + + GEORGE BORROW. + +In spite of Borrow’s vow never to visit Scotland again, he was there +eight years later—in 1866—but only in the Lowlands. His stepdaughter, +Hen., or Henrietta Clarke, had married Dr. MacOubrey, of Belfast, and +Borrow and his wife went on a visit to the pair. But the incorrigible +vagabond in Borrow was forced to declare itself, and leaving his wife and +daughter in Belfast he crossed to Stranraer by steamer on 17th July, +1866, and tramped through the lowlands, visiting Ecclefechan and Gretna +Green. We have no record of his experiences at these places. The only +literary impression of the Scots tour of 1866, apart from a brief +reference in Dr. Knapp’s _Life_, is an essay on Kirk Yetholm in _Romano +Lavo-Lil_. We would gladly have exchanged it for an account of his +visits to Abbotsford and Melrose, two places which he saw in August of +this year. + +In his letter of 27th November from Kirkwall it will be seen that Borrow +records the kindness received from “a young gentleman of the name of +Petrie.” It is pleasant to find that when he returned to England he did +not forget that kindness, as the next letter demonstrates: + + TO GEORGE PETRIE, ESQ., KIRKWALL + + 39 CAMPERDOWN PLACE, YARMOUTH,_ Jany._ 14, 1859. + + MY DEAR SIR,—Some weeks ago I wrote to Mr. Murray [and] requested him + to transmit to you two works of mine. Should you not have received + them by the time this note reaches you, pray inform me and I will + write to him again. They may have come already, but whenever they + may come to hand, keep them in remembrance of one who will never + forget your kind attention to him in Orkney. + + On reaching Aberdeen I went to Inverness by rail. From there I sent + off my luggage to Dunkeld, and walked thither by the Highland road. + I never enjoyed a walk more—the weather was tolerably fine, and I was + amidst some of the finest scenery in the world. I was particularly + struck with that of Glen Truim. Near the top of the valley in sight + of the Craig of Badenoch on the left hand side of the way, I saw an + immense cairn, probably the memorial of some bloody clan battle. On + my journey I picked up from the mouth of an old Highland woman a most + remarkable tale concerning the death of Fian or Fingal. It differs + entirely from the Irish legends which I have heard on the subject—and + is of a truly mythic character. Since visiting Shetland I have + thought a great deal about the Picts, but cannot come to any + satisfactory conclusion. Were they Celts? were they Laps? Macbeth + could hardly have been a Lap, but then the tradition of the country + that they were a diminutive race, and their name was Pight or Pict, + which I almost think is the same as petit—pixolo—puj—pigmy. It is a + truly perplexing subject—quite as much so as that of Fingal, and + whether he was a Scotsman or an Irishman I have never been able to + decide, as there has been so much to be said on both sides of the + question. Please present my kind remembrances to Mrs. Petrie and all + friends, particularly Mr. Sheriff Robertson, who first did me the + favour of making me acquainted with you.—And believe me to remain, + dear Sir, ever sincerely yours, + + GEORGE BORROW. + + Thank you for the newspaper—the notice was very kind, but rather too + flattering. + +On the same day that Borrow wrote, Mr. Petrie sent his acknowledgment of +the books, and so the letters crossed: + + I was very agreeably surprised on opening a packet, which came to me + per steamer ten days ago, to find that it contained a present from + you of your highly interesting and valuable works _Lavengro_ and + _Romany Rye_. Coming from any person such books would have been + highly prized by me, and it is therefore specially gratifying to have + them presented to me by their author. Please to accept of my sincere + and heartfelt thanks for your kind remembrance of me and your + valuable gift. May I request you to confer an additional favour on + me by sending me a slip of paper to be pasted on each of the five + volumes, stating that they were presented to me by you. I would like + to hand them down as an heirloom to my family. I am afraid you will + think that I am a very troublesome acquaintance. + + I would have written sooner, but I expected to have had some + information to give you about some of the existing superstitions of + Orkney which might perhaps have some interest for you. I have, + however, been much engrossed with county business during the last + fortnight, and must therefore reserve my account of these matters + till another opportunity. + + Mr. Balfour, our principal landowner in Orkney, is just now writing + an article on the ancient laws and customs of the county to be + prefixed to a miscellaneous collection of documents, chiefly of the + sixteenth century. He is taking the opportunity to give an account + of the nature of the tenures by which the ancient Jarls held the + Jarldom, and the manner in which the odalret became gradually + supplanted. I have furnished him with several of the documents, and + am just now going over it with him. It is for the Bannatyne Club in + Edinburgh that he is preparing it, but I have suggested to him to + have it printed for general sale, as it is very interesting, and + contains a great mass of curious information condensed into a + comparatively small space. Mr. Balfour is very sorry that he had not + the pleasure of meeting you when you were here. + +My last glimpse of George Borrow in Scotland during his memorable trip of +the winter of 1858 is contained in a letter that I received some time ago +from the Rev. J. Wilcock of St. Ringan’s Manse, Lerwick, which runs as +follows: + + _Nov._ 18th, 1903. + + DEAR SIR,—As I see that you are interested in George Borrow, would + you allow me to supply you with a little notice of him which has not + appeared in print? A friend here—need I explain that this is written + from the capital of the Shetlands?—a friend, I say, now dead, told me + that one day early in the forenoon, during the winter, he had walked + out from the town for a stroll into the country. About a mile out + from the town is a piece of water called the Loch of Clickimin, on a + peninsula, in which is an ancient (so-called) “Pictish Castle.” His + attention was attracted by a tall, burly stranger, who was surveying + this ancient relic with deep interest. As the water of the loch was + well up about the castle, converting the plot of ground on which it + stood almost altogether into an island, the stranger took off shoes + and stockings and trousers, and waded all round the building in order + to get a thorough view of it. This procedure was all the more + remarkable from the fact, as above mentioned, that the season was + winter. I believe that there was snow on the ground at the time. My + friend noticed on meeting him again in the course of the same walk + that he was very lightly clothed. He had on a cotton shirt, a loose + open jacket, and on the whole was evidently indifferent to the rigour + of our northern climate at that time of the year. + +In addition to the visit to Belfast in 1866, Borrow was in Ireland the +year following his Scots tour of 1858, that is to say from July to +November, 1859. He went, accompanied by his wife and daughter, by +Holyhead to Dublin, where, as Dr. Knapp has discovered, they resided at +75 St. Stephen’s Green, South. Borrow, as was his custom, left his +family while he was on a walking tour which included Connemara and on +northward to the Giant’s Causeway. He was keenly interested in the two +Societies in Dublin engaged upon the study of ancient Irish literature, +and he became a member of the Ossianic Society in July of this year. I +have a number of Borrow’s translations from the Irish in my possession, +but no notebooks of his tour on this occasion. + +All Irishmen who wish their country to preserve its individuality should +have a kindly feeling for George Borrow. Opposed as he was to the +majority of the people in religion and in politics, he was about the only +Englishman of his time who took an interest in their national literature, +language and folk-lore. Had he written such another travel book about +Ireland as he wrote about Wales he would certainly have added to the sum +of human pleasure. + +I find only one letter to his wife during this Irish journey: + + TO MRS. GEORGE BORROW + + BALLINA, COUNTY MAYO, _Thursday Morning_. + + MY DEAR CARRETA,—I write to you a few lines. I have now walked 270 + miles, and have passed through Leinster and Connaught. I have + suffered a good deal of hardship, for this is a very different + country to walk in from England. The food is bad and does not agree + with me. I shall be glad to get back, but first of all I wish to + walk to the Causeway. As soon as I have done that I shall get on + railroad and return, as I find there is a railroad from Londonderry + to Dublin. Pray direct to me at Post Office, Londonderry. I have at + present about seven pounds remaining, perhaps it would bring me back + to Dublin; however, to prevent accidents, have the kindness to + enclose me an order on the Post Office, Londonderry, for five pounds. + I expect to be there next Monday, and to be home by the end of the + week. Glad enough I shall be to get back to you and Hen. I got your + letter at Galway. What you said about poor Flora was comforting—pray + take care of her. Don’t forget the order. I hope to write in a day + or two a kind of duplicate of this. I send Hen. heath from + Connemara, and also seaweed from a bay of the Atlantic. I have + walked across Ireland; the country people are civil; but I believe + all classes are disposed to join the French. The idolatry and popery + are beyond conception. God bless you, dearest. + + GEORGE BORROW. + + Love to Hen. and poor Flora. (Keep this.) + + + + +CHAPTER XXIX +“THE ROMANY RYE” + + +GEORGE BORROW’S three most important books had all a very interesting +history. We have seen the processes by which _The Bible in Spain_ was +built up from note-books and letters. We have seen further the most +curious apprenticeship by which _Lavengro_ came into existence. The most +distinctly English book—at least in a certain absence of +cosmopolitanism—that Victorian literature produced was to a great extent +written on scraps of paper during a prolonged Continental tour which +included Constantinople and Budapest. In _Lavengro_ we have only half a +book, the whole work, which included what came to be published as _The +Romany Rye_, having been intended to appear in four volumes. The first +volume was written in 1843, the second in 1845, after the Continental +tour, which is made use of in the description of the Hungarian, and the +third volume in the years between 1845 and 1848. Then in 1852 Borrow +wrote out an “advertisement” of a fourth volume, which runs as follows: + + Shortly will be published in one volume. Price 10s. _The Rommany + Rye_, Being the fourth volume of _Lavengro_. By George Borrow, + author of _The Bible in Spain_. + +But this volume did not make an appearance “shortly.” Its author was far +too much offended with the critics, too disheartened it may be to care to +offer himself again for their gibes. The years rolled on, much of the +time being spent at Yarmouth, a little of it at Oulton. There was a +visit to Cornwall in 1854, and another to Wales in the same year. The +Isle of Man was selected for a holiday in 1855, and not until 1857 did +_The Romany Rye_ appear. The book was now in two volumes, and we see +that the word Romany had dropped an “m”: + + The Romany Rye: A Sequel to “Lavengro.” By George Borrow, author of + “The Bible in Spain,” “The Gypsies of Spain,” etc., “Fear God, and + take your own part.” In Two Volumes. London: John Murray, Albemarle + Street, 1857. + +We are introduced once more to many old favourites, to Petulengro, to the +Man in Black, and above all to Isopel Berners. The incidents of +_Lavengro_ are supposed to have taken place between the 24th May, 1825, +and the 18th July of that year. In _The Romany Rye_ the incidents +apparently occur between 19th July and 3rd August, 1825. In the opinion +of that most eminent of gypsy experts, Mr. John Sampson, the whole of the +episodes in the five volumes occurred in seventy-two days. Mr. Sampson +agrees with Dr. Knapp in locating Mumper’s Dingle in Momber or Monmer +Lane, Willenhall, Shropshire. The dingle has disappeared—it is now +occupied by the Monmer Lane Ironworks—but you may still find Dingle +Bridge and Dingle Lane. The book has added to the glamour of gypsydom, +and to the interest in the gypsies which we all derive from _Lavengro_, +but Mr. Sampson makes short work of Borrow’s gypsy learning on its +philological side. “No gypsy,” he says, “ever uses _chal_ or _engro_ as +a separate word, or talks of the _dukkering dook_ or of _penning a +dukkerin_.” “Borrow’s genders are perversely incorrect”; and “Romany”—a +word which can never get out of our language, let philologists say what +they will—should have been “Romani.” “‘Haarsträubend’ is the fitting +epithet,” says Mr. Sampson, “which an Oriental scholar, Professor Richard +Pischel of Berlin, finds to describe Borrow’s etymologies.” But all this +is very unimportant, and the book remains in the whole of its forty-seven +chapters not one whit less a joy to us than does its predecessor +_Lavengro_, with its visions of gypsies and highwaymen and boxers. + +But then there is its “Appendix.” That appendix of eleven petulant +chapters undoubtedly did Borrow harm in his day and generation. Now his +fame is too great, and his genius too firmly established for these +strange dissertations on men and things to offer anything but amusement +or edification. They reveal, for example, the singularly non-literary +character of this great man of letters. Much—too much—has been made of +his dislike of Walter Scott and his writings. As a matter of fact Borrow +tells us that he admired Scott both as a prose writer and as a poet. +“Since Scott he had read no modern writer. Scott was greater than +Homer,” he told Frances Cobbe. But he takes occasion to condemn his +“Charlie o’er the water nonsense,” and declares that his love of and +sympathy with certain periods and incidents have made for sympathy with +what he always calls “Popery.” Well, looking at the matter from an +entirely opposite point of view, Cardinal Newman declared that the +writings of Scott had had no inconsiderable influence in directing his +mind towards the Church of Rome. + + During the first quarter of this century a great poet was raised up + in the North, who, whatever were his defects, has contributed by his + works, in prose and verse, to prepare men for some closer and more + practical approximation to Catholic truth. The general need of + something deeper and more attractive than what had offered itself + elsewhere may be considered to have led to his popularity; and by + means of his popularity he re-acted on his readers, stimulating their + mental thirst, feeding their hopes, setting before them visions, + which, when once seen, are not easily forgotten, and silently + indoctrinating them with nobler ideas, which might afterwards be + appealed to as first principles. + +And thus we see that Borrow had a certain prescience in this matter. But +Borrow, in good truth, cared little for modern English literature. His +heart was entirely with the poets of other lands—the Scandinavians and +the Kelts. In Virgil he apparently took little interest, nor in the +great poetry of Greece, Rome and England, although we find a reference to +Theocritus and Dante in his books. Fortunately for his fame he had read +_Gil Blas_, _Don Quixote_, and, above all, _Robinson Crusoe_, which last +book, first read as a boy of six, coloured his whole life. Defoe and +Fielding and Bunyan were the English authors to whom he owed most. Of +Byron he has quaint things to say, and of Wordsworth things that are +neither quaint nor wise. We recall the man in the field in the +twenty-second chapter of _The Romany Rye_ who used Wordsworth’s poetry as +a soporific. And throughout his life Borrow’s position towards his +contemporaries in literature was ever contemptuous. He makes no mention +of Carlyle or Ruskin or Matthew Arnold, and they in their turn, it may be +added, make no mention of him or of his works. Thackeray he snubbed on +one of the few occasions they met, and Browning and Tennyson were alike +unrevealed to him. Borrow indeed stands quite apart from the great +literature of a period in which he was a striking and individual figure. +Lacking appreciation in this sphere of work, he wrote of “the +contemptible trade of author,” counting it less creditable than that of a +jockey. + +But all this is a digression from the progress of our narrative of the +advent of _The Romany Rye_. The book was published in an edition of 1000 +copies in April, 1857, and it took thirty years to dispose of 3750 +copies. Not more than 2000 copies of his book were sold in Great Britain +during the twenty-three remaining years of Borrow’s life. What wonder +that he was embittered by his failure! The reviews were far from +favourable, although Mr. Elwin wrote not unkindly in an article in the +_Quarterly Review_ called “Roving Life in England.” No critic, however, +was as severe as _The Athenæum_, which had called _Lavengro_ “balderdash” +and referred to _The Romany Rye_ as the “literary dough” of an author +“whose dullest gypsy preparation we have now read.” In later years, +when, alas! it was too late, _The Athenæum_, through the eloquent pen of +Theodore Watts, made good amends. But William Bodham Donne wrote to +Borrow with adequate enthusiasm: + + TO GEORGE BORROW, ESQ. + + 12 ST. JAMES’S SQUARE,_ May_ 24_th_, 1857. + + MY DEAR SIR,—I received your book some days ago, but would not write + to you before I was able to read it, at least once, since it is + needless, I hope, for me to assure you that I am truly gratified by + the gift. + + Time to read it I could not find for some days after it was sent + hither, for what with winding up my affairs here, the election of my + successor, preparations for flitting, etc., etc., I have been + incessantly occupied with matters needful to be done, but far less + agreeable to do than reading _The Romany Rye_. All I have said of + _Lavengro_ to yourself personally, or to others publicly or + privately, I say again of _The Romany Rye_. Everywhere in it the + hand of the master is stamped boldly and deeply. You join the chisel + of Dante with the pencil of Defoe. + + I am rejoiced to see so many works announced of yours, for you have + more that is worth knowing to tell than any one I am acquainted with. + For your coming progeny’s sake I am disposed to wish you had worried + the literary-craft less. Brand and score them never so much, they + will not turn and repent, but only spit the more froth and venom. I + am reckoning on my emancipation with an eagerness hardly proper at my + years, but I cannot help it, so thoroughly do I hate London, and so + much do I love the country. I have taken a