第23章 15/27December,1834

To J.Tarn,Esq.ST.PETERSBURG,DECR.15/27,1834.

ON the other side I send an account of the money disbursed since the period of my last writing to you until the present moment.In respect to the 75roubles charged for the reprinting of three sheets of St.Matthew,I beg leave to observe,that after several sheets of that Gospel had been printed,after the same manner as that adopted in the first edition,Mr.Lipoftsoff,the Censor,gave me notice that he had determined that the position of the vowel-points should be altered;and I did not think proper to make any opposition.But as common-sense informed me that it was by no means expedient to exhibit two systems of pointing in the same work,I subsequently caused the first sheets to be reprinted.Ithink it necessary to offer this short explanation to prevent any misunderstanding;for this superfluous expense must be attributed to the Censor's not knowing originally his own mind,and not to any negligence on my part.I am so pressed for time that I have not been able to refer to my last account,which lies buried amongst the ocean of my papers,and in stating that I retained in hand 123roubles,I have merely trusted to memory and calculation;but I am sure the Committee and yourself will excuse my little inaccuracy,when I state my situation.My two compositors,whom I had instructed in all the mysteries of Mandchou composition,are in the hospital down with the brain fever,for every kind of sickness is at present raging in this place;and during the last three days Ihave been running about in all directions in quest of people to fill their situation,until they recover.

Thanks be to the Lord,I have discovered and engaged the person who composed the first Mandchou Gospel of St.Matthew,ten years since;and as next week I shall again station myself in the printing office for the purpose of assisting and instructing,the great work will not be delayed,and in a fortnight or ten days I trust to be able,provided an opportunity occurs,to transmit to England copies of the four Gospels.With my best rewards to Mr.Brandram and Mr.

Jowett (whose last letter I have received),I remain,etc.,GEORGE BORROW.