e reached your hands. The principal
reason of my taking up the pen at present is the long and adventurous
journey which I am about to engage in, and which I am afraid will
preclude the possibility of my writing to you for some months. In a few
days I quit Madrid, it being my intention to visit the mountainous
districts of Spain, particularly Galicia and the Basque Provinces, for
the purpose of disposing of part of the edition of the New Testament in
Spanish, lately completed at Madrid, under my superintendence. It was my
intention to have set out sooner, but the state of the weather has been
such that I thought it more prudent to defer my departure; during the
last two months violent and bitter winds have blown without ceasing,
before whose baneful influence animal and vegetable nature seems to have
quailed. I was myself, during a fortnight, prostrated, body and limb, by
a violent attack of _la grippe_, or, as it is styled in English, the
'influenza.' I am, however, by the blessing of the Almighty, perfectly
recovered and enjoying excellent spirits, but multitudes less favoured
have perished, especially the poor.

I expect to be absent on my journey about five months, when, if I am
spared, not having fallen a prey to sickness, Carlists, banditti, or wild
beasts, I shall return to Madrid for the purpose of carrying through the
press my own translation of the Gospel of St. Luke in the language of the
Spanish Gypsies, and also the same Gospel in Cantabrian or Basque,
executed by the domestic physician of the Marquis of Salvatierra. What I
am destined to do subsequently I know not; but I should wish to visit
China by a land journey, either through Russia, or by Constantinople
[and] Armenia as far as the Indian Gulf; as it is my opinion that, with
God's permission, I might sow some seed by the way which might in time
yield a good harvest.

Speaking of these matters reminds me that in your next letter (written in
your usual choice Danish) you might send me some useful information
respecting what might be done in Russia. Do you think permission might
be obtained to print the New Testament in Russ, and that the Russian
Hierarchy would be inclined to offer any serious opposition? I wish you
would speak to Gretsch on the subject, to whom you will, as usual,
present my kindest remembrances. I believe you are acquainted with Mrs.
Biller, but if not, you would confer a great favour upon me by calling on
her, and requesting