house, or rather a + cottage, at Walton on Thames, just on the skirts of Weybridge, and + there I hope to see you before I come into Norfolk, for I am afraid + my face will not be turned eastward for many weeks if not months. + + Remember me kindly to Mrs. Borrow and Miss Clarke, and believe me, my + dear Sir, very truly and thankfully yours, + + WM. B. DONNE. + +And perhaps a letter from the then Town Clerk of Oxford is worth +reproducing here: + + TO GEORGE BORROW, ESQ. + + TOWN CLERK’S OFFICE, OXFORD, 19_th_ _August_ 1857. + + SIR,—We have, attached to our Corporation, an ancient jocular court + composed of 13 of the poor old freemen who attend the elections and + have a king who sits attired in scarlet with a crown and sentences + interlopers (non-freemen) to be cold-burned, _i.e._ a bucket or so of + water introduced to the offender’s sleeve by means of the city pump; + but this infliction is of course generally commuted by a small + pecuniary compensation. + + They call themselves “Slaveonians” or “Sclavonians.” The only notice + we have of them in the city records is by the name of “Slovens Hall.” + Reading _Romany Rye_ I notice your account of the Sclaves and venture + to trouble you with this, and to enquire whether you think that the + Sclaves might be connected through the Saxons with the ancient + municipal institutions of this country. You are no doubt aware that + Oxford is one of the most ancient Saxon towns, being a royal + bailiwick and fortified before the Conquest,—Yours truly, + + GEORGE P. HESTER. + +In spite of contemporary criticism, _The Romany Rye_ is a great book, or +rather it contains the concluding chapters of a great book. Sequels are +usually proclaimed to be inferior to their predecessors. But _The Romany +Rye_ is not a sequel. It is part of _Lavengro_, and is therefore +Borrow’s most imperishable monument. + + + + +CHAPTER XXX +EDWARD FITZGERALD + + +EDWARD FITZGERALD once declared that he was about the only friend with +whom Borrow had never quarrelled. There was probably no reason for this +exceptional amity other than the “genius for friendship” with which +FitzGerald has been rightly credited. There were certainly, however, +many points of likeness between the two men which might have kept them at +peace. Both had written copiously and out of all proportion to the +public demand for their work. Both revelled in translation. +FitzGerald’s eight volumes in a magnificent American edition consist +mainly of translations from various tongues which no man presumably now +reads. All the world has read and will long continue to read his +translation or paraphrase of Omar Khayyám’s _Rubáiyát_. “Old Fitz,” as +his friends called him, lives by that, although his letters are among the +best in literature. Borrow wrote four books that will live, but had +publishers been amenable he would have published forty, and all as +unsaleable as the major part of FitzGerald’s translations. Both men were +Suffolk squires, and yet delighted more in the company of a class other +than their own, FitzGerald of boatmen, Borrow of gypsies; both were +counted eccentrics in their respective villages. Perhaps alone among the +great Victorian authors they lived to be old without receiving in their +lives any popular recognition of their great literary achievements, if we +except the momentary recognition of _The Bible in Spain_. But FitzGerald +had a more cultivated mind than Borrow. He loved literature and literary +men whilst Borrow did not. His criticism of books is of the best, and +his friendships with bookmen are among the most interesting in literary +history. “A solitary, shy, kind-hearted man,” was the verdict upon him +of the frequently censorious Carlyle. When Anne Thackeray asked her +father which of his friends he had loved best, he answered “Dear old +Fitz, to be sure,” and Tennyson would have said the same. Borrow had +none of these gifts as a letter-writer and no genius for friendship. The +charm of his style, so indisputable in his best work, is absent from his +letters; and his friends were alienated one after another. Borrow’s +undisciplined intellect and narrow upbringing were a curse to him, from +the point of view of his own personal happiness, although they helped him +to achieve exactly the work for which he was best fitted. Borrow’s +acquaintance with FitzGerald was commenced by the latter, who, in July, +1853, sent from Boulge Hall, Suffolk, to Oulton Hall, in the same county, +his recently published volume _Six Dramas of Calderon_. He apologises +for making so free with “a great man; but, as usual, I shall feel least +fear before a man like yourself who both do fine things in your own +language and are deep read in those of others.” He also refers to “our +common friend Donne,” so that it is probable that they had met at Donne’s +house. The next letter, also published by Dr. Knapp, that FitzGerald +writes to Borrow is dated from his home in Great Portland Street in 1856. +He presents his friend with a Turkish Dictionary, and announces his +coming marriage to Miss Barton, “Our united ages amount to 96!—a +dangerous experiment on both sides”—as it proved. The first reference to +Borrow in the FitzGerald _Letters_ issued by his authorised publishers is +addressed to Professor Cowell in January, 1857: + + I was with Borrow a week ago at Donne’s, and also at Yarmouth three + months ago: he is well, but not yet agreed with Murray. He read me a + long translation he had made from the Turkish: which I could not + admire, and his taste becomes stranger than ever. + +But Borrow’s genius if not his taste was always admired by FitzGerald, as +the following letter among my Borrow Papers clearly indicates. Borrow +had published _The Romany Rye_ at the beginning of May: + + TO GEORGE BORROW, ESQ., OULTON HALL + + GOLDINGTON HALL, BEDFORD, _May_ 24/57. + + MY DEAR SIR,—Your Book was put into my hands a week ago just as I was + leaving London; so I e’en carried it down here, and have been reading + it under the best Circumstances:—at such a Season—in the Fields as + they now are—and in company with a Friend I love best in the + world—who scarce ever reads a Book, but knows better than I do what + they are made of from a hint. + + Well, lying in a Paddock of his, I have been travelling along with + you to Horncastle, etc.,—in a very delightful way for the most part; + something as I have travelled, and love to travel, with Fielding, + Cervantes, and Robinson Crusoe—and a smack of all these there seems + to me, with something beside, in your book. But, as will happen in + Travel, there were some spots I didn’t like so well—didn’t like _at + all_: and sometimes wished to myself that I, a poor “Man of Taste,” + had been at your Elbow (who are a Man of much more than Taste) to + divert you, or get you by some means to pass lightlier over some + places. But you wouldn’t have heeded me, and won’t heed me, and + _must_ go your own way, I think—And in the parts I least like, I am + yet thankful for honest, daring, and original Thought and Speech such + as one hardly gets in these mealy-mouthed days. It was very kind of + you to send me your book. + + My Wife is already established at a House called “Albert’s Villa,” or + some such name, at Gorlestone—but a short walk from you: and I am to + find myself there in a few days. So I shall perhaps tell you more of + my thoughts ere long. Now I shall finish this large Sheet with a + Tetrastich of one Omar Khayyam who was an Epicurean Infidel some 500 + years ago: + + [Picture: A tetrastich of Omar Khayyám] {229} + + and am yours very truly, + EDWARD FITZGERALD. + +In a letter to Cowell about the same time—June 5, 1857—FitzGerald writes +that he is about to set out for Gorleston, Great Yarmouth: + + Within hail almost lives George Borrow, who has lately published, and + given me, two new volumes of Lavengro called _Romany Rye_, with some + excellent things, and some very bad (as I have made bold to write to + him—how shall I face him!) You would not like the book at all I + think. + +It was Cowell, it will be remembered, who introduced FitzGerald to the +Persian poet Omar, and afterwards regretted the act. The first edition +of _The Rubáiyát of Omar Khayyám_ appeared two years later, in 1859. +Edward Byles Cowell was born in Ipswich in 1826, and he was educated at +the Ipswich Grammar School. It was in the library attached to the +Ipswich Library Institution that Cowell commenced the study of Oriental +languages. In 1842 he entered the business of his father and grandfather +as a merchant and maltster. When only twenty years of age he commenced +his friendship with Edward FitzGerald, and their correspondence may be +found in Dr. Aldis Wright’s _FitzGerald Correspondence_. In 1850 he left +his brother to carry on the business and entered himself at Magdalen +Hall, Oxford, where he passed six years. At intervals he read Greek with +FitzGerald and, later, Persian. FitzGerald commenced to learn this last +language, which was to bring him fame, when he was forty-four years of +age. In 1856 Cowell was appointed to a Professorship of English History +at Calcutta, and from there he sent FitzGerald a copy of the manuscript +of _Omar Khayyám_, afterwards lent by FitzGerald to Borrow. Much earlier +than this—in 1853—FitzGerald had written to Borrow: + + At Ipswich, indeed, is a man whom you would like to know, I think, + and who would like to know you; one Edward Cowell: a great scholar, + if I may judge. . . . Should you go to Ipswich do look for him! a + great deal more worth looking for (I speak with no sham modesty, I am + sure) than yours,—E. F. G. + +Twenty-six years afterwards—in 1879—we find FitzGerald writing to Dr. +Aldis Wright to the effect that Cowell had been seized with “a wish to +learn Welsh under George Borrow”: + + And as he would not venture otherwise, I gave him a Note of + Introduction, and off he went, and had an hour with the old Boy, who + was hard of hearing and shut up in a stuffy room, but cordial enough; + and Cowell was glad to have seen the Man, and tell him that it was + his _Wild Wales_ which first inspired a thirst for this language into + the Professor. + +There is one short letter from FitzGerald to Borrow in Dr. Aldis Wright’s +_FitzGerald Letters_. It is dated June, 1857, and from it we learn that +FitzGerald lent Borrow the Calcutta manuscript of _Omar Khayyám_, upon +which he based his own immortal translation, and from a letter to W. H. +Thompson in 1861 we learn that Cowell, who had inspired the writing of +FitzGerald’s _Omar Khayyám_, Donne and Borrow were the only three friends +to whom he had sent copies of his “peccadilloes in verse” as he calls his +remarkable translation, and this two years after it was published. A +letter, dated July 6, 1857, asks for the return of FitzGerald’s copy of +the Ouseley manuscript of _Omar Khayyám_, Borrow having clearly already +returned the Calcutta manuscript. This letter concludes on a pathetic +note: + + My old Parson Crabbe is bowing down under epileptic fits, or + something like, and I believe his brave old white head will soon sink + into the village church sward. Why, _our_ time seems coming. Make + way, gentlemen! + +Borrow comes more than once into the story of FitzGerald’s great +translation of _Omar Khayyám_, which in our day has caused so great a +sensation, and deserves all the enthusiasm that it has excited as the + + “. . . golden Eastern lay, + Than which I know no version done + In English more divinely well,” + +to quote Tennyson’s famous eulogy. Cowell, to his after regret, for he +had none of FitzGerald’s _dolce far niente_ paganism, had sent FitzGerald +from Calcutta, where he was, the manuscript of Omar Khayyam’s _Rubáiyát_ +in Persian, and FitzGerald was captured by it. Two years later, as we +know, he produced the translation, which was so much more than a +translation. “Omar breathes a sort of consolation to me,” he wrote to +Cowell. “Borrow is greatly delighted with your MS. of Omar which I +showed him,” he says in another letter to Cowell (23rd June, 1857), +“delighted at the terseness so unusual in Oriental verse.” + +The next two letters by FitzGerald from my Borrow Papers are of the year +1859, the year of the first publication of the _Rubáiyát_: + + TO GEORGE BORROW, ESQ. + + 10 MARINE PARADE, LOWESTOFT. + + MY DEAR BORROW,—I have come here with three nieces to give them sea + air and change. They are all perfectly quiet, sensible, and + unpretentious girls; so as, if you will come over here any day or + days, we will find you board and bed too, for a week longer at any + rate. There is a good room below, which we now only use for meals, + but which you and I can be quite at our sole ease in. Won’t you + come? + + I purpose (and indeed have been some while intentioning) to go over + to Yarmouth to look for you. But I write this note in hope it may + bring you hither also. + + Donne has got his soldier boy home from India—Freddy—I always thought + him a very nice fellow indeed. No doubt life is happy enough to all + of them just now. Donne has been on a visit to the Highlands—which + seems to have pleased him—I have got an MS. of Bahram and his Seven + Castles (Persian), which I have not yet cared to look far into. Will + you? It is short, fairly transcribed, and of some repute in its own + country, I hear. Cowell sent it me from Calcutta; but it almost + requires _his_ company to make one devote one’s time to Persian, + when, with what remains of one’s old English eyes, one can read the + Odyssey and Shakespeare. + + With compliments to the ladies, believe me, Yours very truly, + + EDWARD FITZGERALD. + + I didn’t know you were back from your usual summer tour till Mr. Cobb + told my sister lately of having seen you. + + * * * * * + + TO GEORGE BORROW, ESQ. + + BATH HOUSE, LOWESTOFT, _October_ 10/59. + + DEAR BORROW,—This time last year I was here and wrote to ask about + you. You were gone to Scotland. Well, where are you now? As I also + said last year: “If you be in Yarmouth and have any mind to see me I + will go over some day; or here I am if you will come here. And I am + quite alone. As it is I would bus it to Yarmouth but I don’t know if + you and yours be there at all, nor if there, whereabout. If I don’t + hear at all I shall suppose you are not there, on one of your + excursions, or not wanting to be rooted out; a condition I too well + understand. I was at Gorleston some months ago for some while; just + after losing my greatest friend, the Bedfordshire lad who was crushed + to death, coming home from hunting, his horse falling on him. He + survived indeed two months, and I had been to bid him eternal adieu, + so had no appetite for anything but rest—rest—rest. I have just seen + his widow off from here. With kind regards to the ladies, Yours very + truly, + + EDWARD FITZGERALD. + +In a letter to George Crabbe the third, and the grandson of the poet, in +1862, FitzGerald tells him that he has just been reading Borrow’s _Wild +Wales_, “which _I_ like well because I can hear him talking it. But I +don’t know if others will like it.” “No one writes better English than +Borrow in general,” he says. But FitzGerald, as a lover of style, is +vexed with some of Borrow’s phrases, and instances one: “‘The scenery was +beautiful _to a degree_.’ _What_ degree? When did this vile phrase +arise?” The criticism is just, but Borrow, in common with many other +great English authors whose work will live, was not uniformly a good +stylist. He has many lamentable fallings away from the ideals of the +stylist. But he will, by virtue of a wonderful individuality, outlive +many a good stylist. His four great books are immortal, and one of them +is _Wild Wales_. + +We have a glimpse of FitzGerald in the following letter in my possession, +by the friend who had introduced him to Borrow, William Bodham Donne: + + TO GEORGE BORROW, ESQ. + + 40 WEYMOUTH STREET, PORTLAND PLACE, W., + _November_ 28/62. + + MY DEAR BORROW,—Many thanks for the copy of _Wild Wales_ reserved for + and sent to me by Mr. R. Cooke. Before this copy arrived I had + obtained one from the London Library and read it through, not exactly + _stans pede in uno_, but certainly almost at a stretch. I could not + indeed lay it down, it interested me so much. It is one of the very + best records of home travel, if indeed so strange a country as Wales + is can properly be called _home_, I have ever met with. + + Immediately on closing the third volume I secured a few pages in + _Fraser’s Magazine_ for _Wild Wales_, for though you do not stand in + need of my aid, yet my notice will not do you a mischief, and some of + the reviewers of _Lavengro_ were, I recollect, shocking blockheads, + misinterpreting the letter and misconceiving the spirit of that work. + I have, since we met in Burlington Arcade, been on a visit to + FitzGerald. He is in better spirits by far than when I saw him about + the same time in last year. He has his pictures and his chattels + about him, and has picked up some acquaintance among the merchants + and mariners of Woodbridge, who, although far below his level, are + yet better company than the two old skippers he was consorting with + in 1861. They—his present friends—came in of an evening, and sat and + drank and talked, and I enjoyed their talk very much, since they + discussed of what they understood, which is more than I can say + generally of the fine folks I occasionally (very occasionally now) + meet in London. I should have said more about your book, only I wish + to keep it for print: and you don’t need to be told by me that it is + very good.—With best regards to Mrs. Borrow and Miss Clarke, I am, + yours ever truly, + + W. B. DONNE. + +The last letter from FitzGerald to Borrow is dated many years after the +correspondence I have here printed. From it we gather that there had +been no correspondence in the interval. FitzGerald writes from Little +Grange, Woodbridge, in January, 1875, to say that he had received a +message from Borrow that he would be glad to see him at Oulton. “I think +the more of it,” says FitzGerald, “because I imagine, from what I have +heard, that you have slunk away from human company as much as I have.” +He hints that they might not like one another so well after a fifteen +years’ separation. He declares with infinite pathos that he has now +severed himself from all old ties, has refused the invitations of old +college friends and old school-fellows. To him there was no +companionship possible for his declining days other than his reflections +and verses. It is a fine letter, filled with that graciousness of spirit +that was ever a trait in FitzGerald’s noble nature. The two men never +met again. Borrow died in 1881, FitzGerald two years later. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXI +“WILD WALES” + + +THE year 1854 was an adventurous one in Borrow’s life, for he, so +essentially a Celt, had in that year two interesting experiences of the +“Celtic Fringe.” He spent the first months of the year in Cornwall, as +we have seen, and from July to November he was in Wales. That tour he +recorded in pencilled note-books, four of which are in the Knapp +Collection in New York, and are duly referred to in Dr. Knapp’s +biography, and two of which are in my possession. In addition to this I +have the complete manuscript of _Wild Wales_ in Borrow’s handwriting, and +many variants of it in countless, carefully written pages. Therein lie +the possibilities of a singularly interesting edition of _Wild Wales_ +should opportunity offer for its publication. When I examine the +manuscript, with its demonstration of careful preparation, I do not +wonder that it took Borrow eight years—from 1854 to 1862—to prepare this +book for the press. Assuredly we recognise here, as in all his books, +that he realised Carlyle’s definition of genius—“the transcendent +capacity of taking trouble—first of all.” + +It was on 27th July, 1854, that Borrow, his wife and her daughter, +Henrietta Clarke, set out on their journey to North Wales. Dr. Knapp +prints two kindly letters from Mrs. Borrow to her mother-in-law written +from Llangollen on this tour. “We are in a lovely quiet spot,” she +writes, “Dear George goes out exploring the mountains. . . . The poor +here are humble, simple, and good.” In the second letter Mrs. Borrow +records that her husband “keeps a _daily_ journal of all that goes on, so +that he can make a most amusing book in a month.” Yet Borrow took eight +years to make it. The failure of _The Romany Rye_, which was due for +publication before _Wild Wales_, accounts for this, and perhaps also the +disappointment that another book, long since ready, did not find a +publisher. In the letter from which I have quoted Mary Borrow tells Anne +Borrow that her son will, she expects at Christmas, publish _The Romany +Rye_, “together with his poetry in all the European languages.” This +last book had been on his hands for many a day, and indeed in _Wild +Wales_ he writes of “a mountain of unpublished translations” of which +this book, duly advertised in _The Romany Rye_, was a part. + +After an ascent of Snowdon arm in arm with Henrietta, Mrs. Borrow +remaining behind, Borrow left his wife and daughter to find their way +back to Yarmouth, and continued his journey, all of which is most +picturesquely described in _Wild Wales_. Before that book was published, +however, Borrow was to visit the Isle of Man, Scotland, and Ireland. He +was to publish _The Romany Rye_ (1857); to see his mother die (1858); and +to issue his very limited edition of _The Sleeping Bard_ (1860); and, +lastly, to remove to Brompton (1860). It was at the end of the year 1862 +that _Wild Wales_ was published. It had been written during the two +years immediately following the tour in Wales, in 1855 and 1856. It had +been announced as ready for publication in 1857, but doubtless the chilly +reception of _The Romany Rye_ in that year, of which we have written, had +made Borrow lukewarm as to venturing once more before the public. The +public was again irresponsive. _The Cornhill Magazine_, then edited by +Thackeray, declared the book to be “tiresome reading.” The _Spectator_ +reviewer was more kindly, but nowhere was there any enthusiasm. Only a +thousand copies were sold, and a second edition did not appear until +1865, and not another until seven years after Borrow’s death. Yet the +author had the encouragement that comes from kindly correspondents. +Here, for example, is a letter that could not but have pleased him: + + WEST HILL LODGE, HIGHGATE, + _Dec._ 29_th_, 1862. + + DEAR SIR,—We have had a great Christmas pleasure this year—the + reading of your _Wild Wales_, which has taken us so deliciously into + the lovely fresh scenery and life of that pleasant mountain-land. My + husband and myself made a little walking tour over some of your + ground in North Wales this year; my daughter and her uncle, Richard + Howitt, did the same; and we have been ourselves collecting material + for a work, the scenes of which will be laid amidst some of our and + your favourite mountains. But the object of my writing was not to + tell you this; but after assuring you of the pleasure your work has + given us—to say also that in one respect it has tantalised us. You + have told over and over again to fascinated audiences, Lope de Vega’s + ghost story, but still leave the poor reader at the end of the book + longing to hear it in vain. + + May I ask you, therefore, to inform us in which of Lope de Vega’s + numerous works this same ghost story is to be found? We like ghost + stories, and to a certain extent believe in them, we deserve + therefore to know the best ghost story in the world. + + Wishing for you, your wife and your Henrietta, all the compliments of + the season in the best and truest sense of expression.—I am, dear + sir, yours sincerely, + + MARY HOWITT. + +The reference to Lope de Vega’s ghost story is due to the fact that in +the fifty-fifth chapter of _Wild Wales_, Borrow, after declaring that +Lope de Vega was “one of the greatest geniuses that ever lived,” added, +that among his tales may be found “the best ghost story in the world.” +Dr. Knapp found the story in Borrow’s handwriting among the manuscripts +that came to him, and gives it in full. In good truth it is but +moderately interesting, although Borrow seems to have told it to many +audiences when in Wales, but this perhaps provides the humour of the +situation. It seems clear that Borrow contemplated publishing Lope de +Vega’s ghost story in a later book. We note here, indeed, a letter of a +much later date in which Borrow refers to the possibility of a supplement +to _Wild Wales_, the only suggestion of such a book that I have seen, +although there is plenty of new manuscript in my Borrow collection to +have made such a book possible had Borrow been encouraged by his +publisher and the public to write it. + + TO J. EVAN WILLIAMS, ESQ. + + 22 HEREFORD SQUARE, BROMPTON, _Decr._ 31, 1863. + + DEAR SIR,—I have received your letter and thank you for the kind + manner in which you are pleased to express yourself concerning me. + Now for your questions. With respect to Lope De Vega’s ghost story, + I beg to say that I am thinking of publishing a supplement to my + _Wild Wales_ in which, amongst other things, I shall give a full + account of the tale and point out where it is to be found. You + cannot imagine the number of letters I receive on the subject of that + ghost story. With regard to the Sclavonian languages, I wish to + observe that they are all well deserving of study. The Servian and + Bohemian contain a great many old traditionary songs, and the latter + possesses a curious though not very extensive prose literature. The + Polish has, I may say, been rendered immortal by the writings of + Mickiewicz, whose ‘Conrad Wallenrod’ is probably the most remarkable + poem of the present century. The Russian, however, is the most + important of all the Sclavonian tongues, not on account of its + literature but because it is spoken by fifty millions of people, it + being the dominant speech from the Gulf of Finland to the frontiers + of China. There is a remarkable similarity both in sound and sense + between many Russian and Welsh words, for example “tcheló” is the + Russian for forehead, “tal” is Welsh for the same; “iasnüy” (neuter + “iasnoe”) is the Russian for clear or radiant, “iesin” the Welsh, so + that if it were grammatical in Russian to place the adjective after + the noun as is the custom in Welsh, the Welsh compound “Taliesin” + (Radiant forehead) might be rendered in Russian by “Tchelōiasnoe,” + which would be wondrously like the Welsh name; unfortunately, + however, Russian grammar would compel any one wishing to Russianise + “Taliesin” to say not “Tchelōiasnoe” but “Iasnoetchelō.”—Yours truly, + + GEORGE BORROW. + +Another letter that Borrow owed to his _Wild Wales_ may well have place +here. It will be recalled that in his fortieth chapter he waxes +enthusiastic over Lewis Morris, the Welsh bard, who was born in Anglesey +in 1700 and died in 1765. Morris’s great-grandson, Sir Lewis Morris +(1833–1907), the author of the once popular _Epic of Hades_, was +twenty-nine years of age when he wrote to Borrow as follows:— + + TO GEORGE BORROW, ESQ. + + REFORM CLUB. _Dec._ 29, 1862. + + SIR,—I have just finished reading your work on _Wild Wales_, and + cannot refrain from writing to thank you for the very lifelike + picture of the Welsh people, North and South, which, unlike other + Englishmen, you have managed to give us. To ordinary Englishmen the + language is of course an insurmountable bar to any real knowledge of + the people, and the result is that within six hours of Paddington or + Euston Square is a country nibbled at superficially by droves of + holiday-makers, but not really better known than Asia Minor. I wish + it were possible to get rid of all obstacles which stand in the way + of the development of the Welsh people and the Welsh intellect. In + the meantime every book which like yours tends to lighten the thick + darkness which seems to hang round Wales deserves the acknowledgments + of every true Welshman. I am, perhaps, more especially called upon + to express my thanks for the very high terms in which you speak of my + great-grandfather, Lewis Morris. I believe you have not said a word + more than he deserves. Some of the facts which you mention with + regard to him were unknown to me, and as I take a very great interest + in everything relating to my ancestor I venture to ask you whether + you can indicate any source of knowledge with regard to him and his + wife, other than those which I have at present—viz., an old number of + the _Cambrian Register_ and some notices of him in the _Gentleman’s + Magazine_, 1760–70. There is also a letter of his in Lord + Teignmouth’s _Life of Sir William Jones_ in which he claims kindred + with that great scholar. Many of his manuscript poems and much + correspondence are now in the library of the British Museum, most of + them I regret to say a sealed book to one who like myself had yet to + learn Welsh. But I am not the less anxious to learn all that can be + ascertained about my great ancestor. I should say that two of his + brothers, Richard and William, were eminent Welsh scholars. + + With apologies for addressing you so unceremoniously, and with + renewed thanks, I remain, Sir, your obedient servant, + + LEWIS MORRIS. + +An interesting letter to Borrow from another once popular writer belongs +to this period: + + TO GEORGE BORROW, ESQ. + + THE “PRESS” OFFICE, STRAND, + WESTMINSTER, _Thursday_. + + One who has read and delighted in everything Mr. Borrow has yet + published ventures to say how great has been his delight in reading + _Wild Wales_. No philologist or linguist, I am yet an untiring + walker and versifier: and really I think that few things are + pleasanter than to walk and to versify. Also, well do I love good + ale, natural drink of the English. If I could envy anything, it is + your linguistic faculty, which unlocks to you the hearts of the + unknown races of these islands—unknown, I mean, as to their real + feelings and habits, to ordinary Englishmen—and your still higher + faculty of describing your adventures in the purest and raciest + English of the day. I send you a Danish daily journal, which you may + not have seen. Once a week it issues articles in English. How + beautiful (but of course not new to you) is the legend of Queen + Dagmar, given in this number! A noble race, the Danes: glad am I to + see their blood about to refresh that which runs in the royal veins + of England. Sorry and ashamed to see a Russell bullying and + insulting them. + + MORTIMER COLLINS. + +How greatly Borrow was disappointed at the comparative failure of _Wild +Wales_ may be gathered from a curt message to his publisher which I find +among his papers: + + Mr. Borrow has been applied to by a country bookseller, who is + desirous of knowing why there is not another edition of _Wild Wales_, + as he cannot procure a copy of the book, for which he receives + frequent orders. That it was not published in a cheap form as soon + as the edition of 1862 was exhausted has caused much surprise. + +Borrow, it will be remembered, left Wales at Chepstow, as recorded in the +hundred and ninth and final chapter of _Wild Wales_, “where I purchased a +first class ticket, and ensconcing myself in a comfortable carriage, was +soon on my way to London, where I arrived at about four o’clock in the +morning.” In the following letter to his wife there is a slight +discrepancy, of no importance, as to time: + + TO MRS. GEORGE BORROW + + 53A PALL MALL, LONDON. + + DEAR WIFE CARRETA,—I arrived here about five o’clock this + morning—time I saw you. I have walked about 250 miles. I walked the + whole way from the North to the South—then turning to the East + traversed Glamorganshire and the county of Monmouth, and came out at + Chepstow. My boots were worn up by the time I reached Swansea, and + was obliged to get them new soled and welted. I have seen wonderful + mountains, waterfalls, and people. On the other side of the Black + Mountains I met a cartload of gypsies; they were in a dreadful rage + and were abusing the country right and left. My last ninety miles + proved not very comfortable, there was so much rain. Pray let me + have some money by Monday as I am nearly without any, as you may well + suppose, for I was three weeks on my journey. I left you on a + Thursday, and reached Chepstow yesterday, Thursday, evening. I hope + you, my mother, and Hen. are well. I have seen Murray and Cooke.—God + bless you, yours, + + GEORGE BORROW. + + (Keep this.) + +Before Borrow put the finishing touches to _Wild Wales_ he repeated his +visit of 1854. This was in 1857, the year of _The Romany Rye_. Dr. +Knapp records the fact through a letter to Mr. John Murray from +Shrewsbury, in which he discusses the possibility of a second edition of +_The Romany Rye_: “I have lately been taking a walk in Wales of upwards +of five hundred miles,” he writes. This tour lasted from August 23rd to +October 5th. I find four letters to his wife that were written in this +holiday. He does not seem to have made any use of this second tour in +his _Wild Wales_, although I have abundance of manuscript notes upon it +in my possession. + + TO MRS. GEORGE BORROW + + TENBY, _Tuesday_, 25. + + MY DEAR CARRETA,—Since writing to you I have been rather unwell and + was obliged to remain two days at Sandypool. The weather has been + horribly hot and affected my head and likewise my sight slightly; + moreover one of the shoes hurt my foot. I came to this place to-day + and shall presently leave it for Pembroke on my way back, I shall + write to you from there. I shall return by Cardigan. What I want + you to do is to write to me directed to the post office, Cardigan (in + Cardiganshire), and either inclose a post office order for five + pounds or an order from Lloyd and Co. on the banker of that place for + the same sum; but at any rate write or I shall not know what to do. + I would return by railroad, but in that event I must go to London, + for there are no railroads from here to Shrewsbury. I wish moreover + to see a little more. Just speak to the banker and don’t lose any + time. Send letter, and either order in it, or say that I can get it + at the bankers. I hope all is well. God bless you and Hen. + + GEORGE BORROW. + + * * * * * + + TO MRS. GEORGE BORROW + + TRECASTLE, BRECKNOCKSHIRE, + SOUTH WALES, _August_ 17_th_. + + DEAR CARRETA,—I write to you a few words from this place; to-morrow I + am going to Llandovery and from there to Carmarthen; for the first + three or four days I had dreadful weather. I got only to Worthen the + first day, twelve miles—on the next to Montgomery, and so on. It is + now very hot, but I am very well, much better than at Shrewsbury. I + hope in a few days to write to you again, and soon to be back to you. + God bless you and Hen. + + G. BORROW. + + * * * * * + + TO MRS. GEORGE BORROW + + LAMPETER, 3_rd_ _September_ 1857. + + MY DEAR CARRETA,—I am making the best of my way to Shrewsbury (My + face is turned towards Mama). I write this from Lampeter, where + there is a college for educating clergymen intended for Wales, which + I am going to see. I shall then start for Radnor by Tregaron, and + hope soon to be in England. I have seen an enormous deal since I + have been away, and have walked several hundred miles. Amongst other + places I have seen St. David’s, a wonderful half ruinous cathedral on + the S. Western end of Pembrokeshire, but I shall be glad to get back. + God bless you and Hen. + + GEORGE BORROW. + + Henrietta! Do you know who is handsome? + + * * * * * + + TO MRS. GEORGE BORROW + + PRESTEYNE, RADNORSHIRE, _Monday morning_. + + DEAR CARRETA,—I am just going to start for Ludlow, and hope to be at + Shrewsbury on Tuesday night if not on Monday morning. God bless you + and Hen. + + G. BORROW. + + When I get back I shall have walked more than 400 miles. + +In _Wild Wales_ we have George Borrow in his most genial mood. There are +none of the hair-breadth escapes and grim experiences of _The Bible in +Spain_, none of the romance and the glamour of _Lavengro_ and its sequel, +but there is good humour, a humour that does not obtain in the three more +important works, and there is an amazing amount of frank candour of a +biographical kind. We even have a reference to Isopel Berners, referred +to by Captain Bosvile as “the young woman you used to keep company with +. . . a fine young woman and a virtuous.” It is the happiest of Borrow’s +books, and not unnaturally. He was having a genuine holiday, and he had +the companionship during a part of it of his wife and daughter, of whom +he was, as this book is partly written to prove, very genuinely fond. He +also enjoyed the singularly felicitous experience of harking back upon +some of his earliest memories. He was able to retrace the steps he took +in the Welsh language during his boyhood: + + That night I sat up very late reading the life of Twm O’r Nant, + written by himself in choice Welsh. . . . The life I had read in my + boyhood in an old Welsh magazine, and I now read it again with great + zest, and no wonder, as it is probably the most remarkable + autobiography ever penned. + +It is in this ecstatic mood that he passes through Wales. Let me recall +the eulogy on “Gronwy” Owen, and here it may be said that Borrow rarely +got his spelling correct of the proper names of his various literary +heroes, in the various Norse and Celtic tongues in which he delighted. +But how much Borrow delighted in his poets may be seen by his eulogy on +Goronwy Owen, which in its pathos recalls Carlyle’s similar eulogies over +poor German scholars who interested him, Jean Paul Richter and Heyne, for +example. Borrow ignored Owen’s persistent intemperance and general +impracticability. Here and here only, indeed, does he remind one of +Carlyle. He had a great capacity for hero-worship, although the two were +not interested in the same heroes. His hero-worship of Owen took him +over large tracks of country in search of that poet’s birthplace. He +writes of the delight he takes in inspecting the birth-places and haunts +of poets. “It is because I am fond of poetry, poets, and their haunts, +that I am come to Anglesey.” “I proceeded on my way,” he says elsewhere, +“in high spirits indeed, having now seen not only the tomb of the Tudors, +but one of those sober poets for which Anglesey has always been so +famous.” And thus it is that _Wild Wales_ is a high-spirited book, which +will always be a delight and a joy not only to Welshmen, who, it may be +hoped, have by this time forgiven “the ecclesiastical cat” of Llangollen, +but to all who rejoice in the great classics of the English tongue. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXII +LIFE IN LONDON, 1860–1874 + + +GEORGE BORROW’S earlier visits to London are duly recorded, with that +glamour of which he was a master, in the pages of _Lavengro_. Who can +cross London Bridge even to-day without thinking of the apple-woman and +her copy of _Moll Flanders_; and many passages of Borrow’s great book +make a very special appeal to the lover of London. Then there was that +visit to the Bible Society’s office made on foot from Norwich, and the +expedition a few months later to pass an examination in the Manchu +language. When he became a country squire and the author of the very +successful _Bible in Spain_ Borrow frequently visited London, and his +various residences may be traced from his letters. Take, for example, +these five notes to his wife, the first apparently written in 1848, but +all undated: + + TO MRS. GEORGE BORROW + + _Tuesday afternoon_. + + MY DEAR WIFE,—I just write you a line to tell you that I am tolerably + well as I hope you are. Every thing is in confusion abroad. The + French King has disappeared and will probably never be heard of, + though they are expecting him in England. Funds are down nearly to + eighty. The Government have given up the income tax and people are + very glad of it. _I am not_. With respect to the funds, if I were + to sell out I should not know what to do with the money. J. says + they will rise. I do not think they will, they may, however, + fluctuate a little.—Keep up your spirits, my heart’s dearest, and + kiss old Hen. for me. + + G. B. + + * * * * * + + TO MRS. GEORGE BORROW + + 53_a_, PALL MALL. + + DEAR WIFE CARRETA,—I write you a line as I suppose you will be glad + to have one. I dine to-night with Murray and Cooke, and we are going + to talk over about _The Sleeping Bard_; both are very civil. I have + been reading hard at the Museum and have lost no time. Yesterday I + went to Greenwich to see the Leviathan. It is almost terrible to + look at, and seems too large for the river. It resembles a floating + town—the paddle is 60 feet high. A tall man can stand up in the + funnel as it lies down. ’Tis sad, however, that money is rather + scarce. I walked over Blackheath and thought of poor dear Mrs. + Watson. I have just had a note from FitzGerald. We have had some + rain but not very much. London is very gloomy in rainy weather. I + was hoping that I should have a letter from you this morning. I hope + you and Hen. have been well.—God bless you. + + GEORGE BORROW. + + * * * * * + + TO MRS. GEORGE BORROW + + PALL MALL, 53_a_, _Saturday_. + + DEAR CARRETA,—I am thinking of coming to you on Thursday. I do not + know that I can do anything more here, and the dulness of the weather + and the mists are making me ill. Please to send another five pound + note by Tuesday morning. I have spent scarcely anything of that + which you sent except what I owe to Mrs. W., but I wish to have money + in my pocket, and Murray and Cooke are going to dine with me on + Tuesday; I shall be glad to be with you again, for I am very much in + want of your society. I miss very much my walks at Llangollen by the + quiet canal; but what’s to be done? Everything seems nearly at a + standstill in London, on account of this wretched war, at which it + appears to me the English are getting the worst, notwithstanding + their boasting. They thought to settle it in an autumn’s day; they + little knew the Russians, and they did not reflect that just after + autumn comes winter, which has ever been the Russians’ friend. Have + you heard anything about the rent of the Cottage? I should have been + glad to hear from you this morning. Give my love to Hen. and may God + bless you, dear. + + GEORGE BORROW. + + (Keep this.) + + * * * * * + + TO MRS. GEORGE BORROW + + No. 53_a_ PALL MALL. + + DEAR CARRETA,—I hope you received my last letter written on Tuesday. + I am glad that I came to London. I find myself much the better for + having done so. I was going on in a very spiritless manner. + Everybody I have met seems very kind and glad to see me. Murray + seems to be thoroughly staunch. Cooke, to whom I mentioned the F.T., + says that Murray was delighted with the idea, and will be very glad + of the 4th of _Lavengro_. I am going to dine with Murray to-day, + Thursday. W. called upon me to-day. I wish you would send me a + blank cheque, in a letter so that if I want money I may be able to + draw for a little. I shall not be long from home, but now I am here + I wish to do all that’s necessary. If you send me a blank cheque, I + suppose W. or Murray would give me the money. I hope you got my last + letter. I received yours, and Cooke has just sent the two copies of + _Lavengro_ you wrote for, and I believe some engravings of the + picture. I shall wish to return by the packet if possible, and will + let you know when I am coming. I hope to write again shortly to tell + you some more news. How is mother and Hen., and how are all the + creatures? I hope all well. I trust you like all I propose—now I am + here I want to get two or three things, to go to the Museum, and to + arrange matters. God bless you. Love to mother and Hen. + + GEORGE BORROW. + + * * * * * + + TO MRS. GEORGE BORROW + + No. 58 JERMYN STREET, ST. JAMES. + + DEAR CARRETA,—I got here safe, and upon the whole had not so bad a + journey as might be expected. I put up at the Spread Eagle for the + night for I was tired and _hungry_; have got into my old lodgings as + you see, those on the second floor, they are very nice ones, with + every convenience; they are expensive, it is true, but they are + _cheerful_, which is a grand consideration for me. I have as yet + seen nobody, for it is only now a little past eleven. I can scarcely + at present tell you what my plans are, perhaps to-morrow I shall + write again. Kiss Hen., and God bless you. + + G. B. + +Borrow was in London in 1845 and again in 1848. There must have been +other occasional visits on the way to this or that starting point of his +annual holiday, but in 1860 Borrow took a house in London, and he resided +there until 1874, when he returned to Oulton. In a letter to Mr. John +Murray, written from Ireland in November, 1859, Mrs. Borrow writes to the +effect that in the spring of the following year she will wish to look +round “and select a pleasant holiday residence within three to ten miles +of London.” There is no doubt that a succession of winters on Oulton +Broad had been very detrimental to Mrs. Borrow’s health, although they +had no effect on Borrow, who bathed there with equal indifference in +winter as in summer, having, as he tells us in _Wild Wales_, “always had +the health of an elephant.” And so Borrow and his wife arrived in London +in June, and took temporary lodgings at 21 Montagu Street, Portman +Square. In September they went into occupation of a house in Brompton—22 +Hereford Square, which is now commemorated by a County Council tablet. +Here Borrow resided for fourteen years, and here his wife died on 30th +January, 1869. She was buried in Brompton Cemetery, where Borrow was +laid beside her twelve years later. For neighbours on the one side the +Borrows had Mr. Robert Collinson and, on the other, Miss Frances Power +Cobbe and her companion, Miss M. C. Lloyd. From Miss Cobbe we have +occasional glimpses of Borrow, all of them unkindly. She was of Irish +extraction, her father having been grandson of Charles Cobbe, Archbishop +of Dublin. Miss Cobbe was an active woman in all kinds of journalistic +and philanthropic enterprises in the London of the ’seventies and +’eighties of the last century, writing in particular in the now defunct +newspaper, the _Echo_, and she wrote dozens of books and pamphlets, all +of them forgotten except her _Autobiography_, in which she devoted +several pages to her neighbour in Hereford Square. Borrow had no +sympathy with fanatical women with many “isms,” and the pair did not +agree, although many neighbourly courtesies passed between them for a +time. Here is an extract from Miss Cobbe’s _Autobiography_: + + George Borrow, who, if he were not a gypsy by blood, _ought_ to have + been one, was for some years our near neighbour in Hereford Square. + My friend was amused by his quaint stories and his (real or sham) + enthusiasm for Wales, and cultivated his acquaintance. I never liked + him, thinking him more or less of a hypocrite. His missions, + recorded in _The Bible in Spain_, and his translations of the + Scriptures into the out-of-the-way tongues, for which he had a gift, + were by no means consonant with his real opinions concerning the + veracity of the said Bible. + +One only needs to quote this by the light of the story as told so far in +these pages to see how entirely Miss Cobbe misunderstood Borrow, or +rather how little insight she was able to bring to a study of his curious +character. The rest of her attempt at interpretation is largely taken up +to demonstrate how much more clever and more learned she was than Borrow. +Altogether it is a sorry spectacle, this of the pseudo-philanthropist +relating her conversations with a man broken by misfortune and the death +of his wife. Many of Miss Cobbe’s statements have passed into current +acceptance. I do not find them convincing. Archdeacon Whately on the +other hand tells us that he always found Borrow “most civil and +hospitable,” and his sister gives us the following “impression”: + + When Mr. Borrow returned from this Spanish journey, which had been + full, as we all know, of most entertaining adventures, related with + much liveliness and spirit by himself, he was regarded as a kind of + “lion” in the literary circles of London. When we first saw him it + was at the house of a lady who took great pleasure in gathering + “celebrities” in various ways around her, and our party was struck + with the appearance of this renowned traveller—a tall, thin, spare + man with prematurely white hair and intensely dark eyes, as he stood + upright against the wall of one of the drawing-rooms and received the + homage of lion-hunting guests, and listened in silence to their + unsuccessful attempts to make him talk. + +During this sojourn in London, which was undertaken because Oulton and +Yarmouth did not agree with his wife, Borrow suffered the tragedy of her +loss. Borrow dragged on his existence in London for another five years, +a much broken man. It is extraordinary how little we know of Borrow +during that fourteen years’ sojourn in London; how rarely we meet him in +the literary memoirs of this period. Happily one or two pleasant +friendships relieved the sadness of his days; and in particular the +reminiscences of Walter Theodore Watts-Dunton assist us to a more correct +appreciation of the Borrow of these last years of London life. Of Mr. +Watts-Dunton’s “memories,” we shall write in our next chapter. Here it +remains only to note that Borrow still continued to interest himself in +his various efforts at translation, and in 1861 and 1862 the editor of +_Once a Week_ printed various ballads and stories from his pen. The +volumes of this periodical are before me, and I find illustrations by Sir +John Millais, Sir E. J. Poynter, Simeon Solomon and George Du Maurier; +stories by Mrs. Henry Wood and Harriet Martineau, and articles by Walter +Thornbury. + +In 1862 _Wild Wales_ was published, as we have seen. In 1865 Henrietta +married William MacOubrey, and in the following year, Borrow and his wife +went to visit the pair in their Belfast home. In the beginning of the +year 1869 Mrs. Borrow died, aged seventy-three. There are no records of +the tragedy that are worth perpetuating. Borrow consumed his own smoke. +With his wife’s death his life was indeed a wreck. No wonder he was so +“rude” to that least perceptive of women, Miss Cobbe. Some four or five +years more Borrow lingered on in London, cheered at times by walks and +talks with Gordon Hake and Watts-Dunton, and he then returned to Oulton—a +most friendless man. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXIII +FRIENDS OF LATER YEARS + + +WE should know little enough of George Borrow’s later years were it not +for his friendship with Thomas Gordon Hake and Theodore Watts-Dunton. +Hake was born in 1809 and died in 1895. In 1839 he settled at Bury St. +Edmunds as a physician, and he resided there until 1853. Here he was +frequently visited by the Borrows. We have already quoted his prophecy +concerning _Lavengro_ that “its roots will strike deep into the soil of +English letters.” In 1853 Dr. Hake and his family left Bury for the +United States, where they resided for some years. Returning to England +they lived at Roehampton and met Borrow occasionally in London. During +these years Hake was, according to Mr. W. M. Rossetti, “the earthly +Providence of the Rossetti family,” but he was not, as his _Memoirs_ +show, equally devoted to Borrow. In 1872, however, he went to live in +Germany and Italy for a considerable period. Concerning the relationship +between Borrow and Hake, Mr. Watts-Dunton has written: + + After Hake went to live in Germany, Borrow told me a good deal about + their intimacy, and also about his own early life: for, reticent as + he naturally was, he and I got to be confidential and intimate. His + friendship with Hake began when Hake was practising as a physician in + Norfolk. It lasted during the greater part of Borrow’s later life. + When Borrow was living in London his great delight was to walk over + on Sundays from Hereford Square to Coombe End, call upon Hake, and + take a stroll with him over Richmond Park. They both had a passion + for herons and for deer. At that time Hake was a very intimate + friend of my own, and having had the good fortune to be introduced by + him to Borrow I used to join the two in their walks. Afterwards, + when Hake went to live in Germany, I used to take those walks with + Borrow alone. Two more interesting men it would be impossible to + meet. The remarkable thing was that there was between them no sort + of intellectual sympathy. In style, in education, in experience, + whatever Hake was, Borrow was not. Borrow knew almost nothing of + Hake’s writings, either in prose or in verse. His ideal poet was + Pope, and when he read, or rather looked into, Hake’s _World’s + Epitaph_, he thought he did Hake the greatest honour by saying, + “there are lines here and there that are nigh as good as Pope!” + + On the other hand, Hake’s acquaintance with Borrow’s works was far + behind that of some Borrovians who did not know Lavengro in the + flesh, such as Saintsbury and Mr. Birrell. Borrow was shy, angular, + eccentric, rustic in accent and in locution, but with a charm for me, + at least, that was irresistible. Hake was polished, easy and urbane + in everything, and, although not without prejudice and bias, ready to + shine generally in any society. + + So far as Hake was concerned the sole link between them was that of + reminiscence of earlier days and adventures in Borrow’s beloved East + Anglia. Among many proofs I would adduce of this I will give one. I + am the possessor of the MS. of Borrow’s _Gypsies of Spain_, written + partly in a Spanish notebook as he moved about Spain in his + colporteur days. It was my wish that Hake would leave behind him + some memorial of Borrow more worthy of himself and his friend than + those brief reminiscences contained in _Memoirs of Eighty Years_. I + took to Hake this precious relic of _one of the most wonderful men of + the nineteenth century_, in order to discuss with him differences + between the MS. and the printed text. Hake was writing in his + invalid chair,—writing verses. “What does it all matter?” he said. + “I do not think you understand Lavengro,” I said. Hake replied, “And + yet Lavengro had an advantage over me, for _he_ understood _nobody_. + Every individuality with which he was brought into contact had, as no + one knows better than you, to be tinged with colours of his own + before he could see it at all.” That, of course, was true enough; + and Hake’s asperities when speaking of Borrow in _Memoirs of Eighty + Years_,—asperities which have vexed a good many Borrovians,—simply + arose from the fact that it was impossible for two such men to + understand each other. When I told him of Mr. Lang’s angry onslaught + upon Borrow in his notes to the _Waverley Novels_, on account of his + attacks upon Scott, he said, “Well, does he not deserve it?” When I + told him of Miss Cobbe’s description of Borrow as a _poseur_, he said + to me, “I told you the same scores of times. But I saw Borrow had + bewitched you during that first walk under the rainbow in Richmond + Park. It was that rainbow, I think, that befooled you.” Borrow’s + affection for Hake, however, was both strong and deep, as I saw after + Hake had gone to Germany and in a way dropped out of Borrow’s ken. + Yet Hake was as good a man as ever Borrow was, and for certain others + with whom he was brought in contact as full of a genuine affection as + Borrow was himself. + +Mr. Watts-Dunton refers here to Hake’s asperities when speaking of +Borrow. They are very marked in the _Memoirs of Eighty Years_, and +nearly all the stories of Borrow’s eccentricities that have been served +up to us by Borrow’s biographers are due to Hake. It is here we read of +his snub to Thackeray. “Have you read my Snob Papers in _Punch_?” +Thackeray asked him. “In _Punch_?” Borrow replied. “It is a periodical +I never look at.” He was equally rude, or shall we say Johnsonian, +according to Hake, when Miss Agnes Strickland asked him if she might send +him her _Queens of England_. He exclaimed, “For God’s sake don’t, madam; +I should not know where to put them or what to do with them.” Hake is +responsible also for that other story about the woman who, desirous of +pleasing him, said, “Oh, Mr. Borrow, I have read your books with so much +pleasure!” On which he exclaimed, “Pray, what books do you mean, madam? +Do you mean my account books?” Dr. Johnson was guilty of many such +vagaries, and the readers of Boswell have forgiven him everything because +they are conveyed to them through the medium of a hero-worshipper. +Borrow never had a Boswell, and despised the literary class so much that +he never found anything in the shape of an apologist until he had been +long dead. + +I find no letter from Hake to Borrow among my papers, but three to