r sale,
though in such a case the difficulty of recovering the money would be
immense. I therefore at last resolved to make an experiment, the result
of which fully corresponded with an opinion which I had for some time
formed--namely, that in the villages, sequestered and apart amongst the
mountains and in the sandy plains of Spain, I might at any time be sure
of a glorious harvest, far more rich than that which it was possible for
me to expect in towns and cities, unless I had recourse to means
unwarranted, nay forbidden, by the Book which I distributed, and which
means had been proscribed by the Society itself on my departure for
Spain. But now to proceed at once to the experiment, which I made at
different periods and in different provinces.

I twice sallied forth one morning alone and on horseback, and proceeded
to a distant village, bearing behind me a satchel of books. On my
arrival, which took place just after the _siesta_ or afternoon's sleep
had concluded, I proceeded in both instances to the market-place, where I
spread a horse-cloth on the ground, on which I deposited my books. I
then commenced crying with a loud voice: 'Peasants, peasants, I bring you
the Word of God at a cheap price. I know you have but little money, but
I bring it to you at whatever you can command, at four or three _reals_
according to your means.' I thus went on till a crowd gathered round me,
who examined the book with attention, many of them reading it aloud. But
I had not long to tarry; in both instances I disposed of my cargo almost
instantaneously, and then mounted my horse without a question having been
asked me, and returned to my temporary residence lighter than I left it.
This occurred in Castile and Galicia, near the towns of Santiago and
Valladolid.

The above are incidents which I have hitherto kept within the privacy of
my own bosom and which I have confided to none; they were but
experiments, which at that time I had no wish to repeat, nor to be
requested so to do. I was perfectly aware that such a line of conduct,
if followed before the proper time, would give offence to the clergy, not
only to the Carlist but the liberal clergy, and likewise to the
Government; and it formed no part of my plan to be on ill terms with
either. For I remembered that I was a stranger and a labourer on
sufferance in Christ's cause in a half-barbaric land, on which the light
of freedom and true religion was just beginning to dawn, and