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resent； that the greatest prudence and foresight go hand in hand with zeal and piety。 A corrupt Government； influenced by an atrocious priesthood； has for the last three years been on the look…out to take advantage of every rash movement of the helpers in God's cause in Spain。 It ought always to be borne in mind that though nominally a constitutional country； Spain is governed by despotism the more infamous and dangerous as it decks itself in the garb of liberty。 Whenever a native becomes obnoxious to the Government； he is instantly seized and imprisoned； though perhaps guilty of no crime which can be punished by law； foreigners have by law particular privileges； but these privileges are every day violated； and redress is seldom or never obtained； which proves that the law is a dead letter。
I know perfectly well that it is no infraction of the LAW to print or sell the Holy Scriptures； either with or without comment； in Spain。 What then？ Is there not such a thing as A ROYAL ORDINANCE to the effect that the Scriptures be seized wherever they are found？ True it is that ordinance is an unlawful one： but what matters that； provided it be put into execution by the authorities civil and military？ Too many Englishmen who visit Spain imagine that they carry their own highly favoured country at their back； a country in which the law rules supreme； but let them once be brought into collision with the Government； and they will soon learn how little it avails them to have right on their side whilst brute force is always at the call of their adversaries。
I have informed Mr。 Jerningham that for some time past I have relinquished distributing the Scriptures in Spain … which is the truth。 I therefore claim the privileges of a British subject and the protection of my Government。 I shall return to England as soon as I can obtain some redress for this affair。 It is then my intention to attempt to obtain an interview with some of the members of the House of Lords。 I have important disclosures to make respecting the system of persecution which still exists in this country with respect to Protestants； who are not only debarred the exercise of their religion but to whom the common privilege of burial is denied： so much for the tolerance of Popery。 Yet there are journals of talent and learning in England who； observing that British Protestants； alarmed at the progress which the Papal doctrine is making in the British islands； are concerting measures for their own defence； accuse them of raising once more the SENSELESS BRAY AGAINST POPERY； as if every unprejudiced person was not aware that Popery is an unrelenting fiend which never spares when it has the power to crush … and that power I am afraid it will soon possess in Britain； unless the poor down…trodden Protestants stand back to back and combat the monster to the death。 This is no vain alarm； I assure you； therefore I beg that you will not smile。 Few people know more of the secrets of Popery than myself； or the stand which she intends to take when time and place serve。 Therefore in conclusion let me entreat those of our friends who may hear these lines read to be on their guard； to drop all petty dissensions； and to comport themselves like brothers。 Protestants must no longer be disunited。
I will write again in a day or two。
May the Lord be with you； Revd。 and dear Sir。
GEORGE BORROW。
LETTER： 28th December； 1839
To the Rev。 A。 Brandram （ENDORSED： recd。 Jan。 7； 1840） MADRID； No。 16 CALLE； SANTIAGO； 28TH DEC。 1839。
REVD。 AND DEAR SIR； … I lose not a moment in writing to you in consequence of an article in one of the London papers （the COURIER； I believe） which has just been shown me。 It relates to my late imprisonment at Seville； and contains part of a letter which I showed to a friend and which indeed was a copy of that which I sent to yourself。 With respect to the letter I have little to observe； save that I showed it to various individuals （who took copies） in order that an incorrect account of the affair might not get abroad； but I beg leave solemnly to assure you that I disavow and give no countenance to any remarks or observations respecting it which may find their way into print。 I am not ashamed of the METHODISTS OF CADIZ； their conduct in many respects does them honour； nor do I accuse any one of fanaticism amongst our dear and worthy friends； but I cannot answer for the tittle…tattle of Madrid。 Far be it from me to reflect upon any one： I am but too well aware of my own multitudinous imperfections and follies。 I am going instantly to write to Mr。 Rule； and I would also to our other friend did I but know his address。 Should you have an opportunity of communicating with him； pray； pray say something on the subject； and present to him my kind love。 I hope sincerely no further notice will be taken of this affair in the newspapers； but to attempt to correct their errors would merely make bad worse。 Pray excuse my agitation； but I write in haste。
I remain； Revd。 and dear Sir； yours sincerely；
GEORGE BORROW。
LETTER： 2nd January； 1840
To the Rev。 A。 Brandram （ENDORSED： recd。 Jan。 13； 1840） MADRID； No。 16 CALLE SANTIAGO； 2 JANUARY 1840。
REVD。 AND DEAR SIR； … To…morrow I depart in order to return to Seville。 I have laid a full account of the late outrageous assault before the British Embassy； and a strong representation has been made to the Spanish Government。 I have now nothing further to detain me in the Spanish capital； and I hope that within a very short time I shall be able to bid adieu to the shores of Spain； which I shall quit with as little regret as the tired labourer at nightfall quits the filthy ditch in which he has been toiling during the whole of a dreary day。
I should feel much obliged if you would write me a line or two； directed to my usual address； No。 7 Plazuela de la Pila Seca； Sevilla； with any little information respecting matters of serious import； as I am almost entirely unacquainted with what has been going on during the last six months； the public journals containing little which has any interest for me。 Is it possible that the British Government is going to bombard the coast of China because the Emperor of that country is not disposed to countenance opium smuggling？ I have frequently difficulty in believing my eyes when I read of the proceedings of Christians and people high in authority； whom it is of course my wish and duty to respect。 Is it wonderful that the Chinese cling to Buddh and refuse to confess the Son of the Eternal； when they see the professors of the Christian religion commit such acts of cruel violence and flagrant injustice？
I have drawn for twenty pounds； which will liquidate the expenses of the journey from Seville and back again。 I shall require no more until my departure for England。 In the meanwhile I am preparing my accounts and various other papers。 Pray present my best remembrances to all my friends。 If there be anything which I can perform for any of them before I leave Spain； let them but inform me and it shall be done。
I remain； Revd。 and dear Sir； ever y