sion-of the boldness with which he introduced the topic of religion when he thought he could do so with good effect of his disregard for dangerof his sufferings and imprisonments of his labours in translating and editing, and of the good results of his undertaking, which we think are very important, although, with a becoming modesty, he speaks as if he had done nothing. We hardly like to say a word which may appear to qualify our high admiration of one who has done so much, and so well, but we cannot help expressing our feeling that the title of his work, "The Bible in Spain," is not very happily chosen. The general tone of the volumes, blameless and admirable, their object being only literary, does not very well harmonize with the reverence which we are accustomed to associate with even the name of the Bible. But Mr. Borrow is not like other people, and fearing to be misapprehended, we are careful to add that throughout the work the subject of religion is never approached with a shadow of levity; indeed, although every page shows a pleasant humour, there is, properly, no levity in any of his volumes.

He

In the year 1835 Mr. Borrow, who had been previously in Russia, was suddenly called on to go out as agent for the Bible Society, to Spain. obeyed the call, and in the November of that year landed in Lisbon. Remaining for a short time in Portugal, he made excursions with the view of ascertaining the state of education and the feeling of the people in regard to religion. Since the revolution in Portugal the Bible has been allowed to be introduced and circulated, but Mr. Borrow says that little had been accomplished. He found education in a low state, the Scriptures not taught in the schools, and gross ignorance on the subject of religion. Of at least two hundred persons that he spoke with on the topic, not one had seen a Bible, and not more than half a dozen had "the slightest inkling" of what it was. He mentions, however, some instances of the readiness with which he was listened to, and his Bibles bought. A nobleman of influence took a number for schools he was about to establish on his estates, and a bookseller of Elvas was happy to co-operate in the sale and circulation of the Scriptures, declining profit.

These are not the only hopeful indications mentioned by our author during his stay in Portugal, although we also learn that he met there a good deal of bigotry and attachment to the Church of Rome. Leaving Portugal, Mr. Borrow, as we have seen before, entered Spain by Badajoz, remained there amongst the gypsies until he had completed his translation of the Gospel of St. Luke into their language, and was then preparing to start for Madrid, when Antonio, the gypsy, called on him, assuring him that there was much danger from these tribes, who, taking advantage of the state of the country, were forming themselves into bands for plunder, and offered, if instead of going by the stage-coach he rode with him, to escort him through Estramadura until they reached the confines of Castumba, where "the London Caloro" might make his own way on. Mr. Borrow, chiefly for adventure's sake, accepted the offer, and entrusted himself to the Zincalo. After many

incidents, all well told, they pass the night in a forest, bivouacking with gypsies, and next day arrive at Jaraicejo. Here we have the first purely Spanish scene. A man with a soiled foraging cap, and holding a gun in his hand, who proves to be one of the national guard, comes forward. We find it necessary to observe that Mr. Borrow's appearance was at this time by no means creditable or prepossessing: he wore an old Andalusian hat, a cloak which had served some half dozen generations, had a beard of a week's growth, and his nether garments and face were covered with mud.

"Have you a passport?' at length demanded the national. "I remembered having read that the best way to win a Spaniard's heart is, to treat him with ceremonious civility. I therefore dismounted, and taking off my hat, made a low bow to the constitutional soldier, saying: "Senor nacional, you must know that I am an English gentleman, travelling in this country for my pleasure. I bear a passport, which, on inspecting, you will find to be perfectly regular; it was given me by the great Lord Palmerston, minister of England, whom you, of course, have heard of here; at the bottom you will see his own handwriting; look at it and rejoice; perhaps you will never have another opportunity. As I put unbounded confidence in the honour of every gentleman, I leave the passport

in your hands whilst I repair to the possada to refresh myself. When you have inspected it you will perhaps oblige me so far as to bring it to me. Cavalier, I kiss your hands.'

"I then made him another low bow, which he returned with one still lower, and leaving him now staring at the passport, and now looking at myself, I went into a possada, to which I was directed by a beggar whom I met.

"I fed the horse and procured some bread and barley, as the gypsy had directed me; I likewise purchased three fine partridges of a fowler, who was drinking wine in the possada. He was satisfied with the price I gave him, and offered to treat me with a copita, to which I made no objection. As we sat discoursing at the table, the national entered, with the passport in his hand, and sat down by us

"NATIONAL.-' Caballero! I return you your passport; it is quite in form. I rejoice much to have made your acquaintance; I have no doubt you can give me some information respecting the present war.'

"MYSELF. I shall be very happy to afford so polite and honourable a gentleman any information in my power.'

"NATIONAL. What is England doing-is she about to afford any assistance to this country? If she pleased she could put down the war in three months.'

"MYSELF. No tenga usted cuidao, senor nacional; the war will be put down, don't doubt. You have heard of the English legion, which my Lord Palmerston has sent over? Leave the matter in their hands, and you will soon see the result.'

"NATIONAL. It appears to me that this Caballero Balmerson must be a very honest man.'