his +wife: + + BURY ST. EDMUNDS, _Jan._ 27, ’48. _Evening_. + + MY DEAR MRS. BORROW,—It gave me great pleasure, as it always does, to + see your handwriting; and as respects the subject of your note you + may make yourself quite easy, for I believe the idea has crossed no + other mind than your own. How sorry I am to learn that you have been + so unwell since your visit to us. I hope that by care you will get + strong during this bracing weather. I wish that you were already + nearer to us, and cannot resign the hope that we shall yet enjoy the + happiness of having you as our neighbours. I have felt a strong + friendship for Mr. Borrow’s mind for many years, and have ardently + wished from time to time to know him, and to have realised my desire + I consider one of the most happy events of my life. Until lately, + dear Mrs. Borrow, I have had no opportunity of knowing you and your + sweet simple-hearted child; but now I hope nothing will occur to + interrupt a regard and friendship which I and Mrs. Hake feel most + truly towards you all. Tell Mr. Borrow how much we should like to be + his Sinbad. I wish he would bring you all and his papers and come + again to look about him. There is an old hall at Tostock, which, I + hear to-day, is quite dry; if so it is worthy of your attention. It + is a mile from the Elmswell station, which is ten minutes’ time from + Bury. This hall has got a bad name from having been long vacant, but + some friends of mine have been over it and they tell me there is not + a damp spot on the premises. It is seven miles from Bury. Mrs. Hake + has written about a house at Rougham, but had no answer. The cottage + at Farnham is to let again. I know not whether Mr. Harvey will make + an effort for it. A little change would do you all good, and we can + receive Miss Clarke without any difficulty. Give our kindest regards + to your party, and believe me, dear Mrs. Borrow, sincerely yours, + + T. G. HAKE. + + * * * * * + + BURY ST. EDMUNDS, _January_ 19_th_, ’49. + + MY DEAR MRS. BORROW,—The sight of your handwriting is always a + luxury—but you say nothing about coming to see us. We are pleased to + get good accounts of your party, and only wish you could report + better of yourself. I must take you fairly in hand when you come + again to the ancient quarters, for such they are becoming now from + your long absence. You might try bismuth and extract of hop, which + is often very strengthening to the stomach. Five grains of extract + of hop and five grains of trisnitrate of bismuth made into two pills, + which are to be taken at eleven and repeated at four—daily. I am so + pleased to learn that Miss Clarke is better, as well as Mr. Borrow. + I hope that on some occasion the morphia may be of great comfort to + him should his night watchings return. It is good news that the + proofs are advancing—I hope towards a speedy end. Messrs. Oakes and + Co.’s Bank is as safe as any in the kingdom and more substantial than + any in this county. It must be safe, for the partners are men of + large property, and of careful habits. I am happy to say we are all + well here, but my brother’s house in town is a scene of sad trouble. + He is himself laid up with bad scarlet fever as well as five + children, all severely attacked. One they have lost of this fearful + complaint. + + Give our kindest regards to Mr. Borrow and accept them yourselves. + Ever, dear Mrs. Borrow, sincerely yours, + + T. G. HAKE. + + I send Beethoven’s epitaph for Miss Clarke’s album according to + promise. It is _not_ by Wordsworth. + + * * * * * + + BURY ST. EDMUNDS, _June_ 24, ’51. + + MY DEAR MRS. BORROW,—I am very sorry to hear that you are not feeling + strong, and that these flushes of heat are so frequent and + troublesome. I will prescribe a medicine for you which I hope may + prove serviceable. Let me hear again about your health, and be + assured you cannot possibly give me any trouble. + + I am also glad to hear of Mr. Borrow. I envy him his bath. I am + looking out anxiously for the new quarterly reviews. I wonder + whether the _Quarterly_ will contain anything. Is there a prospect + of vol. iv.? I really look to passing a day and two half days with + you, and to bringing Mrs. Hake to your classic soil some time in + August—if we are not inconveniencing you in your charming and snug + cottage. I hope Miss Clarke is well. Our united kind regards to you + all. George is quite brisk and saucy—Lucy and the infant have not + been well. Mrs. Hake has better accounts from Bath. Believe me, + dear Mrs. Borrow, very sincerely yours, + + T. G. HAKE. + + Mr. Donne was pleased that Mr. Borrow liked his notice in _Tait_. + You can take a little cold sherry and water after your dinner. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXIV +HENRIETTA CLARKE + + +BORROW never had a child, but happy for him was the part played by his +stepdaughter Henrietta in his life. She was twenty-three years old when +her mother married him, and it is clear to me that she was from the +beginning of their friendship and even to the end of his life devoted to +her stepfather. Readers of _Wild Wales_ will recall not only the tribute +that Borrow pays to her, which we have already quoted, in which he refers +to her “good qualities and many accomplishments,” but the other pleasant +references in that book. “Henrietta,” he says in one passage, “played on +the guitar {255} and sang a Spanish song, to the great delight of John +Jones.” When climbing Snowdon he is keen in his praises of the endurance +of “the gallant girl.” As against all this, there is an undercurrent of +depreciation of his stepdaughter among Borrow’s biographers. The picture +of Borrow’s home in later life at Oulton is presented by them with sordid +details. The Oulton tradition which still survives among the few +inhabitants who lived near the Broad at Borrow’s death in 1881, and still +reside there, is of an ill-kept home, supremely untidy, and it is as a +final indictment of his daughter’s callousness that we have the following +gruesome picture by Dr. Knapp: + + On the 26th of July 1881 Mr. Borrow was found dead in his house at + Oulton. The circumstances were these. His stepdaughter and her + husband drove to Lowestoft in the morning on some business of their + own, leaving Mr. Borrow without a living soul in the house with him. + He had earnestly requested them not to go away because he felt that + he was in a dying state; but the response intimated that he had often + expressed the same feeling before, and his fears had proved + groundless. During the interval of these few hours of abandonment + nothing can palliate or excuse, George Borrow died as he had + lived—_alone_! His age was seventy-eight years and twenty-one days. + +Dr. Knapp no doubt believed all this; {256} it is endorsed by the village +gossip of the past thirty years, and the mythical tragedy is even +heightened by a further story of a farm tumbril which carried poor +Borrow’s body to the railway station when it was being conveyed to London +to be buried beside his wife in Brompton Cemetery. + +The tumbril story—whether correct or otherwise—is a matter of +indifference to me. The legend of the neglect of Borrow in his last +moments is, however, of importance, and the charge can easily be +disproved. I have before me Mrs. MacOubrey’s diary for 1881. I have +many such diaries for a long period of years, but this for 1881 is of +particular moment. Here, under the date July 26th, we find the brief +note, _George Borrow died at three o’clock this morning_. It is scarcely +possible that Borrow’s stepdaughter and her husband could have left him +alone at three o’clock in the morning in order to drive into Lowestoft, +less than two miles distant. At this time, be it remembered, Dr. +MacOubrey was eighty-one years of age. Now, as to the general untidiness +of Borrow’s home at the time of his death—the point is a distasteful one, +but it had better be faced. Henrietta was nineteen years of age when her +mother married Borrow. She was sixty-four at the time of his death, and +her husband, as I have said, was eighty-one years of age at that time, +being three years older than Borrow. Here we have three very elderly +people keeping house together and little accustomed overmuch to the +assistance of domestic servants. The situation at once becomes clear. +Mrs. Borrow had a genius for housekeeping and for management. She +watched over her husband, kept his accounts, held the family purse, +managed all his affairs. She “managed” her daughter also, delighting in +that daughter’s accomplishments of drawing and botany, to which may be +added a zeal for the writing of stories which does not seem, judging from +the many manuscripts in her handwriting that I have burnt, to have +received much editorial encouragement. In short, Henrietta was not +domesticated. But just as I have proved in preceding chapters that +Borrow was happy in his married life, so I would urge that as far as a +somewhat disappointed career would permit to the sadly bereaved author he +was happy in his family circle to the end. It was at his initiative +that, when he had returned to Oulton after the death of his wife, his +daughter and her husband came to live with him. He declared that to live +alone was no longer tolerable, and they gave up their own home in London +to join him at Oulton. + +A new glimpse of Borrow on his domestic side has been offered to the +public even as this book is passing through the press. Mr. S. H. +Baldrey, a Norwich solicitor, has given his reminiscences of the author +of _Lavengro_ to the leading newspaper of that city. Mr. Baldrey is the +stepson of the late John Pilgrim of the firm of Jay and Pilgrim, who were +Borrow’s solicitors at Norwich in the later years of his life. One at +least of Mr. Baldrey’s many reminiscences has in it an element of +romance; that in which he recalls Mrs. Borrow and her daughter: + + Mrs. Borrow always struck me as a dear old creature. When Borrow + married her she was a widow with one daughter, Henrietta Clarke. The + old lady used to dress in black silk. She had little silver-grey + corkscrew curls down the side of her face; and she wore a lace cap + with a mauve ribbon on top, quite in the Early Victorian style. I + remember that on one occasion when she and Miss Clarke had come to + Brunswick House they were talking with my mother in the temporary + absence of George Borrow, who, so far as I can recall, had gone into + another room to discuss business with John Pilgrim. + + “Ah!” she said, “George is a good man, but he is a strange creature. + Do you know he will say to me after breakfast, ‘Mary, I am going for + a walk,’ and then I do not see anything more of him for three months. + And all the time he will be walking miles and miles. Once he went + right into Scotland, and never once slept in a house. He took not + even a handbag with him or a clean shirt, but lived just like any old + tramp.” + +Mr. Baldrey is clearly in error here, or shall we say that Mrs. Borrow +humorously exaggerated? We have seen that Borrow’s annual holiday was a +matter of careful arrangement, and his knapsack or satchel is frequently +referred to in his descriptions of his various tours. But the matter is +of little importance, and Mr. Baldrey’s pictures of Borrow are excellent, +including that of his personal appearance: + + As I recall him, he was a fine, powerfully built man of about six + feet high. He had a clean-shaven face with a fresh complexion, + almost approaching to the florid, and never a wrinkle, even at sixty, + except at the corners of his dark and rather prominent eyes. He had + a shock of silvery white hair. He always wore a very badly brushed + silk hat, a black frock coat and trousers, the coat all buttoned down + before; low shoes and white socks, with a couple of inches of white + showing between the shoes and the trousers. He was a tireless + walker, with extraordinary powers of endurance, and was also very + handy with his fists, as in those days a gentleman required to be, + more than he does now. + +Mr. John Pilgrim lived at Brunswick House, on the Newmarket Road, +Norwich, and here Borrow frequently visited him. Mr. Baldrey recalls one +particular visit: + + I have a curious recollection of his dining one night at Brunswick + House. John Pilgrim, who was a careful, abstemious man, never took + more than two glasses of port at dinner. “John,” said Borrow, “this + is a good port. I prefer Burgundy if you can get it good; but, lord, + you cannot get it now.” It so happened that Mr. Pilgrim had some + fine old Clos-Vougeot in the cellar. “I think,” said he, “I can give + you a good drop of Burgundy.” A bottle was sent for, and Borrow + finished it, alone and unaided. “Well,” he remarked, “I think this + is a good Burgundy. But I’m not quite certain. I should like to try + a little more.” Another bottle was called up, and the guest finished + it to the last drop. “I am still,” he said, “not quite sure about + it, but I shall know in the morning.” The next morning Mr. Pilgrim + and I were leaving for the office, when Borrow came up the garden + path waving his arms like a windmill. “Oh, John,” he said, “that + _was_ Burgundy! When I woke up this morning it was coursing through + my veins like fire.” And yet Borrow was not a man to drink to + excess. I cannot imagine him being the worse for liquor. He had + wonderful health and digestion. Neither a gourmand nor a gourmet, he + could take down anything, and be none the worse for it. I don’t + think you could have made him drunk if you tried. + +And here is a glimpse of Borrow after his wife’s death, for which we are +grateful to Mr. Baldrey: + + After the funeral of Mrs. Borrow he came to Norwich and took me over + to Oulton with him. He was silent all the way. When we got to the + little white wicket gate before the approach to the house he took off + his hat and began to beat his breast like an Oriental. He cried + aloud all the way up the path. He calmed himself, however, by the + time that Mr. Crabbe had opened the door and asked us in. Crabbe + brought in some wine, and we all sat down to table. I sat opposite + to Mrs. Crabbe; her husband was on my left hand. Borrow sat at one + end of the table, and the chair at the opposite end was left vacant. + We were talking in a casual way when Borrow, pointing to the empty + chair, said with profound emotion, “There! It was there that I first + saw her.” It was a curious coincidence that though there were four + of us we should have left that particular seat unoccupied at a little + table of about four feet square. + +But this is a lengthy digression from the story of Henrietta Clarke, who +married William MacOubrey, an Irishman—and an Orangeman—from Belfast in +1865. The pair lived first in Belfast and afterwards at 80 Charlotte +Street, Fitzroy Square. Before his marriage he had practised at 134 +Sloane Street, London. MacOubrey, although there had been some doubt +cast upon the statement, was a Doctor of Medicine of Trinity College, +Dublin, and a Barrister-at-Law. Within his limitations he was an +accomplished man, and before me lie not only documentary evidence of his +M.D. and his legal status, but several printed pamphlets that bear his +name. What is of more importance, the many letters from and to his wife +that have passed through my hands and have been consigned to the flames +prove that husband and wife lived on most affectionate terms. + +It is natural that Borrow’s correspondence with his stepdaughter should +have been of a somewhat private character, and I therefore publish only a +selection from his letters to her, believing however that they will +modify an existing tradition very considerably: + + TO MRS. MACOUBREY + + DEAR HENRIETTA,—Have you heard from the gentleman whom you said you + would write to about the farm? Mr. C. came over the other day and I + mentioned the matter to him, but he told me that he was on the eve of + going to London on law business and should be absent for some time. + His son is in Cambridge. I am afraid that it will be no easy matter + to find a desirable tenant and that none are likely to apply but a + set of needy speculators; indeed, there is a general dearth of money. + How is Dr. M.? God bless you! + + GEORGE BORROW. + + * * * * * + + TO MRS. MACOUBREY + + DEAR HENRIETTA,—I have received some of the rent and send a cheque + for eight pounds. Have the kindness to acknowledge the receipt of + same by return of post. As soon as you arrive in London, let me + know, and I will send a cheque for ten pounds, which I believe will + pay your interest up to Midsummer. If there is anything incorrect + pray inform me. God bless you. Kind regards to Miss Harvey. + + GEORGE BORROW. + + * * * * * + + TO MRS. MACOUBREY + + DEAR HENRIETTA,—As soon as Smith has paid his Michaelmas rent I will + settle your interest up to Midsummer. Twenty-one pounds was, I + think, then due to you, as you received five pounds on the account of + the present year. If, however, you are in want of money let me know + forthwith, and I will send you a small cheque. The document which I + mentioned has been witnessed by Mrs. Church and her daughter. It is + in one of the little tin boxes on the lower shelf of the closet + nearest to the window in my bedroom. I was over at Mattishall some + weeks ago. Things there look very unsatisfactory. H. and his mother + now owe me £20 or more. The other man a year’s rent for a cottage + and garden, and two years’ rent for the gardens of two cottages + unoccupied. I am just returned from Norwich where I have been to + speak to F. I have been again pestered by Pilgrim’s successor about + the insurance of the property. He pretends to have insured again. A + more impudent thing was probably never heard of. He is no agent of + mine, and I will have no communication with him. I have insured + myself in the Union Office, and have lately received my second + policy. I have now paid upwards of twelve pounds for policies. F. + says that he told him months ago that the demand he made would not be + allowed, that I insured myself and was my own agent, and that as he + shall see him in a few days he will tell him so again. Oh what a + source of trouble that wretched fellow Pilgrim has been both to you + and me. + + I wish very much to come up to London. But I cannot leave the + country under present circumstances. There is not a person in these + parts in whom I can place the slightest confidence. I must inform + you that at our interview F. said not a word about the matter in + Chancery. God bless you. Kind remembrances to Dr. M. + + GEORGE BORROW. + + * * * * * + + TO MRS. MACOUBREY + + DEAR HENRIETTA,—I wish to know how you are. I shall shortly send a + cheque for thirteen pounds, which I believe will settle the interest + account up to Michaelmas. If you see anything inaccurate pray inform + me. I am at present tolerably well, but of late have been very much + troubled with respect to my people. Since I saw you I have been + three times over to Mattishall, but with very little