第58章 22nd May,1836

To the Rev.A.Brandram (ENDORSED:recd.June 1,1836)MADRID,MAY 22,1836.

REVD.AND DEAR SIR,-I write in the greatest hurry.I shall receive the permission,the Lord willing,in a few days;the Duke de Rivas has this moment told me so,and he is Minister of the Interior.

The Ecclesiastical Court declined deciding upon the matter,and left it entirely in the hands of the Ministers.Just as the English Ambassador was about to remind Mr.Mendizabal of his promise to me,the latter gentleman and his colleagues retired from office;a new Ministry was formed composed entirely of my friends,amongst them Alcala Galiano (turn to my last letter).

As soon as the Minister of Finance,with whom I am very intimate,returns from France,I shall request to be permitted to introduce the Catalan New Testament upon paying a reasonable duty.

I received Mr.Jackson's letter containing the money,and yours,also with money,and a rap on the knuckles besides;it was scarcely merited,as I can prove in five words.

Not having the Scripture to offer to the people,I was obliged to content myself with mentioning it to them;the people here know not the Scripture even by name,but they know a certain personage well enough,and as soon as the subject of religion is brought up they are sure to bring him forward,as they consider him the fountainhead of all religion.Those therefore in the situation of myself have three things at their option;to speak nothing -to speak lies -or to speak the truth.In simpleness of heart Ithought proper to adopt the last principle as my line of conduct;Ido not think I have erred,but I shall be more reserved in future.

In conclusion let me be permitted to observe that the last skirts of the cloud of papal superstition are vanishing below the horizon of Spain;whoever says the contrary either knows nothing of the matter or wilfully hides the truth.

I remain,Revd.and dear Sir,most truly yours,G.BORROW.