"MYSELF.-There can be no doubt

of it.'

"NATIONAL. I have heard that he is a great general.'

"MYSELF. There can be no doubt of it. In some things neither Napoleon nor the sawyer would stand a chance with him for a moment. Es mucho hombre.'

"NATIONAL.-Io me alegro mucho. I see that the war will soon be over. Caballero, I thank you for your politeness, and for the information which you have afforded me. I hope you will have a pleasant journey. I confess that I am surprised to see a gentleman of your country travelling alone, and in this manner, through such regions as these.

The roads are at present very bad; there have been of late many accidents, and more than two deaths in this neigh bourhood. The despoplado, out yon. der, has a particularly evil name; be on your guard, caballero. I am sorry that gypsy was permitted to pass; should you meet him and not like his looks, shoot him at once, stab him, or ride him down. He is a well-known thief, contrabandista, and murderer, and has committed more assassinations than he has fingers on his hands. Caballero, if you please, we will allow you a guard to the other side of the pass. Do you not wish it? Then farewell. Stay, before I go I should wish to see once more the signature of the Cabellero Balmerson.'

"I showed him the signature, which he looked upon with profound reverence, uncovering his head for a moment; we then embraced and parted.'"

Mr. Borrow must be quite an authority on the subject of Spain, he was there for five years, and had better opportunities of knowing the country and people than any other writer who has come before the public for years past. His impressions are to a great extent such as are prevalent in England, but in some respects they are new. It is worth while referring to them. Spain, chiefly from her troubles, has gone out of fashion, has not been visited, and has become almost unknown. We gladly revive an acquaintance with her from the latest observer there and the best. Mr. Borrow conceives that she is "the most magnificent country in the world, probably the most fertile, and certainly with the finest climate." That so great are her resources, and such the sterling character of her people, that notwithstanding her sufferings, long misrule, and spiritual tyranny, she is still an unexhausted country, and her people high-minded and great. With much of savage crime, they have much of heroic virtue, and very little of vulgar vice. Such at least is the character of the great body of the people, the peasantry, from whom, Mr. Borrow tells us he has always experienced kindness, courtesy, and protection. There is more of novelty, and, we rather suspect, less of truth, in his theory that she is not a fanatic country, and never has been. Her character, he

conceives, never changes that it is founded on pride, and that it was by appealing to this, and not to any feeling like fanaticism that Rome exercised for ages so strong an influence over her. She was for two centuries, as Mr. Borrow says, the she-butcher, La Verduga of Rome-the instrument of her vengeance, that this arose from her being flattered by Rome, and given the title of Gonfaloniera of the Vicar of Jesus,-that losing her renown in arms she ceased to be the butcher, but became the banker of Rome, "who," we are told, “during the last century probably extracted from Spain more treasure than from all the rest of Christendom." This our author also attributes to the principle of pride, the Spaniard, he says, always esteeming it a privilege to pay another person's reckoning. But the contest with France, and long-continued civil wars having impoverished Spain, Rome found her neither butcher nor banker, and becoming angry, gave her to understand that she was degraded and a beggar. "Now," observes our author, " 'you may draw the last cuarto from a Spaniard, provided you will concede to him the title of cavalier, and rich man, for the old leaven still works as powerfully as in the time of the first Philip; but you must never hint that he is poor, or that his blood is inferior to your own. And the old peasant, on being informed in what slight estimation he was held, replies

"If I am a beast, a barbarian, and a beggar withal, I am sorry for it; but as there is no remedy, I shall spend these four bushels of barley, which I had reserved to alleviate the misery of the holy father, in procuring bull spectacles, and other convenient diversions, for the queen my wife, and the young princes my children. Beggar ! carajo! The water of my village is better than the wine of Rome."

We have endeavoured to give, in a small space, our author's view of the Spanish character; it is new, and, though we cannot agree with him, we feel that it is entitled to respect. Our own impression is, that there is no people of Europe in whose national character the elements of fanaticism exist so strongly as in that of Spain. Every page of her history developes this, and almost every great character she has produced has shown it. We need not refer to Loyola, or

to the noble-minded, devoted Xavier. Many of the incidents mentioned in Mr. Borrow's volumes, prove,we think, sufficiently that such is the character of the Spanish people even at the present day, when they have been chastised into something more nearly approach. ing a spirit of liberality than they ever knew before.

Mr. Borrow gives us admirable portraits of the leading ministers of Spain -of Mendizabal, Isturitz, Galiano, and the Duke of Rivas. We transcribe the extract which paints Rivas, and that paragon of men in office, his secretary.