profit. The + last time I was there I got the key of the house from that fellow + Hill, and let the place to another person who I am told is not much + better. One comfort is that he cannot be worse. But now there is a + difficulty. Hill refuses to yield up the land, and has put padlocks + on the gates. These I suppose can be removed as he is not in + possession of the key of the house. On this point, however, I wish + to be certain. As for the house, he and his mother, who is in a kind + of partnership with him, have abandoned it for two years, the + consequence being that the windows are dashed out, and the place + little better than a ruin. During the four years he has occupied the + land he has been cropping it, and the crops have invariably been sold + before being reaped, and as soon as reaped carried off. During the + last two years there has not been a single live thing kept on the + premises, not so much as a hen. He now says that there are some + things in the house belonging to him. Anything, however, which he + has left is of course mine, though I don’t believe that what he has + left is worth sixpence. I have told the incoming tenant to deliver + up nothing, and not permit him to enter the house on any account. He + owes me ten or twelve pounds, arrears of rent, and at least fifteen + for dilapidations. I think the fellow ought to be threatened with an + action, but I know not whom to employ. I don’t wish to apply to F. + Perhaps Dr. M.’s London friend might be spoken to. I believe Hill’s + address is Alfred Hill, Mattishall, Norfolk, but the place which he + occupied of me is at Mattishall Burgh. I shall be glad to hear from + you as soon as is convenient. I have anything but reason to be + satisfied with the conduct of S. He is cropping the ground most + unmercifully, and is sending sacks of game off the premises every + week. Surely he must be mad, as he knows I can turn him out next + Michaelmas. God bless you. Kind regards to Dr. M. Take care of + this. + + GEORGE BORROW. + + * * * * * + + TO MRS. MACOUBREY + + DEAR HENRIETTA,—I was glad to hear that you had obtained your + dividend. I was afraid that you would never get it. I shall be + happy to see you and Dr. M. about the end of the month. Michaelmas + is near at hand, when your half-year’s interest becomes due. God + bless you. Kind remembrances to Dr. M. + + GEORGE BORROW. + + * * * * * + + OULTON, LOWESTOFT, _November_ 29_th_, 1874. + + DEAR HENRIETTA,—I send a cheque for £15, which will settle the + interest account up to Michaelmas last. On receipt of this have the + kindness to send me a line. I have been to Norwich, and now know all + about your affair. I saw Mr. Durrant, who, it seems, is the real + head of the firm to which I go. He received me in the kindest + manner, and said he was very glad to see me. I inquired about J.P.’s + affairs. He appeared at first not desirous to speak about them, but + presently became very communicative. I inquired who had put the + matter into Chancery, and he told me he himself, which I was very + glad to hear. I asked whether the mortgagees would get their money, + and he replied that he had no doubt they eventually would, as far as + principal was concerned. I spoke about interest, but on that point + he gave me slight hopes. He said that the matter, if not hurried, + would turn out tolerably satisfactory, but if it were, very little + would be obtained. It appears that the unhappy creature who is gone + had been dabbling in post obit bonds, at present almost valueless, + but likely to become available. He was in great want of money + shortly before he died. Now, dear, pray keep up your spirits; I hope + and trust we shall meet about Christmas. Kind regards to Dr. M. + + GEORGE BORROW. + + Keep this. Send a line by return of post. + + * * * * * + + TO MRS. MACOUBREY + + DEAR HENRIETTA,—I thought I would write to you as it seems a long + time since I heard from you. I have been on my expedition and have + come back safe. I had a horrible time of it on the sea—small dirty + boat crowded with people and rough weather. Poor Mr. Brightwell is I + am sorry to say dead—died in January. I saw Mr. J. and P. and had a + good deal of conversation with them which I will talk to you about + when I see you. Mr. P. sent an officer over to M. I went to Oulton, + and as soon as I got there I found one of the farm cottages nearly in + ruins; the gable had fallen down—more expense! but I said that some + willow trees must be cut down to cover it. The place upon the whole + looks very beautiful. C. full of complaints, though I believe he has + a fine time of it. He and T. are at daggers drawn. I am sorry to + tell you that poor Mr. Leathes is dying—called, but could not see + him, but he sent down a kind message to me. The family, however, + were rejoiced to see me and wanted me to stay. The scoundrel of a + shoemaker did not send the shoes. I thought he would not. The + shirt-collars were much too small. I, however, managed to put on the + shirts and am glad of them. At Norwich I saw Lucy, who appears to be + in good spirits. Many people have suffered dreadfully there from the + failure of the Bank—her brother, amongst others, has been let in. I + shall have much to tell you when I see you. I am glad the Prussians + are getting on so famously. The Pope it seems has written a letter + to the King of Prussia and is asking favours of him. A low old + fellow!!! Remember me kindly to Miss H., and may God bless you! + Bring this back. + + GEORGE BORROW. + + * * * * * + + TO MRS. MACOUBREY + + _March_ 6, 1873. + + DEAR HENRIETTA,—I was so grieved to hear that you were unwell. Pray + take care of yourself, and do not go out in this dreadful weather. + Send and get, on my account, six bottles of good port wine. Good + port may be had at the cellar at the corner of Charles Street, + opposite the Hospital near Hereford Square—I think the name of the + man is Kitchenham. Were I in London I would bring it myself. Do + send for it. May God Almighty bless you! + + GEORGE BORROW. + + * * * * * + + TO MRS. MACOUBREY + + NORWICH, _July_ 12, 1873. + + DEAR HENRIETTA,—I shall be glad to see you and Dr. M. as soon as you + can make it convenient to come. As for my coming up to London it is + quite out of the question. I am suffering greatly, and here I am in + this solitude without medicine or advice. I want very much to pay + you up your interest. I can do so without the slightest + inconvenience. I have money. It is well I have, as it seems to be + almost my only friend. God bless you. Kind regards to Dr. M. + + GEORGE BORROW. + + * * * * * + + To MRS. MACOUBREY, 50 CHARLOTTE STREET, FITZROY SQUARE, LONDON + + OULTON, LOWESTOFT, _April_ 1, 1874. + + DEAR HENRIETTA,—I have received your letter of the 30th March. Since + I last wrote I have not been well. I have had a great pain in the + left jaw which almost prevented me from eating. I am, however, + better now. I shall be glad to see you and Dr. M. as soon as you can + conveniently come. Send me a line to say when I may expect you. I + have no engagements. Before you come call at No. 36 to inquire + whether anything has been sent there. Leverton had better be + employed to make a couple of boxes or cases for the books in the + sacks. The sacks can be put on the top in the inside. There is an + old coat in one of the sacks in the pocket of which are papers. Let + it be put in with its contents just as it is. I wish to have the + long white chest and the two deal boxes also brought down. Buy me a + thick under-waistcoat like that I am now wearing, and a lighter one + for the summer. Worsted socks are of no use—they scarcely last a + day. Cotton ones are poor things, but they are better than worsted. + Kind regards to Dr. M. God bless you! + + Return me this when you come. + + GEORGE BORROW. + + * * * * * + + TO MRS. MACOUBREY, 50 CHARLOTTE STREET, FITZROY SQUARE, LONDON + + OULTON, _Nov._ 14, 1876. + + DEAR HENRIETTA,—You may buy me a large silk handkerchief, like the + one you brought before. I shall be glad to see you and Dr. M. I am + very unwell. + + GEORGE BORROW. + + * * * * * + + TO MRS. MACOUBREY + + DEAR HENRIETTA,—I shall be glad to see you and Dr. M. as soon as you + can make it convenient. In a day or two the house will be in good + repair and very comfortable. I want you to go to the bank and have + the cheque placed to my account. Lady Day is nigh at hand, and it + must be seen after. Buy for me a pair of those hollow ground razors + and tell Dr. M. to bring a little laudanum. Come if you can on the + first of March. It is dear Mama’s birthday. God bless you! Kind + regards to Dr. M. + + GEORGE BORROW. + + * * * * * + + TO MRS. MACOUBREY, 50 CHARLOTTE STREET, FITZROY SQUARE, LONDON + + MRS. CHURCH’S, LADY’S LANE, NORWICH, _Feb._ 28, 1877. + + DEAR HENRIETTA,—I received your letter this morning with the + document. The other came to hand at Oulton before I left. I showed + Mr. F. the first document on Wednesday, and he expressed then a doubt + with regard to the necessity of an affidavit from me, but he said it + would perhaps be necessary for him to see the security. I saw him + again this morning and he repeated the same thing. To-night he is + going to write up to his agent on the subject, and on Monday I am to + know what is requisite to be done—therefore pray keep in readiness. + On Tuesday, perhaps, I shall return to Oulton, but I don’t know. I + shall write again on Monday. God bless you. + + GEORGE BORROW. + +Borrow died, as we have seen, in 1881, and was buried by the side of his +wife in Brompton Cemetery. By his will dated 1st December, 1880, he +bequeathed all his property to his stepdaughter, making his friend, +Elizabeth Harvey, her co-executrix. The will, a copy of which is before +me, has no public interest, but it may be noted that Miss Harvey refused +to act, as the following letter to Mrs. MacOubrey testifies: + + TO MRS. MACOUBREY + + BURY ST. EDMUNDS, _August_ 13_th_. + + MY DEAREST HENRIETTA,—I was just preparing to write to you when yours + arrived together with Mrs. Reeve’s despatch. You know how earnestly + I desire your welfare—but _because_ I do so I earnestly advise you + immediately to exercise the right you have of appointing another + trustee in my place. I am sure it will be best for you. You ought + to have a trustee at least _not_ older than yourself, and one who has + health and strength for discharging the office. I _know_ what are + the duties of a trustee. There’s _always_ a considerable + responsibility involved in the discharge of the duties of a + trustee—and it may easily occur that great responsibility may be + thrown on them, and it may become an anxious business fit only for + those who have youth and health and strength of mind, and are likely + to live. + + My dear friend, you do not like to realise the old age of your dear + friends, but you must consider that I am quite past the age for such + an office, and my invalid state often prevents my attending to my own + small affairs. I have no relation or confidential friend who can act + for me. My executors were Miss Venn and John Venn. Miss Venn + departed last February to a better land. John is in such health with + heart disease that he cannot move far from his home—he writes as one + _ready_ and desiring to depart. I do not expect to see _him_ again. + So you see, my dearest friend, I am not able to undertake this + trusteeship, and I think the sooner you consult Mrs. Reeve as to the + appointment of another trustee—the better it will be—and the more + _permanent_. Had I known it was Mr. Borrow’s intention to put down + my name I should have prevented it, and he would have seen that an + aged and invalid lady was not the person to carry out his wishes—for + I am quite unable. + + I pray that a fit person may be induced to undertake the business, + and that it may please God so to order all for your good. It is + indeed the greatest mercy that your dear husband is well enough to + afford you such help and such comfort. Pray hire a proper servant + who will obey orders.—In haste, ever yrs. affectionately, + + E. HARVEY. + +Another letter that has some bearing upon Borrow’s last days is worth +printing here: + + TO MRS. MACOUBREY + + YARMOUTH, _August_ 19, 1881. + + MY DEAR MRS. MACOUBREY,—I was very sorry indeed to hear of Mr. + Borrow’s death. I thought he looked older the last time I saw him, + but with his vigorous constitution I have not thought the end so + near. You and Mr. MacOubrey have the comfort of knowing that you + have attended affectionately to his declining years, which would + otherwise have been very lonely. I have been abroad for a short + time, and this has prevented me from replying to your kind letter + before. Pray receive the assurance of my sympathy, and with my kind + remembrances to Mr. MacOubrey, believe me, yours very truly, + + R. H. INGLIS PALGRAVE. + +Three years later Dr. MacOubrey died in his eighty-fourth year, and was +interred at Oulton. Mrs. MacOubrey lived for a time at Oulton and then +removed to Yarmouth. A letter that she wrote to a friend soon after the +death of her husband is perhaps some index to her character: + + OULTON COTTAGE, OULTON, + + NR. LOWESTOFT, _Sept._ 3_rd_, 1884. + + MY DEAR SIR,—I beg to thank you for your kind thought of me. On + Sunday night the 24th Augst., it pleased God to take from me my + excellent and beloved husband—his age was nearly 84. He sunk simply + from age and weakness. I was his nurse by night and by day, + administering constant nourishment, but he became weaker and weaker, + till at last “The silver cord was loosed.” My dear father died about + this time three years since, which makes the blow more stunning. I + feel very lonely now in my secluded residence on the banks of the + Broad—the music of the wild birds adds not to my pleasure now. + Trusting that yourself and Mrs. S— may long be spared.—Believe me to + remain, yours very truly, + + HENRIETTA MACOUBREY. + +The cottage at Oulton was soon afterwards pulled down, but the +summer-house where Borrow wrote a portion of his _Bible in Spain_ and his +other works remained for some years. That ultimately an entirely new +structure took its place may be seen by comparing the roof in Mrs. +MacOubrey’s drawing with the illustration of the structure as it is +to-day. Mrs. MacOubrey died in 1903 at Yarmouth, and the following +inscription may be found on her tomb in Oulton Churchyard: + + Sacred to the memory of Henrietta Mary, widow of William MacOubrey, + only daughter of Lieut. Henry Clarke, R.N., and Mary Skepper, his + wife, and stepdaughter of George Henry Borrow, Esq., the celebrated + author of _The Bible in Spain_, _The Gypsies of Spain_, _Lavengro_, + _The Romany Rye_, _Wild Wales_, and other works and translations. + Henrietta Mary MacOubrey was born at Oulton Hall in this Parish, May + 17th, 1818, and died 23rd December 1903. “And He shall give His + angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.”—Psalm xci. + 11. + +The following extract from her will is of interest as indicating the +trend of a singularly kindly nature. The intimate friends of Mrs. +MacOubrey’s later years, whose opinion is of more value than that of +village gossips, speak of her in terms of sincere affection: + + I give the following charitable legacies, namely, to the London Bible + Society, in remembrance of the great interest my dear father, George + Henry Borrow, took in the success of its great work for the benefit + of mankind, the sum of one hundred pounds. To the Foreign Missionary + Society the sum of one hundred pounds. To the London Religious Tract + Society the sum of one hundred pounds. To the London Society for the + Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, the sum of one hundred pounds. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXV +THE AFTERMATH + + + “We are all Borrovians now.”—AUGUSTINE BIRRELL. + +IT is a curious fact that of only two men of distinction in English +letters in these later years can it be said that they lived to a good old +age and yet failed of recognition for work that is imperishable. Many +poets have died young—Shelley and Keats for example—to whom this public +recognition was refused in their lifetime. But given the happiness of +reaching middle age, this recognition has never failed. It came, for +example, to Wordsworth and Coleridge long after their best work was done. +It came with more promptness to all the great Victorian novelists. This +recognition did not come in their lifetime to two Suffolk friends, Edward +FitzGerald with _Omar Khayyám_ and George Borrow with _Lavengro_. In the +case of FitzGerald there was probably no consciousness that he had +produced a great poem. In any case his sunny Irish temperament could +easily have surmounted disappointment if he had expected anything from +the world in the way of literary fame. Borrow was quite differently +made. He was as intense an egoist as Rousseau, whose work he had +probably never read, and would not have appreciated if he had read. He +longed for the recognition of the multitude through his books, and +thoroughly enjoyed it when it was given to him for a moment—for his +_Bible in Spain_. Such appreciation as he received in his lifetime was +given to him for that book and for no other. There were here and there +enthusiasts for his _Lavengro_ and _Romany Rye_. Dr. Jessopp has told us +that he was one. But it was not until long after his death that the word +“Borrovian” {268} came into the language. Not a single great author +among his contemporaries praised him for his _Lavengro_, the book for +which we most esteem him to-day. His name is not mentioned by Carlyle or +Tennyson or Ruskin in all their voluminous works. Among the novelists +also he is of no account. Dickens and Thackeray and George Eliot knew +him not. Charlotte Brontë does indeed write of him with enthusiasm, +{269a} but she is alone among the great Victorian authors in this +particular. Borrow’s _Lavengro_ received no commendation from +contemporary writers of the first rank. He died in his seventy-eighth +year an obscure recluse whose works were all but forgotten. Since that +year, 1881, his fame has been continually growing. His greatest work, +_Lavengro_, has been reprinted with introductions by many able critics; +{269b} notable essayists have proclaimed his worth. Of these Mr. +Watts-Dunton and Mr. Augustine Birrell have been the most assiduous. The +efforts of the former have already been noted. Mr. Birrell has expressed +his devotion in more than one essay. {269c} Referring to a casual +reference by Robert Louis Stevenson to _The Bible in Spain_, {270a} in +which R. L. S. speaks well of that book, Mr. Birrell, not without irony, +says: + + It is interesting to know this, interesting, that is, to the great + Clan Stevenson, who owe suit and service to their liege lord; but so + far as Borrow is concerned, it does not matter, to speak frankly, two + straws. The author of _Lavengro_, _The Romany Rye_, _The Bible in + Spain_, and _Wild Wales_ is one of those kings of