George Borrow, Esq.

3 ALBERT TERRACE, DOUGLAS, _11 February 1856._

MY DEAR SIR,--If experience on report has made you acquainted
with the nature of true Celtic indolence and procrastination
you will be prepared to learn, without surprise, that your
Runic stone still remains unerected.[184] In vain have I called
time after time upon the clerk of Braddan--in vain have I
expostulated. Nothing could I get but fair words and fair
promises. First he was very rheumatic, having, according to his
own account, contracted his dolorous aches in the course of
that five-hours' job under your superintendence in the steeple,
where, it seems, a merciless wind is in the habit of disporting
itself. Then the weather was so unfavourable, then his wife was
ailing, etc., etc. On Saturday, however, armed with your potent
note, I made another attack, and obtained a promise that the
stone should be in its right place on that day of the week
following. So I await the result. My own private impression is
that if we see the achievement complete by Easter there will be
much cause for thankfulness.

Many thanks for _The Illustrated News_; I read the article with
great interest, and subsequently studied the stone itself as
well as its awkward position in its nook in the steeple would
allow me. Your secret, I need hardly say, was faithfully kept
till the receipt of the news assured me that it need be a
secret no longer. I may just mention that the clerk thinks that
the sovereign you left will be quite enough to defray the
expenses. I think so too; at least if there be anything more it
cannot be worth mentioning. Though no Manxman myself still I
shall take the liberty of thanking you in the name of Mona--may
I not add in the name of Antiquarian Science too--for your
liberality in this matter. Mrs. Borrow, I trust, is
convalescent by this time, and Miss Clarke well. With our
united kind regards, believe me, my dear Sir, very sincerely
yours,

S. W. WANTON.

And even three years later we find that Borrow has not forgotten the
friends of that Manx holiday. This letter is from the Vicar of Malew in
acknowledgment of a copy of _The Romany Rye_ published in the interval:

To George Borrow, Esq.

MALEW VICARAGE, BALLASALLA, ISLE OF MAN, _27 J