"The duke was a very handsome young man of about thirty, an Andalusian by birth, like his two colleagues. He had published several works, tragedies, I believe, and enjoyed a certain kind of literary reputation. He received me with great affability, and having heard what I had to say, he replied with a most captivating bow, and a genuine Andalusian grimace, 'Go to my secretary; go to my secretary-el hara por usted el gusto." So I went to the secretary, whose name was Oliban, an Aragonese, who was not handsome, and whose manners were neither elegant nor affable. You want permission to print the Testament?' 'I do,' said I. And you have come to his excellency about it,' continued Oliban. 'Very true,' I replied. I suppose you intend to print it without notes.' 'Yes.' Then his excellency cannot give you permission,' said the Aragonese secretary. It was determined by the Council of Trent that no part of the Scripture should be printed in any Christian country without the notes of the church.' 'How many years was that ago?' I demanded. I do not know how many years ago it was,' said Oliban, but such was the decree of the Council of Trent.' Is Spain at present governed according to the decrees of the Council of Trent?' I inquired. In some points she is, and this is one. But tell me, who are you? are you known to the British minister ?' 'O yes, and he takes a great interest in the matter.' 'Does he?' said Oliban, 'that indeed alters the case; if you can show me that his excellency takes an interest in the business, I certainly shall not oppose myself to it.

"The British minister performed all I could wish, and much more than I could expect. He wrote a private note to the Duke of Rivas. I went and delivered the letter. He was ten times more kind and affable than before; he read the letter, smiled most sweetly and then, as if seized with a sudden en

thusiasm, extended his arms in a manner aimost theatrical, exclaiming, Al secretario, el hara por usted el gusto.' Away I hurried to the secretary, who received me with all the coolness of an icicle: I related to him the words of his principal, and then put into his hands the letter of the British minister to myself. The secretary read it very deli berately, and then said it was evident that his excellency did take an interest in the matter. He then asked my name, and taking a sheet of paper sat down as if for the purpose of writing the permi:sion. I was in ecstacy. All of a sudden, however, he stopped, lifted up his head, seemed to consider a moment, and then putting his pen behind his ear, he said, Amongst the decrces of the council is one to the effect.' 'O dear!' said I.

Galiano, a person of very enlightened mind, who had lived a good while in England, and at one period supported himself there by contributing to periodicals, now interceded for our author, who, full of hope, is again with the secretary.

"I remained with Oliban, who proceeded forthwith to write something, which having concluded, he took out a box of cigars, and having lighted one, and offered me another, which I declined, as I do not smoke, he placed his feet against the table, and thus proceeded to address me, speaking in the French language:It is with great pleasure that I see you in this capital, and, I may say, upon this business. I consider it a disgrace to Spain that there is no edition of the Gospel in circulation, at least such a one as would be within the reach of all classes of society, the highest or poorest one unencumbered with notes or commentaries, human devices, swelling it to an unwieldy bulk. I have no doubt that such an edition as you propose to print, would have a most beneficial influence on the minds of the people, who, between ourselves, know nothing of pure religion: how should they, seeing that the Gospel has always been sedulously kept from them, just as if civilization could exist where the light of the Gospel beameth not? The moral regeneration of Spain depends on the free circulation of the Scriptures; to which alone England, your own happy country, is indebted for its high state of civilization, and the unmatched prosperity which it at present enjoys; all this I admit, in fact reason compels me to do so, but-'

Now for it,' thought I. But,-'and then he began to talk once more of the wearisome Council of Trent, and I found that his writing in the paper, the offer of the cigar, and the long and prosy harangue were-what shall I call it ? mere φλυαρία.

Mr. Borrow speaks with much hu

mility of the results of his mission. He appears to us to have done a great deal. The object with which he was sent to Spain, was, we find, rather to ascertain how far the minds of the people were prepared to receive the Gospel, than actually to distribute it. In this he seems to have been quite successful. But he has done greatly more. Besides translating and publishing the Gospel in the gypsy language and in the Basque, he, as we have seen, circulated and established depots for the Portuguese Bible, and, assisted by a gentleman of learning and of an ancient family in Castile, Luis de Usoz, he brought out, at Madrid, an edition of the New Testament, consisting of five thousand volumes. They took, as the basis of their edition, the Spanish version of the Testament, published by a Padre Filipe Scio, confessor of Ferdinand the Seventh; but which, from the notes, was unfit for their purpose, and indeed from being over written with them, was quite unsuited for general circulation. He had this version advertized in the journals and periodicals; had a shop or despacho for the sale of it in Madrid; and thus made it known a good deal there, but circulated it with much greater success in. the provinces. This, without taking into account the great numbers he conversed with on the subject of religion in his many journeys throughout the country, was, we think, doing a good deal.

We have endeavoured, so far as our limits would allow, to give our readers an outline of Mr. Borrow's works, and in closing, are bound to thank him for the high pleasure they have given us. The "Zincali ' was the prize book of the last season, and "The Bible in Spain," is likely to be the favourite of the present one. We hope he will tell us a great deal more, both about the gypsies and Spain; and we look to him with a longing expectation for a book on Russia. Two or three works have lately introduced us to that country, but Mr. Borrow is the person who can make us familiar with its people. His style

of narrative would make the fortune of a book of travels, and in the fastspreading popularity of his present works, we trust he will find some reward for his great labours, and good encouragement to publish more.