literature who + never need to number their tribe. His personality will always secure + him an attendant company, who, when he pipes, must dance. + +This is to sum up the situation to perfection. You cannot force people +to become readers of Borrow by argument, by criticism, or by the force of +authority. You reach the stage of admiration and even love by effects +which rise remote from all questions of style or taste. To say, as does +a recent critic, that “there is something in Borrow after all; not so +much as most people suppose, but still a great deal,” {270b} is to miss +the compelling power of his best books as they strike those with whom +they are among the finest things in literature. In attempting to +interest new readers in the man—and this book is not for the sect called +Borrovians, to whom I recommend the earlier biographies, but for a wider +public which knows not Borrow—I hope I shall succeed in sending many to +those incomparable works, which have given me so many pleasant hours. + + + +INDEX +A + + +_Academy_, F. H. Groome’s review of _Word Book_, 151 + +Aikin, Lucy, on Mrs. John Taylor, 39; on William Taylor, 40 + +Ainsworth, Harrison, _Lavengro_ criticised by, 185 + +_Ancient Poetry and Romances of Spain_, by Bowring, 82 + +Andalusia described, 124 + +André, Major, trial of, included in Borrow’s volumes, 67 + +_Annals of the Harford Family_, reference to Borrow in, 158 + +_Apologia pro Vita Sua_, by J. H. Newman, 224 + +Arnold, Matthew, and George Borrow contrasted, 65 + +_Athenæum_, _The_, Hasfeld’s letter on Russian literature and Borrow in, +98, 99; friendly review of _The Zincali_ in, 147; severely criticises +_Lavengro_, 184, 225—and _Romany Rye_, 225; reminiscences of Borrow +contributed to, 203, 204 + +Augsburg, Confession of, 169 + +Austin, John, 39 + +— Sarah, 37 + +_Autobiographical Recollections of Sir John Bowring_, 81, 82 + +_Autobiography of Harriet Martineau_, quoted, 40 + + + +B + + +BALDREY, S. H., reminiscences of the Borrows published by, 257–59 + +Barbauld, Mrs., 40 + +Baretti, Joseph, witnesses at trial of, 68 + +Bathurst, Bishop, 38, 66 + +Belcher, pugilist, 77 + +Bell, Catherine, 37 + +_Benjamin Robert Haydon_; _Correspondence and Table Talk_, by F. W. +Haydon, 22 + +_Bible in Spain_, _The_, 33, 158, 170, 191; quoted, 137, 154; episode of +the blind girl, 120; brings fame to Borrow, 147, 157, 158; the title of, +153; criticisms of Mr. Murray’s reader on copy of—number of copies +sold—referred to in House of Commons, 157; reviews of, 157, 161, 184; how +written, 185; Gladstone’s admiration of, 203 + +Birrell, Augustine, 153; introduction to _Lavengro_ by, 269 + +Black Forest, Borrow in the, 169 + +_Blackwood’s Magazine_, condemns _Lavengro_, 184 + +Borrow, Ann, mother of Borrow, 8, 9, 12, 81, 142; life in Norwich of, +14–16, 44; correspondence of, 16, 115, 120–23, 143; death—inscription on +tomb of, 203 + +Borrow, Elizabeth, 192 + +— George Henry, biographical drafts, 7–13; wandering childhood of, 25–35; +schooldays at Norwich, 45–49; struggles and failure in London, 57–59; +Celtic ancestry of, 235; characteristics of, 15, 95, 188, 202, 204, 227, +252, 268; agent for Bible Society, 94, 117; work for the Society +in—Portugal, 113, 114—Russia, 97–109—Spain, 110–29; imprisonments of, 79, +117, 127, 144; correspondence of, with—Bowring, 84–89—Brackenbury, 128, +129—Ford, 161–167—Haydon, 22—Jerningham, 127—Henrietta MacOubrey, +259–64—his wife, 117–19, 123–26, 145, 172–82, 205, 206, 210–18, 221; +Darwin asks information from, 205; fails to become a magistrate, 139, +203; feeling of, as regards people and language of Ireland, 32, 33, 195; +friends of later years, 250–54; life of, in London, 244–49—in Oulton +Broad and Yarmouth, 199–206; attainments of, as a linguist, 33, 41, 42, +81; literary tastes of, 13, 26, 79, 155–57, 223, 224; literary methods +of, 188; attitude towards literary men, 224, 225, 252; marriage of, 128, +143, 144, 146, 147; personal appearance, 147, 192, 200, 201; physical +vigour of, 246, 258; political sympathies, 111; pugilistic tastes, 74–77; +translations by, 51, 78–80; travels in—Austria-Hungary, 172–79—Greece and +Italy, 179—82—Ireland, 220, 221—Portugal, 113, 114—Russia, +97–109—Scotland, 207–21—Spain, 110–29—Wales, 235, 236, 240–43; unfounded +reports as to neglect of, when dying, 255, 256; unrecognised genius and +growing fame of, 202, 268; Yarmouth rescue episode, 192 + +Borrow, Henry, 192 + +— John, grandfather of George Henry, 8–10 + +—John Thomas, 9, 32; Captain Borrow’s love of, 10, 17; described in +_Lavengro_, 17; pictures by, 19; career and death of, 17–24 + +— Mary, 142–44, 184; correspondence with: Ann Borrow, 236—G. H. Borrow, +93, 117–19, 123–26, 158, 159, 168–82, 193, 240–42, 244–46—Hake, 252, 253; +epitaph written for, by Borrow, 140; family history, 138–41; +house-keeping genius of, 256; marriage of, 93, 146; death of, 247, 248 + +— Captain Thomas, 17, 18, 25, 32, 55, 192; descent of, 8, 9; military +career of, 8–10; referred to in _Lavengro_, 10–13; prejudiced against the +Irish, 33, 34; pensioned off, 44; his fight with Big Ben Brain, 74, 76 + +— William, 192 + +Bowring, Sir John, collaboration with Borrow, 80; correspondence with +Borrow, 84–89, 113, 114; described by Borrow, 83, 84; Borrow’s relations +with, 81–89 + +Boyd, Robert, 161 + +Brace, Charles L., 174 + +Brackenbury, Mr., letter from, to Borrow, 128, 129 + +Brain, Big Ben, 10–12, 76 + +Brandram, Rev. Mr., 94; correspondence of, with Borrow, 104, 105; letter +from, to Mrs. Borrow, 115 + +British and Foreign Bible Society, aided by the Gurneys, 38; Borrow’s +connection with, 78, 90–93; growth and procedure of, 91–93; sanctioned in +Russia by the Czar, 92; number of bibles issued in Spain for three years +up to 1913, 113; work of, in Spain, 111–29; breezy controversy between +Borrow and the, 117 + +Brontë, Charlotte, writes of Borrow with enthusiasm, 269 + +_Brontës_, _The_, by Clement Shorter, quoted, 269 + +Brooke, Rajah, 45 + +Brown, Rev. Arthur, 28 + +Browne, Sir Thomas, 36 + +Browning, Robert, 68 + +Buchini, Antonio, Borrow’s attendant in Spain, 116 + +Bunsens, the invitation given to Borrow by, 158 + +Bunyan, what Borrow owed to, 224 + +Burcham, Thomas, 51 + +Burke, Edmund, 68 + +_Bury Post_, _The_, account in, of life-saving by Borrow at Yarmouth, 192 + +Buxton, Sir T. F., 37 + +— Lady, 37, 38, 58 + + + +C + + +CAGLIOSTRO, trial of, included in Borrow’s volumes, 67 + +Campbell, Thomas, 51, 66 + +Canton, William, 92 + +Carlyle, Thomas, 90, 97; _Miscellanies_, 42; point of similitude between +Borrow and, 243; on Edward FitzGerald, 228; prejudiced against Scott, 41 + +_Celebrated Trials_, Borrow’s first piece of hack-work, 58; payment made +to Borrow for, 68; distinguishing feature of, 68; dramatic episodes in, +68, 69 + +Chamisso’s _Peter Schlemihl_, 83 + +_Christ’s Entry into Jerusalem_, picture by Haydon, 21 + +Clarendon, Earl of, 191; befriends Borrow in Spain, 82, 114; career of, +and services to Borrow, 137–39 + +Clarke, Lieutenant Henry, 140, 142 + +Cobbe, Frances Power, 224; her opinion of Borrow, 90; her story of Borrow +and James Martineau, 49; unkindly glimpses of Borrow given by—her +character and works, 247, 248 + +Collins, Mortimer, his appreciation of _Wild Wales_, 239 + +Collinson, Robert, 247 + +Cooke, Robert, 233 + +_Cornhill Magazine_, _The_, reviews _Wild Wales_ unfavourably, 236 + +“Corporation Feast, The,” plate of, borrowed for _Life and Death of +Faustus_, 61 + +Cowell, Professor E. C., friendship of, with FitzGerald, 230 + +Cowper, poet, Borrow’s devotion to, 8, 26 + +Crabbe, Mrs., 258 + +— George, FitzGerald’s letter to, 233 + +Cribb, pugilist, 77 + +Croft, Sir Herbert, 69 + +Crome, John, 19, 20, 37, 44 + +Cunningham, Mrs., 37 + +— Allan, writes introduction in verse to _Romantic Ballads_; +correspondence with Borrow, 64 + +Cunningham, Rev. Francis, befriends Borrow with the Bible Society, 37, +38, 92, 93; his praise of Borrow, 110, 142 + +— Rev. John W., 92, 141 + + + +D + + +_Dairyman’s Daughter_, _The_, extraordinary vogue of, 58; Borrow’s +failure to appreciate, 92 + +Dalrymple, Arthur, on schooldays of Borrow, 46; on Borrow and his wife, +146 + +— John, joins Borrow in a schoolboy escapade, 46 + +Danube, description of the, 169 + +Darlow, T. H., _Letters to the Bible Society_, 102, 103, 105–7 + +Darwin, Charles, letter from, asking for information, regarding the dogs +of Spain, from Borrow, 205 + +_Death of Balder_, _The_, translation by Borrow, 84 + +_Deceived Merman_, _The_, versions by Borrow and Matthew Arnold compared, +65 + +Defoe, Daniel, Borrow’s master in literature, 27, 79, 224 + +Denniss, Rev. E. P., acrid correspondence between Borrow and, 202 + +D’Eterville, Thomas, Borrow’s teacher, 46 + +Diaz, Maria, Borrow’s tribute to, 130 + +Domenico’s picture of the burial of Count of Orgaz, 119 + +Donne, W. B., letters to Borrow, 225, 233, 234; awards high praise to +_Romany Rye_ and _Lavengro_, 225 + +Drake, William, description of Borrow by, 50 + +Dumpling Green, birthplace of Borrow, 7, 8, 26 + + + +E + + +EAST DEREHAM, described in _Lavengro_, 7, 26 + +_Eastern Daily Press_, _The_, Miss Harvey’s letter on Borrow in, 200–2 + +Eastlake, Lady, her description of Borrow, 168 + +Edinburgh, childhood of Borrow in, 30–32 + +_Edinburgh Review_, reviews Borrow’s works, 148 + +Elwin, Rev. Whitwell, his estimate of _Lavengro_, 186, 187; his interview +with, and impressions of, Borrow, 187, 188; letters to Borrow from, 189; +reviews _Romany Rye_ in _Quarterly Review_, 225 + +Enghien, Duc d’, trial of, included in Borrow’s volumes, 67 + +_Essays Critical and Historical_, by J. H. Newman, quoted, 224 + +_Excursions along the Shores of the Mediterranean_, attractive glimpse of +Borrow in, 130–34 + + + +F + + +FAUNTLEROY, HENRY, trial of, included in Borrow’s volumes, 68, 69 + +_Faustus_, translated by Borrow, 60–63, 67, 82; burned by libraries of +Norwich, 63; criticisms on, 63 + +Fenn, Lady, commemorated by Cowper, and in _Lavengro_—books for children +by, 26 + +— Sir John, author of Paston Letters, 26 + +Fielding, what Borrow owed to, 224 + +Fig, James, 75 + +FitzGerald, Edward, parallel between Borrow and—works of, 227, 228; +character and gifts of, 227; marriage of, 228; letters to Borrow, 228–33; +criticises Borrow’s expressions, 233 + +Ford, Richard, 78, 147, 191; family history and fortune of, 160, 161; +anti-democratic outlook of, 161; his tribute to Borrow—reviews _The Bible +in Spain_, 161; correspondence with the Borrows, 78, 161–68; odd sentence +referring to Borrow, in a letter of, 164; advice given to Borrow by, 183; +his ideas about _Lavengro_, 184; on _The Zincali_, 148, 149; his work, +78, 64, 166, 167 + +— Sir Richard, creator of mounted police force of London, 160 + +Fox, Caroline, 94 + +_Frazer’s Magazine_, _Lavengro_ condemned by, 184 + +_French Prisoners of Norman Cross_, _The_, by Rev. Arthur Brown, 28 + +Fry, Elizabeth, connection of, with Bible Society, 92; the courtship of, +37, 38 + + + +G + + +GARRICK, DAVID, 68 + +“George Borrow Reminiscences,” by S. H. Baldrey, quoted, 257–59 + +Gibson, Robin, 31 + +Gifford, William, 59 + +Gill, Rev. W., letter to Borrow from, 197, 198 + +Glen, William, 97 + +Gypsies, language of, Borrow’s description of Hungarian, 175 + +Gladstone, W. E., his admiration of _The Bible in Spain_, 203 + +Glen, William, Borrow’s friendship with, 97 + +Graydon, Lieutenant, a rival of Borrow in Spain, 116 + +Groome, Archdeacon, his memories of Borrow’s schooldays, 50 + +— F. H., gypsy scholar, reviews _Romano Lavo-Lil_, 151, 152 + +Grundtvig, Mr., Borrow’s translations for, 88 + +Gully, John, career of, 77 + +Gurdons, the, subscribe to Borrow’s _Romantic Ballads_, 66 + +Gurney, Miss Anna, letter from, to Mrs. Borrow, 155; Borrow +cross-examined in Arabic by, 204 + +— Daniel, 38 + +— John, 37 + +— Joseph John, connection of, with great bank, 37, 38; and with Bible +Society, 92; his praise of Borrow, 110 + +Gurneys, the, at Norwich, 37–39; subscribe to Borrow’s _Romantic +Ballads_, 66 + +_Gypsies of Spain_, _The_. See _Zincali_, _The_. + + + +H + + +HACKMAN, PARSON, trial of, in Borrow’s volumes, 69 + +Haggart, David, 18; story of, 30, 31; trial and execution of, 32 + +Hake, Egmont, article of, in _Dictionary of National Biography_, on +Borrow, 252 + +— Dr. T. G., on _Lavengro_, 185, 250, 251; his intimacy with Borrow, +250–54; relations of, with the Rossetti family, 250; asperities of, when +speaking of Borrow, 251, 252 + +Hamilton, Duke of, 76 + +_Handbook for Travellers in Spain_, by Richard Ford, 78; Borrow’s +blundering review of, 165, 166; Maxwell’s praise of, 167 + +Hares, the, 66 + +Harvey, Miss Elizabeth, her impressions of Borrow, 200–2; letters to Mrs. +MacOubrey from, 264, 265 + +Harveys, the, 66 + +Hasfeld, John P., 191; Borrow’s correspondence with, 97–101 + +Hawkes, Robert, 20–22, 66 + +Hawthorne, Nathaniel, suggestion of, as to gypsy descent of Borrow, 9, 14 + +Haydon, Benjamin, 66; career of, 21–23; correspondence of, with Borrow, +22, 79 + +Haydon, F. W., _Benjamin Robert Haydon_, 22 + +Hayim Ben Attar, Moorish servant of Borrow, 144 + +Heenan, pugilist, 75 + +Herne, Sanspirella, second wife of Ambrose Smith, 29 + +Hester, George P., writes to Borrow on possible connection between +Sclaves and Saxons, 226 + +Highland Society, the, Borrow’s proposal to, 80 + +Hill, Mary, 31 + +_Historic Survey of German Poetry_, by William Taylor, 42 + +_History of the British and Foreign Bible Society_, by William Canton, 92 + +Howell, _State Trials_ of, 67 + +Howitt, Mary, her appreciation of _Wild Wales_, 236, 237 + +_Hungary in_ 1851, glimpse of Borrow in, 174 + +Hunt, Joseph, trial and execution of, 71, 72 + +Hyde, Dr. Douglas, Irish scholar, 34 + + + +I + + +IRELAND, Borrow’s early years in, 31–35; his feelings as regards people +and language of, 195 + +_Iris_, _The_, editing of, 41 + + + +J + + +JACKSON, JOHN, pugilist, 74 + +_Jane Eyre_, cruelly reviewed by Lady Eastlake, 168 + +Jay, Elizabeth, on happy married life of the Borrows, 146 + +Jerningham, Sir George, letter from, to Borrow, 127; Borrow’s complaints +to, 137 + +Jessopp, Dr., on Borrow as a pupil at the Grammar School, 45; his +admiration of Borrow, 203, 204 + +Joan of Arc, trial of, included in Borrow’s volumes, 67 + +Johnson, Dr. Samuel, 68; on Ireland and Irish Literature, 33; his +kindness for pugilists, 75 + +— Tom, his fight with Brain, 76 + +_Joseph Sell_, 61 + +Jowett, Rev. Joseph, Secretary of the Bible Society, 38; correspondence +of, with Borrow, 97, 102, 103 + + + +K + + +_Kæmpe Viser_, translation by Borrow, 84, 85 + +Keate, Dr., 106 + +Kerrison, Allday, 53; invites John Borrow to join him in Mexico, 23 + +— Roger, 53, 60; Borrow’s correspondence with, 53, 90 + +— Thomas, 52 + +Kett, Robert, 36 + +King, Thomas, owner of the Borrow house in Willow Lane—descent of, from +Archbishop Parker, 16 + +—, — junior, marries sister of J. S. Mill, 16 + +— Tom, conqueror of Heenan, 75 + +Klinger, F. M. von, works of, 62 + +Knapp, Dr., _Life of Borrow_, 3 and _passim_; purchases half the Borrow +papers, 155 + + + +L + + +LA GIRALDA, 124 + +Lambert, Daniel, gaoler of Phillips, 56 + +Lamplighter, racehorse, Borrow’s desire to see, 205 + +Lang, Andrew, his onslaught on Borrow, 251 + +Laurie, Sir Robert, 16 + +_Lavengro_, appreciations of, 148, 149, 185, 250, 251; autobiographical +nature of, 7, 9, 11, 12, 34, 38, 50–52, 57, 58, 185, 188, 244; copies of, +sold, 190; criticisms and reviews of, 184, 185, 186, 225; Donne on some +reviewers of, 233, 234; greatness of, unrecognised in Borrow’s lifetime, +202; preparation of manuscript of, 183, 184; Thurtell referred to in, 69 + +_Leicester Herald_ started by Phillips, 56 + +Leland, Charles Godfrey, correspondence of, with Borrow, 149–51; his +books—tribute to Borrow, 151 + +Lenz, 169 + +_Letters from George Borrow to the Bible Society_, 97, 98, 102; valuable +information in, 110; interesting facts revealed in, 155, 156; quoted, 106 + +_Letters of Richard Ford_, 161; Borrow’s mistake in reviewing, 165 + +_Life and Adventures of Joseph Sell_, Borrow’s story of the writing of, +61 + +_Life of Borrow_, by Dr. Knapp, 3, and _passim_; glimpse of Ann +Perfrement’s girlhood in, 14; gruesome picture of circumstances of +Borrow’s death—strongly denounced by Henrietta MacOubrey, 255 + +_Life of B. R. Haydon_, by Tom Taylor, 21, 22 + +_Life of David Haggart_, by himself, 31 + +_Life of Frances Power Cobbe as told by Herself_, glimpses of Borrow in, +246, 247 + +_Life of Sir James Mackintosh_, quoted, 40 + +_Lights on Borrow_, by Rev. A. Jessopp, D.D., quoted, 45 + +Lipóftsof, worker for Bible Society, 102, 105, 173 + +_Literary Gazette_, _The_, reviews of Borrow’s works in, 63, 147 + +Lloyd, Miss M. C., 247 + +Lopez, Eduardo, 130 + +— Juan, Borrow’s tribute to, 130 + +Luke, gypsy translation of, 119 + +Luther, Martin, 169 + +_Lycidas_, Tennyson’s enthusiasm for, 185 + + + +M + + +MACAULAY, ZACHARY, connection of, with Bible Society, 91 + +Mace, Jem, 75 + +MacOubrey, Dr., 218, 256; status and accomplishments of, 259; pamphlets +issued by, 259; illness and death of, 266 + +MacOubrey, Henrietta, 3, 91, 123, 140, and _passim_; on Borrow, 51; +Borrow’s tribute to, in _Wild Wales_—her devotion to Borrow, 255; +unfounded stories of her neglect of Borrow, 255–57; correspondence of, +259–67; death of—inscription on tomb of, 266; charitable bequests of, 267 + +Man, Isle of, Borrow’s expedition to, 195–98; his investigations into the +Manx language, 196, 197 + +Marie Antoinette, trial of, included in Borrow’s volumes, 67 + +Martelli, C. F., his memories of Borrow, 54 + +Martineau, David, 39 + +— Dr. James, impressions of, as schoolfellow of Borrow, 46–48 + +— Gaston, 39 + +— Harriet, 39; on Borrow’s connection with the Bible Society, 90 + +Maxwell, Sir W. S., praises Ford’s book, 167; criticises _Lavengro_, 184 + +Meadows, Margaret, 39 + +— Sarah, 39 + +_Memoir of the Life and Writings of William Taylor of Norwich_, _A_, by +J. W. Robbards, 40 + +_Memoirs of Fifty Years_, by T. G. Hake, 250, 251 + +_Memoirs of John Venning_, 95 + +_Memoirs of the Public and Private Life of Sir Richard Phillips_, 55, 56 + +_Memoirs of Vidocq_, translated by Borrow, 80 + +Mendizábal, Borrow’s interview with, 114, 138 + +Mezzofanti, 136 + +Miles, H. D., his defence of prize-fighting, 74 + +Mill, John Stuart, Thomas King marries sister of, 16 + +Moira, Lord, 56 + +Mol, Benedict, 130, 155 + +Montague, Basil, his reference to Mrs. John Taylor, 40 + +_Monthly Magazine_, _The_, 41, 43, 57; Borrow’s work on, 58 + +Morrin, killed by David Haggart, 31 + +Morris, Lewis, Welsh bard, 238 + +— Sir Lewis, letter to Borrow, 238, 239 + +Moscow, monster bell at, 169 + +Mousehold Heath, historical and artistic associations of, 29, 36 + +Mousha, introduces Borrow to Taylor, 52; figures in _Lavengro_, 52 + +Munich described, 169 + +Murray, John, publishes _The Zincali_, 147; correspondence of Borrow +with, 202 + +— Hon. R. D., 129 + +Murtagh, Irish friend of Borrow—figures in _Lavengro_, 34 + +_Museum_, _The_, 56 + + + +N + + +NANTES, Edict of, Borrow’s ancestors driven from France by Revocation of, +14, 39 + +Napier, Admiral Sir C., 130 + +— Col. E., 81; interesting