present moment
scarcely have sold 30 copies instead of nearly 300, which in Madrid are
more than equivalent to 3,000 sold on the littoral. People who know me
not, nor are acquainted with my situation, may be disposed to call me
rash; but I am far from being so, as I never adopt a venturous course
when any other is open to me. But I am not a person to be terrified by
any danger, when I see that braving it is the only way to achieve an
object. The booksellers refused to sell my work; I was compelled to
establish a shop of my own. Every shop in Madrid has a name. What name
should I give mine but the true one? I was not ashamed of my cause nor
my colours. I hoisted them, and have fought beneath them not without
success.

The Levitical party in Madrid have, in the meantime, spared no effort to
vilify me. They have started a publication called 'The friend of the
Christian religion,' in which has appeared a furious attack upon me,
which I have however treated with the contempt it deserves. But not
satisfied with this, they have endeavoured to incite the ignorant
populace against me, by telling them that I am a sorcerer and a companion
of Gypsies and witches, and I have been called so in the streets. That I
am an associate of Gypsies and fortune-tellers I do not deny, and why
should I be ashamed of their company when my Master mingled with
publicans and thieves? Many of the poor Gypsy race come frequently to
visit me, receive instruction, and hear parts of the Gospel read to them
in their own language, and when they are hungry and faint I give them to
eat and drink. This may be deemed sorcery in Spain, but I am not without
hope that it will be otherwise estimated in England; and were I to perish
to-morrow I think there are some who would be disposed to say that I have
lived not altogether in vain (always as an instrument of the 'Most
Highest'), having been permitted to turn one of the most valuable books
of God into the speech of the most oppressed and miserable of His
creatures.

No more at present, but I hope to write again within a few days.

GEORGE BORROW.

To the Rev. A. Brandram

(_Endorsed_: recd. Mar. 27, 1838)
MADRID, CALLE SANTIAGO, No. 16.
17 _March_, 1838.

REVD. AND DEAR SIR,--As I entertain