Mexico, which bear a surprising resemblance to those used by the
followers of the Buddhist superstition. In return for a translation of
an Arabic inscription which I made for him, he presented me with a copy
of the Cabalistic book Zohar, in the Rabbinical language and character,
which on the destruction of the Inquisition at Seville (1820) he obtained
from the library of that horrible tribunal.

Pray remember me to Mr. Jowett and Mr. Browne and my other friends. May
the Lord bless you, my dear Sir.

GEORGE BORROW.

To the Rev. A. Brandram

(_Endorsed_: recd. Jany. 6, 1837)
MADRID, _December_ 26_th_, 1836.

REVD. AND DEAR SIR,--I am just arrived at Madrid in safety. It has
pleased the Lord to protect me through the perils of a most dismal
journey. I reached Cordova in three days, attended by the old Italian
whom I mentioned in my last letter, for I could procure no other guide.
From Cordova I have ridden to Madrid in the company of a
_contrabandista_, or smuggler, whose horses I insured, and to whom I am
to give a gratuity of 42 dollars. We passed through the horrible pass of
Despena Perros in the Sierra Morena. Providence here manifested itself;
the day before, the banditti of the pass committed a dreadful robbery and
murder by which they sacked 40,000 _reals_; they were probably content
with their booty and did not interrupt me and my guide. We entered La
Mancha, where I expected to fall into the hands of Palillos and Orejita.
Providence again showed itself. It had been delicious weather; suddenly
the Lord breathed forth a frozen blast, the severity of which was almost
intolerable; no human being but ourselves ventured forth; we traversed
snow-covered plains and passed through villages and towns without seeing
an individual; the robbers kept close in their caves and hovels, but the
cold nearly killed me. We reached Aranjuez late on Christmas day, and I
got into the house of an Englishman, where I swallowed nearly two bottles
of brandy; it affected me no more than warm water. I am now at my
journey's end, and shall presently fall to work, for I must lose no time,
but profit by the present opportunity. All is quiet in Madrid and in the
neighbourhood; Gomez has returned to Biscay. If my letter be somewhat
incoherent, mind it not. I have just alighted, and th