account of Borrow by, 130–34 + +Nelson, Lord, a pupil of Norwich Grammar School, 45 + +_Newgate Calendar_, edited by Borrow, 67, 68 + +_Newgate Lives and Trials_, Borrow’s work on, 59 + +Newman, Cardinal, influenced towards Roman Catholicism by Scott, 224 + +_New Monthly Magazine_, _The_, 74 + +Ney, Marshal, trial of, included in Borrow’s volumes, 67 + +Nicholas, Thomas, 192 + +Norfolk, Duke of, 56 + +Nore, mutiny at the, 16 + +_Norfolk Chronicle_, missionary speech of Borrow referred to in, 110 + +Norman Cross, French prisoners at, 10, 30; Borrow’s memories of, 27–30 + +_Norvicensian_, William Drake’s notice in, 50 + +Norwich, 36, 54, 86; Borrow’s description of, 51, 52; satirised by +Borrow, 61 + + + +O + + +O’CONNELL, DANIEL, Borrow’s desire to see, 205 + +Oliver, Tom, pugilist, 76 + +_Once a Week_, Borrow contributes to, 248 + +Opie, Mrs., 37 + +_Oracle_, _The_, quoted, 76 + +Orford, Col. Lord, 23 + +Orgaz, Count of, Domenico’s picture of, 119 + +Overend and Gurney, banking firm, 37, 38 + +Owen, Goronwy, Borrow’s favourite Welsh bard, 242, 243 + + + +P + + +PAHLIN, 136 + +Painter, Edward, pugilist, 76 + +Palgrave, R. H. I., letters to Mrs. MacOubrey from, 265 + +Palmer, Professor E. H., gypsy scholar, 151 + +Park, Mr. Justice, 72 + +Parker, Archbishop, descent of Thomas King from, 16 + +Paterson, John, work of, for Bible Society in Russia, 92 + +Pennell, Mrs. Elizabeth Robins, her biography of Leland, quoted, 159 + +Perfrement, Mary, grandmother of Borrow, 8, 14 + +— Samuel, grandfather of Borrow, 8, 14 + +_Peter Schlemihl_, translated by Bowring, 83 + +Petrie, George, correspondence of Borrow with, 218, 219 + +Phillips, Lady, 57 + +— Sir Richard, 23, 43, 59; early days of, 55–56; imprisonment of, 56; +relations of, with Borrow, 57–59 + +Picts, the, Borrow on, 218, 219 + +Pilgrim, John, Borrow’s visits to, 258 + +Pischel, Professor Richard, criticises Borrow’s etymologies, 223 + +Pott, Dr. A. F., gypsy scholar, 151 + +_Prayer Book and Homily Society_, Borrow’s correspondence with, 107, 108 + +Prize-fighting, Borrow’s taste for, 13, 52, 74–77 + +Probert, witness against Thurtell, 71 + +Prothero, Rowland E., 161 + +Purland, Francis, companion of Borrow in schoolboy escapade, 46 + +— Theodosius, 46 + +Pushkin, Alexander, Russian poet, translated by Borrow, 109 + + + +Q + + +_Quarterly Review_, _The_, review of _Lavengro_ in, 186; of _Romany Rye_ +in, 225 + + + +R + + +RACKHAM, TOM, 50 + +Rackhams, the, 66 + +_Raising of Lazarus_, picture by Haydon, 21 + +Ratisbon, Borrow at, 169; Dean of, 170 + +Reay, Martha, murdered by Hackman, 69 + +Reeve, Henry, 39 + +_Res Judicatæ_, by Augustine Birrell, 269 + +Reynolds, Sir Joshua, 68 + +Richmond, Legh, connection of, with Bible Society, 92 + +_Rights of Man_, Phillips charged with selling, 56 + +Ritson, Mrs., 119, 125 + +Robbards, J. W., writes memoir of William Taylor, 40 + +_Romano Lavo-Lil_, reviews of, 151, 152 + +_Romantic Ballads_, translation from the Danish by Borrow, 64–67, 82 + +_Romany Rye_, _The_, 199; appreciations of, 148, 149, 152, 226, 230; +autobiographical nature of, 185, 188; Borrow embittered by failure of, +225; characters in, 223; defects of Appendix, 223, 224; identification of +localities of, 223; philological criticism of, 223; preparation of +manuscript of, 222; quoted, 116; reviews of, 225, 226 + +Ross, Janet, _Three Generations of Englishwomen_, 39 + +Rowe, Quartermaster, 16 + +_Rubáiyát_, Fitzgerald’s paraphrase, 227; quoted in original and +translated, 229; Tennyson’s eulogy of, 231 + + + +S + + +ST. PETERSBURG, Borrow in, 97–109 + +San Tomé, 119 + +Sampson, John, eminent gypsy expert—extraordinary suggestion of, +regarding Borrow, 223; criticises Borrow’s etymologies, 223 + +Sayers, Dr., 40 + +Scott, Sir Walter, 42; Borrow’s prejudice against, 18, 223; influence of, +on J. H. Newman, 224; Taylor’s influence on, 40; writings of, admired by +Borrow, 223 + +_Servian Popular Poetry_, by Bowring, 82 + +Seville described, 124 + +Sharp, Granville, connection with Bible Society of, 91 + +Shorter, C. K., _The Brontës_, 269 + +Sidney, Algernon, trial of, included in Borrow’s volumes, 68 + +Sierraina de Ronda, 124 + +Sigerson, Dr., Irish scholar, 34 + +Simeon, Charles, connection with Bible Society of, 92 + +Simpson, William, Borrow articled to, 50, 51; described by Borrow, 50, 51 + +Skepper, Anne, 93, 140, 142 + +— Breame, 93 + +— Edmund, 93, 142 + +_Sleeping Bard_, _The_, translation by Borrow, 80; refused by publishers, +208 + +Smiles, Samuel, on publication of _The Zincali_, 147 + +Smith, Ambrose, the Jasper Petulengro of _Lavengro_, 28–30 + +— Fäden, 29 + +— Thomas, 30 + +_Songs from Scandinavia_, translation by Borrow, 80 + +_Songs of Scotland_, by Allan Cunningham, Borrow’s appreciation of, 64 + +Southey, Robert, affection of, for William Taylor, 40; on death of +Taylor, 42 + +_Spectator_, _The_, point of view of criticism of Borrow of, 270; reviews +_Wild Wales_, 236 + +Spencer quoted, 118 + +_State Trials_, 67, 68 + +Stephen, Sir J. Fitzjames, 141 + +— Sir Leslie, 59 + +Stevenson, R. L., perfunctory references to Borrow in writings of, 270 + +Strasbourg, 169 + +Struensee, Count, trial of, included in Borrow’s volumes, 67 + +Sussex, Duke of, 40 + +Swan, Rev. William, 102 + + + +T + + +_Targum_, translation by Borrow, 195; high praise of, 99, 108, 109 + +Taylor, Anne, describes Borrow’s appearance, 192 + +— Baron, Borrow’s meeting with, 136 + +— Dr. John, 39 + +— John, 39 + +— Mrs. John, 37; Basil Montague on, 40 + +— Richard, 39 + +— Robert, 192 + +— Tom, author of _Life of B. R. Haydon_, 21, 22 + +Taylor, William, 37, 44; dialogue in _Lavengro_ between Borrow and, 11; +gives Borrow lessons in German, 51; gives Borrow introductions to +Phillips and Campbell, 52; his love of paradox, 47; influence of, on +Borrow, 40; Harriet Martineau on, 40; his friends and literary work, +40–42; correspondence with Southey, 41; his testimony to Borrow’s +knowledge of German, 60 + +Taylors, the, at Norwich, 37, 39–43 + +Tennyson on enthusiasm for _Lycidas_, 185; his eulogy of FitzGerald’s +translation of the _Rubáiyát_, 231 + +Thackeray, W. M., Borrow’s attitude towards, 224, 252; on Edward +FitzGerald, 228 + +Thompson, W. H., 231 + +_Three Generations of English women_, by Janet Ross, 39 + +Thurtell, Alderman, 71, 73 + +— John, 52, 66; trial of—glimpses of, in Borrow’s books, 69–73; great +authors who have commented on crime of, 69, 70 + +Timbs, John, 66 + +Toledo described, 118, 119 + +Treve, Captain, 16 + +Turner, Dawson, 157, 185 + +_Twelve Essays on the Phenomena of Nature_, Phillips anxious to produce +in a German dress, 57 + +_Twelve Essays on the Proximate Causes_, Borrow unable to translate into +German—published in German, 58 + + + +U + + +_Universal Review_, _The_, 58, 59; Borrow’s work on, 58 + +Upcher, A. W., contributes reminiscences of Borrow to the _Athenæum_, 204 + +Usóz y Rio, Don Luis de, letters from, to Borrow, 134–36 + +Utting, Mr., 172 + + + +V + + +VALPY, REV. E., Borrow’s schoolmaster—story of Borrow being flogged by, +46–49 + +Venning, John, work of, in Russia—befriends Borrow, 95 + +Victoria, Queen, visits gypsy encampment, 29 + +Vidocq, memoirs of, translated by Borrow, 80 + +Vienna described, 170 + + + +W + + +_Wahrheit und Dichtung_, opening lines of, compared with those of +_Lavengro_, 7 + +Walpole, Horace, on Mr. Fenn, 26 + +Watts-Dunton, Theodore, criticism of Borrow’s work, 251; on intimacy +between Borrow and Hake, 250, 251; introduction to _Lavengro_ by, 269 + +Weare pamphlets, 71 + +— William, murder of, 71 + +_Westminster Review_, 82 + +Whewell, Dr., 188 + +Wilberforce, William, connection of, with Bible Society, 91 + +Wilcock, Rev. J., his impressions of Borrow, 220 + +_Wild Wales_, 9, 143, 246, 255; appreciations of, 233, 236, 238, 239; +comparative failure of, 239; comparison of, with Borrow’s three other +great works, 242; high spirits of 243; Lope de Vega’s ghost story +referred to in, 237; reviews of, 236; time taken to write, 236 + +_Wilhelm Meister_, quoted, 91 + +_William Bodham Donne and his Friends_, Borrow described in, 233, 234 + +Williams, J. Evan, letter from Borrow to, on similarity of some +Sclavonian and Welsh words, 237, 238 + +Woodhouses, the, 66 + +Wordsworth, Borrow’s estimate of, 224 + +Wormius, Olaus, 51 + +Wright, Dr. Aldis, 231 + + + +Z + + +_Zincali_, _The_, work by Borrow, 29; criticisms of, 147, 148; number of +copies of, sold, 158; editions of, issued, 147 + + * * * * * + + The Temple Press + Letchworth + ENGLAND + + + + +Footnotes + + +{11a} _Lavengro_, ch. xiv. + +{11b} _Ibid._, ch. xxiii. + +{15} _Lavengro_, ch. xxxvii. + +{20} _Lavengro_, ch. xxv. + +{21} _Life of B. R. Haydon_, by Tom Taylor, 1853, vol. ii. p. 21. + +{22} _Benjamin Robert Haydon_: _Correspondence and Table Talk_, with a +Memoir by his son, Frederic Wordsworth Haydon, vol. i. pp. 360–1. + +{33a} _The Bible in Spain_, ch. xx. + +{33b} Dr. Johnson was the first as Borrow was the second to earn this +distinction. Johnson, as reported by Boswell, says: + + “_I have long wished that the Irish literature were cultivated_. + _Ireland is known by tradition to have been once the seat of piety + and learning_, _and surely it would be very acceptable to all those + who are curious on the origin of nations or the affinities of + languages to be further informed of the evolution of a people so + ancient and once so illustrious_. _I hope that you will continue to + cultivate this kind of learning which has too long been neglected_, + _and which_, _if it be suffered to remain in oblivion for another + century_, _may perhaps never be retrieved_.” + +{34} _Lavengro_. + +{39} _Three Generations of Englishwomen_, by Janet Ross, vol. i. p. 3. + +{42} Reprinted in Carlyle’s _Miscellanies_. + +{47} This is a contemptuous reference in Martineau’s own words to +“George Borrow, the writer and actor of romance.” + +{49} _Life of Frances Power Cobbe as told by Herself_, ch. xvii. + +{50} _Norvicensian_, 1888, p. 177. + +{51} The _Britannia_ newspaper, 26th June, 1851. + +{54} Mr. C. F. Martelli of Staple Inn, London, who has so generously +placed this information at my disposal. Mr. Martelli writes: + + “Old memories brought him to our office for professional advice, and + there I saw something of him, and a very striking personality he was, + and a rather difficult client to do business with. One peculiarity I + remember was that he believed himself to be plagued by autograph + hunters, and was reluctant to trust our firm with his signature in + any shape or form, and that we in consequence had some trouble in + inducing him to sign his will. I have seen him sitting over my fire + in my room at that office for hours, half asleep, and crooning out + Romany songs while waiting for my chief.” + +{58} In _Lavengro_. + +{62} _Life and Death of Faustus_, p. 59. + +{67a} _Celebrated Trials and Remarkable Cases of Criminal Jurisprudence +from the Earliest Records to the Year_ 1825. In six volumes. London: +Printed for Geo. Knight & Lacey, Paternoster Row, 1825. Price £3 12 s. +in boards. + +{67b} _The New and Complete Newgate Calendar or Malefactors Recording +Register_. By William Jackson. Six vols. 1802. + +{67c} Cobbett and Howell’s _State Trials_. In thirty-three volumes and +index, 1809 to 1828. The last volume, apart from the index, was actually +published the year after Borrow’s _Celebrated Trials_, that is, in 1826; +but the last trial recorded was that of Thistlewood in 1820. The editors +were William Cobbett, Thomas Bayly Howell, and his son, Thomas Jones +Howell. + +{70} Another witness attained fame by her answer to the inquiry, “Was +supper postponed?” with the reply, “No, it was pork.” + +{79} Only thus can we explain Borrow’s later declaration that he had +_four_ times been in prison. + +{80a} _Memoirs of Vidocq_, _Principal Agent of the French Police until_ +1827, _and now proprietor of the paper manufactory at St. Mandé_. +Written by himself. Translated from the French. In Four Volumes. +London: Whittaker, Treacher and Arnot, Ave Maria Lane, 1829. + +{80b} This with other documents I have presented to the Borrow Museum, +Norwich. + +{80c} In 1830 Borrow had another disappointment. He translated _The +Sleeping Bard_ from the Welsh. This also failed to find a publisher. It +was issued in 1860, under which date we discuss it. + + {91a} Keep not standing, fixed and rooted, + Briskly venture, briskly roam: + Head and hand, where’er thou foot it, + And stout heart, are still at home. + In each land the sun does visit: + We are gay whate’er betide. + To give room for wandering is it, + That the world was made so wide. + + (Carlyle’s translation.) + +{91b} Through the will of his stepdaughter, Henrietta MacOubrey. + +{92} Canton’s _History of the Bible Society_, vol. i. 195. + +{102} _Letters of George Borrow to the British and Foreign Bible +Society_, published by Direction of the Committee. Edited by T. H. +Darlow. Hodder and Stoughton, 1911. The Russian Correspondence occupies +pages 1–97. + +{103a} Darlow: _Letters to the Bible Society_, p. 32. + +{103b} _Ibid._, p. 47. + +{103c} _Ibid._, pp. 60, 61. + +{104} Mr. Glen. + +{105} Darlow: _Letters to the Bible Society_, p. 96. + +{106} Darlow: _Letters to the Bible Society_, p. 65. + +{107} Darlow: _Letters to the Bible Society_, p. 81. + +{110} _Norfolk Chronicle_, 17th October, 1835. + +{113} When in Madrid in May, 1913, I called upon Mr. William Summers, +the courteous Secretary of the Madrid Branch of the British and Foreign +Bible Society in the Flor Alta. Mr. Summers informs me that the issues +of the British and Foreign Bible Society, Bibles and Testaments, in Spain +for the years 1910–12 are as follows: + +Year. Bibles. Testaments. Portions. Total. +1910 5,309 8,971 70,594 84,874 +1911 5,665 11,481 79,525 96,671 +1912 9,083 11,842 85,024 105,949 + +The Calle del Principe is now rapidly being pulled down and new buildings +taking the place of those Borrow knew. + +{145a} The following suggestion has, however, been made to me by a +friend of Henrietta MacOubrey, _née_ Clarke: + + “I think Borrow intended ‘Carreta’ for ‘dearest.’ It is impossible + to think that he would call his wife a ‘cart.’ Perhaps he intended + ‘Carreta’ for ‘Querida.’ Probably their pronunciation was not + Castillian, and they spelled the word as they pronounced it. In + speaking of her to ‘Hen.’ Borrow always called her ‘Mamma.’ Mrs. + MacOubrey took a great fancy to me because she said I was like + ‘Mamma.’ She meant in character, not in person.” + +{148} Knapp’s _Life_, vol. i. p. 378. + +{151} _The Academy_, 13th June, 1874. + +{155} This was Miss Catherine Gurney, who was born in 1776, in Magdalen +Street, Norwich, and died at Lowestoft in 1850, aged seventy-five. She +twice presided over the Earlham home. The brother referred to was Joseph +John Gurney. + +{159} 4750 copies were sold in the three volume form in 1843, and a +sixth and cheaper edition the same year sold 9000 copies. + +{164} _The Times_, 12th April, 1843. + +{197} The whole of this diary will be issued in my edition of _The +Collected Works_. It has appeared, with my permission, in the Manx Folk +Lore Magazine, _Mannin_, November, 1914. + +{199} They lived first at 169 King Street, then at two addresses +unknown, then successively at 37, 38 and 39 Camperdown Terrace; their +last address was 28 Trafalgar Place. + +{229} I am indebted to Mr. Edward Heron-Allen for the information that +this is the original of the last verse but one in FitzGerald’s first +version of the _Rubáiyát_: + + r 74. + + Ah Moon of my Delight, who knowest no wane, + The Moon of Heaven is rising once again, + How oft, hereafter rising, shall she look + Through this same Garden after me—in vain. + +{255} Henrietta’s guitar is now in my possession and is a very handsome +instrument. + +{256} Henrietta MacOubrey put every difficulty in the way of Dr. Knapp, +and I hold many letters from her strongly denouncing his _Life_. + +{268} A word that is very misleading, as no writer was ever so little +the founder of a school. + +{269a} Although this fact was not known until 1908 when I published _The +Brontës_: _Life and Letters_. See vol. ii. p. 24, where Charlotte Brontë +writes: “In George Borrow’s works I found a wild fascination, a vivid +graphic power of description, a fresh originality, an athletic +simplicity, which give them a stamp of their own.” + +{269b} Theodore Watts-Dunton, Augustine Birrell and Francis Hindes +Groome. Lionel Johnson’s essay on Borrow is the more valuable in its +enthusiasm in that it was written by a Roman Catholic. Writing in the +_Outlook_ (1st April, 1899) he said: + + “What the four books mean and are to their lovers is upon this sort. + Written by a man of intense personality, irresistible in his hold + upon your attention, they take you far afield from weary cares and + business into the enamouring airs of the open world, and into days + when the countryside was uncontaminated by the vulgar conventions + which form the worst side of ‘civilised’ life in cities. They give + you the sense of emancipation, of manumission into the liberty of the + winding road and fragrant forest, into the freshness of an ancient + country-life, into a _milieu_ where men are not copies of each other. + And you fall in with strange scenes of adventure, great or small, of + which a strange man is the centre as he is the scribe; and from a + description of a lonely glen you are plunged into a dissertation upon + difficult old tongues, and from dejection into laughter, and from + gypsydom into journalism, and everything is equally delightful, and + nothing that the strange man shows you can come amiss. And you will + hardly make up your mind whether he is most Don Quixote, or Rousseau, + or Luther, or Defoe; but you will always love these books by a brave + man who travelled in far lands, travelled far in his own land, + travelled the way of life for close upon eighty years, and died in + perfect solitude. And this will be the least you can say, though he + would not have you say it—_Requiescat in pace Viator_.” + +{269c} In _Res Judicatæ_, 1892 (a paper reprinted from _The Reflector_, +8th January, 1888), in his introduction to _Lavengro_ (Macmillan, 1900), +in an essay entitled “The Office of Literature,” in the second series of +_Obiter Dicta_, and in an address at Norwich, on 5th July, 1913, +reprinted in full in the _Eastern Daily Press_ of 7th July, 1913. + +{270a} There are but three references to Borrow in Stevenson’s writings, +all of them perfunctory. These are in _Memories and Portraits_ (“A +Gossip on a Novel of Dumas’”), in _Familiar Studies of Men and Books_ +(“Some Aspects of Robert Burns”), and in _The Ideal House_. + +{270b} _The Spectator_, 12th July, 1913. + + + + +***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE LIFE OF GEORGE BORROW*** + + +******* This file should be named 38662-0.txt or 38662-0.zip ******* + + +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: +http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/3/8/6/6/38662 + + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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