A Supplementary Chapter to the Bible in Spain   By: George Henry Borrow (1803-1881)

Transcribed from the 1913 Thomas J. Wise pamphlet by David Price, email ccx074@pglaf.org. Many thanks to Norfolk and Norwich Millennium Library, UK, for kindly supplying the images from which this transcription was made.

[Picture: Cover of pamphlet]

[Picture: Facsimile of last page of pamphlet]

A SUPPLEMENTARY CHAPTER TO THE BIBLE IN SPAIN

Inspired by FORD’S “HAND BOOK FOR TRAVELLERS IN SPAIN.”

BY GEORGE BORROW

LONDON: PRINTED FOR PRIVATE CIRCULATION 1913

PREFATORY NOTE

In 1845 Richard Ford published his Hand Book for Travellers in Spain and Readers at Home [2 Vols. 8vo.], a work which still commands attention, and the compilation of which is said to have occupied its author for more than sixteen years. In conformity with the wish of Ford (who had himself favourably reviewed The Bible in Spain ) Borrow undertook to produce a study of the Hand Book for The Quarterly Review . The following Essay was the result.

But the Essay, brilliant as it is, was not a ‘Review.’ Not until page 6 of the suppressed edition (p. 25 of the present edition) is reached is the Hand Book even mentioned, and but little concerning it appears thereafter. Lockhart, then editing the Quarterly , proposed to render it more suitable for the purpose for which it had been intended by himself interpolating a series of extracts from Ford’s volumes. But Borrow would tolerate no interference with his work, and promptly withdrew the Essay, which had meanwhile been set up in type. The following letter, addressed by Lockhart to Ford, sufficiently explains the position:

London , June 13 th , 1845.

Dear Ford ,

‘ El Gitano ’ sent me a paper on the “ Hand Book ” which I read with delight . It seemed just another capital chapter of his “ Bible in Spain ,” and I thought , as there was hardly a word of ‘ review ,’ and no extract giving the least notion of the peculiar merits and style of the “ Hand Book ,” that I could easily ( as is my constant custom ) supply the humbler part myself , and so present at once a fair review of the work , and a lively specimen of our friend’s vein of eloquence in exordio .

But , behold ! he will not allow any tampering . . . I now write to condole with you ; for I am very sensible , after all , that you run a great risk in having your book committed to hands far less competent for treating it or any other book of Spanish interest than Borrow’s would have been . . . but I consider that , after all , in the case of a new author , it is the first duty of “ The Quarterly Review ” to introduce that author fully and fairly to the public .

Ever Yours Truly , J. G. Lockhart .

The action of Lockhart in seeking to amend his Essay excited Borrow’s keenest indignation, and induced him to produce the following amusing squib:—

Would it not be more dignified To run up debts on every side , And then to pay your debts refuse , Than write for rascally Reviews ? And lectures give to great and small , In pot house , theatre , and town hall , Wearing your brains by night and day To win the means to pay your way ? I vow by him who reigns in [ hell ], It would be more respectable !